Social Moods.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 411, 31 March 1904, Page 2

Social Moods.

THB BASHFUL YOUNG MiN. «Hf£TBa.NGELY enough, he adores SpSk) soeiety, loves to be at pic-nics, SHeSs luncheons and diimera, and yet is painfully shy and horribly awkward.

Asked at a quiet luncheon to carve a cold chicken placed before him, he only manages to sever it by casting the two halves in different directions of the. room for the servant to pick up and replaoe upon the dish. He invariably takes xed pepper Snatead of white, and there follows a choking and sneezing that is anything bnt pleasant, and most annoying to the hostess. He loves paying calls, and remembers all the •At Home' days of his lady friends, audi mnch to their disgust, never fails to pat in an appearance. If asked to hand the cnp3, he is almost certain to come to grief over a woman's frilly gown that trails in his way, and there is a stumble, then a flounder, and the cup is probably deposited, with its contents, in the lady's lap. He talks in rather a breathless way, and. replies in gasps, delighted, but nervous, at being taken notice of. If he starts a conversation, it is sure to be on the subject of weather, which he will enlarge upon and continue until the fine or wet, cold or hot weather is .thrashed out completely. As a matter of course, he never knows when to take his leave, and, though one of the first arrivals, will linger on till long after the last visitor, has departed, and the hostess is longing to be left alone for a rest from talk before having to dress for dinner.

She gives hints that he never takes, then fi jgeta in silence with her teaspoon, or fans herself with a huge palm-leaf that almost hides her person from her visitor, then in desperation she starts up and asks if he would like to see the conservatory, thinking that when once he is on his feet he may find it easier to go, Bat her hopes fall to the ground when, after going the round of the conservatory, the bashful jouog man returns with her to the drawing-room, where she remains standing for fear he should sit down and never go. It usually ends in her being obliged to give him her hand, and force his departure upon him. N The shy bachelor is keen upon marrying, and anxiously devotes himself to any and every girl who comes in his way. He has been known to make countless offers of marriage, or rather to have commenced them, but been choked off by the rapid turn of the conversation that his companion has given, or by her very freezing demeanour. He has many good points in his charjacter, bat alas 1 they are hidden under a bushel of awkwardness and timidity, and women rather shrink from his attentions, for even the gentlest and kindest does not care to have a cup of tea turned over her best frock, or a strawberry ice to stain her suede-gloved hands.; . I