The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-05
The Smart woman's Manner.

'Tnsolencel odlous. objectionable inso-
lerce." some aggressive little bouryoDisa
Will declare, bitterly-"That's the ont,
manner the smart woman has. AS for
n enners; she hasn't got anyg'
Softly, softly. Mrs. Bonhommel don',
be too sweeping. Mrs. Grandissirne was
insolent TO you beyond doubt. Insoloncs
Is weapon she keeps In her arnorv n
should not be there at all, perhans ~
she was a faUltlesS Christian. or even
supremely well-bred she would never
need such a weapon. but, alasi Mr.
Grandissime. 0et me whisper this secret
ly I'm our carr is only human. Ia ever
very humar-like yourself, dear lady. and
II is probable that ut your first Patri.
arch's Ball when you were sitting alone
and Mrs. Grandisslme passing on the
arm Of her partner said. Not dancing
tonight, Mrs. Bonhomme?' II was your
severe reply:
NO, 1 don't approve OF middle-aged
married women dancing round dances -
which prompted her to smile with that in
furiating condescension, and exclaim-
Really That's rather a new point Of
view to me. And how do the elderly
women Of your class amuse themselves? 20
Which showed a naughty temper. and
most wicked facility on Mrs. Gran
dissime's part. Yet take my word for II,
my dear woman. she is not often insolent
There is a certain set, Of course. who
fancy they prove themselves OF import
ance by indiscriminate rudeness: who
habltually speak roughly to rervants. and
would insult Luther or CHRISTOPHER CO.
lumbus. or Napoleon Bonaparte, because
they didn't know them" and because
their clothes were not made by Poole
But they are not the smart set; they are
only the imitations-the set who turn up
their trousers when It rains in London. but
never initiate the really fashionable
young Englshman's athletic vigor, or his
patriotic interest In the politics Of his
own country. Mrs. Bonhomme can afford
TO smile at the rudeness Of men and wo-
men Of that stamp.
But when Mrs. Bonhomme believes
that Mrs. Grandissime is cold and haugh-
~ she is very much mistaken. Her quiet
reserve in public may seem like haughu-
ness to the more ford manner Mrs. Bon
homme and her friends prefer. but in
private life that lady is a model of I'M
affected simplicity. She is never under
any circumstances or provocation rude TO
her servants though she exacts great for
mality Of them They always address
her in the third person:
'Wil Madam wear her white gown, or
the black one this EVENING"" says the
maid.
'Madams coachman has come for or
ders." says the butler.
"Can Madam give her orders for dinner
now?" asks the cook. She is never ad-
dressed as you, by any one Of them, nor
do they speak Of each other TO her as
John" or Maria" or Albert" but as
"the cook" "the butler" "the house
81.
Her own manner TO them is unfailing
gentle and courteous. She thanks them
for special services performed, and fire.
auently adds to her orders, IF you
please" As a rule her servants are fond
of her. for she notices gratefully any par
ticular effort to please her, and while
gently imperious, is sympathetic. gentle
and courteous.
With her tradespeople her manner is
somewhat similar. She speaks In a tone
Of one who commands, but who does II
without special consciousness OF the fact,
and with every desire TO maintain pleas
ant relations Indeed in all dealings with
people Of inferior conditions Of life she
is far more scrupuous concerning the
courtesies than she is with her own
equals.
with these equals she is simply and
naturally herSelt, WITHOUT JhouBht Oh ue-
tails. but having known all her life the at
mosphere Of easy civilty, its practice is her
nature. To her elders Of either sex there
is Just a little touch Of reverence, which
consoles them for their vanished youth.
and warns them TO their most cheerful
mood. With young people Mrs. Grandis-
shines manner is quite perfect. Neither
so loving. nor so exactinS as a mother,
but gay, and half affectionately half
archly patronlzing-say the manner Of
an agreeable aunt-in consequence Of
which the young girls earnestly admire
and initiate her, the boys know their
first sentimental emotions in her pres