breakfast, chatting in a
leisurely way, but leaving rather promptly.

The problem of the family breakfast is complicated by the modern stress
of business life. In suburban towns the typical "commuter" must flee
away with little ceremony; for the 7:08 will not wait, and the 7:10 is a
way train. In most families breakfast is on the European plan, so to
speak. For this very reason, perhaps, the occasional holiday breakfast
is the more attractive. With no train to "catch," no boat to "make," no
office hours to "keep," no demon of driving work to lash one to the
treadmill, how delightful to be able to breakfast with the serenity of
the genial "Autocrat" himself; and how very odd it seems to find oneself
sociably disposed at this unwonted hour! May it not convey the gentle
admonition that we might be more social every day, if we only thought so?

Psychologically, the breakfast is peculiar. It is the first commingling
of the day; and whether it be the late holiday feast, or the usual family
gathering, it sets the pace for the twenty-four hours. A cheerful start
in the morning may give an optimistic momentum for all-day hill-climbing;
or, one may slip dejectedly down hill if leaden-weighted with a "morning
grouch" (one's own, or somebody else's). Even fellow "boarders" might
reflect on this, with profit. Preoccupied with our own affairs, we
forget to be mutually considerate. We habitually wake to rush and worry,
taking social recreation chiefly at the close of day, when too weary to
appreciate it. Might it not sometimes be well to get ourselves into a
good humor the first thing in the morning, and then work afterward? Few
people are of such a happy, self-contained disposition that they do not
need the sustaining influence of other cheerful spirits. Most of us
would have more of sunshine in our hearts if the first business of the
morning had been to put ourselves in harmony with our fellow-creatures
socially. And if we cannot do this every day, nor even often, according
to our ideal, we at least doubly appreciate the rare occasions when it
has been possible, and we feel impulsively grateful to the hostess whose
thoughtful kindness has made our holiday so bright at its dawning. Other
ways of entertaining may be more imposing; none are more delightful. Bid
whom you will to dine with you, but ask me to _breakfast_.

EVENING PARTIES

This general term includes a variety of social entertainments, and
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