The Art of Entertaining

1895

How Guests Are Made Happy and How Made Miserable.

If an icy coldness reigns in well heated rooms, if people pass each other distantly, stare at the pictures or turn over the leaves of photograph albums and yet look forward eagerly and with pleasure to the moment when they can bid good night to their host, these are evidences of a discomfort not always expressible in words, for even though conventionality requires that they depart with the fervent assurance that they have spent a delightful evening it is a lie. The host may be charming, cordial and well meaning, but it is a martyrdom to attend a function at his house, for the reason that he is not fitted for the duties of a social leader. The same people who answer his calls would in another house have been able to enjoy themselves thoroughly.

The most dangerous as a host to the peace of mind of society people is the nervous man. The perturbed manner with which he receives his guests betrays the fact that the company is built up like mosaic, figuratively speaking — the falling of one stone would cause the whole edifice to crumble in pieces. He is pale and anxious as he rushes hither and thither, fearful lest something will go wrong, and speaks to the guests who have arrived without knowing what he is talking about.

He looks hurriedly around and exclaims:

"Hasn't Smith come yet? Where can he be? He is always late! Last night in the club he told me — Ah, here he is, at last!" And, going up to Smith, he says, "Why, I was quite worried about you. How can you make us wait so long? Allow me to introduce you to Mrs. Jones."

The introduction over with, he looks at the clock and mops his forehead. The worst of it is that his nervousness is infectious. Before an hour has elapsed the whole company is in the same condition; even the servants with the refreshments seem to be rendered nervous by simple thanks from any of those present. Stolid men become gradually excited, answering the most innocent questions either irritably or absentmindedly. It is only when they are at the table, or lose sight of their entertainer, that the customary equanimity of the guests is restored. — Home and Country.