ARE WE AS INTERESTING AS WE THINK WE ARE?



"Charmed. Very hot weather we've been having of late--I mean cold.
Let me see, I did not quite catch your name just now. Thank you so
much. Yes, it is a bit close." And a silence falls, neither of us
being able to think what next to say.

What has happened is this: My host has met me in the doorway, and
shaken me heartily by the hand.

"So glad you were able to come," he has said. "Some friends of mine
here, very anxious to meet you." He has bustled me across the room.
"Delightful people. You'll like them--have read all your books."

He has brought me up to a stately lady, and has presented me. We
have exchanged the customary commonplaces, and she, I feel, is
waiting for me to say something clever, original and tactful. And I
don't know whether she is Presbyterian or Mormon; a Protectionist or
a Free Trader; whether she is engaged to be married or has lately
been divorced!

A friend of mine adopts the sensible plan of always providing you
with a short history of the person to whom he is about to lead you.