Feminine Reflections

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 10 December 1927, Page 11

Feminine Reflections

(By

Olive.

YOUR CHRISTMAS GUESTS

How to Consider Them

"VEARLY all homes have one or 1 more guests during the holidays, and it naturally entails extra work, but don’t be continually apologising for this, that, or the other small shortcomings in the domestic arrangement*. A simple preliminary statement: “I hope you’ll excuse anything that i* not quite right” or some such remark, should be explanatory, and quite sufficient. It becomes an effort to keep reassuring one’s hostess at frequent intervals that everything is just what one could desire, as, of course, out of politeness one is forced to do, whether it really is or not.

If you have any pests, don’t let them worry and distract your guests. “On. but I like animals,” protest* your friend, with a set smile, while your spoilt terrier rubs multitudes of short hairs off on her smart frock, or Peter the cat marks her stockings with muddied paws.

The thing is done, and she has to say it doesn’t matter; but you should not have exposed her to such accidents.

The same may be said of you’ kiddies. However lovable they are (and they undoubtedly are lovable), it is not everybody who enjoys them being “shown off” at every opportunity by fond parents, or enjoys being “mauled” ly jammy fingers. If you don t employ help, and your guests seem genuinely anxious to lend a hand, do let them. They will enjoy waiting on themselves, and lose the uncomfortable feeling they might have if you refused and left them to sit in state while you worked. Besides it is much more companionable to work together, and you would all be able to go out together sooner. Don’t confuse hospitality with excessive fussiness. It is embarrasing and a little irritating as well, when one’s hostess seems to concern herself effusively about one’s general comfort and contentment. Such behaviour makes the unfortunate guest fear and regret that he, or she, is causing a great

deal of trouble, a state of mind one should always be at pains to prevent. Don’t be too insistent and deaf to genuine protests, if you are trying to persuade a shy guest to contribute to the general entertainment. Some people hate to be dragged into the limelight, and are miserably aware that they have no “parlour tricks.” If you live in the country and enjoy long, swinging walks, don’t be too certain that your town-bred guest will bq delighted to accom pany you, though she may be too courteous to make a determined demur.

Good gracious ! What a formidable array of “Don’ts”! So we will finish with a “Do.”

Do arrange that there shall be hot water available for the guests’ morning baths, and admonish the family about leaving damp towels and their respective sponges, shaving tackle, etc., all over the place. An untidy bathroom has a sadly inhospitable look at any time, especially in the morning, and tepid water is the finishing blow. The following poem, written by O. M. Rookwood, for the Sunday “Times” is quite appropriate for reproduction here: — FOR THE GUEST ROOM “Here mayst thou rest and peaceful slumber take, Here mayst thou dream till morning light awake, Sheltered from aught that might cause thee alarm, Safe, as the nested bird secure from harm. Commend thy soul to God in trustful pray’r, Forget the harassed world, its noise, its care; Blot out the endless troubles of the day, Dispel the fears that press thee while they slay, Now all the house is hushed in silence deep, The fringed curtains o’er thy tired eyes creep. God bless thee, dear, my guest. NOW REST!”