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Newly Widowed Exes Want To Reunite

Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin on

GENTLE READER: Presumably, you also liked that couple, as you still socialized with them. Could you not have given them the benefit of the doubt?

Miss Manners agrees that you chose a tactful way to spare them the embarrassment of being caught as thieves. But you don't seriously think that they intended to steal your book, do you?

Presuming them innocent, you could have said, "The lost book! It got filed by mistake. I'm so glad I found it. I hope you enjoyed it."

Yes, they would have had some momentary embarrassment while apologizing, but it would be clear that you didn't think they kept it on purpose. And you would have had your book back.

Miss Manners advises you to invest in bookplates.

 

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(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

Copyright 2024 Judith Martin


COPYRIGHT 2024 JUDITH MARTIN

 

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