ANSWERED KNOCK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 71, 25 March 1940, Page 5

ANSWERED KNOCK.

HOSPITABLE HAROLD. BUT IT WAS A FLOWER POT. WORRY ABOUT A SHIRT. "I thought someone had knocked, so I said 'Come in.' " That was the succinct style used by i Harold, the photographer, in . describing the accident in which he was the central figure. Shirtless and slightly dazed, even j yet he sat on a bench in the photographic department and entertained a mixed group of solicitous fellow workers. "So they dragged me into the kitchen, took my shirt off and picked the earth out of my hair. I sat in that kitchen among all those girls," said Harold in a confidential tone, slapping his bare chest. "Ordinarily I would have felt ashamed, but I 'had a big lump on my head and I wasn't quite myself." It was all very mysterious until one found that Harold had been the victim of an unkind blow by Fate—assisted by a flower bowl. With a companion he had been sitting at a table in a city restaurant. Alongside was a high stand surmounted by a polished wooden vase, containing a heavy flower bowl, water, a fair quantity of earth and the usual assortment of flowers. Hk companion rose, walked around the table to get his hat . . . and it was then that Harold thought that "someone knocked." The heavy wooden vase came tumbling, struck Harold's skull and bounced on to the table, smashing the crockery. "Come in!" said Harold, moving slightly in his chair. He was a sorry sight. His shirt was drenched, his hair was full of silt and, as the horrified spectators rushed to his aid, a conspicuous swelling began to alter the shape of his skulL

He was taken into the kitchen, firstaid was given, his shirt was taken off: and partially dried, and soon Harold was a new man again. j "But I can't get over sitting in that kitchen among those girls with my shirt! off," he added. "It's awful. But I hope they'll understand I wasn't myself." j