These rose visions which sketch the day's programme so efficiently never take into account the inevitable emergencies and the unavoidable interruptions. They postulate ideal conditions in a world of interferences and frictions. If one's affairs could run along without mixing up with one's neighbours, if the telephone would not ring when we have only the half hour necessary to write the letter which must go by this mail, if people would not detain one in friendly chit-chat when such diversion has not been arranged for, if—if in short, the unforeseen would not intrude, all might be well.
As a matter of fact, however, it is never possible to carry through a fixture card of this sort and the failure causes irritation with oneself and dissatisfaction with the universe. The daily carrying of to-day's burden over into to-morrow is a graceless task. The gnawing disillusionment of frustrated plans corrodes life.
The psychology which says "Never give a nervous case a task which will tax his resources unduly. Give him only things to do which he can do and do well, thus gaining the commendation of others and his own approval," might be applied in this instance. Why not try the plan of planning for only part of the waking day, and leaving a comfortable margin
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.