I was talking to a young girl at our church and telling her how pleased I was that she did not ignore the letter H. I told her and her grandmother a story.

A boy was at the breakfast table and asked his mother: "Pass me the bu--er."

She replied: "Say butter."

But he repeated: "Pass the bu--er."

Now his mum was angry and he knew he was in the danger zone so he said: "Pass the butter."

Mum was pleased and, as she sat down, said: "That's be--er."

Although it does annoy me to see how neglected the poor old letter H is these days, my chief lament concerns my male counterparts. Why are they so ungroomed (scruffy) in appearance?

Isn't it true that politeness and decorum have gone right out of the window? This cannot be levelled at the editor of The Argus, who acknowledges my letters through the post and knows how to take criticism. Most refreshing!

Helping a lady on with her coat and "ladies first" was all part of my upbringing and has stuck with me.

-Ralph Bicknell, Southwick