Annotations of Annabel

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 26, 11 January 1929, Page 13

Annotations of Annabel

BEAREST,-How surprisingly ‘free and frank is the life that spreads itself before the girl of 1929. Intelligent she has proved herself, open-eyed and full of curiosity, ready to take opportunity by the hand, yet with time to "stand and stare" at things interesting, from psychology to cinerarias; and capable of carving a niche for herself in the temple of achievement, if not of fame. Which appears a blessed social dispensation to one whose youth was cribbed, cabined, and confined by rigid conventions of manners and morals inculeated in the reign of ausgrandmother of our own King rge; when the mind of youth, eager, restless, and groping for light and course, and left with but shadowy leading was frigidly warned off the course, and left with but shadowy knowledge of fundamental facts of life and love. HIOH reminds me of Rosalie, that enigmatic charmer, who has proved herself efficient and at the right moment as hard as nails. : Having elected to leave her country home, beyond a few hundred pounds to start off with, father refused further financial assistance to his wandering daughter. If she wanted to earn her living, let her do it unaided, said he, not without reason. And with a little luck, considerable shrewdness, which is an inheritance from her plutocratic parent, and the aforesaid indispensable initial capital, triumphantly she has ‘vindieated herself with a: small shop in by-street,‘ where provocative hats discreetly flaunt, and small, tempting

trifles, made by clever, impecunious friends, find ready purchase. Over the shop lives its enterprising owner, in an attractive diminutive fiat, with silken, hemstitched amber curtains, furniture of weird design, and black but comely aspect, and a few astonishingly beautiful bits of Ming pottery, filched from ancestral home. In the background, like a humble, unfailing friend, is a hot-water service that provokes to" envy. By some wizardry, turn of a handle, lighting of one small jet, and the good offices of the Gas Company, in the twinkling of an eye boiling water flows into sink and hand basin, and nice big bath, Think of it, my sisters, struggling along in ancient, inadequate dwellings, when, hot and horny-handed, you shovel coal. J UST at present it would seem that bourne for thousands of pounds sterling is found in huge erections of bricks and mortar-some wholly utilitarian in architecture and execution, a few bohemian and picturesque as a bacchante’s dream-that fling themselves skyward and cling like giant fungus to thoroughfare and hillside. No more the hopeless, harassed search for "apartments," an end has come to those calls of the wild on suave, unhelpful house agents, the turn of the long lane is in sight, and haven found for father, mother, and brood; the latter in particular having proved itself a considerable hurdle in the pursuit of domestic oasis. prays, little plays, are being offered over the air. Which is a pleasant

sign of the times, and one that ft is hoped will lend itself to the greater glory of radio. In Australia, one hears, competitive playlets are on the tapis, which is all to the good for public enterprise and private talent. "Tis curious how the litterateur, of much or little talent and any age and sex, cherishes ambition to produce a play which automatically will bring fame and fortune in illustrious wake. There are certain occupations, also, in which most people that on earth do dwell are confident they would shine. Running a book-shop, for example, or keeping a cabaret; editing a newspaper or conducting a coffee stall on the wharf through the worst of winters. PHD essential for success in matters mundane would seem to be a business instinct, that enviable acumen or sixth sense that twists all dealings to vulgar advantage. Other qualities, it is granted, are desirable; tact being a commercial as well as a social asset, and psychological intuitiveness not to be despised. But, above all, surrounding all, and in us all, as we barge onward and upward towards topmost peak of profitable Parnassus, must be an eye for expediency, capacity to score off our neighbour or queer his pitch, and carry away our sheaves with us. Within limits, of course; overindulgence in taking toll from one’s fellows having been known to lead to the Nemesis who lies in wait for him who too greatly grabs. Your

ANNABEL

LEE