Conducting an Entertainment 209 



has got more enjoyment out of the affairs than their 

 parents. We feel as if that room was the best in- 

 vestment we ever made." 



Not nearly all anxious parents may be so situated 

 as to follow the excellent plan described above, but 

 it is certainly worthy of a trial by all who can avail 

 themselves of its benefits. Best of all, the young 

 people in whose behalf this thoughtful endeavor is 

 put forth will most certainly grow to maturity con- 

 firmed in the belief that the country life is not lack- 

 ing in its social enjoyments. 



HOW TO CONDUCT A SOCIAL ENTERTAINMENT 



In giving a social entertainment to the young 

 people of the country, there are a few simple yet 

 common matters to be observed. First of all, there 

 is the frequent tendency toward reticence or back- 

 wardness. It will be remembered, of course, that the 

 object of the occasion is not merely passing amuse- 

 ment for the young, but also that of furnishing some 

 means of character-development. In fact, the author 

 wishes that every chapter of this book be thought of 

 as contributing something toward the building up of 

 young lives. So, in case of the home party, it will be 

 necessary to see that every one present takes some 

 active part. The bashful youth who is merely per- 

 mitted to sit by and look on will go home secretly 

 displeased, if not much pained, at his own backward- 

 ness. He may even fail to appear again on such an 



