Cook, the high school principal, at 3:00 P.M. to discuss budget and staffing for the 1963-1964 school health program. She needed some time to complete her preparation for the conference. The school physician planned to see her at 10:00 A.M. with his budget recommendations. And at 11:00 A.M., she was to join a seventh-grade science class in a discussion of color perception. Miss Riley's mind was occupied with the class assignment as she approached the office door. Here she was greeted explosively by Janey, a 14-year-old eighth grader. Janey could scarcely say "Good morning" before plunging into her problem. "Miss Riley," she exclaimed, "do I ever need your help! My mother and I had the worst argument last night about going steady at my age. You don't think I'm too young to go steady, do you, Miss Riley?" A discreet question or two sufficed to show that this was an urgent matter to Janey and one that could tolerate no long delay. But Janey had a first-period class, and Miss Riley could always count on several self-referrals by pupils, as well as teacher referrals, at this hour of the morning. An appointment was arranged for 1:15 P.M., a study period for Janey and a free time on Miss Riley's schedule. So Janey departed comfortably for class, already eased by having disclosed her problem and feeling secure that she would have a willing listener at 1:15. And Miss Riley, with mixed feelings about her "Dear Abby" role, took up other pressing problems of the moment.