NOT UNDERSTOOD.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 15116, 29 December 1921, Page 2

NOT UNDERSTOOD.

SOME CHRISTMAS PROBLEMS. • IN WHICH THE INNOCENT SUFFER. Christmas may como hut once a year, and when it does come it brings along a few problems. And th 0 problem solvers say that they don’t want two Christmases on any account. Tho fact is they Have been worried and arc still puzzled. For instance. Case No. 1 decided to spend Christmas with his people. Arriving, ho was handed u cablegram from Sydney. It conveyed Christmas greetings, and added: “All well.” Now, :tjho recipient is allegedly a single man, and tho family wanted to know what this “all well” meant. The cablegram was signed with the surname only, and that name was the same as that of the recipient. He explained at great length, and with remarkable vigour, that it was all a mystery to him, but cold looks on the faces of brothel’s and sistersgave him plainly to understand that his words had not carried conviction. Worry over “all well" and possible developments have quite spoiled the festive season. He vows that if they’re “all well” now tiicv will be very far from well when he locates th 0 sender of tho message. Then the exchange of presents and good wishes during the Christmas festivities wero responsible tor a number of domestic problems. One leading citizen, in a burst of goodwill arid true generosity, thought h c would purchase a pair oi silk hose for a relation. He walked up and down outside the establish ment for some considerable time before ho could master enough courage to enter. At last ho went in, and, in response to the request of the female assistant, indicated that ho desired some silk stockings “And what size, may I ask ?” requested the assistant, as she displayed a number of dainty creations in mauve and lavender. “Eh !” purchaser hesitated. “Er, er.” The prospective customer was getting visibly agitated. “I really could not say !” ho finally stammered. “They are for your wife?” the quick assistant asked, eager to help th e now very embarrassed client. “Eh ! yes!” To 'have said otherwise would have been disastrous, and ho possessed not the courage ta mention casually that they were for a relative. Somehow it didn’t sound as it should. And now ho wants to know what will Happen if 'his wife goes into that shop, and that enterprising little saleswoman asks if the stockings fitted. Because, quite by an oversight, lid hasn’t told the wife about that particular present.