RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31653, 13 April 1968, Page 20

RANDOM REMINDER

SUMMIT TALK

It is given to each one of us to achieve, if only once in a lifetime, something which is utter perfection. Just once, the lumbering lock will sell a dummy, and swing away to score and look all swift and athletic, perhaps through a trick of the light Duffers at golf sometimes hole in one . . . and so, in business, the arts, personal relationships, there is forever the hope that some day, one will achieve greatness, if only for a fleeting moment.

We have a friend, now retired, who regards a school prize-giving of some years ago as offering one of the most memorable

moments in a crowded life, because on that occasion, it was be wbo scaled the heights, and produced what we and he regard as one of the best iffes of our time. He had been asked to give the end-of-year address at the school, one devoted to the education and improvement of hundreds of very young ladies. Our friend took as his theme the opportunities girls of the day enjoyed in the development of their studies, and in the pursuit of careers. He told them how, in his own youth, there were few chances for girls to attend university but that they, his audience, could go ahead and become scientist?;' or doctors and could,

in faet, compete with n® in almost every field of endeavour. After developing and enlarging his theme at some length, he made a somewhat arresting statement. *But there is one particular vocation,” he said, “which I commend to you as especially worth attaining, more worthwhile than becoming doctors or . scientists. That is to become a proficient and happy housewife.”

Hundreds of girls broke into gales of happy laughter. He wondered why they should find a serious piece of advice so amusing. And then he remembered that seated behind him was a row of elderly, maiden ladies who ran the school.