Chapter 52
The Christmas Eve Reckoning
CONVERGING COURSES I Christmas-eve came, and a party that Boldwood was to give in the evening was the great subject of talk in Weatherbury. It was not that the rarity of Christmas parties in the parish made this one a wonder, but that Boldwood should be the giver. The announcement had had an abnormal and incongruous sound, as if one should hear of croquet-playing in a cathedral aisle, or that some much-respected judge was going upon the stage. That the party was intended to be a truly jovial one there was no room for doubt. A large bough of mistletoe…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Test Your Assumptions
Think of a current situation where you're making plans based on what you believe someone promised or implied. Write down exactly what was said versus what you heard. Then identify three clarifying questions you could ask to verify your assumptions before moving forward.
Consider:
- •Notice the difference between direct statements and your interpretations
- •Consider how your hopes or fears might be editing the conversation in your memory
- •Think about what you'd lose by asking for clarification versus what you'd lose by being wrong
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you built expectations on assumptions that turned out to be wrong. How did you handle the disappointment, and what did you learn about checking your understanding before acting?
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