Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19

~ NOE or twice during the meal had
noticed this gentleman seated at the
adjoining table probably s;oE because %
him. Now the Strollers Club, adj
NIT is TO carnival, but certainly 1t olo not
warrant such detection as this.
NV dinner however, was with friend, one
who had, apparently through no fauit OF ms
own been rudely ej3cted from very com1ortaple
employment a few days before, and the occasion
was potently an opportunity for him ID recount
the outrageous circumstances and ennSt my
sympathy gave him what he wished. gave
it to him in the same words had used many
times before, and with great success, in ike
situations
1.-The trouble with you, George" said I'M
pressively "is that you have an nfer1orlty
complex!"
Now those on the surface are quite in
,nocuous words had used them, as I say
with the most gratifying success, because ta)
they have a profound and authoritative sound,
dbl they persuade their benefciaries that
have not only been paying close heed, put nave
given the problem deep thought, and Co nave
found that for some occult reason they anoro
solace and comfort.
mt &c I said them CHANGED to glance at
the melancholy gentleman at the next table
and I was shocked. He was quivering Ike a
reed in a storm. His eyes were closed IN
anguish, his face was drawn in torment, ana
he maintained his balance IN MS CHAIR only
with superhuman effort.
When George had gone and the gentleman
looked across with eyes that were almost sup
plicating, I smiled an invitation that he join
me for coffee or cigars.
For a moment or two we discussed this and
that and then abandoning all pretense, ne
preached the real object of his concern.
at apologize" he said, but could not help
oyerhearing the remark you made TO your
friend Possibly you noticed the agitation That
it caused me- It was justihed-quite justifed.
Are you in q hurry?"
~T have all evening"" replied.
~Then I'd like to explain the Justification.
because I. too was once addicted TO the use Of
the expression"
~You mean
~Do not repeat lit" he interrupted, sE1udder-
ing But with your permission"
"Go right ahead"
oNE Of the most revolving aspects Che began)
of our present-day civilization is Gregory
x. Elwood. To look at him you would think so,
any more than thought so when 10 days ago
I arrived at the Uptons' down on Long Island
for their house party and saw him for the
first time
Most of the other guests knew But few
tntroductions were necessary, and Lucy-Lucy
Upton-made them. All but one.
That was the sort Of chap Gregory K Elwood
was: he was the one you'd forget to introduce.
knew when he came to me few minutes
later with outstretched hand and apologize
smile that all Of his life he had been intro
d1cing himself.
'Poor fellow" reflected; another with
With an inferiority complex"
NV urincipal concern was, Of course, with
Incy-we were practically engaged at that
time. and I'd counted on making 1t ofncial be-
fore leaving-but there was time, among so
many people to observe the situation. 1t was,
I confess a bit difficult to observe Gregory for
any length of time, for he was always disap-
pearing-gone to fetch handkerchief, scarf,
a drink for some one. And when, presently,
we went in to dinner, it was discovered that no
place had been set for him. Mrs. Upton had
forgotten he was coming.
This young man, MIR. Gregory K. Elwood,'
I said to Lucy at dinner, who supplied him?"
Gregory X. who?"
"Elwood" said. Gregory K. Elwood."
"Oh Gregory K. Elwood!' she recollected.
'whyl Gregorys just friend I met him
some time ago"
"Ycu never mentioned him." commented.
IT never thought of it," she said.
In view of everything, I canot say that was
astonished when, at bedtime, it was found that
the guest room situation trif1e made
uuate-one person too many had been invited
and everybody turned with single accord to
Gregory and eyed him accusingly.
Not as Mrs Upton explained, that it mat
tered: but scme one would have TO bunk in
the nu.c-ry with Teddy, her nephew. 1t went
without saying that the lucky Lad selected for