"Paul is sentimental?" Jane was astonished.

"Only about a very few things and people. Thank goodness, I'm one of them," Shelley said, coming close to blushing.

"I still don't understand how this theater thing involves us," Jane said warily.

"The college is putting on a play, and we'll cater the food. The rehearsals start at six and go to nine forty-five. Most of the students and teachers involved won't have time to have dinner between their last class of the day and the rehearsal."

Jane frowned. "We're not supposed to cook anything, are we? If so, count me out right now."

"No, it's just snacky stuff for halfway through rehearsals. Sandwiches, chips, soft drinks. On paper plates. I've hired ten different caterers to try out, so it's not always the same kind of food."

"Where on earth did you find ten different caterers?"

"In the phone book. I ignored all the fast-food places that would bring stuff that anybody could drive through to eat. Then I asked twenty of the rest to send me references with the name of the organization and the name and telephone number of the person who'd hired them. Fifteen replied."

Jane should have known that Shelley was well prepared.

"How long does this go on? Ten whole days in a row?" Jane thought it sounded really boring.

"No," Shelley said. "We only do five a week. The students get out of class at noon on Saturday. And they get Sundays off to do all their homework."

"Do we have to hang around? Do we collect all the paper plates and plastic spoons?"