I would tend to reject as grossly exaggerated any suggestion that I was born
with a silver spoon 
in my mouth, though I was certainly given one, and a silver
pusher, suitably engraved, at my christening.
However, as life unfolded, what became more and more evident to me was that I had unquestionably been born under a lucky star, as will surely be discernible between the lines of this biography.
Montrealers who could used always to escape the heat and stickiness of summer
in the city by taking to the mountains, lakes or seaside. For this purpose the
Merretts chose Metis Beach, 400 miles northeast on the St. Lawrence River, where
many Montrealers had for years established themselves in summer hotels and
cottages. Thus it was that in the late summer of 1909 the three teenage Merrett
children were enjoying the tennis, golf and cool ozone of the Lower St. Lawrence
in the care of their Aunt Daisy (Father's sister Agnes) and the company of two
cousins, while their poor Mother was confined first in the heat of the city and
then in the Royal Victoria Hospital
awaiting the birth of her fourth child, whch took place on August 26
.
It is not to question my parents' behavour to suggest that my arrival
on the scene had not been consciously planned, rather had been an accident or
at best the result of a belated celebration of Dad's latest promotion and their
return to the Province of their births. In any event, these 42 and 43 year old
parents seemed in no way dismayed and along with the enthusiastic older kids set
about making me feel at home. This they did by proceeding to spoil me as fast as
they could, and I rapidly began to experience the various advantages and
disadvantages normally the lot of an only child.