A matron of the most determined character was encountered by a young woman reporter on a country paper, who was sent out to interview leading citizens as to their politics. May I see Mr. ⸺? she asked of a stern-looking woman who opened the door at one house. No, you can’t, answered the matron decisively. But I want to know what party he belongs to, pleaded the girl. The woman drew up her tall figure. Well, take a good look at me, she said, I’m the party he belongs to!
Here is a singular incident showing how easy it is to mistranslate an overheard remark.
Said Mrs. A, one of the overhearers: They must have been to the zoo, because I heard her mention a trained deer.
Said Mrs. B: No, no. They were talking about going away and she said to him, find out about the train, dear.
Said Mrs. C: I think you are both wrong. It seemed to me they were discussing music, for she said, A trained ear, very distinctly.
A few minutes later the lady herself appeared and they told her of their disagreement.
Well, she laughed, that’s certainly funny. You are poor guessers, all of you. The fact is, I’d been out to the country overnight and I was asking my husband if it rained here last evening.