Duncan & Dolores

The heroines of Faye and Delores are getting a little older; Delores feels ready to take on the responsibility of owning a cat named Duncan. ""He's just my age'' is Delores's most persuasive argument. But Dolores's abundant energy and eagerness to be friends with Duncan prove a little daunting to the fat cat; he shows a decided preference for the more sedate Faye. Discouraged, Delores makes a hiding place of two chairs and a blanket, has a tea party with dolls Martha and Mabel (Duncan isn't invited), plays the piano (and doesn't even glance Duncan's way), works at her easel (her pictures aren't of cats). Finally Duncan makes an irresistible overture of friendship and puts his chin on Delores's neck at bedtime. It's a funny first lesson in playing hard-to-get, and Samuel's quirky insights into the siblings' daily lives should have a lot of sistersand brotherslaughing. (4-7)