FRIGHTENING THE "ENGAGED"
It is daring enough to become engaged iii those days if one has to toil for tho £ that is worth roughly Ss. without the rest of the public frightening one off the great adventure. But it would seem as it friends and relatives unconsciously vie with each other in putting fear into the adventurers. "You're starting housekeeping just at the worst time," they say. "Lock at the prico of sugar, three times what :t used to bo, and milk and bacon prices are appalling. It's so difficult catering for a man who's been used to n comfortable mess!" "Have you found anywhere to live?" asks another, adding, "Oh, you'll never get anything in that district. You've no idea" of tho house and flat shortage. Why a friend of mine . ." .And thev all end up with that doubtful fervent "I do hope you'll bo happy!" "Enjoy yourself while you may." eay one's bachelor girl friends. "You'll probably spend tho rest of your life in doing housework—you know ouite well that maids are not to be got!" Having enumerated the various domestic trials that one may expect in those days, they then kindly attack one's partner in adventure. "Of course, nonp of these men who've been fighting for the past fivn years has been nblo to «ivo anything," they say. "It's rather hard on them, but, of course, it cornea harder on the woman—l do think you're awfully Brave, dear!" All very cheery and encouraging, but jn.«l; a" ti'iflo disconcerting when they 'add, "What a mercy he hasn't lost a limb, although, as far as that goes, many who came out whole.will never be quite the same again. Still, one hope 3 for tho kst!" Comfortable old creatures from tho depths of comfortable old chairs declare. "\ think all you mum; neople would do best over-se'as. That'* tho olace for workers. Thiiurs are going to bo pretty tight in the Old Country for the next war or two. Now, if I were n. youni? man-but there, I expect you'll pull through!" During tho hazardous days of war, when naming might reasonably have been given, one could meet a man one day and marry him tho next, and no one said a word. But. now, if one sets out. in the old approved conventional style, all one's married and unmarried acmraintances make it their busines-i to roll up, congratulate in a they-little-know-what-thcy're-in-for tone, and warn, caution, and frighten tho young people. ' It is not fax. One cannot tint ones marriage off .until the dawn of the better slate that will come to the next generation. Therefore, hands off the lovers! Ta>l them have their airy dreams-fhey will come down to earth in good tune without beint needlessly depressed by pessimists.—Hilda M. Love, in the '[Daily Mail."
Lieut.-Colonel Home, N.Z.M.C.. 0.8. E., Mrs.' Home, and Miss Jessie Homo returned to. New Zealand by the Rimutalia and left for their homo in New Plymouth yesterday.
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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 87, 7 January 1920, Page 4
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492FRIGHTENING THE "ENGAGED" Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 87, 7 January 1920, Page 4
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