The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-12-30
THE DINNER PARTY
Chapter SO

Everything was ready, Walter and
dressed and waiting when the guests
arrived AS took a last look at my
table, at the food in the kitchen,
smiled happily. Mrs. Page would have
nothing to criticize.
She looked very aristocratic. very
handsome when she appeared.
Il am very proud of you. mother,
Walter said You are remarkably
young looking and that dress is very
becoming"
You flatter me, my son. But l am
gratified for / know you have perfect
taste, as an artist should
Our guests arrived punctually, and
we were soon seated at table. Jennie
in a new black dress with apron and
cap served. l watched her closely at
first, fearing she might make some
mistake, but she did so nicely became
interested in the conversation.
Until we reached the salad every
thing went all right, then she served
Mrs. Gordon first. muttered something,
grabbed the plate from her and placed
it before me.
No one said anything, but saw Mrs
Jennie realized she had Numbered and
became nervous As she placed the
salad before Mrs Page she put the
plate too near the edge of the table
and it fell into her lap.
| started to rise, but Mrs. Page mo-
toned me to keep still.
1T is nothing" she said, then re-
sumed her conversation as if there
had been no accident, although l knew
the rich dressing must have spotted
her dress; and that she would be very
much annoyed by Jennie's blunder.
| trembled with apprehension and
annoyance. yet l couldn't help admir-
ing her aplomb She was calm as if
nothing had occurred out of the ordin-
airy; as if having a plat of salad
dumped into her lap was an everyday
affair
When finally the dinner was over
the desert and coffee were nicely
served although Jennie's cheeks were
crimson. and | feared further disaster
and we adjourned to the living room
and the card tables, Mrs. Page excused
herself moment / know to clean her
dress Oh, why couldn't Jennie have
dumped it in my lap? | thought. Yet
| knew the soiled dress would be a
lesser cause for complaint than the
bungling service.
But no trace of annoyance appeared
in her manner when she reappeared
and took her place at the card table
She played carefully and well as al
ways, took her part in the conversation
and was absolutely at ease. Which
was a good deal more than | was.
1t was midnight when our guests
IL. II oft how
Walter said
We'll. they all seemed to have q
good time. didn't they?"
Il hope so" ! returned.
Il should advise giving no more din
ners,' Mrs. Page said. Il was fearful
something would go wrong. 1t was
intensely Notifying to me-
Il am so sorry | replied. Il hope
Your dress wasn't ruined"
The dress is a secondary matter
It is my first experience of a dinner
spoiled by inefficient service. l felt
very i'll at ease. Please don't attempt
entertaining again while l am here
"Oh, come, mater!" Walter said. He
had seen the tears in my eyes. haC
worked so hard to have the dinner {
success, was tired and nervous owe,
the mishap 1T was an accident.
{ thought Jennie did very well"
Very well is not sufficient at =;
formal dinner. Every detail should b.
perfect"
well. I'm for hitting the hay, Conn
on, Doreen; and goodnight. mother
He hurried me out of the room befor'
she could reply.
| knew he did it to save me and
was grateful. But | just put my heat
on his shoulder. as soon as we wer
alone. and cried like a baby. l hal
wanted so to have everything nice ant
ii had been a failure.
Walter kept telling me how good tn
dinner was. how everyone seemed t
enjoy it, trying to comfort me. But
was not until he said:
TT might have been worse. Doreer
the hot soup or the coffee, and tn
mater certainly carried it off well. Yo'