Q. My daughter will be studying Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde for English GCSE and my wife and I are at daggers drawn. I say that Jekyll should be pronounced ‘Jeekill’, as in Gertrude. My wife says that this is pretentious and we should stick to ‘Jeckill’, as in Hollywood. Please advise.
A.D., Faringdon, Oxfordshire
A. According to the Jekyll family, of whom there are not that many members, the correct pronunciation is ‘Jeekill’. Since Robert Louis Stevenson actually met Gertrude’s brother, Walter, when the latter was a priest in Bournemouth, it is likely that this was the pronunciation he had in mind when writing. Say Jeekill if you like, therefore, but your daughter would do better to use the same pronunciation as the person who is teaching her English class.
Q. I happen to have insider knowledge that a neighbour (and friend of mine) is about to have a vacancy on his staff which would suit my brother-in-law admirably. The two have never met but, although I could arrange a dinner to effect such a meeting, I think it would be a mistake. My table only seats eight and they have nothing in common (other than the potential to work well together) so it would be too obvious that I was touting for work for my brother-in-law and I would not want my neighbour to feel ambushed by me. What do you recommend, Mary?
Name and address withheld
A. Have a drinks party. Arrange that someone other than yourself introduces the pair. Even though they may only talk for three minutes that would be sufficient, as it is with speed dating. It will allow them to get enough of a measure of each other to know whether there could be professional compatibility. If and when at a later date your brother-in-law makes his overture, your neighbour will not hold against you the fact that they met in your house. Instead he will be pleased that the earlier exposure he had there will spare him the nuisance of a lengthy interview.
Q. This year it has fallen on me to organise our annual school mums’ night out. While most in our party are happy to pay their way, we have one or two among us who, having moved from the city to the country, seem to have a habit of either forgetting or, I suspect, not regarding it as important to pay their share. Indeed some of the party appear to regard exchange of money as somewhat non-U. Everyone in the group is, relatively speaking, well-off, but in these hardened times it does not seem fair that those whom I know to be struggling should pay their way when others do not. Furthermore, as the organiser, I fear it will be left to me to make up any shortfall. What should I do, Mary, to ensure everybody contributes equally without seeming to make a vulgar issue around money?
J.S., Woodbridge, Suffolk
A. Sidestep this nuisance by circulating photocopies of menus from the restaurant your group will patronise. Ask participants to let you have their orders, along with their payment, in advance of the evening. Say the pressure is coming from the restaurant. In view of the hardened times, it cannot be expected to set aside such a large table and risk the party not turning up. It has found this method helps to focus customer minds, so that last-minute cancellations can be reduced.
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