diff --git a/bedstead.c b/bedstead.c
index 35e3b40..952825e 100644
--- a/bedstead.c
+++ b/bedstead.c
@@ -4389,12 +4389,14 @@ select_hints(int nstems, int stems[nstems],
 	for (;most > 0; most--) {
 		/* Prefer long stems. */
 		for (int i = 0; i < nstems; i++) {
-			if (stems[i] == most) {
-				hints[i] = hint_stem;
-				stems[i] = 0;
+			/* Prefer outer stems. */
+			int ii = i % 2 ? nstems - 1 - i / 2 : i / 2;
+			if (stems[ii] == most) {
+				hints[ii] = hint_stem;
+				stems[ii] = 0;
 				/* Disallow overlapping stems. */
-				if (i >= 1) stems[i-1] = 0;
-				if (i < nstems - 1) stems [i+1] = 0;
+				if (ii >= 1) stems[ii-1] = 0;
+				if (ii < nstems - 1) stems [ii+1] = 0;
 			}
 		}
 	}