APOLOGETIC HOSTESS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 May 1938, Page 5

APOLOGETIC HOSTESS

SOURCE OF EMBARRASSMENT Is anything more, embarrassing than the apologies of the woman who is constantly asking indulgence for shortcomings, fancied or otherwise, in her domestic arrangements? You call in anticipation of an hour or so of amusing conversation, but all you get is a stream of tiresome apologies for the inexperience of the maid, the heaviness of the scones, the quality of the cake, or some other detail you actually had not noticed. The difficulty is to parry the apologies. Polite denials of the alleged faults sound feeble. Declarations that all is more than well have a way of appearing forced. You feel distressed because the hostess distresses herself, and a sense of flatness settles on the proceedings. It all seems so excellently foolish that you begin to lose patience and at last become so weary that you cease to cope with the situation and allow the apologies to flow on unchecked. It ends by the silly woman growing convinced that you agree, and general discomfort is a sign for early departure. Admitted, a certain fate appears to brood over some women who are outstandingly houseproud and hospitable. When they plan to entertain friends the tradesmen seem to do their worst and the cook her poorest. Things go far less gloriously than when it is a case of “family only.” But how much more sensible, and how much more pleasant all round, to see the funny side and invite a laugh!