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Salient: At Victoria University College, Wellington, N. Z. Vol. 24, No. 10. 1961.

Female Tribulations

Female Tribulations

I struggled for the cable-car step, restricted by a tight skim and badly over-loaded with a heavy bag, a couple of library books that wouldn't fit into it, my red raincoat hanging from one arm, and my beautiful red umbrella dangling restlessly from a couple of fingers, and at the same time, still endeavoured to fit the ticket into my wallet (also red—guess what my favourite colour is?)

The car bell clanked suddenly, and with a great effort, I lurched into the seat, now acutely aware that the top button of my blouse had slipped undone, and that it was imperative for me to do It up—somehow!

As the car began its climb with a few unsteady gulps, a strand of hair fell Into my eyes and blurred my vision. Then I caught the eye of my companion, which protruded furtively from behind a most refined paper. Relieved to see someone I knew, I smiled brightly, and said.

"Good morning," hoping that he would perhaps hold my books for me while I organised myself.

He lowered his paper very slightly, mouthed "Good-morning" at me and accompanied it with a faint, faint smile which seemed to rebuke me on the grounds that it surely was scarcely done to smile before 10 o'clock in the morning. And then, dear soul, he returned his eager, grey nose to his paper.

Footnote: Obviously, this was a member of the staff.

—Jancist.