Supermarket shockers

Shopping completed, I saw an empty checkout counter and rushed there. "Ten items or less," read the sign on the register. I had 12 but thought I could live with the guilt. Home I went, expecting praise from my wife, who just finished mopping the floor.

"By the way," she inquired, "did you check the dates on the purchases?" Zounds! I must confess that took me by complete surprise. Who would ever think of that? Examining the things I bought, she practically had a comment about how each was not exactly what she had in mind. I was about to tell her that she should have been more specific in her requests, but thought better of it. Next time company's coming, guess who's staying home to do the cleaning?

Gerald F. Kreyche, American Thought Editor of USA Today, is professor emeritus of philosophy, DePaul University, Chicago.

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