1906 A Bachelor's Cupboard

A BACHELOR'S CUPBOARD Bachelor Etiquette parous in his profession, he lives in a suite of pretty rooms in a studio or in a small suite in bachelor apartments, or possibly in a hotel. And even a man of average salary may afford a large, tastefully-decorated room in which to set up his Lares and Penates, where he can entertain in a small way. Of course he has some matron to act as chaperone, and the easiest and safest form of entertainment is an afternoon reception. At this he may repay some of the many hospitalities vi^hich eligible bachelors always receive. Just a word from a clever hostess of international popularity may not be amiss. Apropos of the prevail- ing impression — which is generally correct — that the unmarried man is so persistently certain that he is wel- come everywhere, and that when he lunches or dines at a house he confers a favor, this grande dame says: " The bachelor is the most ungrateful of guests, as a rule. He w^ill accept my invitation, lunch or dine at my house three or four times in a week all the year round, and still continue to speak of those who lib- erally entertain him as a mere acquaintance unless they happen to be more than usually prominent — and then reward them with nothing better than a picture post- card at Christmas ! " Possibly this woman's indignation may be well- founded — for it is a fact that bachelors are in such demand that they come to realize their own social im- portance perhaps better than their hostesses do. A

35