THE DISTANT PRINCESS

This is supposed to be the story of a man whose life began at forty. Frank Bacon, Princetonian, Episcopalian, Republican, Philadelphia Main Liner and stodgy bachelor (he spruces up his mealtimes with doilies) is shaken from his cocoon of shabby genteel comforts when his two women friends (he seems to have no other kind) foist upon him a young East German refugee who will learn English and about democracy in America by being Bacon's caretaker at ten dollars a week. Becoming involved in another person's life changes Bacon's own. He now makes trips to New York. Furthermore, he gives parties. He opens an antique shop and finally he proposes marriage -- to both of his lady friends. The second choice, a go-getter career type from New York, accepts. It's all implausible and ridiculous but its dialogue sounds as if it were lifted from a manual of ""correct form"" and that may be of interest to someone -- when to send flowers, when to omit, etc., etc.