The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-05-22
Listening In On Foe

pushed in some direction. They are dead tired of remaining in one spot, but until somebody else makes move there they stick. If the fellow up at the head, switching his tail, says 'Ba-a- la-a r and trets to the left all the other sheep suddenly realize it is the left they have been wanting to go all the time. If he goes to the right they plunge to the right, and I suppose, if he were sheep with powers of levia- ton they would somehow manage to follow him right into the ether.
 Every few people have any definite thoughts about most subjects, you will find, and it annoys them to be hauled up suddenly and an opinion insisted upon for or against. When you have no opinion it is just as natural to snatch at any opinion offered as it would be for a drowning man to grab at lifeline. It is instinctive, besides, being time-saving, and enables one to pass on to something he can talk about himself.
 'sThe other day when Mrs Hickey was over here and you were showing her your new summer wardrobe with the idea of making her seethe with envy l heard you say:, This blue checked dress is awfully sweet, but it makes me look so big-you think it makes me look big, don't you, Mrs. Hickey? And Mrs. Hickey, who didn't know or care a hoot how it made you look, and didn't intend wasting time studying the matter, put her head on one side critically and said that of course, dear, she never should have mentioned it if you hadn't yourself but, yes, the dress did make you look about twice your usual size.
 ''Whereas if you had chirped, This is a becoming dress, isn't itY she would have agreed with you instantly and thus having got the conversational lead could have told you all the details of her cousins terrible operation, which was the real reason back of her call.
 Eff you have nothing better to do you can amuse yourself thoroughly by deciding what you want people to say and then making them say it. If you address a man thus: You see, don't you, Harbinger, how wasteful and idiotics such a plan of action would be for the company? Harbinger would not have the nerve to plant his feet and
 
 unless he were Roosevelt brand of a man, of which there are mighty few. Harbinger having probably given no deep thought to the topic knows noth- ing about it and is flattered at having you assume he has pondered long and efficiently on the subject. Or if he lAcks self-assurance he wonders if his little sprout of an idea that the said plan is fine one isn't wrong after all, so he agrees with you hastily and your beam of approval justifies him.
 "When you want anybody to do a thing or go anywhere, Cordeiia, adopt gay tone of assurance instead of a du- bious, hesitant manner. You're going to Henrietta's party, of course, aren't you? you should address Mrs. Velvet when you want her company and know away the little wheels begin turning and Mrs. Velvet reaches. for hef hat. Muscles work automatically when the brain suggests, and it doesn't much matter whose brain it is, outside or in- side. n-"
 ,''Lemuel! r cried the lady he was talk ing to, jumping up and sparkling her eyes, "Cmon! You want to go see 1 Asthma Licorish tonight I'm sure you do--it's time we started Here's your hatp
 ''I do notl" said her husband dis tinctly, reaching for his paper, Get your friend across the hall to go with you, please You see-er-well, there are exceptions to all rules, and while what I have been saying is strictly true, feel as though, I were catching cold, and SO better stay home tonight, Cor della You go on !'