By the time she had completed the business course Hank had almost ceased to exist, but his logical, methodical mind often helped her in the many important decisions she was required to make in her new life.
Towards the end of the year she had a very good position with a scientific firm that was engaged in a great deal of research. She was thankful to have retained Hank's clear and well trained mind which was a great help, and she was much in demand as a secretary and as- sistant to many of the scientists that worked for the firm.
One, Kenneth Pritchard, was about her own age and seemed very much interested in her. He arranged as often as he could manage to have her help him in making up his notes, and in writing the results of whatever scientific study he was doing.
He had a brilliant scientific mind and was one of the important men in the firm. He and Lydia became great friends, and had many dates with each other. It was a new experience for Lydia to be the girl friend instead of having one! At such times Hank was forgotten, and she at- tempted to become as much of a female companion as she knew how.
Kenneth was a kind, thoughtful and considerate young man. Lydia admired his brilliant mind and enjoyed being in his company. Both of them were interested in antiques and the historical landmarks in the area. Kenneth had a car and they often drove around the country side seeking out such sites.
Kenneth was a good scientist but very awkward and absent minded about practical matters. He was a very poor driver, Lydia often won- dered how he had been able to get his driver's license. He needed about a half-acre to turn his car around and space large enough for a truck to park it. He knew almost nothing about repairing or taking care of it. Lydia inherited Hank's skill as a driver and a mechanic, and became the "chauffeur." She could turn around on a dime and squeeze into any tight parking place available. She could do the same thing with a ten-ton truck, but she didn't let Kenneth know that, nor did she tell him of the source of her mechanical training. She well knew how much men resented having a woman show how much more she knew of anything regarded as belonging to the masculine field than they did.
She was ashamed of the deceit she had to invent in talking to Ken- neth about her past life, but she was not ready yet to tell him that up to almost a year ago she had been a normal healthy man. She was not
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