Mundane Musings

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 97, 15 July 1927, Page 5

Mundane Musings

Charm-- & Cold Mutton

I dropped in unexpectedly on a friend in her small flat. “Do stop to dinner,” she said. “I want to talk over an idea. I’ve got to write an article on charm,” she added. “I’ve only got cold mutton, but I know you won’t mind, old thing.” “Of course not.” She brought out the cold mutton, the remains of a quite nice little joint. She made a grimace as she laid the dish on the table. “I detest cold meat, and like a fool, I forgot to order a salad, and I’ve run out of pickles,” she apologised. I went over to her cupboard. “Well, here’s some chutney, anyway. Can I get the mutton ready while you melt the cheese for our Welsh rarebit?” “Rather!” she said; “but I don’t see how you can get mutton ‘ready.’ ” She went on with her cheese and, leaving it ready-melted in a double boiler, turned to me. “Where’s our mutton?” “Here,” I said, and handed her some sandwiches. She tasted them. “Why, they’re delicious.” They were just thin slices of mutton lightly covered with chutney, a touch of salt, and put between rather thickly-buttered slices of bread. “Oh, and I added a tiny dash of paprika. Now, do you like cold meat?” I asked. “Rather! I shall no longer dread finishing up a joint.” “There’s the idea for your article on charm, then. A woman without charm is like an ordinary slice of cold mutton.”

She laughed. “I see—the only difference is—anyone can make this into sandwiches and you can’t make charm at all. It has to be born in you.” The Recipe for Charm “Why didn’t you make the sandwiches, then?” I retorted, “and, as a matter of fact, charm can be cultivated—made like the sandwiches, in fact. You only want sympathy, interest in other people instead of yourself, serenity of mind and a great deal of understanding, and several other little things. Besides, you can always watch other charming people and copy their methods. That’s the line for your article, my dear. Don’t write the old stereotyped stuff about ‘What is charm?’—and try to define the undefinable, but tell people some of the ingredients that make it. Note the next really charming woman you meet, and you will find she is a good listener, has a ready smile (not a silly giggle), a fine sense of understanding, and a pleasant word for everyone. She also knows the true value of the two words sympathy and silence. There now, you can work out the rest of the idea for yourself.” —Lady Rosaline Neish, in an English paper.

Social Evening.—Miss Laura Stone was the hostess at the Amateur Operatic Society’s Hall last evening, when about 70 guests were entertained. Musical items were given by M:*s. Perkins, Miss Laura Stone, Miss L. Sharp, Mrs. Pardill, Mr. Austin and Mr. G. Fields. Dancing occupied the rest of the evening.