The Washington times., 1934-09-22

try lanes,
making many
urn10 turns Betsy Caswell
and retracing our tracks fire.
0uently. It grew later and
later, and we became more and
more harassed and croSs-pic-
turing our hostess being kept
waiting, and probably pretty
mad about it!
Finally, the lights of the lit
tie town, twinkling through the
darkness, appeared before us,
and, after asking directions
from a burly policeman, we
found ourselves entering the
long driveway that led up to
the godmother's house.
Gracious Welcome
In fear and trembling, we
climbed the porch steps, to find
aS gracious a welcome awaiting
us as it has ever been my
pleasure to encounter.
Although we were fully an
hour late, dirty, cross and
diShevelled, our lovely hostess,
regal in a silver dinner gown,
with her snowy hair carefully
and beautifully dressed, urged
us to take our time getting
washed up-not to hurry-she
knew how trying motoring
could bet was quite all right!
Soothed and grateful. we had
q quick wash and polish, and
descended to the library, where
q great open fire added to our
comfort, and amber cocktails
were poured from a cleaning
silver shaker. There was no
hurried "gulping them down"
everything was leisurely and
pleasant, hot cheese concoc-
tions appeared and disap-
peared. and, at just the right
moment, dinner was announced.
Our hostess did not make us
uncomfortable by apologizing
for a possibly ruined dinner, but
beamed graciously upon us from
the head of her beautifully ap-
pointed mahogany table. around
the edge of which, in exquisite
carvings, were depicted the i'm
mortal fables of Aesop, the Slave.
The centerpiece. by the way,
was we'll worthy of attention.
The dining room was tapes
tried, and draped in heavy
golden brown curtains-the
flowers on the table were great
double marigolds. bright orange
in color, arranged in a brownish
1ridescent bowl. the base Of
which was completely sur
rounded by the marigoldS, with
their long green stems. raging
out from it in geometrical pre-
ciSion. The effect was charm
ing, and quite unusual.
The dinner itself was a mas
terpiece. How it was done, I
don't know, because nothing
was overdone, nothing dried up,
nothing spoiled in any way, al
though by this time it was over
an hour and a half later than
1t had been scheduled.
There was clear hot soup,
deliciously strong and hearten.
ing. Tiny puffed up pastry
half-moons came with this.
Then a rack of lamb. rare and
tenoer and juicy-fresh mint
sauce-baby beetS, cooked whole,
delicately green string beans
and souffled potatoes.
After this came small, sue
culenG ears of golden bantam
corn, home grown. with plenty
of sweet butter, and literally
melting in the mouth. For des-
sert we had a most wonderful
concoction of pureed cold rice,
with whipped cream and straw.
berry preserves poured over it.
Rested and SOOthed
Then back to the library for
coffee-a special blend, and
Steaming hot in its d dainty
Sevres cups. and liqueurs. served
leisurely and quietly. as though
the whole evening still remained
before us
Time passed peacefully, and
q sense Of rest and relaxation
descended upon us all. Gone
were the hardShipS of the road,
and the driving feeling of hurry
and strain.
Our wonderful hostess had
rested and soothed us, not only
by her superb dinner, but by
the very fact that she herself
displayed no tension, no furry
she behaved exactly as if din
ner at 10 o'clock was the most
usual occurrence in the world,
and therefore not worth a
moments thought!
The reason for my writing all
this Is simply to point out how
much th attitude of the hostess