GEM'S MUSINGS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 295, 7 September 1908, Page 5

GEM'S MUSINGS.

On • reflection, I am bound to admit .that the past three days have been historical ones, inasmuch as bargain-hunting is concerned. From early morn till dusk I have flitted from counter to counter, have gazed and wonddered, and, like any old Scotch wife, li'avo fingered. Faix! I tremble with apprehension when I allow my thoughts to stray homeward , and of grandmamma—stately, Old World granny, with her silvery hair and gentle mien. Not in her. day did girls collect like a lot of cackling hens in a place of business to hunt for bargains, and get them! Even mamma has joined the fray, and to-day we both indulged. You see, mamma says wo,need to refurnish. With the advent of spring one's thoughts turn to fresh curtains and carpets as naturally as the foolish to love. So to-day we sallied forth. Mamma hates to bo bustled. Mamma is liko granny, majestic, of most aristocratic mien, yet secretly sho dearly loves a bargainf' ( The Madras muslin for drawingroom curtains in ecru wo-paid Is. 6d. a yard for. It is lovely, and already I have visions of open windows with a light summer breeze fanning them to and fro, while I sit within meditating. ■ For tho hack upstair windows we chose whito spotted, frilled, for tho low price of Is. 4}d.! (They'll look charming in my own littlo den.) Amongst the cretonnes we..revelled, and I was ashamed of mamma—she forgot herself so far as to—yes, • actually to hurry past a perspiring, florid-faced wonian, who insisted on "ganging her ain gait," which was not a hustle. It was a roso-lmcd crctonno, with a design of big creamery roses and foliage, that had attracted, hor ladyship, just' sweet for re-covering 'papa's big chair in the study. This was only Is. 3d. a yard. I bought a dozen French point d'oyleys, six inches across, for 4d. each; and the Frcnch hallstand mamma paid 255. for' has a bevelled mirror. Last evening Miranda came in. She was effervescing like a glass of ginger ale. I krtew what Was coming. You could geo it in her eyes, whilst her hair (wliich is really pretty), started to', bristle and crackle. I

might as well toll you that Miranda's hair does this under certain conditions. When unusually excited is one condition; her doctor the reason so: Her hair is full to awkward' overflowing of electricity—a superabundance. Pqor Miranda!) vCrackle! Crackle! "Oh, Mirry. can't vou stop it?' - • . "Not," she answered, "till I've spoken. /"Well?" I said, protending I couldn't guess. , .'.'l've been to the Economic sale " "That's nothing! You are only one of thousands!" "Yes, dear; but let, mo tell you ,of the dress I bought. _ Such a dream of a pastel cloth in pale shrimp pink, smooth surface, for half its value. And Evelyn got a'pair of long suede putty-coloured gloves for 4s. 6d. They'll go splendidly with her cinnamon frock." "Hipping? Rather!" When Miranda had subsided, and her fair locks, 'had quietened, I took her to my drbssingroora.' ~' v ■ "Miranda Fitzhugh, behold my pickings!" : Miranda sat on .the floor. (That is another 'peculiarity of hers 'when greatly agitated!) ' > •" 6420

All those ' prepared plans in naval manoeuvres by which all tho moves are agreed upon, and Admiral "A" has to be beaten by Admiral "B," are absurd and useless. The most important thing in warfare is "the unexpected."—"Petite Republique," Paris.