OLD MRS. DE ABREW

An old descendant of our Portuguese conquerors, Mrs. Dona Maria de Abrew, who had passed the biblical life span of three score years and ten, was an amusing personality even in her dotage. 

She was well versed in her mother tongue (Portuguese) and having been born and bred in the majority community, she could speak fluently in Sinhalese. But as far as the English language was concerned, she murdered the king at every' step and turn. 

During a Christmas season, a neighboring family called over to see her. She asked her grand-daughter to serve them some cakes. The girl searched all over the place and told her grandmother that she could not find the cakes anywhere in the house. Said Mrs. De Abrew, ”What child, cake basket almirah top got and have child." 

When Mrs. de Abrew was suffering from indigestion and home medicine proved to be ineffective, her son sent for the family doctor. The doctor on arrival asked .Mrs. de abrew "What's the matter?" "Sitting, standing, belly going, doctor," was her reply. 

Mrs. de Abrew got a present of a dress material from her son. She gave it to the dress-maker to stitch her a frock and asked when she was to call for it. "Come on Monday," 'said the dressmaker. But Mrs. de Abrew wanted to know the exact date and asked, ”Monday telling when?" 

Mrs. de Abrew's grand-son went about limping owing to polio. She called him "Bakalaya" By the way, Mrs. de Abrew was one who could walk steadily in spite of her senile decay. The child cried and complained to his father, who then questioned the grandmother. She explained, "Told for joke, took for serious!" 

Mrs. de Abrew was a devout Roman Catholic. who never missed Mass on Sundays. There was a strict rule then that ladies should not enter the church without covering their heads. One Sunday, on seeing Mrs. de Abrew without a head cover the Parish Priest asked her, where is your hat?" “Cat ate," ”What do you mean? Queried the priest, “cats don’t eat hats." “Puss-kala," said Mrs. de Abrew, in Sinhala.