Sub-question:—Can a bore be a bore when no one else is present.
Sub-answer:—We suspect they can. It is because he bores himself when alone that he seeks continually to bore others.
Yet some of them are well-intentioned persons who would be grieved to know they were injurious. Even the dull and thick-skinned are open to offence if it is forced upon them.
We suspect that the only real cure is courage on the part of the victim. If the suffering host or hostess frankly said, "My dear Sir—or Madam—you are making me very tired. I wish you would go away," the result would leave nothing to be desired. "But," says the sufferer in alarm, "they would never come to see us again!"
Well. Do you want them to?
"But—sometimes I like to see them." Or, "I cannot afford to quarrel with So and So!"
Ah! We will now quote Emerson. "It you want anything, pay for it and take it, says God."
Question:—"I have a sick parent. What is my whole duty in the case?"
—Filial Devotee.
Answer:—It depends on your sex. If you are a man, your duty is to provide a home for the patient, a servant, a nurse, a physician, food, medicine, and two short calls a day. You will be called "A Devoted Son."