The million stars

the long version

Susan Lester was confused by her feelings. Mark Harrington had been standing close behind her as she looked through the microscope, and he drew away quickly. Humiliated, she wondered if her pounding heart were audible all over the lab. Young Meredith unconsciously came to her rescue. "Is it what you thought it was, Uncle Mark?" Mark shook his head. "No, but I have something here that will interest you." Meredith was fascinated, but Susan could hardly wait to get away. "We mustn't bother Uncle Mark any longer," she said. "He has work to do." Obediently, Meredith slid from the stool and thanked his uncle. "A pleasure," Mark said. Susan followed Meredith out, recalling her own earlier words to Mark: "It would be most convenient for you to have a lovelorn maiden drooping around the place!" She also clearly remembered that Mark had readily agreed.