THE ELDEST DAUGHTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18941, 12 February 1925, Page 13

THE ELDEST DAUGHTER.

I wish somebody would found a Society for the Protection of Eldest Daughters. They need it badly, writes Jean North in a magazine article. I am one, so I ought to know. I can't see why, just because I'm the eldest daughter, I should always have to do all tho balonging-to-nobody.iu-particu-lar jobs in the house. Why can't tho younger onea take a turn sometimes? Why should I always have to read the newspaper to Aunt Jane, who is as deaf as a post? Molly, my youngest sister, has a voice like a sergeant-major, but nobody ever suggests she should take a turn. I am the eldest, and, therefore, by some curiou3 process of reasoning—or want of it—it is taken for granted that I should shout myself hoarse every evening. If there is a duty visit to be paid—l am the one selected (o pay it. If there's a "difficult" letter to bo writ-ten-—I writs it. If the butcher evinces a tendency to attach more than our legitimate share of fat to tho weekly joints—l am the warrior chosen to point out to him the error of his ways, in spite of the fact that Phyllis is twice my size, and has never yet been beaten in wordy warfare. If any member of tho family makes an unfortunate purchase, as a mere matter of course I take tho article back—with various instructions and admonitions from the purchaser—and hardly a "Thank you" when I return ! If a distant relation wants a certain paper pattern, I am the one who trails round London looking for if. I mend the stockings and the sock;; of the entire household. "You're such a good darner, dear." But Molly and I'liyl, and Sybil could all dam well if thoy wanted to. Thoy havj got far better eyesight than 1 have. But darning is dull work—l am tho eldest girl,, so . . . ! When wo have tennis parties the younger girls never dream of helping with the tea. They'are on the courts all tho time. lam in the kitchen. "Jean is so domesticated'" Well, I may fce —I am also fond of tennis ' Who gives Tango his bath! I do, of course, although he's Billy's dog. "Billy makes such a mess and bother." I think perhaps the trouble started ay-ay back in nursery days. I remember I always had to give up to the "younger ones." "You are older than she is, darling—let her have your doll," and "Let him havo your bricks—he is younger than you, you know." I cannot help my own fate, but if I ever have an eldest daughter I will tee that she is riot a family dumping ground for all the disagreeable jobs that no one wants to do.