REGARDING Bill Hearld's comments about listening when in public (February 10), the late Joyce Grenfell told of two "ear wigging" experiences on London buses.

1. A mother sitting behind Joyce called to her son who was on a back seat. "What're doing back there?"

"I'm pushing me toffee papers down a little hole in the seat."

"All right, but your hands will be all sticky, wipe 'em on the seat."

2. Two women chatting on a bus.

"Went to see a good film last night."

"Oh what was it?"

"Richard one hundred and eleven."

J Crawshaw,

Hempland Avenue,

York.

Updated: 10:04 Monday, February 16, 2004