The Plastic Age

ther and father and the other to Helen Simpson. His letter

d lay awake dreaming, thinking of Carl, the college, and,

bbed, lively blue eyes, and an absurdly tiny snub nose. She was little, with quick, eager hands-a shallow creature who was proud to be seen with Hugh because he had been captain of the high-school track tea

he town. An early frost had already touched the foliage with scarlet and or

ightly on his. "Thinking

, and looked at the ground while he scuffed

, Hughie-oh, awfully. A

He was aware only of her hand. His throat s

He and Helen would have to start back pretty soon or he would be late for dinner. There was still packing to do; his mother had said that his father

pped as he loosened her hand from his and put his arm around her. With a contented sigh she

t and kissed her. And there they sat for half an hour more, close in each other's em

, his arm around her. When they reached her gate, he embraced her once more and kissed her as if he co

he whispere

eeping-and kissed her again. Then as another window shot l

te to me." His voice

l. Good-by

rown up. Golly, but Helen was a little peach. He felt her arms around his ne

xication again. But he failed. Carl, the college, registration-a thousand thoughts int