«Yes," Roberta said. "Is there anything else, Father? I have homework to do." He snapped back, "Yes, there is something else. You'll change your tone of voice, young lady, and show a little more respect. Furthermore, we'll end this conversation when I'm good and ready.» «If you say so, Father.» «And stop calling me Father! « «Very well, Father." Met was tempted to laugh, then supposed he had better not. He asked, "Is everything all right at home? « «Yes. But Libby wants to talk to you.» «In a minute. I was just going to tell you-because of the storm I *may not be home tonight. There's a lot happening at the airport. I'll probably come back and sleep here." Again a pause, as if Roberta was weighing whether or not she could get away with a smart answer: So what else is new? Apparently she decided not. "Will you speak to Libby now? « «Yes, I will. Goodnight, Robbie.» «Goodnight." There was an impatient shuffle as the telephone changed hands, then Libby's small breathless voice. "Daddy, Daddy! Guess what!" Libby was always breathless as if, to a seven-yearold, life were excitingly on the run and she must forever keep pace or be left behind. "Let me think," Mel said. "I know-you had fun in the snow today.» «Yes, I did, But it wasn't that.» «Then I can't guess. You'll have to tell me.» «Well, at school, Miss Curzon said for homework we have to write down all the good things we think will happen next month." He thought affectionately: he could understand Libby's enthusiasm. To her, almost everything was exciting and good, and the few things which were not were brushed aside and speedily forgotten. He wondered how much longer her happy innocence would last. "That's nice," Mel said. "I like that.»