Page:Conflict (1927).pdf/30

 of your dinner-parties, mother?' No use asking straight out what the social position of sexton was. There would be sure to follow a long lecture on democracy.

Mrs. Miller, taken by surprise, had replied, 'Well, hardly. Why should I?' And then had added laughing, 'What a question, Sheilah!'

Sheilah had risked one more.

'Would you ask Mr. and Mrs. Nawn to a dinnerparty?' After all, Mr. Nawn had a shop down-street with his name over it, and two telephone numbers.

But the question was one too many. Mrs. Miller was never long caught napping during this important 'formative stage' in Sheilah's development. Immediately she assumed her suave manner, and became the wise guiding parent of the books. If there was one thing she hoped to nip in the bud in Sheilah, it was snobbishness.

'You mean that big, good-hearted woman who goes to our church?'

Sheilah nodded.

'Why, if I thought Mrs. Nawn and her husband would enjoy one of my dinner-parties, certainly I would invite them. But I think they would feel rather out of place, and it wouldn't be kindness to make guests feel uncomfortable in our home, would it?'