My Brother-in-law & other stories
By Johnny P. Novera

Rules of the house

Because of the big number of guests, the host of the party we attended announced: Ladies and Gentlemen, he said, please observe the following Rules of the House in coming to the buffet table.

“First to be served are ladies or their equivalent;

Second are gentlemen or those who think they are; and

Last are those who do not know where they belong.”

Her father did not like me

When I was a young man, I met a girl who I thought was the real light of my life. I visit at her home evenings because of my long working hours in the bank.

One evening, I asked her: “Why does your father not like me? I think I am handsome, I have a good job in the bank, and I love you very much. What has he got against me?”

I did not know the old man was in the next room adjoining the sala of the house. He clearly heard what I said and forthwith came out holding a table clock in his hand. Raising it to me, he said: “This is why I do not like you. You always spoil my sleeping hours!”