Who Owns the Rug?

• Watchlist

Who owns the rug? It is indeed a conundrum, for the more often you see this picture, the more uncertain yon will be as to who is really the rightful owner. Firstly you will probably favor Mrs. Smith, who first purchased it from Ikestein and laid it on her doorstep as a mat. But what is Mrs. Jones' position when tricky Ikestein furtively picked up the rug and took it next door and sold it to her. Did not she, as an innocent purchaser, have a right to believe that the rug was hers? It was hers, too, for a few minutes, for she, also thinking it would make a good doormat, spread it on the top of her stoop. Unfortunately for her, Ikestein was awaiting his opportunity, and as soon as she had disappeared indoors, he rolled it up and went next door and sold it to Mrs. Robinson, who likewise used it as a doormat. Mrs. Robinson purchased the rug, not knowing that Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Jones had already purchased the same rug. Is she to be blamed and lose out, or, as the final possessor, is she to be considered the rightful owner? But, if Mrs. Robinson was the last purchaser of it, how can she be considered to have a better right to its owner ship than Mrs. Smith, who was the first purchaser, and where does Mrs. Jones come in?