nd he, probably, takes a similar view of me.
Our minds have no thought in common, but as it is necessary to talk, I
tell him it is a warm evening. Perhaps it is a warm evening, perhaps
it isn't; in either case he agrees with me. I ask him if he is going
to Ascot. I do not care a straw whether he is going to Ascot or not. He
says he is not quite sure, but asks me what chance Passion Flower has
for the Thousand Guineas. I know he doesn't value my opinion on the
subject at a brass farthing--he would be a fool if he did, but I cudgel
my brains to reply to him, as though he were going to stake his shirt on
my advice. We reach the first floor, and are mutually glad to get rid of
one another. I catch my hostess' eye. She looks tired and worried; she
would be happier in bed, only she doesn't know it. She smiles sweetly,
but it is clear she has not the slightest idea who I am, and is waiting
to catch my name from the butler. I whisper it to him. Perhaps he will
get it right, perhaps he won't; it is quite immaterial. They have asked
two hundred and forty guests, some seventy-five of whom they know by
sight, for the rest, any chance passer-by, able, as the theatrical
advertisements say, 'to dress and behave as a gentleman,' would do every
bit as well. Indeed, I sometimes wonder why people go to the trouble
and expense of invitation cards at all. A sandwich-man outside the door
would answer the purpose. 'Lady Tompkins, At Home, this afternoon
from three to seven; Tea and Music. Ladies and Gentlemen admitted on
presentation of visiting card. Afternoon dress indispensable.' The
crowd is the thing wanted; as for the items, well, tell me, what is the
difference, from the Society point of view, between one man in a black
frock-coat and another?

"I remember being once invited to a party at a house in Lancaster Gate.
I had met the woman at a picnic. In the same green frock and parasol I
might have recognized her the next time I saw her. In any other clothes
I did not expect to. My cabman took me to the house opposite, where
they were also giving a party. It made no difference to any of us. The
hostess--I never learnt her name--said it was very good of me to come,
and then shunted me off on to a Colonial Premier (I did not catch his
name, and he did not catch mine, which was not extraordinary, seeing
that my hostess did not know it) who, she whispered to me, had
come over, from wherever it was (she did not seem to be very sure)
principall