LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2018, 12 August 1880, Page 3

LITERATURE.

o OUK EVENING PAfcTY. ( Continued.) To be in proper form, we gave a ten days' invitation, and the interval was ruled over by the milliners. From morning to night there was nothing but consultation abont blonde and muslin, mauve and magenta, of critical examinations of patterns, or * fittings on.' For my part, I undertook to look after the tea, supper, and attendance, for all of which it was absolutely necessary to contract, since we only kept a fat maid-servant of twenty (whom my wife, on the strength of ■ being able to bcil potatoes hard and reduce mutton chops to cinders, dignified with the name of ' cook ') and a little chit of thirteen, scarcely able to lift a slop-pail, whom we called our • housemaid.'

I must say I never felt myeelf in such a ludicrously mean position as I did when I was bargaining with the unctuous upholsterer in the next street for a stylish supper on hired dishes, to be handed round by three imitation footman, being the upholsterer's assistants. The whole thing did seem such a sham, like playing the peacock with borrowed feathers. - The all-important night arrived at last, and the fever of expectation and anxiety which had held my womankind all the month reached its height. > Long shall I be in forgetting the preparations and fnss of that dreary evening—the hurried tea, the laborious dressing, theeolemn single knock of the upholsterer's men, like the undertaker . bringing the coffin; the frantic appeals of Sarah to ' come and fasten me'; the rustle of skirts in the passages; the flying abont of distracted cook and housemaid; the staid, methodical movements of the long-visaged waiters. But as the clock struck the fatal hour of nine we were all assembled in state ready for the fust-comer, my wife buttoning her white kid gloves, and still red in the face with her nervousness and exertions. As a proof that her exertions had been attended with some success, I may state that I overheard one of our yonng barristers telling Northcote, ' She looked a very handsome Dutoh Venus, indeed.' I had scarcely taken my place on the hearth-rug when a loup rant an at the door and a hearty voice in the passage announced the firat arrival.

' Mr Wotherspoon,' whispered my wife to me, with a touch of annoyance in her tone ; ' he, at any rate, takes care to be punctual—knows no better, I suppose.' When he was ushered in by one of the imitation footmen, he took much the same view of our proceedings as I took myself, and began chaffing me in his free and easy way : •Well, now, Miller, to think of you coming out In such a swell fashion t What on earth posse, a:d you to begin giving state parties, eh ?' But Mrs Miller, with that increase of dignity which the peach-colored satin always gives her, cut his audacious levity short by asking sharply, ' Well, and why shouldn't we give a party like any one else, Mr—a— Mr Wotherspoon ?' The assumed forgetfulnesa of his name was a master-piece and capitally done, considering she had never practised the art of snubbing before. At all events, poor Dick seemed to have the ground taken from him at once, and he subsided into a corner near Patty, where he seemed to be better welcomed. But hark ! the roll of wheels—'the brazen thunders at the door'—soon not intermittent, but continuous—and we are in the mic'st of it. Kelly came about ten, a little stiffer than usual; but not till half-past did the Vyners sweep into the room. Mrs Vyner overwhelmingly courteous and patronising in her black velvet dress. But she soon contrived (without saying so) to make as understand that sbe wondered we could venture to invite her, and that she considered it no little condescension on her part to come,

There could be no doubt that my daughter Molly and Ellen Vyner were the prettiest girls in the room. Yet it was amusing to note the difference in style and appearance. Molly, whose fgoocl-natured, rosy face above her light blue dress seemed like a chernb's floating in the sky, was radiant, full of life, and sweet as a new-blown rose ; but she was a little too eager to please, and tried too evidently to make everything go off well. Miss Vyner, on the other hand—pale, slight and with fin ely chiselled features—moved through the rooms a very statue of dignity and selfpossession. Quiet, perfectly well-bred and polite, she rather discouraged the advances of her admirers, including Kelly ; but her very discouragement seemed only to make them more attentive. If the had a fault it was that she evidently knew her own value so well ; she might have been a Duke's daughter instead of a brewer's, though, indeed, I believe Vyner and many of his business think a brewer or a banker nowadays a greater grandee tban any nobleman. I am glad to say the party itEelf, notwithstanding our misgivings, went off without any particular hitch. In fact, it seemed very like thousands of similar affairs sjiven by people of the middle classes who knew no better. There were the same stiffness and reserve at first, since in such a miscellaneous gathering very few of the guests were acquainted with each other ; the same gradual thawing as we got up a little dance (which, with hypocrisy that deceived nobody, we pretended to extemporise) ; the same intense heat in the rooms, the same jamming in the doorways, the same forlorn groups in the corners, groups that looked as If they ought to be enjoying themselves and were not.

And, when the novelty of the position wore off, I did not find it very difficult to play the part of hoat. So I tried to say a pleasant word to any guest that seemed dull, arranged a couple of whist tables for the elderly people, and, in fact, worked hard generally at amusing everybody. My wife, however, as the hours went on without mishap, grew prouder and prouder of her hired grandeur, and, indeed, like old Weller'B shepherd, ' swelled wisibly ' in magnificence of deportment and manner. In my hearing alone she told six different persons that • there were forty-five invited ; but unfortunately so many were engaged.' ' I think you ought rather to Bay fortunately, ' replied that disagreeable Mrs Vyner, as my wife made this remark to her. * My dear Mrs Miller, how could you get any more

people into thece rooms P And a crowd is so •very unpleasant/ she added, fanning herself vigorously. When I took 35rs Vyoer in- to rapper, she said blandly, ' I did not know, Mr Miller —yes, champagne, please—l never knew before that you kept a footman,' looking hare) as one of the upholsterer's mates. • Why, he is like Vyner's small ale—for~ very occasional use only,' I replied, determined she should not have all the sarcasm t» herself, and knowing she hated any reference, to her husband's business.

She took her revenge, however, on my wife by saying to her soan afterward across thetable, ' How very nice these whips are, Mr» Miller! I must get you to give me the receipt.' Of course, the odious woman knew very well that the creams, like everything: else, were furdished by the upholsterer 'who* did for us;' but she succeeded in making my wife blush and feel very uncomfortable for" the time.

The dance was kept up with spirit until * or 5 o'clock, and the young people at any rate, especially my daughters, Molly and Patty, enjoyed this part of the business most thoroughly. Towards the end, however, Molly became rather sulky because Fred danced so much with Miss Vyner ; and my wife was highly indignant at Dick spoon's hanging about Patty. Indeed, ska would have almost proceeded to open hos> tilities if I had not stopped her ; and, as it was, Wotherspoon evidently guessed bet motive in always disturbing his confabulations with Patty, and left early. When cur guests were gone we were sookin bed, from which we did not rise till noon. Even then Patty was tire<i. and Molly had a headache—due to Mis 3 Vyner, I suspected. I, too, was disgusted with the hypocritical' pretences and bother of the whole thing. My wife alone w«s radiant, and thought the party a great succeis, owing to her own admirable management. She was sure, too, that Kelly, on leaving, had thanked her, and pressed her hand with a cordiality most unusual with him, and on this ground she told Molly to take courage, and all would come right.

(To be continued.)