The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-05-09
Listening In Or Foe

, T told you once before what I thought of him."
 More than once. And it doesn't interest me. want to know what he thinks of me"
 @As if you didn't know"
 T don't-after last night Some thing happened.
 You see, Bobby, I've never known exactly how to take Dirk All these boys I've grown up with are different. If they get fresh you can give them a good. slap, and that's that But. you can't kick a stranger in the ankle with out pretty good reason.
 Dirk has a way of doing things-lit- tie things, you can't just put your fin- ger on. If you object to them you feel like silly prude. No girl wants to act old-maidish. But if you let him get away with it, next time it's some thing different and-well, more SO"
 Hike what, for instance"
 Like taking hold of my elbow when we cross the street. Perhaps he means it. to be polite. But there's something about the way he does it that is more than just politeness."
 "Freah?"
 s"Oh, fresh as paint He called me Gretta before anybody had introduced him. Of course I couldn't let him get away with that. gave him a glassy heart, if you don't mind, till you've known me little whiie!'
 That had all the earmarks of dirty dog"
 "He came right back with Thanks. wanted to from the minute I saw you, but I didn't dare.' You simply can't squeich him. He dropped into tl% empty desk behind me in French the other day with 'Ah, there, little one! Saving this seat for me-? I never took my eyes off my book, but just said. as sarcastiiy as could: Oh, how have waited and watched for this mo- ment r And he turned to the class with broad grin and told them The joke of it is, she means it! Then ma 'mselle came in and quelled the gen. eral mirth."
 Gee, what a line p There was re- iuctant admiration in Bob's voice.
 ''Yes. It backs you right off your feet. I'm pretty good on the come back; usually-but I'll admit l have to take a handicap from Dirk. It's a game, you see: He's an expert "And that's why you lie awake nights wondering what he thinks of
 Don't be funny. Now listen, Bob, to what happened last night. We were parked out on the front porch after supper. I was curled up on the porch swing. Dirk was sitting in. the big chair--not the rocker, the straight one
 and tipping back on two legs the way you did just now.
 He almost lost his balance once and put his hand to steady himself and laid 1t on my arm. had on that white dress with no sleeves. After he was straight again he kept it there-just lightly, you know. What to do?"
 .Ycu might have said 'Unhand me, villainp" suggested Bob, brilliantly.
 "old stuff, happened to know he hates bugs-aH sorts of creepy and erawiy things. I believe he's afraid of 'em."
 T knew he had yellow streak. Wellg'
 "A big fat bug was crawling up the screen. Dirk sat looking off at the moon WlIn Jne SIliAcSb bulA1e. Hlppeu up Mister Bug with my finger and thumb and set him down on the back of Dirk's hand. He took good hold and dug himself in--and Dirk jumped clear out of his chair"
 "A winning hit for the home team. Gretta, you're good !"
 '.Too good. He gave me a nasty look and walked down the steps and went straight home, mad as a wet hen. What want to know, Bobby, is this |: Will he ever come back ?'
 "Ee will" said Bob, If you ask me. But what do you care ?'
 q don't-much," confessed Gretta. Only, Bobby--he's such awfully good practice for mel"
 Time the railroads; the tele- graph, the telephone. the wireless --and