BREAKING IT GENTLY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8241, 9 September 1905, Page 7

BREAKING IT GENTLY.

.—, + ,— _ The greatest error that a father can make is to omit to note the year that is at the top of the current almanac, and to forget that his sons grow older each year. There comes a time when they feel they have the right to smoke indoors, to take a glass of claret with their meals, to go on their own account to the play. Happy the father who knows the right moment for acceding to these applications. For him who unwisely tries to preserve tho view that his boy of eighteen ought still to be wearing a sailor hat with the words 11.M.5. Obedient, there is in store an astonishing disillusion. " Beg pardon, father," says the lad, who wishes to break the news gently, " but do you mind if I bring a friend in lo supper this evening?" " I'll think it over, my boy." " For a little music." " Does your friend sing?" ■' Has a beautiful voice," says the lad enthusiastically ; " like a nightingale." "Oh !" with incredulity. " What age ?" "About my own age, father." " Well, you can bring your friend, but mind, it's not to be made a precedent. I don't want the house overrun with them. And no staying late." "She'll go back to her mother's at ten." " She ?"" "It's a young lady I've been fond of for some time, father," blurts out the lad, " and we are going to get married soon !"