SMALL AMENITIES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 43, 25 October 1890, Page 18

SMALL AMENITIES.

Frank Foster and Charles Dean wereclassmates in the- high school. They shared the same rooms at college, and entered an architect’s office together soon after their graduation. They were always good friends, but Charles found it difficult to understand why Frank was met everywhere with hearty good-will and cordiality, whilepeople invariably chilled a little in manner when speaking with him. They received a good many pleasant social invitations, and Charles went everywhere that Frank went, but never managed to enjoy himself as well, owing to the lack of full friendliness which he encountered. The young men met one day down town a lady whose home was a centre of social life in the little city where they lived. ‘ I am glad I met you young gentlemen,” said Mrs Carroll, after the first greetings. ‘ We expect a few young people at our house to-night to see my niece Julia, whom you both know. She is staying over for a day with my daughter, quite unexpectedly on her way to York. I hope you will both come. ‘ Thank you I’ said Charles Dean, carelessly, although he was secretly pleased. ‘ 111 see about it.’ ‘ You are very kind, Mrs Carroll !’ replied I 1 rank. ‘ I shall certainly come if I can be excused by my mother. I have made a half engagement with her to be at home this evening, if some old friends of hers, who are coming from a distance, get here by to-day’s train.’ There was a little more chat, then the young men lifted their hats and passed on. ‘ I’m going,’ said Charles. ‘ I’ll let the drawings I was going to make for my father to-night wait over.’ On reaching home, Fiank found that his mother’s fiiends had arrived. He sent a note at once to Mrs Carroll to tell her that he was sorry he could not accept her hospitality for the evening. Charles went to Mrs Carroll’s in the evening. His father was very much disappointed about the promised drawings, and he.found no special warmth of welcome from the hostess, nor from the young ladies who had been told that he had said he would ‘ see about it ’ when asked to come. This little incident was only one of a hundred ways in which Frank showed his sense of responsibility in the social relations of life, and Charles his jack of it. There was little wonder that Frank was always more cordially treated.

In every sort of social relation, thoughtfulness for others, kindliness and tact, form the foundation of good manners. ■Courtesy in little things counts for much. The young man or young woman who neglects to respond courteously to invitations ought not to expect many of them. A * beautiful behaviour ’ is a rare accomplishment, but it is one of the most excellent things in life. An affectation of indifference to an invitation is as much a failure morally as it is socially. It shows selfishness as well as ignorance.