If you both happen to know Mr. Smith of Des Moines, the Bromide inevitably will say:

This world is such a small place, after all, isn’t it?”

The Bromide never mentions such a vulgar thing as a birth, but

The Year Baby Came.”

The Bromide’s euphemisms are the slang of her caste. When she departs from her visit, she says:

“I’ve had a perfectly charming time.”

“It’s SO good of you to have asked me!”

Now, DO come and see us!”

And when her caller leaves, her mind springs with a snap to fasten the time-worn farewell:

Now you have found the way, do come often!”