ALIGHT, whimsical story of a kind-hearted big butter and egg man is this latest of Mr. Hargraves' novels. It is easy reading; entertaining, amusing, but of course, lacking in depth. It doesn't make you think, but it does make you smile. If that is what you are looking for, we recommend "And Then Came Spring" heartily.

The prototype of the plot has often furnished the theme for other novels, and movies. Mr. Godwin Birtwhistle, wealthy, aging, respectable, sedate north of England manufacturer well settled, comfortably married, went, much against his will, to London on business.

While waiting for the board of director to asemble on the morrow, Mr. Birtwhistle--his wife always called him dear Godwin--did a bit of drinking, went with the boys to some leg shows, and began to feel young and chipper as a colt.

He meets Leeta, a young war widow of expensive tastes, who was rather up against it--a nice girl, of course, but one such as do live in the greater cities.

Of course, when the crisis arrives, the family is forgiving--"overwork, don't you know," and in the meanwhile Mr. Hargrave treats the whole matter, if not with a profound sense, at least with certain touches that show him a knower of human nature beyond the ordinary.