"I do dislike to introduce people to each other," said Eva to me one day
last week.
"Why, pray?" I asked. "It seems to me a very simple thing."
"Well, when I have it to do, I stammer and blush, and feel so awkward, I
never know who should be mentioned first, and I wish myself out of the
room."
"I think I can make it plain to you," I said. "You invite Mabel Tompkins
to spend an afternoon with you. She has never been at your home before,
and your mother has never met her. When you enter the sitting-room, all
you have to do is to say, 'Mother, this is my friend Mabel; Mabel, my
mother.' If you wish to be more elaborate, you may say to your aunt
Lucy, 'Aunt Lucy, permit me to present Miss Mabel Tompkins; Miss
Tompkins, Mrs. Templeton.' But while you introduce Mabel to your father,
or the minister, or an elderly gentleman, naming the most distinguished
personage first, you present your brother, his chum, and your cousin
Fred to the young lady, naming her first. Fix it in your mind that among
persons of equal station the younger are introduced to the older, and
that inferiors in age, position, or influence are presented to
superiors. Be very cordial when, in your own house, you are introduced
to a guest, and offer your hand. If away from home, a bow is commonly
sufficient recognition of an introduction. Please, in performing an
introduction, speak both names with perfect distinctness."
[Illustration: "WHAT YER LAUGHIN' AT?"--FROM A PAINTING BY PHILIP B.
HAUS.]
A Story of All-Hallow-Eve.