Downstairs, she heard the phone ringing. Then the buzzer on the extension in Tay's room. She glanced at her watch. It said 9:42. She wouldn't answer. But then, if sho didn't, her mother would be right up to see what was the matter. So she lifted the telephone and said, "Well?"

"Ahhh, do I hear my baby's voice at last? Honey, I know you told me not to call, but what do you expect when somebody's in love? I was real good for more than half the evening, though but finally, I couldn't stand it any longer."

Tay felt herself going stiff all over. The words came on tumbling from the receiver.

"How about giving me an hour before midnight? little hour? Huh? Please

Just one

Tay's answer came cool. "Why did you phone when I asked you not to?"

"Well, I I've already explained. I'm in love, Honey! What's the fancy idea, anyway, cloistering yourself in your room, and not even seeing the person who's

"If you'll pardon me, I'll say goodbye and hang up now.

"Hey you

wait a minute! Just wait until I lay my big

hands on your little shoulders

Tay didn't wait. "Goodbye, Don," she said softly, and laid the unit into its cradle. "Big hands -" she murmured. "Big hands clean and well-shaped; full of love, too. But are they for me? In spite of all the love they bring, are they for me?"

Then she remembered Millicent's hands. Tender, soft, compatible hands as they held one of Tay's hands, as they touched her cheek or her throat ...Suddenly her own hands trembled up to her face and she wept into them. All the bitterness of the struggle rendered liquid in tears, and they flowed down her fingers and along her wrists until they dampened the white piquet ouffs.