Power of Suggestion Read Free

the front door flew open, and a massive figure burst in. The muscular boy had a blond crew cut and was wearing a half-open Emerson jacket, with no scarf, hat, or gloves.
    â€œWhoo! It’s cold out there!” he cried, shivering and rubbing his hands together.
    â€œMaybe if you wore something warmer than your varsity jacket, you wouldn’t be complaining, Webb!” Craig retorted, laughing. “Come on over and meet Nickerson’s girlfriend. Nancy and Bess, this is Dave Webb, star fullback of the football team.”
    â€œDave wants to look like a tough guy out on campus,” Howie Little added. “But then we have to listen to him whine.”
    Dave grinned sheepishly. “If I’d known we had visitors, I would’ve acted more macho,” he agreed.
    Nancy’s eyes automatically shifted to the doorway as Ned came into the room. He was wearing a pair of gray corduroy pants and a black V-neck sweater, and Nancy thought he looked incredibly handsome. He walked over, sat on the arm of her chair, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She could feel herself turning bright red as his brothers broke into applause.
    â€œI just want to remind you all whose girlfriend she is,” Ned said, flashing the guys a grin. Turning to Nancy and Bess, he added, “It’s almost seven. We’ve got to meet Parker.”
    As they rose, Dave Webb turned to Ned. “Did Wayne Perkins ever find him? Parker had the study session after mine. Dr. Edberg really went on the warpath when Parker didn’t show up.”
    â€œI guess it’s all smoothed over,” Ned said. “Parker is at the psych lab now.”
    â€œHe should really stay on top of this stuff,” Dave said, shaking his head.
    â€œWe should all stay on Parker’s case to be more serious about his studies,” Ned agreed. “See you guys later.”
    After saying goodbye, he, Nancy, and Bess bundled up and went back out into the cold night.
    â€œWhat a great bunch of guys!” Bess said, looking out at the snow-covered buildings and evergreen trees that dotted the campus.
    â€œThe best,” Ned agreed.
    As the three of them crossed the main lawn, the seven o’clock bells chimed from the carillon tower. Groups of students passed by, talking and laughing. The campus was so beautiful that Nancy didn’t want to hurry, despite the cold.
    â€œWhat’s on your mind, Bess?” she asked, noticing her friend’s preoccupied look.
    Bess frowned. “Is Parker really doing that badly in psychology?” she asked Ned. “I mean, it’s so hard to believe—he seems really bright.”
    â€œHe is. That’s not the problem,” Ned answered. “Sometimes the college whirl can be distracting, especially for freshmen like Parker. He was in training for gymnastics until the season ended, he pledged the frat, and he went to a few too many parties. It’s easy to fall behind.”
    â€œThat sounds kind of irresponsible,” Nancy commented.
    Ned shrugged. “Parker’s a great guy,” he said, “but that might be his one real weakness. He’s always had things pretty easy. He’s good-looking, nice, athletic, and his folks are really wealthy. His dad owns a huge real-estate company outside of Emersonville. Parker just expects everything to be fun, and when it’s not he has a hard time concentrating.”
    â€œPsych class wasn’t fun?” Bess guessed.
    Ned shrugged again. “I guess not. But this study group he’s in seems to be helping.”
    â€œSo what do they do in the group?” Nancy asked, kicking at a clump of snow with her boot.
    â€œI’m not too sure,” he replied. “I do know that Professor Edberg has the students listen to subliminal tapes that are supposed to teach them how to study more efficiently.”
    â€œSubliminal tapes?” Bess crinkled up her nose. “What are those?”
    â€œI’m not