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