Sybil Bruncheon’s "Manners Are Nice #44”...

... Neal thought it would be fun to have a tea party in his new apartment, especially because he had just moved to the big city a week earlier, and he wanted to impress his new neighbors, all of whom had been so welcoming. The folks back home had warned him that people in big cities were unfriendly, perhaps even snobby, or prone to inappropriate touching in elevators, subways, movie theatres, and the fresh produce aisle at the grocery, especially with oblong vegetables! But Neal had met only the nicest men and women. And so, on his first weekend, he baked lingonberry scones and Belgian chocolate croissants, brewed very fine and rare Da Hong Pao tea, and set out various other delicacies. He invited the nice girl next door, Emily Hankle, and she asked if she could bring her father Malcolm. He was visiting from Grennith Falls which was coincidentally a town only 27 miles from Winnetka Pass, the town that Neal had just moved from. Emily knew they would have so much in common to talk about; and an afternoon tea was one of the nicest ways to break the ice between new acquaintances. Neal and Malcolm did indeed seem to enjoy each other's company, and Malcolm was glad to see that Neal was such a gentleman with his daughter. Even when Malcolm gobbled down most of the home-made pastries, all the jellies right out of the bowls, and ate the teapot, Neal was gracious...and invited them both back the following Saturday. He'd read in a book on manners that "A gracious host always makes his guests feel welcome, and never, ever skimps on refreshments!!" .....even if the refreshments happen to include his grandmother's Royal Doulton china....

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