Posted by Peter H on November 12, 2007 at 19:40:16 from 86.130.138.218 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: Fireworks and Responsibility! posted by Laurence Monkhouse on November 12, 2007 at 17:15:16:
Perhaps it is me, not them, that is at fault for this.
No, Laurence - don't lose your nerve and start blaming yourself. The nervousness many of us feel when approached by groups of young people on a street at night is caused by an 'actuarial' response. The odds against them wishing to harm you will vary according to the locality but in eg some urban areas the odds are measurable, even if the odds are still against an attack. Might be 10-1 against, but there is always that tenth chance . . . . It's modern life, I guess.
Better quickly get back on topic by defending Mrs Tyson - 'she thinks the worst of them all' - oh come, Laurence, a Ransome expert like yourself knows that this just isn't true. Mrs T's stroppiness in 'Pigeon Post' was caused by her terrible fear of a bush fire on the tinder-dry fellside and woods below, and this is perfectly understandable. She reluctantly agreed to the camp near High Topps, but when she goes up there she sees the children tending what looks to her like a huge bonfire. No wonder she got alarmed! She was damn well right!!