THE RIGHT MOMENT TO RECEDE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17864, 4 June 1926, Page 11

THE RIGHT MOMENT TO RECEDE.

I § Margaret came to tea with us. After she had gone James remarked: “She looked a bit down in the mouth, I thought, didn’t you?” “Well, I noticed she wasn’t too cheery -—T expect she's worrying herself about Bill Howard. That affair's been hanging I lire for some time, you know—l thought they’d have been engaged and married by now ! ” James grinned. “She has a hope in that direction. I don't think! Howard will never marry her, you’ll see—why, she doesn’t know the A B C of bringing him up to the scratch —what on earth they teach the girls in these modern schools is more than I can fathom “My dear—they don’t have classes on how to make reluctant young men pro

“Then mores the pity,” said James, with spirit, “and if ever I have any daughters. I’ll jolly well see they acquire some common sense. Why, just look at Margaret—if she wants this wretched youth, though why she should is something of a mystery. . “And after knowing you, too!” I murmured sarcastically. He ignored this sally. “Any babe in arms should know better than to go on as she’s doing ! ” Y\ ell, I don t know what more she could do than she's done,” I said. “I’m sure she’s worked hard enough ! She's spent an absolute fortune on clothes in the last few months and she's gone about with him morning, noon, and night. She’s done her utmost to charm him and he certainly seems to like her.” “That’s the trouble.” decided James—“the girl s done far too much, in every love affair there’s a psychological moment when the woman should recede; cool off; freeze up. “Oh. she’s tried hard to make him jealous! I know that lor an absolute

fact. She went to several dances with some other man. . “And naturally Bill knew why. Anything quite so obvious wouldn't deceive a goldfish straight out of the nest—why, every man is accustomed to that trick. No; what Maragaret wants to use is a little subtlety! She should put her manner on ice and seem a tririe blah the next time he comes to call.’’ “Blah?” “Yes—distrait—absent—not all there —thinking of something else, don’t you know, and really hasn't a moment, but will probably meet him somewhere if nothing better turns up on Sunday night. Then.” continued .Tames, “if the chap really cares for her he'll get a. jolt and put his head in the noose. You see, no man wants to marry if he can possibly avoid it. And as long: as he’s sure the girl is his. if he wants-her. so long he’ll shilly-shally and fiddlefaddle. She should first make sure he cares for her and then cool oft' and he’s hers! You tell Margaret that and give her my love ! ” And I really think I will l