III.
Extract from The Tooting Argus:—
GREAT NEW FEATURE.
PROBLEMS OF CONDUCT.
(Conducted by Reginald Augustus Plantagenet-Harris.)
Problem 3.—A. is paying a call. His hostess offers him bread-and-butter. He notices that the top piece has suffered from the heat. What should A. do?
Answer adjudged correct.—A. should politely take the plate from his hostess, murmuring, “May I offer it to you?” If she refuses he should offer it to his nearest neighbour. When the offending slice has been got rid of in this way he can help himself to the next slice and then return the plate to its owner.
Highly commended.—A. should explain to his hostess that he has a peculiar hobby, to wit, collecting slices of bread-and-butter from the houses of the great. His collection of Royal Family slices is unrivalled. Might he have the pleasure and honour of adding to his collection this dainty specimen? He should then reverently fold the slice in two and place it in his breast-pocket.
[Our only objection to this is that it seems a rather greasy thing to do.]
Incorrect answers:—(1) A. should make a facetious remark, such as, “Hasn’t this escaped from the bread pudding?” He should then playfully but firmly push the slice aside and trust to luck on the next.
(2) A. must out of courtesy to his hostess accept thankfully whatever she places before him. Any other course of conduct would be an affront. It now however becomes his personal property and he can adopt whichever of the following courses is most convenient—
(a) Secrete it in a fancy flower-pot or in the gramophone.
(b) If the dog is a silent eater hold it behind his back so that the dog may get it.
Note.—If the dog refuses to touch it, say loudly, “I cannot understand how any animal can decline such delightful bread-and-butter.” He can then openly dispose of it in the grate or the waste-paper-basket on the ground that the dog’s nose has vitiated its freshness.