Fling With the Penniesi
iBy a !MOLLY WALSH
"STRANGELY Q it is not the big
troubles of married life that are the worst. They may bring a couple closer in sharing them. The small irritating things are more apt to divide husband and wife."
So says Mrs. Katherine fames. She should know. She has six children and has been married 15 years and. with her sixth baby not yet a year old, she has found time to write a book called "Family Life, the Christian Way." It is a small book but it is packed with wisdom and I think for many people its great beauty will be in the fact that it is written for and about people who are very much in the purgative way of married life.
It is the kind of book from which one wants to go on quoting. Here are two typical pieces of sound common sense: "Where there is almost constant need to count the pennies, an occasional silly indulgency is almost a necessity." "In fact it is better to do this than to feel '1 never spend a penny I don't have to,' and build up a spirit of self righteousness and harbour resentment."
The silly indulgence can have an astounding tonic effect too. Even a cup of coffee "out" instead of at home can become almost a daring adventure when one has spent days and weeks at home.
NO TALK
A BOUT the spiritual life of " husband and wife: "However, this deepest of man's needs is one he cannot always speak about, and many a Catholic man and wife who offer Mass together week by week barely mention their religion to each other. In fact it is almost an English characteristic that the social character of Catholicism and the social nature of the Mass are barely realised-religion is thought to be a matter for the individual.
"Anybody who has the vaguest idea of the meaning of the Mystical Body which Catholics are in Christ must sec how untrue this is.
"It is essential to share the faith. the more so between husband and wife who have jointly to impart a working knowledge of it to their children. This job is theirs and begins from the earliest age. The school helps them hut it cannot replace them."
Mrs. James has also excellent chapters on Catholics and family limitation and about training children.
The book costs only Is. 8d.. post free, and can be obtained from the publishers, Michael, Shelton and
Murray, 39/41, Palace Street. London S.W.1.
THE TROLLEY
' SUGGES HON for the readers who enquire from time to time about charitable works which do not take up an enormous amount of time.
Many hospitals are organising voluntary workers to do small services for the patients. This usually means going round the wards with a trolley containing articles which the patients may need to buy, or with library books. The time involved is usually not more than one or two afternoons a month.
CONTEMPT
I LIKE this cheerful letter from a reader who signs herself "Another Spinster.", "With regard to child psychology. 1 feel that life today is too hectic and full of excitement and that where it is possible to bring up young children to love the simple things. they become more contented and happy men and women.
"I am not very fond of cocktails hut I am interested in the psychology of advertising and posters give a heap of uplift. There is a poster on the bus just passing which says: `No one deserves a glass of Somebody's wine more than you do' (Thank you!).
"Ihis I think far more practical than the next one which says: `To read the label, turn the bus on end.'
'And as I am passing the police station, there is a policeman pointing straight at me and saying: 'You can help us to stamp out crime' (you'd never think so to look at me!) Then just as I turn indoors, there is another poster saying: 'Arc you a handy man or woman? Then do it yourself.' I say to myself: -You're telling me. 1"ve been doing it for years.'"