Evening star., 1932-11-20

HERE Is, as we Know, u revere
side to every picture. This,
then, is picture OF the as
srsss sra ottsn xniGn made eIsosan q suisr by ans
thouQhtlessness Of visitors who take
their welcome for granted, no matter
how inopportune the hour or how op-
yiously unreasonable the intrusion.
1t is true that the unexpected guests
of so wears ago, who, arriving at one
of the big plantations or ranches, quite
simply established their belongings In
whichever rooms were seemingly un-
occupied, are in this day almost un-
known, Happily, rare, too, u the sell
proclaimed kinsman who makes MS
own way to the dining room and greets
his helpless hostess with casual,
"HelIo. Cousin Mary. At dinner. are
youa That's splendid I'm hungry Is
q bear"
Let me explain, and quickly. that this
picture Is not intended to apply 70
relatives or to intimate friends VINO
belong In the welcomed circle OF q
family. 1t applies solely to him whose
insensibility presumes that because
great-aunt's nephew was Mrs. Stran-
gers second cousins Wifes protner,
the Strangers home shall be considered
as his own. So. even though his num-
ber be few, it may be well to tell those
few that the behavior OF a highway
man Is scarcely better!
Il 4
AS I have already said, encounter
with this type Of person is rare.
since 1t Is seldom that those whom we
do not welcome ever get on footing
of intimacy which makes such situa-
ton possible. But there are other times
in. the lives of most of us when those
whom we would, under many ctrcum-
stances. welcome joyfully put US In q
position of momentary inhoSpitaltty
| that varies from slight inconvenience to
actual distress. Distress, for example,
| If we are feeling i'll or II we are inter
rupted in a pressing piece Of work by
an idle some one whose mind, Ike ner
time, Is emptily on her hands.
For example, the other day q writer
had taken his work into his supposed
ly secluded garden. He sat In O broad.
armed chair across which he had placec
lapboard, on which were papers, note
books and pencils.
ANY one not blind could scarcely
have failed to see that he was absorbed
But into the silence Of his retreat
came the babbling voice OF an unheed'
| ing visitor. "Oh, Mr.. Scrtvener. Is thi'
where you write your books? How
thrilling! I came to see your wife: :!
hope you don't mind my sitting In thi'
beautiful spot with you. What lovely
viewl Think Of working with such
beautiful view spread out before you
How lucky you authors are not to have
to stay in an ugly city and be chainet
to business like my poor husband
Don't let me disturb you-go right OF
with your writing. shall love just Il
sit and watch you! I'll be as quiet as {
mouse"
DERHAPS there are writer's free from
the terror Of proximity whicl
threatens interruptions terror which
like q giant sponge, wipes away witt
ruthless stroke the fragile outlines o
creative thought II there is no printe'
rule of etiquette which says, Run fas
as you can from musician composing
an author writing-fron any one who's
work obliges him to think"-then le
us make onei
Turning from this example to NOR
typical variety of inopportune visiting
let us suppose that q Mr.. and Mrs
Neighbor and q Mr.. and Mrs. Tow
! (wf1o are staying with theml decide
after q substantial afternoon tea, to g
| for o walk, which happeAs to end at tn