TWELVE GOLDEN RULES
GOLDEN RULE NUMBER I
Avoid unnecessary details.
He.—Do you know that what you say always interests me?
She.—That is because we are such good comrades.
He.—Not altogether. I think that it is because you never dwell upon details.
She.—Then, one is interesting in conversation according as one omits details?
He.—Unnecessary details.
She.—I remember that, when visiting some friends whom I had not seen for several years, my hostess said to me, "Ever since your arrival, I have been trying to discover why you are so interesting in conversation, and I have decided that it is because you omit unnecessary details." I felt that my hostess had paid me a high compliment.