Alice Duer Miller

(from Grosset & Dunlap dj flap)

"The girl is simply too good-looking," said Bunner, the office manager, in a high complaining voice. "She is industrious, intelligent, punctual and well-mannered, but simply too good-looking -- a disturbing element in the office on account of her appearance. I made a grave mistake in engaging her." As a result, Pearl Leavitt lost her fourth job in ten months. She was never insulted; no one threatened her virtue or offered to run away with her. It was simply the disturbing charm of good looks.

And so, since even good-looking people must eat, Pearl Leavitt indulged in a bit of innocent impersonation and took a job as governess at Southampton on the short of Long Island. Here surrounded by three children, their mother, and with their bachelor uncle in the offing to supply romance, Pearl had need for all her wits and her good looks; and the story of how she won is filled with shrewd understanding and charming humor.