Essay On The Visitor .There is a certain type of visitor whose approach to the house is always viewed with apprehension by the children of the family. I well remember an "aunt- whose image will always spring to my mind when the words -unwelcome visitors- are spoken. She is the prototype of bugbears!
Of course, she was not really an aunt. She had some connection with my mother in her youth, and felt it her duty to keep an eye on her and offer advice about the upbrining of her family. She was a spinster herself, having been far too formidable all her life to attract a husband, but that did not deter her from knowing more about how to bring up children than any mother of a large family!
She used to drive up to the house in a hired Victoria or "gharry," and always seemed to choose the leanest horse and the most disreputable carriage on the cab rank. When children had long ago decided that she instinctively chose the poorest-looking equipage because it obviously cost less to keep. Her dresses were always of some cold. dull material, and the pattern of the moderns suggested chains.
As soon as she set foot on the porch, we children were sent to wash and change. I remember how I resented having to have my hair replaited within an hour of bedtime. My ayah was always in a hurry and pulled at the tangles with a merciless comb. Then, clean and shining, but with black looks and thoughts„ we went in an unwilling procession to the verandah where the visitor proceed to hold an enquiry into our doing.
I, as the eldest girl, was always expected to produce an elaborate piece of needlework. It was no use protesting that my school work left no time for sewing. -Aunt- insisted that every girl should embroider some elaborate article every year. Then she would enquire about my prowess at cooking. and expect me to play my latest -piece" on the piano. Usually I loved the piano, but when she was there, it always made noises that were not at all harmonious:
There was a very different feeling in the family when Mr. Saleem came. That was not his real name. but he had been in America, and always called 'sweets "Sam,- and whenever he visited 'us, he brought candy with him. He would stroll in upon us at all time of the day and no special preparations were made to receive him. my brothers were playing with trains, he would go down on his knees by the track and help to wind the engines or change the points; if I was in the depths of despair over algebra home-work, he would cast depths of despair over algebra home-work, he would cast an experienced eye over the sum, and make_ a few suggestions which solved the tough problem like magic. He never asked awkward questions about what we were learning, or how many marks were had gained in examinations, but if we were excited about a new hobby or had a thrilling experience to relate, he was always ready to listen to our outpourings.
Occasionally he would come with an invitation for one particular member of the family -- a long motor drive was a special treat for my eldest brother, and once he took me to a performance of a Musical group. That was a wonderful occasion which I shall never forget. Mr. Saleem's treats were always exactly right; he seemed to know by instinct if there was something that we were longing to do or see, and as soon as the opportunity arose, he transformed our dreams into reality. Once he took the whole family to he circus. That in itself was sufficient to include him in our private calendar of saints!
You can well understand how it is that Mr. Saleem is always a most welcome visitor when he calls on us.
Of course, she was not really an aunt. She had some connection with my mother in her youth, and felt it her duty to keep an eye on her and offer advice about the upbrining of her family. She was a spinster herself, having been far too formidable all her life to attract a husband, but that did not deter her from knowing more about how to bring up children than any mother of a large family!
She used to drive up to the house in a hired Victoria or "gharry," and always seemed to choose the leanest horse and the most disreputable carriage on the cab rank. When children had long ago decided that she instinctively chose the poorest-looking equipage because it obviously cost less to keep. Her dresses were always of some cold. dull material, and the pattern of the moderns suggested chains.
As soon as she set foot on the porch, we children were sent to wash and change. I remember how I resented having to have my hair replaited within an hour of bedtime. My ayah was always in a hurry and pulled at the tangles with a merciless comb. Then, clean and shining, but with black looks and thoughts„ we went in an unwilling procession to the verandah where the visitor proceed to hold an enquiry into our doing.
I, as the eldest girl, was always expected to produce an elaborate piece of needlework. It was no use protesting that my school work left no time for sewing. -Aunt- insisted that every girl should embroider some elaborate article every year. Then she would enquire about my prowess at cooking. and expect me to play my latest -piece" on the piano. Usually I loved the piano, but when she was there, it always made noises that were not at all harmonious:
There was a very different feeling in the family when Mr. Saleem came. That was not his real name. but he had been in America, and always called 'sweets "Sam,- and whenever he visited 'us, he brought candy with him. He would stroll in upon us at all time of the day and no special preparations were made to receive him. my brothers were playing with trains, he would go down on his knees by the track and help to wind the engines or change the points; if I was in the depths of despair over algebra home-work, he would cast depths of despair over algebra home-work, he would cast an experienced eye over the sum, and make_ a few suggestions which solved the tough problem like magic. He never asked awkward questions about what we were learning, or how many marks were had gained in examinations, but if we were excited about a new hobby or had a thrilling experience to relate, he was always ready to listen to our outpourings.
Occasionally he would come with an invitation for one particular member of the family -- a long motor drive was a special treat for my eldest brother, and once he took me to a performance of a Musical group. That was a wonderful occasion which I shall never forget. Mr. Saleem's treats were always exactly right; he seemed to know by instinct if there was something that we were longing to do or see, and as soon as the opportunity arose, he transformed our dreams into reality. Once he took the whole family to he circus. That in itself was sufficient to include him in our private calendar of saints!
You can well understand how it is that Mr. Saleem is always a most welcome visitor when he calls on us.
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