Of Tea Parties, Mad Hatters and 6:00

As a lad I had a French teacher who told us: In France, we say whenever you look at your watch and it’s exactly 6:00, you’re going to have some kind of luck. Good or bad? I asked. Might be either, he riddled. By Gallic odds, I reckoned, it might as well be 6:00 all day long.

Time does stand still for some. In Alice in Wonderland, the Queen of Hearts accuses the Mad Hatter of murdering Time with his singing. Time gets even, forever sticking himself at 6:00 — tea time — where the Hatter is concerned. To this day, Mad Hatters love Tea Parties and are stuck in time.

In this country, Tea Parties have been popular since the Revolution. Many a Hatter protested Congress’ attempts to enlist state militia in the Continental Army — even for their own defense. States rights, don’t you know. Redcoats sailing up the James, burning every farm in their path, you say? No matter — time for tea!

Time passed and tricorner hats gave way to kepis. A new generation of Mad Hatters took up the fight for states rights, property rights — causes warped to their own self-interest. They lost on “property” — all humans became free.

The Tea Party goes on. Just why is a riddle. Why is a raven like a writing desk? the Hatter asks. No matter. It’s still six o’clock, tea time.

I’ll pass, thanks.  Make mine coffee.

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