Diana Does It Book

THE STORY: William and Belle Dawson are respected citizens of a medium-sized midwestern town. William is a bit stubborn at times, however, particularly when it comes to accepting Diana's dream of becoming an artist and financing her while she studies in New York. Belle does help, however, and when Diana comes home at Christmas she learns that her mother, once forced to give up her own promising career as an artist, has been earning money by painting in secret and selling her output through a former teacher and admirer, Oliver Hardman. Now a famous artist and critic, Mr. Hardman also arrives in town to judge a local art competition. Diana decides to enter the contest, mostly because of the ardent persuasion of Peter Rowe, a hometown boy who admires Diana's talents and (although he can't quite get up the courage to say it), Diana herself. In a scene of high comedy at the Dawson home, Oliver Hardman informs William that Belle should never have given up her career. This sort of advice does not go down easily, but Belle couldn't agree more, and once the flames are fanned Diana has little trouble in persuading her mother to come back with her to Greenwich Village - and Art! After that almost anything can happen - and does, until true love has its way, father mellows, and they all head happily off to Paris.