Chapters 53-57 Summary

Harvey relates a story called "The Kiss" in Chapter 53. In it, an attractive young teacher named Miss Brown gives the class valedictorian a kiss at graduation. Other boys ask why they do not also get a kiss. She says Charlie, the valedictorian, has earned it. She says when the other boys have done something worthwhile she'll see to it that they also get a kiss. Charlie works hard throughout his career as an adult to prove that he was worthy of that kiss. President Harry S. Truman picks Charlie to be his press secretary. Charlie's first job is to call Miss Brown to deliver this message from Truman: "How about that kiss I never got? Have I done something worthwhile yet?" The President got his kiss, too.

"Better Late Than Never" tells the story of Colonel Harlan Sanders. When he turns...