The talk was of holidays and the discussion had ranged animatedly from moor to mountain, from popular watering place to lonely camp, when the Inquisitive lady drew me in.

“And what type of holiday do you prefer?” she asked, 

Without hesitation, I replied:

“A holiday in bed '' and she sat back nonplussed. the Travelled Lady, however raised supercilious eyebrows and drawled:

“A little unenterprising, surely? One can stay in bed at any time," 

“Can one?” I asked, enviously. I am afraid my ordinary working hours make that impossible. You see, I begin my day at 6 a.m. and from then onwards to about 11p.m.  I am continuously ‘working at six or seven different occupations, conducting at the same time an enquiry bureau of comprehensive range. Between the hours of 11p.m. and 6 a.m. I am officially off duty, but usually receive half a dozen night calis during that time. ‘when you consider that this goes on for a seven day week, you will realise why I believe the only perfect holiday to be a week in bed,”

 “Bed" I eulogised. “To lie dormant on a feather bed, with an adequate supply of pillows and a well~placed reading light; ‘to let the chilly hours of five, six and seven pass unheeded in slumber; to wake at nine, when the day is aired, and to summon, by the ringing of a bell, the perfect breakfast, daintily served, this is the beginning of bliss,.

 I would sleep much, but for the hours of wakefulness I would have at my side a  table ‘well stocked with books, books for all moods, with cigarettes and matches, chocolates and fruit andy yet in the midst, a musical bell, at whose chime the “Genie of the Kitchen should automatically -produce the meal of my choice, borne to my side by a silent messenger. Nothing else, neither post nor press, friend nor enemy, not fire, earthquake or famine should be ‘allowed to break the peace of my week's retreat." 

The inquisitive Lady had been striving for an opening, As I paused for breath, she found it. 

 “But if I may ask - what is your profession that demands such impossible working conditions? It seems incredible that such a thing should be allowed!" 

I smiled at her indignation. “I am what is usually called “of no occupation", ‘I replied, “I am simply ‘the mother of a young family that has been suffering from whooping cough,"