Chapter III
GOSSIP
| Gossip in literature—Gossip comes from being of one kindred under God—Gossip and the misanthrope—Personal history of people we know and people we don't know—Gossip of books of biography—Interest in others gives fellowship and warmth to life—Essential difference between slander and innocent gossip—The psychology of the slanderer—The apocryphal slanderer—"Talking behind another's back"—Personal chat the current coin of conversation | [63] |
Chapter IV
WHAT SHOULD GUESTS TALK ABOUT AT DINNER?
| Guests' talk during the quarter of an hour before dinner—What guests may talk about—Talking to one's dinner-companion—Guests' duty to host and hostess—The dominant note in table-talk—General and tête-à-tête conversation between guests—The raconteur at dinner | [89] |
Chapter V
TALK OF HOST AND HOSTESS AT DINNER
| The amalgam for combining guests—Hosts' talk during the quarter of an hour before dinner—Seating guests to enhance conversation—Number of guests for the best conversation—Directing the conversation at dinner—Drawing guests out—Signaling for conversation—General and tête-à-tête conversation—Putting strangers at ease—Steering talk away from offensive topics—The gracious host and hostess—An ideal dinner party | [111] |
Chapter VI