Mundane Musings

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 192, 3 November 1927, Page 5

Mundane Musings

“Go She Must! ”

Have you read a novel called “Go She Must”? It is by David Garnett, and it deals with the problems of a girl who, though penniless and friendless, finds that she just must leave home.

Anne, the heroine, is the daughter of a parson. She has no mother, and her father’s parish is an obscure country village. When Anne is 23, she realises that life is slipping by and with it her youth, and that if she does not at once go off adventuring—all the fun of life will pass her by. So, as they used to say, she picks up her skirts and runs off to Paris with a mere £2O in her pocket, and only one acquaintance in the whole of that thrilling city to rely on—the local grocer’s son, who has gone there to study art, and who does not want her one bit! Still, none of this matters, for Anne at once marries a nice man and lives happily ever after. This alas! is where the story becdmes fiction and leaves the realm of fact, for I fear that In real life Anne would have fared differently. Mice young men are somewhat hard to meet for the girl who works hard for a living. TERRIBLY TRUE

Yet “Go She Must” seems to me a wonderful book, because it is so terribly true! llow many girls are there who must leave home if they aro to have a single chance, though it is but one in a million, of finding happiness or making anything of existence? It is a tragedy with which we are all familiar.

I have just met such a case. She, like the heroine of the story, was tho daughter of a clergyman, and she, too, lived in a tiny place where she never saw a soul. She wanted to go, but both her parents said, “Wait. Everything comes to those who wait,” forgetting that this policy, like all others, must be pursued with intelligence, and that one cannot sit in the Sahara and wait for the next bus, or expect a husband to be delivered by post.

“Why is a life that is good enough for me not good enough for you?" demanded her father, who had settled down with a kind of sickening thud just as his daughter grew up. Her mother quoted: "East and West—home is best.” And no doubt it was—for her! For both her and her husband it proved a charming haven for their declining years, but they forget that it offered no scope whatever for the energies of youth. What is such a girl to do?

I may be wrong, says an English writer, but, in my opinion, if she is young and strong, reasonably intelligent, and has plenty of pluck, then — go she must! But she must not go in a hurry. She should think things over very carefully ’before she starts out. For a'friendless, penniless girl will not find it easy to marry, get a good job, or have a good time. She may have to suffer great hardships, and yet, if she stays, she will stagnate and never have that millionth chance which she will ,at least, obtain by setting forth into the great wide world. She will not go, if she takes my advice, to London or to Paris, or on to the Continent. She will go abroad, to India or the Malay States, to Ceylon or Vancouver: somewhere, in tact, where women are in the minority. Before she goes she will lea ™ cooking, shorthand and typing. Then, if fate ordains spinsterhood for her, she will, at least, have honourable independence. at mangere east FLAG 500 TOURNAMENT A very successful and enjoyable flag “500” tournament was held in the supper room of the Mangere East Public Hall on Tuesday evening. The fun tion was arranged by Mis. w. w. Massev and Miss Hallberry. The room was decorated with masses of green and yellow streamers and clunipsof brightly-hued spring flowers added col our to the scene. . „ The proceeds of the evening are to be devoted to defraying the cost of the Christmas tree, which is to be held la The prize-winners were Mrs. Jamieson and Messrs. Kay and Gordon. After the presentation of prizes a dainty supper was served by a ladies committee. SURPRISE PARTY A very enjoyable surprise party was given to Miss Sutton, of Great South F„oad Paputoetoe, last evening, by the members of tho Fapatoetoe Literary and Debating Society, who were engaged in the production of the two operettas recently staged by the soC * The visit was in appreciation of the many kindnesses shown by the guest throughout the rehearsals. ■ During the evening Miss Sutton was the recipient of a beautiful flo:ati = bowl, presented by Miss Moiey, behalf of the performers. In acknowledging their Sift Miss Sutton expressed aPP‘ccmtio j ; stating that she would always bev ‘ ing to do anything she could foi the S °A very enjoyable musical programme was contributed, and dancing was m-dU-Ajf"interesting competition was held the winners proving: to be Miss D. D Ath and Mr. Mellsop.