LADIES' COLUMN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7434, 21 June 1902, Page 3

LADIES' COLUMN.

♦ THE SOCIABLE SEASON.

(English Paper.) Each season of the year has its own charm and beauty, and brings with it its | own pleasures and enjdyments, and those ot ' the late autumn and early winter include \ j the happiness of home-coming, and the enjoyment of much sociability. In fact, it is the most sociable of all the seasons, being the time when people, especially those who live in towns, are able to see their friehds more often, and in a quieter, more friendly fashion than at any other period of the year. The summer holidays are over, everyone has returned from their autumn travels, glad to be at home again, and settled for the winter. It is the" season of "between times," when there is very little of anything going oh in the way of gaiety — no- balls, no big dinners, and therefore an opportunity for those persons who live in small houses and flats, with incomes of a corresponding, scale, to show a little quiet hospitality. They cannot entertain at any time ; their rooms and their incomes are both too small to admit of that ; but they can ask their friends to afternoon tea, or even to a quiet, friendly little dinner, and those who are invited are very pleased to accept, if for no other reason than because they have nothing else on hand, nothing better" to do. The little drawing-room looks its best, bright and cosy with its drawn curtains and cheerful fire, while outside is the chill gloom of the fast shortening dap. There is littlo pleasure in being out of doors in the gathering darkness, so that the warm fireside, with tea and a cheery has many and great attractions for everyone, and the person who is sure to be found at home at the time is nearly certain of receiving visitors, few or many. Especially : is this the case if a' hostess has the reputation, not only of being hospitably inclined, but of having nice teas. By this is not meant an elaborate meal, but a cosy, dainty one, where the tea is hot and properly drawn. There are some houses where the tea is either cold or, lukewarm, either black and bitter, or weak as ditchwater. When i this is the case, it proves that tbe mistress of the bouse does not care about having nice ; afternoon tea, is careless whether the tea is made with boiling water or not, and naturally, therefore, the servants do not care either. Every hostess who cannot afford to entertain, and jyet wants to' be hospitable, should take advantage of this sociable season of the year, and should " go in," to use a somewhat slang expression, for nice afternoon teas to which to welcome her friends and acquaintances, either when they come as invited guests, or drop in uninvited, merely to pay a call. It is such an easy, simple way of seeing people in one's own house, and so inexpensive also; bub easy as it is, it requires some care and forethought, for it does not do to leave even a simple affair of this fiorfc entirely in the | hands of an. untrained, or «yea partly trained, servant. The mistress should see that the silver is bright and glistening, the china exquisitely clean, tho sandwiches, not only cut daintily, but arranged nicely on the plate ; should impress upon the maid that the tea-cake oi muffins must be brought in piping bot; should even, if necessary, be able to show her how they should be cut, toasted, and served, for nothing, is more unappetising than stodgy, ; tepid things of this sorb for tea, while nothing is more appreciated than nicely-done hot ones. An enterprising hostess will ring the changes in the way ot dainties for afternoon tea, and not always stick to the same sort of sandwiches, or even bread-and-butter; and it is really not difficult to have a constant variety nowadays, when, so many kinds of fancy breads, cakes, etc., are to be bought or made at home. No doubt home-made things are most excellent when well made, bub it is nob every cook who knows how to make these small things, or, if she does know, will always make them well, and of the same quality. Therefore,- it is oftener best and cheapesb to buy them from a shop, where there is no fear of their being a-fail-ure. .-.-,£ A cosy tea is the most sociable of gatherings, and a chill, dark afternoon is.ihe nicest and cosiest time for enjoying it, abd, best of all, it is within the power of every mistress of a house to give one as nice and dainty and well served, even if she lives in a small house, and in a quiet way, as can- the mistress of a big house and large