Hostesses sometimes find themselves in very awkward positions.
A man once came up the stairs and shook hands with his hostess, who cheerfully said:
“And where is your wife?”
There was a great crowd at the time, and the man, somewhat briefly, replied:
“I have lost her.”
“I hope you will soon find her,” said the lady; “but it is rather difficult among so many people,” she added, with a merry laugh.
He looked crestfallen, and, as if not knowing exactly what to say, bent forward and murmured into the ear of his smiling hostess:
“My wife is dead.”
Collapse of the lady.