Susanna Says

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Hi, girls:

I'm writing this column under a lilac tree on the lawn at Casa Sus- anna... no telephones are ringing, no car engines are heard . . . in the distance the mooing of a few cows ... and believe it or not, a few yards away from me: children! . . . Now, what on earth could Susanna be do- ing in the company of children? She hates them, remember? Well, it's a long story.

You may recall through previous columns that I was engaged in a

patient and systematic campaign to break all family barriers blocking Susanna's full expression. Most of the adult members of my family have been won over. Many of them have actually expressed a preference for her rather than for her brother. But the biggest obstacle have been chil- dren, particularly a set of three boys ranging in ages from 7 to 11. Their mother, though quite understanding and friendly towards Susanna, had steadily refused to allow them to consort with Susanna. Despite all my explanations, she felt an instinctive fear that somehow my presence would affect their lives in some distorted way. So, I respected her wishes and went into hiding every time the kids would be brought to my house. I spent many a miserable week-end in the closet because the brats were around. Needless to say they sensed my hostility and were never friendly towards my brother. But circumstances played into my hands this Sum- mer. The mother of the kids found herself unable to send them to camp as was her desire and the only alternative was Casa Susanna where my

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