The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-02-20
THE REFRESHMENT
PERIOD
LUCIA MALLORY

If | were a mother, | should never
mention the high cost of living at
meal-time, nor should permit anyone
else to do so. 1t is not refreshing!
Not long ago, | was dinner guest in
a very pleasant, comfortably furnished
home. The meal was carefully planned
and well-cooked, and my hostess was
very gracious, but she talked at such
length about the high cost of the food
any of us who sat at the table could
partake of it. 1t was evident that the
small nine-year-old daughter of the
family felt very little desire to do
So
''If butter keeps going up" Mrs.
Baker exclaimed, 81 don't see how
any of US are going to live!'
"We can always expect a seasonal
rise is price at this time Of year"
her husband answered.
"But not such a big jump as we've
had lately-an increase of two cents
last week and another increase this
week." our hostess went on in high
pitched voice, "and eggs are almost
prohibitive in price"
"Well, Martha, the producers ought
to be happy" suggested her husband
"What about the poor consumers 2"
Mrs. Bakers words had the aptitude
of an oft-rehearsed reply. "There
ought to be reasonable price for
both the producer and the con-
sumer-"
Our host continued to enjoy his
dinner, with no concern for his wife's
TRADE against high prices. 1t was evil
IDENTIFY an old story. Small Martha,
however, sat regarding her mother
with big, troubled eyes, leaving the
good roast chicken and mashed po-
tatoes and gravy untouched on her
plate.
While | was endeavoring to think of
some way to guide the conversation
into more pleasant channels, Miss
Waite, the mothers sister, spoke
softly to the child "Do you know
what | saw at the bakery when | stop
ped for the wholewheat rolls this eve
ming, Marian? A lovely calendar from
Scotland, with pictures of the Scot
tish hills and lakes and ever SO many
verses by Scottish poets. There was
one like this:
And night will come, and then far
through the larkling
A light will shine out in some
sounding glen
Let's go to Scotland some day,
Marian, and visit those sounding
glens'!"
The small, tense face relaxed, and
the little girl began to eat her dim
ner.
Somebody began to talk about the
State Tennis Tournament then in
progress at the city park, our hostess
became interested in seeing that
everyone was adequately served, and
the meal went on very agreeably, with
no more mention of the cost.
The incident might not have SEEM
ed SO important to me if | had not
heard similar comments at other
tables, and in several instances with
the same bad effects on the children
fact that such complaints concerning
food prices cannot be other than en-
barrassing to guest, they are more
than likely to create an undesirable
atmosphere for the children in the
home. Also, unsatisfactory conditions
in community, state, or world affairs
cannot be improved by discussing
them at the dining table, and every
one has right to be free from worry
at mealtime That should be the family
refreshment period.
| believe that the mothers who talk
too much about prices need a little
vacation from housekceping-per perhaps
not completes separation from their
homes, but they should at least take
time for reading, for music, or for
recreation of some sort that will give
them additional interests. In any case,
in the solution of housekeeping prob
lens, it hinders rather than helps to
present them at mealtime.