established and Clair laughingly suggested that she might soon go to work for me.

That brings me to the present. I was both excited and apprehensive about your visit, Joe I was understandably nervous since my ap- pearance had changed very considerably-but I felt that you alone of all the people I ever knew would understand it for what it really was. I looked forward so much to the few hours when we could talk-and I could pay the obligations to the past.

But, Joe-how was I to know that you would intentionally slip out of the airport without meeting me that you would immediately come to Clair's place and turn on the old Conway charm.

Oh, I imagine she would be flattered-you had your dress blue uni- form on with the jardinier and all the ribbons. And you standing there in all your massive glory. And of course, when the door opens and you behold a woman in an evening gown, you naturally did your level best to sweep her off her feet.

Ah, Joe-you didn't know Clair. Sure-she would accept when you wouldn't accept "No" for an answer, but must immediately sweep her off her feet, and take her out for dancing and dining and doing the town. After all, as you said, you only had a few hours.

I would imagine she would have loved every minute of it-what an impressive sight you made! I have the picture, Joe, the one taken of you holding your partner on the dance floor-you looking blond, bronzed and so military-she radiant, and need I say?-after you did so many times so beautifully.

I could understand all that, Joe-even to your making a play for her. But Joe, Joe-did you have to do it that way-did our friendship mean so little to you? You didn't even know the situation, so I know that wasn't it but did you have to say all those things about me? And mean them? The fact that the first time you'd seen Clair's picture, you knew that she was the kind of woman you wanted-and you stood there so firm, so manly-so contrasted to the ex-friend whose memory you heaped mud on. Joe-how could you do that?

I must say that Clair was most understanding. After I called her, she was not surprised, but said "Didn't I tell you?" And she wasn't mad —