{{betlep180.png}} to give you a whirl through the parks before I take you home." "Oh, that would be lovely, Jack," said Betty. "Everything is so pretty now; but really I can't this time. Look at your watch and see how near dinner time it is, and Mother will be worried if I am late for that. I tell you what you do, Jack. I think Father will be ready to start home about now. Suppose you take me around to his office and drop me there." Betty was thinking that she really preferred not to go through the late afternoon traffic with Jack, at the rate he drove. This was a great idea. Jack demurred, but said that if she really wanted to go to the office he would take her there. "But I'll not leave you unless your dad is actually there." That was a nice bit of thoughtfulness, Betty told him; and when they reached the office building after finding a convenient place to park, Jack took the elevator with her and in a few minutes was introduced to Betty's father. That Jack made a good impression upon him was quite evident, though it was Mr. Lee's cus- tom to be cordial to Betty's friends. "If it isn't according to rules for Betty not to report at home right after school, Mr. Lee, blame me. I persuaded her that she was tired [[180]]