Women and the Home

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17030, 2 May 1923, Page 4

Women and the Home

MARRIED BABIES

CONTR mu TIOAfS 0Y SPECIAL WRITERS

THE FATAL LURE OF “ BARGAINS.”

(By CONSTANCE COTTER ELL.)

there was an armchair in front ol' a fire. Over the fir© was a large portrait in a broad gold frame -in the armchair was a, bride. The corner oi the per trait’s mouth curled upward, the corner/? of tho bride’s mouth were curled downward, and each wore a coral necklace—the same necklace. The bride signed aud raised her eyes to the por- ” Great-grandmother !” site said. If only you could toll me what to do!” A little time seemed to pass, and through her tears she saw her greatgrandmother standing in front ol : her. .Sho was starting up, but gronl-grand-mother pub out her hand, saying •• Stay where you are and tell me what it is makes you cry.” ‘ I ve married a spoilt baby!” sobbed the bride. “ I did too. So many ■women do ” said great-grandmother reflectively. But it isn’a as bad for you as it was for me.” ‘‘ Whv not?” •• To begin with, every penny of rny iorume was liis by law: so were t-he children;%£> were my clothes; and I was too! But you two are equal. You have plenty of distractions; I had none.” Distractions!” cried the bride. *T tell you he didn’t like the breakfast—and I shall never forgive him !” “I wonder if ho’s married a baby?” greab-grandmot-her murmured as if to herself. “Well! but what did you do?” the bride asked hastily, wiping an eye. “Cried at first like you! Well. well, if you really don’t love him (the bride started), or your tears bore him (the bride shivered), -or he censes to love you (the bride quailed), neither of you will have much trouble in getting The bride sat up “Oh! stop, stop!” she cried. Of course, we shall always love each other! I wish he’d come in now!’ “ Rub your eyes.” said great-grand-mother, who was looking very misty. Sho rubbed her eyes, and opened them, and there he stood on the spot where great grandmother had been a moment before, with a bunch of flowers in bis hand. “ Wake up!” he said, bending down. ‘ T want to tell you how sorry I am ! I behaved like a spoilt baby, didn’t J: And now. I expect, you’re getting a, delicious dinner ready—or we might have dined out and gone to the play.” The bride blushed. She had forgotten the dinner.

Twice a year, like millions ot otbei women. I go “ a-sale ing. In the days of my youth T “ saled without thought or method—merely foi the joy of picking up a bargain. BT ter experience, however, and remnant*

which eventually proved to be of no earthly use. have shown me the wisdom ot scientific “ sftle-ing.” For it is a science to know at th»psychological moment whether that li yards of perfectly sweet grey crepe broche is (a) enough to make a jumper and (b) the right shade to match your panne skirt 1 You hesitate, and someone else carries off the prize, or you buy it, only to find that it is much too pale,’and it‘i utter uselessness haunts you until in desperation you give it away. So now, before the sales begin. 1 go stolidly through my possessions, taking stock, measurements and notes. Then, thoroughly well prepared, i start off. armed with a list of things which will be really useful, and complete with patterns ci the materials which may have to be matched. For instance, under the beading “cushions” is pinned a scrap of my drawing-room chintz and the footnote ; “Three-quarter yard of velvet', one eighth yard of satin., two yards of metal

tissue ribbon will make a bolster cushion. Look out for gold tassels.” t hope these instructions will keep me to the stern path of economy. This year i ought not to be carried away ny a ravishing (but in my drawing-room useless) length of green and silver brocade. Here is a remnanl list which 1 always take to the sales. In each case tho smallest possible (though sufficient) quantity of material is indicated:— 4 yards 56 inch wide, will make i coat and skirt. 1 yards 40 inch wide, a plain coatfrock. 4 yards 40 inch wide, a panelled coat frock, 3$ yards 56 inch wide, a wrap coat. 2J yards 40 inch wide, a shirt blouse. 1* yards 40 inch wide, a short sleeved kimono blouse. 1-i vards -10 inch wide, a short sleeved kimono jumper. 4 yards 40 inch wide, a bouffant dance dress. 3 yards 40 inch wide, a plain dance dress. 2 yards 40 inch wide, a dressing wrap. 4 yards 40 inch wide, a dressing gown. Never carry a book, a fussy handbag or a lot of unnecessary impedimenta when you c:o a-sale-ing. Yon will find them a fearful nuisance. Tt is better to wear old clothes and risk :i soaking than be bothered by a brolly.

WISPS OF WISDOM.

Encourage ; don’t discourage. Any time is a good time to start carrying out a good idea. If you are ashamed of your position you should be ashamed of yourself. Optimism is the secret of achievement; nothing can be done without hope. Your mind, like soil, will produce nothing unless intelligently tilled —n >- thing, that is, but weeds. He who loses money loses much : he who loses a. friend loses more ; but ha who loses courage loses all. Every thought generated in the brain is a seed which must produce its harvest—thistle or rose, weed or wheat! Alany foolish persons add to the burden of to-morrow before they are called upon to bear it. We can all increase our worries ; it is as simple, and sureic better.to lessen them. Sad is the dav for anv man when ha becomes nbsolufelv satisfied with the life he is living, the thoughts that be is thinking, and the deeds that he s doing ; when there cease* to be forever heating at the doors of his soul a desire to do .something larger which he feels and knows he tvas meant and intended to do.