Dear Mary…
Q. I have recently inherited a beautiful tapestry from an uncle of whom I was particularly fond, and who, I believe, was rather fond of me. While my cousin — who is shortly to move into her late father’s house — is happy to respect his wishes and let me have the tapestry, her husband is less enthusiastic and is more than a little exercised as to what to put in the place of this work, which occupies almost all of one wall of the dining-room. That empty wall will make me feel uncomfortable every time I visit. I get on very well with my cousin and would dearly like to do something to help them out, but so far have drawn a blank.
S.V.Z., London SW10
A. A new technological development will ease your distress. For many years some of the grandest houses in the land have been selling off their Old Masters and commissioning copies which only the keenest eye could distinguish from the real thing.
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