BARBARA'S BRAIN-WAVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23115, 13 August 1938, Page 14 (Supplement)

BARBARA'S BRAIN-WAVE

HARRY began it. Mind you, I'm not blaming him. I've not the slightest doubt he sent me a copy of "The Home Lawyer" in perfect good faith. It "was all right so long as the book remained on the shelves. But the time came when the library books missed the post, the newsagent delivered the wrong paper, and there was nothing in the house to read. The rod morocco of "The Homo Lawyer" tempted me. and I began to dip into it. At first I read idly. Finally I became completely absorbed. I read feverishly until the fire had gone out and my hair was standing on end. If you think this is an exaggeration, read the section on leases, and remember that I'd just signed ono of them. About 2 a.m. Barbara came downstairs and asked when I was coming to bed. Did I know what time it was? Did I realise the fire was out? " Read for Myself " "I daren't mend it," I explained, "because of the lease. I can't take the risk of setting the place 011 fire." "Aren't we insured?" "Our furniture is insured. Presumably the landlord has insured the property." "Then why worry?" she asked. "Because the lease says we've got to pay an annual rent of £75 for ten years. It doesn't say we can s t°P paving if the houso is burnt down." "Did you find that out for yourself," she gasped, "or is it in the book?" "It's in the book," I assured her. "Then I must read it for myself," she decided. Pet Grievance All our nights were broken after that. We couldn't sleep for thinking over the problem. Or else we couldn't sleep for fear an electric wire would fuse and set fire to the place while we slept. Barbara said the less 1 had to do with the book the better, and at the risk of hurting Harry's feelings, I ought to give it away. "No darling," I insisted. "It's an invaluable book. Listen to this about overhanging trees." "Isn't that Uncle _ John's pet grievance? We'll send it to him at once." " A waste of postage," I grumbled. "He's coming hero next month, isn't he?" "That's his plan," she admitted, "but when he gets the legal slant on those overhanging trees " "You think it will worry him?" "Well, it nearly gave us a nervous breakdown."

By W. E. RICHARDS Illustrated by Minhinnick

So we sent the book to Uncle John with our best love, and sat back to await results. We hadn't long to wait. In a couple of days ho wrote thanking us for our kindness and apologising for postponing his visit. As ft matter of fact he was getting an injunction against the brigand next door in re overhanging trees. " A Good Egg " "This," I exclaimed, " is a good egg. I'm going to buy six more copies tomorrow." "Aunt Susan generally comes after Uncle John." Barbara reminded me. "She shall have one," I decided. "The law relating to riparian owners should interest her. She's always in conflict with river picnic parties who camp at the bottom of her garden." Aunt Susan was delighted with her hook. She said that now she knew the inside dope, she wasn't going to waste any more money on the legal profession. She would conduct her cases in person. In consequence, she feared .she would have to postpono hpr visit until the close season for riversido picnics. "That's that," sighed Barbara contentedly. "Now wo shall be able to enjoy "tlio summer without interruption." "There's still Aunt Tabitha," I reminded her. "Do you think she'd be interested in Law?" Aunt Tabitha "She owns her own house. She's hound to be interested. We'll send her a copy." Aunt Tabitha wroto that she was delighted with her book, and she would read it at tho first opportunity. Then followed a fortnight's silence. "Do you think she's dipped into it yet?" asked Barbara. "Sure to. She's probably contemplating proceedings about a right of way or ancient lights or something. Anyhow, she won't trouble us this year." There I was wrong. In another week we received a letter in Aunt's sloping hand. It read: — "My 'dear Niece and Nephew,—l have 'now read your book from cover to cover and I haven't slept since I began it. I did not fully realise in what hourly danger a proporty-owner lives. Tho section on Arson quite decided me. 1 feel I can no longer face, alone and unprotected as I am, this awful danger. "Accordingly I have instructed my solicitor to arrange tho sale of my house and effects, and I am going to throw myself on your hospitality for a\i indefinite period. "Your affectionate Aunt, "Tabitha." And it's all Harry's fault for giving me the book. I've a good mind to have the law on him.