HOW GIRLS MAY ENTERTAIN EACH OTHER.--The idea that in order to entertain
company it is necessary to go to a great deal of trouble and expense
prevents many young people from really enjoying themselves together. The
other day I was present when Florilla asked her mother for permission to
invite a number of her girl friends to a birthday party.
"I am quite willing, dear, to let you invite your favorite school-mates
to luncheon or to tea, and I will provide a simple entertainment for
them," said the mother, pleasantly, "but I can not consent to your
having a regular evening company."
Florilla thought she could not be contented with a daytime party of any
kind, so her birthday is to pass unmarked, and a dozen girls, who might
have had some charming hours with each other, will all stay at home just
as usual.
When you think of it, dears, it is not upon dainty eatables nor pretty
dresses that you depend for enjoyment, but on the spirit which prevails,
on bright talk, music, games, fun, and gay good-humor, all of which are
within reach of everybody.
I have a friend who lives in a quiet little place near a beautiful
sheltered bay. Her brother owns a boat. Sometimes, on a summer day, at
the noonday meal, it will occur to one of the family that it would be
pleasant to have a picnic in the afternoon. One child is sent off to
notify the cousins up the street, and another messenger goes for Emily,
or John, or Lucy, who is a favorite on such occasions. A basket of
sandwiches and gingerbread is provided, and at three or four o'clock the
large boat is filled, the white sail is spread, and away goes a merry
party to enjoy the shining water, the salt air, and the hard, smooth
beach.
A little mountain party might be arranged by girls who live among the
hills, in just such an easy fashion as this.
In the city, most girls would find, now that fine weather is here, great
pleasure in a morning spent in the parks, or the rural suburbs which are
within a short distance of most towns. It would always be well on such
occasions to ask mamma or some grown-up friend to accompany the party.
A hostess must never forget that it is her duty to see that her guests
enjoy themselves. For instance, one girl may have travelled. Let her
have an opportunity of telling about the lovely places she has visited.
A good hostess would ask her beforehand to bring views and photographs
with her. Another, who plays well, might be asked for music; but as
everybody is not alike fond of even this accomplishment, the whole time
should not be taken up with songs and pieces. Neglect nobody, if you
wish your company to be a pleasant one, and if strangers are present,
introduce them to those they are likely to find most agreeable.
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We would call the attention of the C. Y. P. R. U. this week to
Lieutenant Sturdy's account of "Tom Fairweather's Visit to the Sultan of
Borneo," and to the story of "Captain Edwards's Big Whale," as told by
Eesung Eyliss. Then there are some suggestions as to fancy kites, which
will interest the boys this breezy weather.
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