A MISTAKEN OBJECTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5698, 17 October 1896, Page 4

A MISTAKEN OBJECTION.

The doting father was reflective. " You will find Mabel a splendid housekeeper," he said at last. The lover's face Avas blanched. " I—l1 — I had not heard of her accomplishments in that direction," he said hesitatingly. "Then it must come to you in the nature of a glorious surprise," returned her father, "for I assure you there is no more careful housekeeper in the city." "I presume," faltered the young man, " that she takes a very pardonable pride in her ability in that line." "Of course, of course. She is naturally proud of her economical management of a household." i The young man groaned. " I never knew but one woman who was considered a really first-class housekeeper," he said, "and I* had hoped that Mabel would have none of those traits. 1 do not like to eat up to an average." "Eat up to an average !" exclaimed the old man. "Yes. According to my understanding of the subject, a good housekeeper is one who allows no waste. She studies your hunger and your capacity for about n week, strikes an' average, and then insists that you must eat up to it ever after. If you do not eat enough she grumbles about the waste, and if you eat too much somebody will find a shortage, and she will call your attention to the fact that you were far below the average the clay before and caused considerable waste." " 1 sec your point," returned the old man, " but you misunderstand me. I said she ■swas- a. good hnnsekeepei', not a good board-. keeper."

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