More Trouble for Mrs. A. and Mrs. B.

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 48, 13 June 1930, Page 37

More Trouble for Mrs. A. and Mrs. B.

Our Trials in Tact Competition

:, WACH week a problem in social relationships is set, and readers are invited to sed in their sohitions, for which marks are awarded. Prizes are offered to those obtaining the most marks over a series of ten. First prize, £2/2/-; second prize, £1/1/-; third, 10/6, for each series. Competitors may send in their own problems for publication and solution, and @ prize of 7/6 will be given for the best one sent in during each seriés, and 2/6 for each contributed problem used. A nom-de-plume may be used, byt names and addresses must be sent addressed té "Sayoir-Faire," "Radio Record and Blectrie Home Journal," . P.O. Box 1032, Wellington. Savoir-Faire’s decision niust, in every case, be accepted as final. PROBLEM No. 6... ’ 2nd SERIES. Mrs. A. and Mrs. B. are widows. Without giving any reason for wishing to do so; Mrs, B. asks permission of Mrs, A., who has a business in the city, to receivé correspondence through Mrs. A.’s post office box. Mrs. A., being of a generous disposition, readily gives consent. Later Mrs. A. learns that Mrs. B. is anxious to maké a second marriage, and suspects Mrs. B. of wishing to carry on a matrimonial correspondence and of using the box to conveal her identity until it is necessary to tevéal same. : Mrs. A, fears that it may become known and that people will think that it is shé (Mrs. A.) who is carrying on the correspondence. She is therefore very anxious to withdraw her pérmission to use thé box. How should shé act?--Suggested by "Nintz," Answers wiiuat be postanarked not later than June 19, 1930.

‘ = ) HE ‘solution to this: problem * is, I think, emphatically a | ease of "least said, soonest "i = mended." In all probability Mrs. C. is feeling far more. irritated .- with ~f} Master B. than with Miss » AL Boys can be very tactless, although doughty champions. Probably he ‘has quoted Miss A. to poor Mrs. B. ad‘ nauseam, until she feels that she can bear no more. We jhave most of us experienced. the an‘noyance,’ at some time or othér, of having’ a third person constantly ‘quoted ‘at us as a model of perfection. Mrs. ©.’s embarrassment would seem to imply that she does not wish to eatry the war into the enemy’s (?) camp. Left alone, she will no doubt be sorry for having spoken-so hastily and wish to make amends. Miss A. will probably earn Mrs. ©.’s gratitude by ignoring the little upset, whereas if she makes any remark while Mrs, C. is still feeling sore, the latter may feel called upon to defend herself, and say things in the heat of the moment that both may regtet. The boy, too, will probably be only too glad to let the matter drop. Many good answers were received, of which Mrs. Oldman’s is one of the best. "T don’t think it is anything Miss A. has said or done. Mrs. C. has probably given the child some order, and brother-like, as is often the case when a sister is left in charge, he has re-

sented it and compared his sister to his teacher. The sister, in her turn, has resented that-hence the words Miss A. overheard. If I were Miss A. I would ignore it and treat Mrs. C. in Miss A.’s usual "popular" way, (Miss A. did not acquire that reputation by harbouring grievances, great or small.) Mrs, ©.’s anger would be only momentary, and she will be felieved and grateful if Miss A. takes no notice," [vy SEN writes: "I think the best thing for Miss A. to do is to approach Mrs. C. in a friendly way, and tell her that she overheard her remark to the boy and would like to know

what has‘ given rise toit. This would clear the air, which, if "nothing was said, would be constrained." Rffie says: "Upon entering, Miss A. should act as though she had héard nothing. She will thus put Mrs. C. at her ease and the threatened storm will blow over." soe "It would be an intrusion for Miss A. to enter into the argument, in any way." , -Natural. cs "Should Miss A. take.any action in the matter, the position in the house | would be intolerable, Moreover,. she

would lay herself open to the unpleasant charge of ‘eavesdropping.’-Viator. Marks Awarded. Anon, 3; Amaryllis, 3; Anice, 0; Attful, 0; Ben, 5; Bonza, 5; Barbara, 5; Clara, 3; Clericus, 0; Camp-fire, 5; Duplex, 5; Diabolo, 5; Devon, 0; Ecnan, 5; Effie, 0; Equity, 3; Fanny, 5: Franées, 5; Flirt, 3; Flora, 0; Grace, 0; Gunga-din, 3; Haven, 5; Heather,

8; Hopscotch, 5; Iota, 5; Ivy Sen, 53 Irene, 5; Iambic, 5; Jonquil, 5; Jimmy, 0; Mrs. Jones, 0; Kummel, 5; Kate, 35 Kia-Ora, 5; Lucid, 5; Lambton, 0; Mrs. Mason, 5; Myra, 0; Mavis, 5; Magpie,. 5; Nemo, 5; WNintz, 5; Natutal, 5; Nomen, 3; Norah, 5; Never-never, 5; Nippy, 0; Mrs. Oldman, 5; Olivia, 5; ° Octopus, 0; Open-door, 3; Pat, 5; Pumpkin, 8; Pansy, 0; Query, 53. Quince, 0; Radio, 8; Rosa, 3; Richmond, 5; Sardonyx, 5; Sire, 5; Seylia, 0; Summit. 5; Thames, 0; Tuner, 3; Topaz, 5; Tommy, 0; Undine, §; Vivat, 5; Viator, 5; Viola, 0; Verity, 5; Wynward, 0; Weaver, 5; Watérway, 3; Watchful, 8; Xerxes, 5; Xylonite, 0;~ Yum-yum, 0; Youngster, 5; Zenobia, 5; Alfa Joy, 5; Apple-pie Mary, 5; Bab-el-Mandel, 5; Miss Rachel Baker, 0; Deetfoot, 0; Hlkay, 5; Jean, 0; May Belle, 5; Michael, 5; Queeny, 5; Radex, 5; Unomi, 5 Notes. Ivy Sen: Thank you. No, no con-_ solation prize, but you have a nom-de-plume for sheltér, you know. Ben: No Ben, You were ruled out of court for stating that the president should state that there was someone else in view and that the’ applicant should be told that the committee did not agree with his choice. Fanny: But, of course, keep on. It only shows how many ways there are of looking at the same thing.

PROBLEM No. 4-Solutions of which appear on this page. Miss A is a teacher in a small country school and boards with Mrs. B. She teaches one of Mrs. B’s boys, who thinks @ great deal of his teacher. One afternoon, arriving home a little latey than usual, she overhears Mrs. C. (Mrs Bs married daughter, who is housekeeping in Mrs. B.’s absence) speaking rather angrily to the boy. She hears the words: "She may be your boss at school, but I’m the boss here." Upon Miss A_ entering the house, Mrs C. seems most embarrassed. Miss A. cannot call to mind any incident or reason to account for the words, and as she has always been very popular both with scholars and parents, she is at a loss to understand at the implication. What action, if any, should Miss A. take.in the matter?