ENCOURAGEMENT.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 276, 18 May 1917, Page 3 (Supplement)

ENCOURAGEMENT.

By ALEC JOHNSTON.

The other day I decided that I had stood Amanda's nonsense long enough, so I "called round''—an awful phrase, but it's really what I did—with tne fixed determination to woo or die. 1 went 011 fixing my determination until I had eaten three muffins, four b'ts of bread and butter, and a middling large lump of cake. Then, full of hope and all that sort of thing, I began. ' Amanda." I said, "I have come to press my suit."' She didn't turn a hair. Never having seen anybody turning a hair I'm not quite sure how it's done, hut I'm sure Amanda didn't.

"Really?" she said, coldly. "I thought you'd ccme to make up for not having had any lunch. You ought to have pressed your suit before you came; it's simply shocking. But, then, you never take •any trouble about your appearance."

' My suit," I said, " is neither here nor there.''

" Then why press it ?" asked Amanda. A woman can never follow a line of thought witn any accuracy. 1 began again. 'Amanda," I said, "I have, long

ore Amanda suddenly shrieked' and ran to the dour. Then she returned. "It's all right," slie said, "the door is shut. I thought I heard a. mouse just outside. Do go on, Billy. \ou were saying—let me see, you were saying you had long ha'r. It's nothing to wnti' home about, if you have. 1 was just wondering whether to oiler you sixpence or some hairpins." "Amanda," I .-a'd, "do he serious for a minute. Don't you s<n> I'm desperately " " .Mother has repeatedly warned me agiin-t desperate men; this is getting ijiiite interesting. W hat are you desperately!'" asked Amanda sweetly. " I'm desperately anxious to finish a sentence," I -said crossly. "Well," she. said thoughtfully, "il it k a nice sentence I don't »ee why you shouldn't. Look here. I'll give you live minutes to finish one in." She took off her wrist-watch and spread il on the table. I'.ut I was obstinate by this time. I don't want any tavours, I said. " I u ill take nii hing a- a i oik ession. I will will nlv seliti lice Hi tall" liglil "I not at all." 'Very well." said Amanda. reMiining her chattel: "and what sort of a sentence it you want ' I iiivi »t igated her eves. They were interrogative and provacative and a g'«.d many other thinirs in four <>r live syllables, lint I fancied I >;,iiiti (1 <on:ei hii"t shorter in t ncm. "Weil, what sort ol a «.'iifen e i> it to be:" i.'icah d Amanda. ■ \ |jj, r ." I I accumulated Icr personally. Amanda didn't -cem to o'>•lint. oh. Hilly!" she sad later, ■ |'ve beard about, men ncrding encouragement; but you re the limit. I thought you d never get it «.u<. .