Photoplay (Jul-Dec 1954)

Things Mom Never Said ( Continued from page 67) an important decision had been made — by Piper. By not high-pressuring her into the decision, Mrs. Jacobs had not only kept her daughter from becoming rebellious — and possibly going ahead with the marriage because of that reason alone — but had also stuck to the line of reasoning she had followed since Piper was a little girl: Mrs. Jacobs never imposed her will on her daughter, never interfered in her problems, never pushed her into a decision. Instead, she always tried to guide her in such a way as to help Piper to help herself. Telling Piper what to do would have been easier — for her mother. Quite probably, Mrs. Jacobs could have kept Piper from making a number of mistakes, some serious. But she would have also made Piper dependent on her and unprepared against the time when she would no longer be around to tell her what to do. Piper was guided into making her own decision at an early age through small, seemingly insignificant matters like eating Brussels-sprouts. Piper had just turned six when she faced them for the first time. Never having tasted them she made up her mind in advance that they weren’t for her. There was a challenge in her voice when she announced, “I won’t eat them, Mom!” Mrs. Jacobs reasoned that if Piper succeeded in talking herself out of Brusselssprouts, she might object to any other unknown dish in the future as well. Yet, if *she insisted on having her eat them, Piper would resent it even more. And so she tried a more diplomatic approach. “You don’t have to eat them, honey. Just help yourself to meat and potatoes.” But when Mrs. Jacobs had finished her portion of Brussels-sprouts, although she could hardly swallow another bite she took a second helping, and — seemingly cheerfully — even a third. Each time Mrs. Jacobs loaded up her plate, Piper became a little less convinced of her preconceived notion, until at last she decided to taste the Brussels-sprouts herself. She took one careful bite, smacked her lips and took another. Today they are one of her favorite vegetables. More serious was Piper’s dislike for anything that spelled domesticity. She was fairly good at keeping her room in order, but as for cooking, washing dishes and the like — no, an emphatic “No!” Not wanting to insist upon it, Mrs. Jacobs tried to inject in her daughter a desire for cooking by letting her see how much fun it could be. But sometimes, of course, even the best-laid plans don’t work out exactly as expected. One evening Mrs. Jacobs brought home all the ingredients for hot fudge. She knew Piper had a weakness for it. When she asked her if she wanted to try her hand at it, Piper went at it so enthusiastically, Mrs. Jacobs thought her plan had succeeded instantly. Her optimism wasn’t justified. By the time Piper finished her fudge, the kitchen was in such a mess that it took her mother three hours to clean it up. Piper’s not overly enthusiastic offer to help came to an abrupt end when she managed to drop a couple of dishes in quick succession. Her mother has never been quite certain whether or not it was accidental. Freud, the old boy who thought everything had a hidden meaning, might have described it as a mental block which wouldn’t let Piper accomplish the dreaded kitchen work! But even this problem worked itself out eventually — although Piper hopes she will never again have to learn her lesson as dramatically as this. By mutual consent, Piper stayed out of I ...a/id ith & /{equdafa'/ Happy is the bride who wears a Keepsake Diamond Ring, for here is a diamond chosen with quality as the all-important consideration . . . a diamond whose fine quality will be reflected forever in its exceptional brilliance and beauty. The name Keepsake appears in the rings of those whose love deserves the finest . . . for the center diamond of every Keepsake engagement ring is a perfect gem, regardless of carat weight or price. Ask for the Keepsake Certificate which guarantees perfect quality and permanently registers your diamond ring. Better jewelers everywhere feature Keepsake in many beautiful styles, at nationally advertised prices from $100 to $10,000. A. TREASURE Ring S675.00 Wedding Ring 200.00 B. NEWELL Ring S450.00 Wedding Ring 1 50.00 C. MILFORD Ring $350.00 Wedding Ring 150.00 D. VISTA Ring $250.00 Also 100 to 2475 Wedding Ring 12.50 ★ Man’s Diamond Ring $125.00 Available at 75 to 250 to match all engagement rings E. SAN CARLO Ring $125.00 Wedding Ring 87.50 All rings available in either natural or white gold. Prices include Federal Tax. Rings enlarged to show details. ©Trade-mark registered. smeg 2DmewNyDorkVgs Went \VCjj°°kIcts> "The Er, 10‘54 R'"S also '%? ■■Rand ChooZVY ^ Engage ; sag Name Address ~~~ — _____ Cny and State___ A' H Pond Co., Inc — ' Sracuse~ Antvve vcrp Amsterdam PHONE WESTERN UNION'S "OPERATOR 25" FOR YOUR KEEPSAKE JEWELER'S NAME* 101