WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 34, 16 February 1940, Page 43

WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS

Dear Friends, One of my readers, commenting o: my letter on the Trentham Races, asked me what was my conception of good grooming. That may sound a very simple question, but not quite as simple as it appears. So many things go: into. good grooming. It is not a question of money, though, Il! admit, money helps a good deal. It is in ‘reality a matter of taste. I have seen expensively gowned women far from being well groomed, and a simpler, more _inexpensively dressed woman look the essence of good grooming. It is something to do with spotlessness, simplicity -and above all attention to cetai!. If you look after the details, the general effect will achieve itself. Details are such little, but such important things--whether it be in dress, social contact, or general mode of living. It is the hat, the gloves, and thé shoés that make the frock. It is the hang of ths skirt, and not the trimmings, that makes it rerfect. It is the flowers in a room that make it look charming. It is the sauce that makes the dish apretis'ng; the gleaming glassware on a dinner-table that makes it distinctive. It is the thoughtful word end the welcoming smile that make the successful hostess Our days, if we analyse them, are made up of details-the little cushions that frotect us from the harsher realities of life. And, being women, most of us are concerned with the necessity for detail in our frocking-in other words-good grooming. I mentioned two essentials-simplicity and spotlessness. A woman can never look well groomed if she loads herself with gee-gaws, too much jewellery or surplus decoration. When you remark on a well groomed woman, you will note that simplicity is her keynote. Far better too little than too much. Shoes, gloves, and purse should always be spotless, and if light collars are worn over a dark frock, see that they are always crisp and freshly laundered. Well tended hands and nails are another essential of good grooming. Even if you don’t favour the coloured enamel*polishes, your nails can always be above reproach. In all these little details lies the answer to my reader’s query of good grooming, To-day, coming home in the bus, I had a moving experience. It touched me so much, that I thought you would like to hear about: it. A very old white-bearded man was seated just behind me. Suddenly he leant: forward, and’ out of sheer goodwill and friendliness towards the world, began to talk to me. It was rather a one-sided conversation, for I discovered that the old man was practically deaf, so I merely smiled and nodded in reply to his remarks. Like very old people he became ruminative, and he began to talk about himself. "I’m eighty-three to-day-would you -believe that, gal? Three years ago I lost my wife. We had been together for fifty-four years. She was .a very young girl when we married. I’m living with my daughter now-." His dim old eyes were sad as he stared before him-* but it’s not the same-not the same. You only love once-and truly .. ." So spoke a lonely old man this perfect tribute to his dead wife. Somewhere, if she had heard, she must have smiled tenderly in understanding. Fifty-four years-a long time to be marriedbut a lifetime too short to contain the precious memories of one who is left behind. Yours cordially,

Cynthia