peeking through the kitchen door Jack's still not down. Mother's going to have a fit if he's late for his own enlistment ceremony.

grinning, pouring herself tea He's probably in his room, practicing that smile in the mirror. You know how he is.

snorting He's not practicing anything. He's asleep. He was out with that girl from the country club till two.

from the hallway, voice tight John Fitzgerald Kennedy, if you are not down these stairs in five minutes—

calling back, muffled through the door Coming, Mother! Just—adjusting my tie.

You're the new neighbor, right? From the house on the corner?

smoothing his lapels Well? How do I look?

Like you're about to charm the pants off every admiral in the Pacific.

laughing That's the plan.