The Andre Norton Megapack - 15 Classic Novels and Short Stories

your lot.
    They both laughed and then Peter said slowly. “Now you can understand that I didn’t think it was wise to give ideas like that to a go-getting business woman like Fredericka Wing. I was, I confess it, scared to death.”
    “So you think you were worth getting, do you?”
    “Of course I hadn’t myself in mind for a moment. I was just thinking of the impact on South Sutton if you once got an idea like that into your very attractive head.”
    “I see. So now you’ve got over your first panic; public—and personal—”
    “On the personal side, something else has taken the place of panic, and that’s the truth. I still don’t think I’m much of a catch, Fredericka—not any more, but right now I’d give a good deal to think I was worth chasing.”
    Fredericka said nothing and after a moment he went on quietly: “Do you know I never heard another word about that cold of yours once we’d had our murder. You recovered?”
    “Oh yes. After I sneezed on Sunday and brought on all the disaster, I immediately began to get better.”
    “I see. But up until Saturday, if I’m not mistaken, I think you went on sneezing. I seem to recall a good Monday sneeze—that was for danger—quite right, too. Now—this is very important. Did you sneeze on Tuesday as well?”
    “Yes. Yes, I’m sure I did because I tried to remember how the rhyme went on and you wouldn’t tell me.”
    Peter ran the car over to the grass verge on the top of the last hill so that they could look down at the valley and up at the stars. Then he switched off the engine and turned to look down into the pale oval of her upturned face. “The rhyme, dear Fredericka, goes like this:”
    Sneeze on Sunday and safety seek,
    The devil will have you the rest of the week.
    “Yes, we know all about that—”
    “Don’t interrupt please—”
    Sneeze on Monday, sneeze for danger—
    Sneeze on Tuesday—kiss a stranger.
    “Oh!”
    “But I’m not a stranger any more, am I? And you wouldn’t mind very much, would you?”
    * * * *
    It was sometime later when the bright new car coasted down the hill and coughed itself back to life.
    “I don’t know what Dr. Scott would say, my love, about my keeping you out so late,” Peter said quietly, “but if that’s what it’s like to be chased by Fredericka, I’m afraid I’ll be back for more. You’ve made me very happy—”
    “And you, me,” Fredericka murmured sleepily, as she looked up at the night sky and nearby friendly stars.