THICKER THAN WATER

The Langs, almost eaten Out of House and Home (1965, p. 501-J355) by their pets, are sheltering an English-Scottish cousin this time --and the animals win paws down. Before Ian arrives, Tom is elated at the prospect of sharing his possessions and pleasures with a rugged Britisher, and Peggy is resentful at the prospect of being left out. But Ian is a ""puny, scared sissy"" with owlish glasses and spindly limbs whom Tom regards with contempt. Tom's attitude is aggravated by the obvious preference shown Ian by Mary Alice, a simpering femme fatale. It's not all one-sided, however, for Ian has pluck and ingenuity and unexpected skill at baseball. As their relationship seesaws, Peggy is torn between the two and sometimes neglected by both, until she wishes for a friend of her own. After a year, Ian is ""sturdy (and) self-confident,"" Mary Alice has moved on to greener pastures, the boys have become buddies, and Peggy has found a kindred soul, a tomboy new in town. Mary Alice and Ian are static stereotypes, and Tom and Peggy are stereotypes with ""growing pains."" You've read it all before.