Q. Six months ago I invited some old friends to be my guests at a reunion dinner. We all love each other but never get round to meeting. The evening looms but my problem is that in the meantime one guest has received publicity revealing that he has become a high net worth individual. A member of my own family, famous for her parsimony, will be at the dinner and has become agitated at the thought that I will be paying for everyone out of my limited income when our newly super-rich friend could easily do it without even noticing and is bound to offer. Mary, I want this evening to be my treat. How can I subdue the tension?
—Name and address withheld
A. Some of the most lovable people prefer not to spend money and it seems your relation’s reputation has not hindered her popularity within the group. The solution is for you to have a laugh as, behind her back, you confide your dilemma in the group.
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