Random reminder

Press, 11 June 1977, Page 23

Random reminder

SEEN BUT NOT HERD

The North Island sis-ter-in-law of a South Island farmer, known for his well-bred dairy herd, gave his address to a foreign couple who were over here to study cows and dairy farming generally. She wrote to her sister giving details of when the foreign couple would arrive and hoping they would not mind showing them round their place. The South Island sister replied saying they would be only too pleased, and that they looked forward to meeting this foreign couple and showing them how their dairy farm was run. The South Island farmer is handicapped by being a little deaf and having a wife who paints. The day the foreigners were to visit, the woman of the house forgot al! about it and set off on a painting trip. Her husband, all alone, was surprised by the foreign tap on the door. He opened it and there stood this strange-looking couple, who spoke in a queer manner.

He could not understand what they were saying but finally concluded that they had come round to see his wife’s paintings. He invited them in and took ■them through to where some of the paintings were hung. They appeared very interested and he left them to study the landscapes. When he returned, they were standing in the centre of the room. He took it that they had seen all they wanted to see. For something to say he apologised for his wife’s absence, but as painting was not his forte (he conversation was not over-animated. He asked them if they would like to have another look round the paintings. They nodded, walked round the paintings and came back and stood by him. After a few’ moments’ silence the couple began talking, a little more excitedly than before, and pointed outside. He could not grasp exactly what they were saying. Then it

.was he felt they must be asking where the toilet was. He led them along the hallway and showed them the door to the little room. They both went in. He was a little amazed, but put it down to some foreign custom. In no time they were out again and bidding him a farewell. He showed them to the door, waved good-bye, then returned to his favourite chair, putting down their idiosyncracies to their being "arty” foreigners. On her way home, his wife realised it Was the day the foreign folk were to come. She was truly sorry and repentent that she had forgotten all about them. Once home she rushed in and asked her husband how he had managed, wondering if they might still be with him. He told her how he had shown them her paintings. He told her one or two other things, too.