A WOMAN'S PHILOSOPHY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18960, 6 January 1930, Page 7

A WOMAN'S PHILOSOPHY.

THAT KIND LOOK. (By RUTH CAMERON.) We were talking about men. Jn general and particular. Women do sometimes. Even quite serious-minded ones, you see. “Why do you like him so much?” was the question put before the house. And she of whom it was asked answered: “ Oh, I know he isn’t goodlooking. And maybe he isn’t so terribly clever. I don’t know. But what I like about him is that kind look. And I think that’s a lot more than good looks.’’ Where did she learn such wisdom? She Deserves Her Kind Man. In the school of life, I suppose. She has been married before. I hope she gets her kind man. She deserves him for knowing enough to value him properly. What in the world is there that makes more difference in the sum of human happiness in a home than the disposition to be kind—or the lack of it? Yet what do people marry for? What indeed? Because “ he’s the stunningest thing —six feet two and has the loveliest blonde hair.’’ Because “ she has an adorable way of wrinkling he. nose.” Because his voice has that deep, caressing quality that sends the thrills up and down her spine. Because she has a charming dimple and a lovelv figure. Because he has a peachy car and all the girls are crazy about him. Because she has the cutest line ana the boys are always cutting in on her. Are Widows Cleverer Than Widowers? It takes a widow to know the value of that kind look. (I can’t say as much for the widower.) Sometimes, of course, the cleverer flappers catch a glimpse of the truth that after all, character is the thing they are going to live with. “ Just kindness.” It doesn’t sound a bit heroic, does it, or a bit thrilling? And yet how much heart sunshine just simple kindliness, just the instinct to be gentle and understanding and reasonable, can bring into the home. And how much sunshine the habit of being impatient and arrogant and exacting and bullying can blot out of it. The title “ a gentleman ” has fallen somewhat into disrepute. But when you analyse it what does it mean? A gentle man. A man who does not abuse his power, who is chivalrous, who is tender, who is strong but kind I cannot think of any higher praise for a man than to be known as that l ; nd of a gentle man. “ To Make A Family Happier By His Presence.*’ Do you remember Stevenson’s task? “ To be honest, to be kind, to earn a little and spend a little less; to make upon the whole a family happier for his presence; to renounce when that shall be necessary and not to be embittered; to keep a few friends but these without capitulation; above a!J on the same grim condition to keep friends with himself, here is a task for all that a man has of fortitude and delicacy.” I love that. I recommena it as a yardstick to all who want to measure the character of a possible mate, either male or female. Will he stand up to that? Will she be that kind of a woman? Oh, of course, none of us will achieve it to perfection. Don't expect that.