Mother has found
that over the years that Royal Warrant holders of the British Royal Family are
generally the best purveyors of goods for the family. Mother always makes a point of looking for
the Royal Warrant holders seal and the words, “By appointment to Her Majesty
the Queen.”
This
afternoon at tea-time Mother and I were enjoying a cup of Taylors of Harrowgate
Yorkshire Tea, of course Taylors is registered as a Royal Warrant holder. Mother had chosen her Paragon Royal Albert
teacups for today’s tea.
I
said to Mother, “I have become aware that a Royal Warrant does not always
guarantee quality. Take for instance the
Parker Sonnet Sterling Silver Fountain Pen in my collection. It’s a beautiful pen, but it doesn’t write
very well. On the other hand my Namiki
Emporer’s Treasure Fountain Pen, not only looks fashionable, but it is also a
pleasure to write with. Of course at
$6,000.00 it ought to write better than a Parker Sonnet. It just goes to show that you get what you
pay for.
“You
are quite right Alfred,” said Mother, “take for instance my Chanel
handbag. I just love its soft leather.”
“Well,
Mother,” said I, “I’ve been thinking; I’d like to add another pen to my
collection, perhaps a Conway Stewart Windsor¸ or a Krone George
Washington Limited Edition Fountain Pen.
The original cost is $5,900, but Fahrney’s has it on sale for $4,130.00.”
“Oh,
look, Alfred, the mail just arrived.”
Mother
came back with a letter from our new parish and I carefully opened it with my William
Henry pocket knife. You can imagine my
distress when a pledge card fell out.
“Mother,”
said I, “I’m appalled. Look at this!”
Mother
picked up the accompanying letter and perused it, “Look, Alfred. It is signed by Claude Whittington. I had no idea he was the Chairman of the
Stewardship Committee this year.”
“Well,”
said I, in a huff, “he certainly didn’t waste any time sending this out. We’ve only been there two months.”
“A
pained expression crossed Mother’s face.
She is quite good at pained expressions!
“But Alfred, the Whittingtons are our friends. Whatever will we do? I’d hate to be embarrassed by not
responding.”
“Mother,
if I didn’t have a tenor solo coming up on Easter, I swear I would just leave
the Church!”
“I
know, Alfred, I know, and I have just agreed to serve with Grace Whittington on
the Hospitality Committee. It would be
so embarrassing to just drop out.”
“Well,
Mother, I think we’ll just have to bite the bullet and sent them at least the
price of that Krone George Washington fountain pen I have been looking at.”
Mother
pondered that for a few minutes and then replied, “Make it a silver bullet
Alfred! Send them the twice the price of
your Namiki Emporer’s Royal Treasure Fountain Pen. It’s not as though we can’t afford it; and
after all, we don’t want to be embarrassed.”
“Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly
or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
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