INHOSPITABLE HOUSES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16320, 8 January 1921, Page 5

INHOSPITABLE HOUSES.

NO SPARE BEDROOM IN THE ENGLISHMAN’S CASTLE.

hood control and high prices have well-nigh allied hospitality, and. reduced aihospitality to a lino art. Many people spend as much thought now in safeguarding themselves from entertaining their neighbours as they used to expend in thinking of new ways ol amusing them. The other day a professional man was showing a friend the plans he liad had drawn of the new bungalow he was about to have built. Every desire or need of himself or his family had been catered for, and the friend admired and praised heartily, till suddenly he paused, made a swift mental calculation, and exclaimed: “But—there is no spare bedroom!” The professional man smiled.

There isn’t,’” he said, “ and very carefui I've been that there shouldn’t be. I shall have a good excuse in future when .country cousins try to foist themselves on me.”

A bride-to-be was recently asked to give some hint as to the sort of presents she would like.

“I do hope,” she said, “that people won’t give us full sets of china, and dozens of forks and spoons. I’d much rather have half quantities and better quality.” But you'll not say that when in ends come in and you run short,” she was reminded. £>he» stared in astonishment.

“Oh, w© are not> bothering about that,” she cried. “We shall repay our social obligations by an occasional big do, put in the hands of a proper caterer —it’s not half the fag, and works out as cheaply.” Again, one comes across childless couples who won t keep a servant because then they can have all meals out, and never be expected to ask anyone m.

An Englishman's house has always, been considered his castle, but now he is learning to defend it against friends as well as foes. ATI the same, the art of inhospitality is not a J>a\*ing one. The man or woman who is really loved is not the one who gives an occasional big dinner partv at a restaurant to repay social obligations, but the one who cheerfully presses vou to bread and margarine in the back kitchen if that is the best they can offer. O.b .M. in the 11 Daily Chronicle.”