THE WOMAN WHO STAYS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2419, 6 February 1909, Page 12 (Supplement)

THE WOMAN WHO STAYS.

“It was once my mkiortune to make the acquaintance ol a woman who had more leisure on her hands than she knew what to do with,' said one of the busiest women, the other day. “and the martyrdom I suffered at'the hands of that woman is really beyond words to describe. _ It seemed to me that she had a perfect genius for coming at times when she sjc• mhy upset my calculations, and when u was most inconvenient to receive her ; and the worst of the. situation was that she appeared incapable of taking any hint as to the desirability of nor society at that or any other time. I came to know her through intimate friends of my family, and cnee or twice accepted some of the courtesies she always insisted upon offering. 1 was warned -before I met her that she was a most unconscionable affliction, but matters came about so that 1 was powerless to avoid the acquaintance. Yoti know I have certain duties that must be attended to every day, whether or no. If I am .interrupted or delayed, I must make it up out of my hours of rest. Scores of times I have worked into the .small hours just because that woman lacked the sense to go home, or about- her business, even after I had told her that I was almost at my wit’s end on account of being behind with my regular work. I remember one day when the situation was particularly aggravating. I had long since ceased asking her to call, and had for more than a year declined all invitations and courtesies. On that day I was working for dear life to get my alloted task off my hands, on account of some guests who were to dine with me, when this woman came in. She remarked that I looked tired, and I took tlie opportunitv to tell her that I had a big job on my hands that must bo finished before dinner time, as I expect f riends to dinner at six. It was about halfpast ono when she came, and she stuck by until a quarter to four, cutting out the very heart of my afternoon’s work. Of course the day went on. in -a. continual strain, and some hours of night work and a severe nervous headache were among the results of this untimely visitation. If this had happened about once or twice it. might have been overlooked, butwhen it occurs often, it makes rather serious inroads on one’s time, temper, and powers of endurance.”