Evening journal., 1912-02-24
When the Lamp Is Lit
MUSINGS OF tINOR HITF

Il AM like that" Haven't you heard
that phrase often enough? ! have.
and it usually comes from people who
pride themselves on a temperament.
Oh, those temperamental beings!
How nice it is, by way of contrast to
meet the ordinary sane. sunny tenn
pered, practical creature, who takes life
as il comes and does not explain his or
her .peculiarities by Il am like that"
we all know the unpunctual friend.
What a nuisance she isl know one
woman who insists upon making out of
door appointments and thinks nothing
OF keeping you waiting in all kinds Of
weather at the trysting place. When
she does arrive she smiles and says;
80 sorry 1 am late. dear. OF course
you're not cross. because-well, am
like that"
she Is a woman of Temperament"
you see!
Then there is the friend who speaks
her mind. Avoid her like the plagued
You show her your new dress with
pride. She looks at IT and says quite
sweetly, What a pity you have got
long sleeves. dear, for. Of course, only
short ones are worn nowadays" Then
her eye wanders to your hat on the
bed "A pretty hat" she murmurs.
"but so unbecoming to you. Did you
make those curtains, dear?" she con-
tinues. You nod with conscious pride
In your heart. "Yes. in two days"
What a pityl You can get them
ready made just as cheap" Then she
turns TO look at you You are sup
pressing murder in your heart. You
look bit tired this morning, dear, but
OF course fair people show it so much
more than dark" And after treading
on all your pet corns she kisses you
goodby. adding playfully; you don't
mind my being outspoken, do you2
You know I always say what think.
am like that"
Then there is the moody friend. She
Is very trying You give a party, and
YOU ask her to come and help entertain
your friends. She arrives She has a
settled air Of gloom about her, sits in
the corner and looks at people with a
vague smile. She does not attempt to
make conversation. and things seem
fat You want TO shake her, because
YOU know she can be so amusing at
times. When she eventually goes she
gives you a hug and says: so sorry,
darling, ] was so quiet today, but feel
'dumpy.' But probably tomorrow shall
be in the highest spirits. because am
like that"
You feel a positive fraud because you
have probably told your other guests
that she was clever and witty. But, Of
course. that proves she is a woman OF
temperament.
Then there is that abomination, the
passe woman with kittenish airs. She
comes TO a party and at every Joke
giggles until you want to annihilate
her She tries TO shock by becoming
hilarious and coy with the men. You
only wonder If you viii be electrocuted
il you publicly murder her. When she
leaves she gives you a kittenish hug
and giggles: so sweet of you to ask
me, dearest. I hope I haven't shocked
YOU very much. I get so excited ! am
like that" She also is tempermental
There is the person who is shocked
at everything. If you have an honest
outburst Of temper she looks at you
severely and says; "Oh. don't talk like
that can't bear iti It hurts my
sensitive feelings. Besides. it's so un-
iadylike." The world surely would be
a pleasant place without these posers
Don't you think so2