DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I are planning to sell our house and move into an apartment. The timing is tricky, in that we are hoping to sell our house before the apartment is completed.

A close friend asked me what we would do if our house didn’t sell. I told her we preferred to be optimistic. She then proceeded to tell me about a friend of hers who is trying to sell her house, but had four offers fall through. I thought her question and the story she volunteered were both out of line. How should I reply if she keeps on asking these questions?

GENTLE READER: “Well, I suppose if we can’t sell the house in time, we would have to give up the apartment. We would still keep the house on the market, though, and meanwhile, I thought we would move in with you! It is so good to know that we can always fall back on the kindness of our friends.”

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, [email protected]; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.