~Lileon udu}ts was practically unhvard of. Even grown-ups sej}dom used the given name when addressiny a neighbor, unless th®y had been acquainted over a period of years. Very early in life, I somehow acquired the habit of addressing all married folk, young or old, as Mr. and Mrs. Whether this was a product of my own thinking or a parental directive, I do not know. I do know that it persisted until I was well grown. To this day, I find it difficult to address a new acquaintance by His or her first name; to me, it still smacks of undue familiarity.

Another custom that reflected a dash of old-world courtesy and good manners was the ban on the use of profanity and off-color jokes and stories in the presence of women. That is not to say that men did not Swear; aS a matter of fact, Islanders have always been noted for their vocabulary of pungent expletives, but, when ladies were within hearing, it wes strictly taboo. I am sure that if our progenitors could return and be treated to a sample of some of the conversational expressions prevalent today, they would deny the evidence of their ears.

Robert MacPhail was notably patient with the errors and omissions of his hired farm help. On one occasion when he hired a new hand, who, by the way, waS not an Islander, he was careful to warn him against the use of profanity. Several days later, when ths man was attempting to hitch a team to the ay aihowar. one of the horses refused to co-operate and ended by getting his hind legs on the wrong side of the mower pole. Thoroughly exasperated, the man proceeded to give his opinion of the horse at some length -- luridly, and loudly enough to be heard in the kitchen and at points beyond. Mr. MacPhail also happened to be within earshot. | Inside

an hour, the man was looking for work -- at another farm.

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