Random reminder

Press, 30 November 1982, Page 31

Random reminder

BOOK IT, PLEASE She is a lady of considerable years and great charm; she has, all those who know her agree, a mind of her own. She now lives in a home for the elderly, although she herself can see little reason why she should be there, x

This lady has never married, so it is not surprising that she lavishes considerable affection upon her niece. Between the two there is a similarity of temperament which has from time to time led to a brief clash of wills; if anything, however, these little incidents have served merely to deepen the love that the two hold for each other.

One of the events of the year for the residents of the home is their fete. It is an occasion of bustle and excitement; friends and relatives turn up and bright chatter fills the air. There are, of course, stalls, at which a variety of goods is eagerly traded. The niece joined her aunt for the day,

not from a sense ot auty out oecausashe genuinely enjoys such outings. Arid so it was, as they drifted through the throng, that they came to the book stall. The niece, who is a librarian, perused the wares with a quick professional eye and was delighted to espy a copy of a book that she had been wanting to acquire for some time. She picked it up and found that it was on issue from the Public Library. Much affronted, she announced in ringing tones that as the book belonged to the library, she would see that it was returned- to its rightful place. Her aunt was aghast. “But you are going to pay for it, dear, aren’t you?” Much though she loves her aunt, the niece has the steely core of the dedicated librarian; she swept the book under her arm and with a withering look at those miserable souls who would seek to profit from such a sale, she retorted: “Certainly not.”