DEAR MISS MANNERS: My sister loves socks and only buys expensive ones. I was visiting her recently, and a favorite pair (gray wool embroidered with red raspberries and green leaves) went missing. She accused me of taking them. I told her I certainly did not.

When I was leaving and she was embracing me goodbye, she whispered, “I know you took my socks. There was nobody here but me and you, and they vanished.” I assured her again I did not take her socks. I do not even wear socks, myself.

Since then, she has posted online, “joking” that I had stolen her socks but would not admit it. I have been humiliated.

Should I deny her accusation online? Should I speak to her pastor? Finally, what does happen to missing socks?

GENTLE READER: Everyone knows that washing machines and dryers eat socks,

See Full Page