DEAR ABBY: I am a 12-year-old girl. My friend at school, "Mindy," is being made fun of by her so-called "friends." They tease and tease and tell Mindy they're "just kidding," but I can't help thinking they really ARE making fun of her. Please tell me how to stick up for my friend. -- CONCERNED IN MARYLAND

DEAR CONCERNED: You are a supportive friend. Since it's happening at school, report it to the principal -- because what those students are doing could be interpreted as harassment.

Kids can be cruel, but it does not have to be tolerated. Your friend -- and you -- should be able to get an education in a safe environment.

DEAR ABBY: Three years ago, a friend of mine gave me your "Keepers" booklet. I enjoyed it very much. One of my favorite pieces was the poem about guest towels. (My mother always put out lovely guest towels, but few people ever used them.)

I would like to order a copy of "Keepers" for a friend who is going through a difficult time. I know the holidays will be depressing for her. I think it would inspire her and perhaps give her a lift. The ordering information I have is: "Send a self-addressed envelope, plus a check or money order for $5 (U.S. funds) for each copy to: Dear Abby -- Keepers, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)" Are the booklets still $5 and is the address still correct? -- JENNIE A., IN LONGVIEW, TEXAS

DEAR JENNIE: Yes, that's still correct ordering information. I'm pleased you enjoyed the poem about guest towels. From time to time, readers have asked me for copies to display in their powder rooms. Read on:

A GUEST TOWEL SPEAKS

by Mabel Craddock

Please use me, guest;

Don't hesitate.

Don't turn your back

Or vacillate.

Don't dry your hands

On petticoat,

On handkerchief,

Or redingote.

I'm here to use;

I'm made for drying.

Just hanging here

Gets very tiring.

DEAR ABBY: My teen-age daughter has a close girlfriend who (at 14) started having sex with a 17-year-old "family friend." I happen to know that this girl's mother was a teenage mom, and her goal has always been to prevent her daughter from repeating the same mistake.

My daughter made me promise not to "rat" on her friend to her mother, but I think the girl's mom should know that her daughter is engaging in sexual relations -- as well as the fact that they're not using protection. However, I do not want to betray my daughter's trust. Should I mind my own business, Abby? -- ANONYMOUS MOM IN NEVADA

DEAR ANONYMOUS MOM: Absolutely not. A young woman's future hangs in the balance. That mother needs to know her daughter is sexually active. Wouldn't YOU want to know?

Is it appropriate for her to wear the same wedding gown for her second marriage? -- MOTHER OF THE BRIDE (AGAIN) IN PHOENIX

DEAR MOTHER OF THE BRIDE: Since your daughter "still loves it," and does not appear to be superstitious, I see no reason she can't wear the gown. As long as it doesn't bother her fiance, it's all right with me.

DEAR ABBY: I am writing about the letter from "Concerned Driver in Oklahoma." "Concerned" said that drivers must stop for school buses that are stopped with their red lights flashing "even when going in the opposite direction on a divided four-lane highway." That's not true in Virginia. These laws vary by state, Abby. -- ALICE TEW, FAIRFAX, VA.

DEAR ALICE: Thanks for pointing that out. So far, I have heard from readers in Illinois, Washington, Ohio, Georgia, Pennsylvania and California telling me that the law does not apply in their state, either. It seems the bus driver misinterpreted the law in Oklahoma, too. Read on:

DEAR ABBY: This is in response to the letter from "Concerned Bus Driver in Oklahoma" that recently appeared in your column. Our primary concern is -- and always will be -- the safety of our students.

"Concerned" interpreted Oklahoma Statute 47-705 incorrectly. The statute states that drivers are NOT required to stop if traveling in the opposite direction upon a separate portion of the roadway.

Additionally, I have communicated with officials at the Oklahoma Department of Education. They encourage school districts not to place bus stops on or along a divided highway. However, if they must, the stops should be established only where the students would not be required to cross the dividing strip and separate portion of the highway. -- LT. CHRIS WEST, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INFORMATION, OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

DEAR LT. WEST: Thank you for setting the record straight. You folks at the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety are on the ball. And it looks like you have your work cut out for you. Read on:

DEAR ABBY: I live in a small town in Oklahoma where kids ride bikes to and from school. They do not seem to believe that stop signs are meant for them as well as for cars and trucks. They do not realize that traffic rules and regulations are for everyone, and that looking both ways and not stopping isn't good enough.

I called the local elementary school and told them to remind students, teachers and parents that one of those kids on bikes could get hurt or worse. Should something like that happen, the parents of the bike rider would blame the driver and not take into account that the child failed to stop at the stop sign.

Please remind kids and their parents that stop signs are for ALL traffic -- not just for cars and trucks. It might save a life. -- ALSO CONCERNED IN OKLAHOMA

DEAR ALSO CONCERNED: Children on bicycles who do not obey the law are a concern in every city. You're absolutely right that stop signs are for everyone. And those who fail to heed them could be maimed or killed. Please, parents and educators, make it a point to remind your youngsters of that fact repeatedly.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I recently attended a couples wedding shower for my boss's daughter and her fiance. They sent us a lovely thank-you note, but it was for the wrong gift. Should I say something? I don't want to embarrass anybody. -- WONDERING IN LOUISIANA

DEAR WONDERING: Call your boss's daughter and gently explain what happened. It's possible the gift cards got mixed up. It's nothing to be embarrassed about, and she needs to know.

What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS, and getting along with peers and parents is in "What Every Teen Should Know." To order, send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $5 (U.S. funds only) to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)