Now ― What Would YOU Do?

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 43, 9 May 1930, Page 23

Now ― What Would YOU Do?

»| N the first series of our "Trials in Tact" Competition, "Fiat Pax," Miss N. Johnston, and "Senga" tied for third prize, and were asked to solve the following special problem to decide honours :- . "Mrs. A. is staying on a long visit with Mrs. B. in a country town. At Mrs, B.’s house, Mrs. A. meets Mrs. C., a comparative newcomer to the néighbourhood. After being out one morning Mrs. A, comes in and remarks to Mrs. B.:: ‘Oh, I met Mrs. C. this morning, and she has asked me to go to tea at her house on Thursday." When Mrs. A. returns on Thursday afternoon, Mrs. B. enquires: ‘How , was Mrs. 0." Mrs, A, replies: ‘Oh, quite well, but very disappointed that s and do? you did not go. The first thing she said was, ‘Where is Mrs. B.? I forgot to tell you the other morning that she asked you, too, so I said this afternoon that you, were too busy to get away,’ What should Mrs. B. say or do, or say om "Fiat Pax."-"A ‘long stay’ presages an intimate acquaintance. Although Mrs, A. has-sacrificed all her. claims to further courtesies on the part of Mrs. B., it would be a pity to allow an episode of this kind to break an apparently good comradeship. To avoid such a breach, Mrs. B. must continue her good offices. A study of Mrs. B.’s face when she hears the news will probably serve as a sufficient rebuke for Mrs. A., and the former need only reply: ‘Well, dear, I would not have been surprised if you had admitted forgetting the inyitation to me, but it is difficult to understand’ your manufacturing an excuse.on my behalf. However, I shall confirm what you said when I meet Mrs, ©., and it will be all right." From Miss N. Johnston.-‘"Mrs. A.’s rather inexcusable conduct has placed Mrs. B. in an annoying position. When next Mrs. B. and Mrs. C. meet, the latter is almost certain. to express regret that Mrs. B. did not come with Mrs. ‘A., and Mrs. B. might then be tempted to give Mrs. A. away and to tell Mrs. C. the truth. However, the wisest thing for her to do is to let Mrs. A.’s excuse for her absence stand, and to be particularly pleasant to Mrs. ©., so that she will see that Mrs. B. wants to be friendly. Mrs. A. is evidently a close friend of Mrs. B., and what is more, she is Mrs. B.’s guest. Mrs. B.’s duty as her friend and hostess is to stand by her, even if she is in the wrong." From "Senga."-"Mrs. A.’s deceit is very apparent. For some reason or _ another, best known to herself, it would appedr that she did not wish Mrs. B. i { ) r } tagccompany her to Mrs. ©.’s house, so kept silent about the invitation, and when Mrs. ©. expressed disappointment at Mrs. B.’s non-appearance, the only excuse she could make was that she was too busy to get away. "Mrs. B, should ask Mrs. A. her reason for telling such an untruth, adding Mrs. ©. will surely think she has come to reside among very unsociable people. She should continue by saying: ‘I will most certainly make it known to Mrs. C. that you did not tell me that I was asked as well as you, and what is more, Mrs. A., if those are your feelings towards me, I would like you to understand that your room will be preferable to your company at. my home in future. I feel that I cannot offer you my hospitality any longer." Comments.-Our third prize-winners have not quite lived up to their reputations in dealing with this problem. The important point here, in my opinion, is that, whatever Mrs. A.’s motives may have been, Mrs. B. must not allow herself to be placed in a false position with Mrs. C., especially as they will probably continue to live in the same town. ‘To leave a definite invitation unacknowledged, neither accepted nor declined, is to offer an affront. As "Fiat Pax" truly says, "A study of Mrs. B.’s face when she hears the 5 news will probably serve as a sufficient rebuke," but I think Mrs. B. can say, : _ She should say: "I am sorry I was not able to go to tea with you the other ‘and even with a show of annoyance: "Well, it is extraordinary of you to it forget that I was asked, but still more extraordinary to undertake to make excuses for me. I am afraid I cannot leave Mrs. ©. under the impression that I ignored her invitation." ‘ I think that she will wish to let Mrs. A. down as lightly as possible, and I do ng think that she will wish to carry matters to the extent that "Senga" algee , but when she next meets Mrs. ©. (who, quite well, may feel too offen i to mention the incident to Mrs. B., as Miss N. Johnston supposes), day, but as a matter of fact, Mrs. A. forgot to pass on your invitation to me." _ If before Mrs. A., so much the better, as it will give her the opportunity of | | | | pxpieining her forgetfulness, and making the "amende honorable" to both adies, Since "Senga" is the only one who mentions the necessity of putting herself right with Mrs. ©,, she is awarded the third prize of 10/6. : "Fiat Pax" and Miss ‘N. Johnston are thanked for their kind notes, -Savoir-Faire,

Wit this issue begins the second series of this competition. It has _ _ aroused so much interest that we look forward this term to welcoming an~inereaséd number of competitors; many new ones, and, of course, all the old ones. Competitors are reminded of the importance of beginning with Problem No, 1 in ordér to attain a good score. An every-day problem is set week-by-week, and readers are invited to send in their solutions, for which marks are awarded. Prizes are offered to those obtaining the most marks over a series of ten. First prize, £2/2/0; second prize, £1/1/0; third, 10/6, for each series. _ In the event of any competitor, who has already taken a prize, winning another of the same value during the same year, such competitor will be expected to give way to the next highest score. For example, a second or third prize winner may take a first prize, a first prize may take a second or third, or a second prize winner may take a first or third, but not one of the same value during the same year. Competitors may send in their own problems for publication and solution and a prize of 7/6 will be given for the best one sent in during each series, and 2/6 for each contributed problem used. Those sending in problems are, of course, entitled, with other competitors, to send in a solution of same. The right is reserved to publish part or the whole of any solution sent in. , A nom-de-plume may be -used, but names and addresses must be sent. The same nom-de-plume’ must be retained throughout the: series. All replies must bear a post-mark not later than the Thursday after the date of the journal in which the problem appears, and should be addressed te "Savoir-Fare," Radio Record and Electric Home Journal, P.O. Box 1032, Wellington. Savoir-Faire’s decision must, in every case, be accepted as final. PROBLEM No. 1. ' 2nd SERIES. Miss A. and Miss B. are friends. Miss B. is away from: her home town for two years, then returns and some months later marries Mr, C. He has previously offered marriage to Miss A. who refused. him, but Miss.B. (now Mrs. C.) knows nothing of this, and is continually inviting Miss A. to join parties and to visit her home. This embarrasses Miss A because people who know of her former friendship with Mr. C. talk of her frequeut appearances in his company. She has no reason to refuse her friend’s invitation otherwise. Should she tell Mrs. C.? -Suggested by "Natural," Answers must be post-marked not later than May 5, 1930.