A SERBIAN TEA-TOTAL FEAST.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 31 July 1916, Page 3

A SERBIAN TEA-TOTAL FEAST.

(By George Glasgow) Drago a Serbian friend of mine, was giving a Serbian dinner on his birthday. Among the guests was Robinson, who has followed tae King’s example with a determination that nothing can shake. ‘No, thank you,’ said Robinson when the claret was brought round. Drago apologised and offered him champagne which he had intended to reserve to the end. ‘No, thank you,’ repeated Robinson I’m tee-total’ ‘ ‘Tea what,’ asked Drago doubtfully. ' ‘I mean I don’t drink claret or chamI panne or anything like that,’ explained Robinson. ‘Oh, very well” said Drago. “there is some white wine which you will like. . . .’ ‘But I don't drink any wine.’ whisky tlieii ? ’ ‘Nothing alconoßc/ protested Robinson. ‘Then what will you drink,’ asked Drago, mystified. ‘Water, please.’ Drago started with wide-open, honest eyes like a child. He knew that the English were very odd people. They drank tea, for instance, instead of whisky and soda in the afternoon; tea, moreover, with milk in it. L'ut water for dinner was a new idea —almost uncanny. It mace him very unhappy. He wondered if Robinson would have a liqueur after dinner to save his digestion from ‘he inevitable consequences of so extraordinary a meal. He brooded over it, and came to the conclusion that Robinson must have a liqueur. ■.So he implored him to have one, naively describing' it as a Serbian digestive tonic. Robinson, in refusing it, tried to reassure Drago that he really would be quite all right. But Drago pined In thought. Ten o’clock came the Serbian teatime. “You’ll have some tea, won’t you?” expressed both irony and despair. Rob- • sured Drago that he really would be inson said yes he would love to have some tea.

Drago was beside himself with Joy. The cloud had lifted, and now at last, with a clear conscience and a light heart, he could enter into the spirit of his birthday celebration. He insisted

on all the toasts being drunk again in tea, and for the rest of the evening gaiety reigned supreme. More tea was made, and still more, and more again. Robinson, who had now become really merry, said he liked Serbian tea. He drank it in the Serbian way, without milk, cup after cup. He was not surprised, he said, that the Serbs regularly drank a dozen cups of it. Serbian tea is made with rum.