ARE YOU A MAIDEN AUNT?

New Zealand Listener, Volume 13, Issue 329, 12 October 1945, Page 12

ARE YOU A MAIDEN AUNT?

(Written for "The Listener’ by

HENRIETTA

WEMYSS

| RE you the Maiden Aunt of A your family? The term is vaguely reminiscent of Victorian days, but the Maiden Aunt does definitely exist. I know, because I am one. In fact, I have just spent a-short time-short, that is to say, as measured by the calendar-in looking after my small nieces while my ‘sister took a much-needed holiday. I

myself am now taking a muchneeded holiday. You other Maiden Aunts may have recollections of parting remarks such as these in similar situations: "Now, I think I’ve told you where everything is kept, so it will be plain sailing for you. And you'll easily remember the children’s routine after the first week; I don’t think you'll need to write anything down, do you? Oh, by the way, did I tell you about their music lessons, Rosemary has hers on Tuesdays and Saturdays, on Tuesday at four o’clock and on Saturday at one-thirty, so you'll have to have mid-day dinner at twelve o’clock on Saturday; I’m afraid it will be rather a rush .

as it is a short shopping day, but I know you'll manage easily. Ariel’s lessons are at two-fifteen on Saturday, and Oh my dear, so sorry, at eight-ten on Wednesday morning, so that mearis rather an early breakfast that day, I’m afraid. Then there are Guides at four on Saturday afternoon, and singing class at four on Wednesday, and the children must come straight home after school, but they may have friends to play with them at home. Oh, and they get home at_twelve-ten sharp for lunch and they have to be away again at twelve fortyfive at the latest. And Robert gets home for lunch at one; so sorry it makes rather a long lunch hour, but it’s so much better for him to have a home-cooked meal, I think. And the children come home at three-thirty again. (Doing a rapid mental calculation, I reckoned that I would have roughly from 1.45 to 3.15 for any excursion of my own.) "Go Out When You Feel Inclined" "lm afraid Robert is terribly busy with meetings and things, and he’s out every night. Please remember Tuesdays and Thursdays he has to be away specially early, so evening meals will have to be served promptly those nights. Oh, and if you want to go out any evening, there’s an awfully nice woman across the road who will come in and look after the children if you pay her half-a-crown. The only trouble is that she is usually booked up a fortnight ahead. But you willebe sure to find someone. Just go out when you feel inclined. "Oh, and by the way, when you feed the hens in the morning you may notice one with rather a funny looking bandage on its leg. It’s just a broken leg, and I think it will be all right. But perhaps you'd better look for its eggs on the ground in case it can’t get into the nest, poor thing. I usually write down the number of eggs every day, but don’t you bother to do it if you don’t feel like it. What did you say? Oh, yes, I’m afraid you'll have to feed the fowls. No one else would ever remember. They have hot mash in the morning, a small dipper of wheat at lunch time, and two dippers later on. Oh, and any scraps of course, just put them in the hot mash. But not potato peelings; they’re not very good for them, I can’t remember why. They love a little bit of meat; such a pity it’s rationed so strictly. And don’t forget to fill up their can of water. And give them greens every day. And grit; it’s in that

little bag over there; the mash is under the bench here, be careful not to bump your head, I nearly always bump mine; and the wheat is over here. Oh, and by the way, if the hens lay well I send eggs over to Mrs, McLean; she should really have half-a-dozen to-morrow if you have time to slip over with them. "I'm Sure You'll Manage" "Now you'll find heaps of vegetables in the garden. The only trouble is that since the flood last week it’s just a quagmire, but you'll probably manage quite well if you put a board on the ground before you step on it. I did lose a pair of shoes there last week, and it took such a long time to dig them out. But I see you’ve brought a pair of gumboots so you should be quite safe. The only disadvantage is that if you sink in very far in gum boots, it’s so hard either to free the boots from the mud or the feet from the boots. Never mind, I’m sure you'll manage. See this lovely tow of celery. Please use it, because it’s beginning to rot. Just buy any extra greens you find you need. I’m afraid Robert and the children use the three bicycles, so you'll have to carry everything, but it isn’t very far to the shops. Anyway, you could always use Rosemary’s bicycle after she gets home from school. And the grocer delivers orders on Wednesdays if you remember to ring the day before. And he likes the bread order early, too. "Oh, by the way, Robert's alarm goes off at ten to seven, so would you like him to knock on your door then? It’s a bit cold and dark at this time of year, but if you don’t get up then you’ll never get them away in time for school, If you are late, there’s some cereal here which takes only ten minutes to cook. Have breakfast early, won’t you, so that there will be time for prayers afterwards. "l’'m sorry, but I’m afraid you won't be able to sleep in very late on Sunday morning, either, because the children have to be at Sunday School at 9.30, so breakfast will have to be fairly early. Then they go straight to church; they'll be able to call in for you on their way, and there’s a tram you can catch which will get you there in time if nobody offers you. a ride. * "Do Have Some Fun" "Remember, Rosemary takes her sewing on Tuesdays. Ariel takes hers on Wednesdays. Rosemary is just on to (continued on next page)

(continued from previous page) seams, and Ariel is starting scallops, so they may need a little help. See that the children wash their necks. (I remembered that last time I looked after them their mother found a really well defined high-water mark round their necks.) And you have to see that Ariel cleans her teeth morning and evening. Ariel goes to bed at seven o’clock, but she will use any excuse to make it later. Rosemary goes at seven-thirty. They change their clothes on Sundays and I’m afraid they get a good many holes in their stockings. But don’t worry too much about mending.' Ariel. has rather bad chilblains, and Rosemary had a nasty fall from her cycle, but I think they are all right apart from that. If they get bad colds, perhaps they should stay away from school. Anyway, if anything goes wrong, just send for me and I'll come straight home. "Now, have I forgotten anything? Oh. yes, the electric stove! They are apt to turn the power. off unexpectedly, so you may have a little bother with the cooking, but remember, there’s always the open fireplace in case of emergency. It’s wonderful what you can cook in a large pot with a steamer on top. What a good think I kept that old iron pot of Grandmother’s. "Now darling, don’t worry about anything, but just make the most of your time while you are in town and away’ from home. I hope you'll have lots of time for painting and music. And do have some fun. Good-bye!"