Follow a Stranger

it discontentedly. She was going to look a sight when it

flaked off on her back. She would not be able to wear her

bikini for the rest of the holiday.

On the Friday morning the doctor said she could now

get up. “But,” he warned sternly, “no more sunbathing.

No exertion.”

She promised eagerly. “It’s been such a waste of a

holiday,” she said to Sam.

He was looking pleasantly tanned, his freckles

merging with his healthy brown skin.

He gave her his hand. “Come on,” he said, “I’ll help

you downstairs.”

“I’m not an invalid,” she protested.

Sam grinned at her. “You’ve been acting the part jolly

well, then!”

To give herself confidence Kate had put on one of her

new dresses, a cool white voile, very feminine and

delicate, with a full skirt which reached half-way down

her calf, soft frills which left her throat bare, and tight-

fitting sleeves.

She met Mrs. Lillitos as she and Sam were going

down, and the older woman smiled delightedly.

“My dear child, how enchanting you look! A vision

from the past. But you need a hat.” She smiled. “I have

just the hat you need, ma chere.” She walked stiffly

back to her room, leaning on her cane, and returned in a

short time with a large picture hat of white straw,

trimmed with one very floppy pink rose.

Kate stood still while Mrs. Lillitos adjusted it. Sam

watched, smiling.