The Trials of Visiting
ECENTLY I paid a visit to some friends. It was a very cold night so we all huddled round the fire. Had I had my own way, I should probably have stuck my feet on the mantelpiece and smoked my pipe, but no. We were all on our best behaviour. You see, I felt that I shouldn’t do that sort of thine when
staying with other people, and it has only just dawned on me that they probably felt that they shouldn’t do that sort of thing in front of me. The solution of such a problem, therefore, seems to be a compromise-a matter of give and take between the hosts and visitors. Bedtime came, and I was ready for it, but the bed looked so wonderful I was almost afraid to get into it. It
seemed a pity to spoil it. The pillows-were almost square cushion-shaped affairs, with the family initial "A" worked. in raised embroidery in the centre. As I could find nothing to replace these works of art I had no option but to sleep on them, and
woke up in the morning to find the initial imprinted on my cheek. Then came the all-important business of the bathroom. I would peep out of the door and listen. Yes, it was engaged. At last, after the two sons had finished, I made a dive for it, got in and shut the door, to find that the bolt was broken and wouldn’t "stay put." However, I had my bath and a very hasty shave, singing lustily all the while to keep trespassers away.-(Major F. H. Lampen, "Just on Being a Guest,’ 2YA, November 7.)
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19401122.2.10.4
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 74, 22 November 1940, Page 5
Word count
Tapeke kupu
280The Trials of Visiting New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 74, 22 November 1940, Page 5
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Material in this publication is protected by copyright.
Are Media Limited has granted permission to the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to develop and maintain this content online. You can search, browse, print and download for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Are Media Limited for any other use.
Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
Log in