In the interview at her Maine retreat, Miss Abbott showed a doughtiness that contrasted with a diminutive and frail exterior.

Nonetheless, his accuracy with a machine gun and his doughtiness led to his being awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal when he was only 18 years old.

"The doughtiness of the Korean spirit just can't be vanquished - that and the warmth," Mr. Laney said, reflecting on Korea's attractions to him.

Styled with softer edges and less metal for women who are wary of the bulk and doughtiness of earlier noncars, the mini-vans have been a hit, with about 75,000 sales since they were introduced last fall.