The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-09-07
Audit Week
90
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS
Mcclure syndicate-wNU service.)

firm OF interior decorators-the firm
being solely and entirely the fair
haired, bright-eyed Lucy.
"And I'm not pinning any
ribbons on myself" Lucy was wont
to say when friends made fiattering
comments on her artistic ability. eff
Dad hadn't taught me to keep books
in so simple a manner that I know
just exactly where stand financial
ly, l could not have done it."
In view of the hard-boiled facts
then it was bit of a surprise that
Lucy took the course she did a few
days later, but, as a matter of fact,
she had particularly pleasant mo-
tive behind her action. The motive
was, however, known only to Lucy.
She was standing chatting with the
owner of a charming tearoom-
charming because Lucy herself had
decorated it in the alluringly warm
shades of a summer sunset-when
she noticed most attractive young
man sitting in perfect sea of books
and bills and receipts.
What hol" said Lucy, "who is
your friend?"
Mrs. lie Mar laughed. "That,"
she said bit chestily, "is my audi
tor. Since Lucy Lattimer, Inc,
made my tearooms so lovely bust
ness has become so overpowering
that l had to resort to help in the
way of keeping books-these ogres
OF income tax people mustn't find
any flaws. Friends recommended
me to Donald Mclean as being a
very deserving accountant just ris-
ing to success, so-behold Donald"
Lucy smiled softly. She had got
the information she wanted without
even asking for it. Saves a pile of
worry, too, doesn't it?' she COM
mented.
However, when she returned to
her big Office Lucy took up the tele-
phone book before she removed her
sea green hat which would release
her glorious curls of red gold to
their own sweet way. Among the
McLeans she found the one she
wanted. After that she typed a raost
business-like note and went straight
out to post it.
Having heard, in the course Of a
mail or two, that Donald Mclean
would take over the auditing of her
books, Lucy proceeded with a
strange course.
Most carefully she put away all
her books and every evidence Of a
well-conducted bUsiness-at least as
far as bookkeeping went-and got
together just her statements, check
stubs and as little as she felt ex-
pedient for the success of her idea.
And when on the Monday morn
ing sharp at nine o'clock Donald ar
rived to audit the books of Lucy
Lattimer, Inc, he wondered lust
how he was going to manage to sit
beside Lucy for perhaps a full week
and keep his mind affixed to the
business of auditing.
Lucy herself was more than
pleased at having a full week ahead.
"Have you kept no books at alp"
questioned Donald.
mot a book" Lucy told him and
gazed most innocently back at him.
"Then you don't even know wheth-
er you are making or losing?"
mo" said Lucy, and hoped she
might be forgiven for yawning so
easily, "but l kind of think I'm 60
ing to be successful"
So audit week went on happily.
Lucy, of course, could not be in
her show rooms all the time and
must needs be out among clients and
wholesale houses. She did, however.
rush things bit while out, and each
time the door of the office opened
and admitted the firm of Lucy Lat
timer, Inc, Donald tried his best not
to look up with the feeling of Joy
that entrance gave him.
II think you are going to have a
fairly big income tax bill to pay this
year." he told her; "things are look
ing up well for you"
"Oh, I'm glad to know I'm mud
ding through some way-you're
such help" she added, and cast
a glance at Donald which necessi-
tated the adding of an entire column
all over again.
Another day passed and Donald
gave her exact figures, and, in spite
of herself, Lucy's thorough business
head sprang into its own. It was
not to be put out Of business by
this bluff idea she was trying to
put over on Donald.
"Oh, I'm glad-that's exactly
what l made it out My books show
the identical figures"
whats that--your books-you
told me-" but he was speaking to
himself for Lucy had fiuttered quick
ly out and into the big show room.
She returned a second later and
deposited a number of books on the
desk beside Donald.
wanted them all verified" she
told b ~ "And if you aren't doing
anything this evening and would like
to stay and have dinner with me
mono, not now, Donald-I must see
-, cI;n,4