Follow a Stranger

would undoubtedly disapprove. Yet she did not have the

heart to cut Pallas out of the family. The girl was so clearly

happy. The sullen look which she had always worn at first

was never seen now. Her school work had improved

enormously since Sam made a few pointed remarks about

the dignity of labour. Sam worked very hard himself and

had no time for those who shirked.

Pallas had never enjoyed the casual, cheerful atmosphere

of an ordinary home before, and Kate suspected that if it

was taken away from her now, the girl would be twice as

unhappy.

Her interest in Sam was unfortunate, but Kate knew her

brother too well to fear any romantic entanglement. He was

level-headed, kind, ambitious. The glamour girls of his world

amused him, but he would not let himself get involved

seriously while he was still at art school, especially since he

knew that his mother and brothers would need his economic

support later.

She was convinced that she was right some weeks later

when she watched Sam and Pallas dancing to a record.

Pallas was tense, nervous, clumsy as she tried to follow him.

“You’re too uptight,” he complained. “You dance as if you

had a poker stuck up your back.”

Pallas went bright red. “You beast!” she shouted, pushing

at his chest.

Sam laughed and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Stop the

fireworks! Try it again, and put some give into it this time!”

Pallas did better this time, and Sam grinned at her,

“You’re getting the message! That was better!”

She beamed at him, her black hair loose and swinging. She