Oh pshaw, on Wed 06 Sep 2006 02:14:19p, Michael "Dog3" Lonergan meant to
say...

> Margaret Suran >
> ink.net:
>
> <some snipage for space>
>
>>
>> The table was set with the little chopped liver plates waiting on each
>> place mat, soon to be consumed by the hungry guests. The four
>> ducklings were out of the oven, cut into halves and resting on
>> individual dinner plates, while the dumplings and red cabbage were
>> still on the stove.
>>
>> Six of us were in the living room, waiting for the last couple. The
>> doorman called from downstairs, announcing "guests"
>>
>> I went to open the door and nearly fainted. Instead of the couple I
>> expected, four people were coming into my apartment.
>>
>> "My cousins are in town", said the invited woman "and we thought it
>> would be nice if they came with us".
>
>>
>> The woman continued, "I knew you would not mind".
>>
>> Well, I did mind.
>
> You were entitled to mind. Taking uninvited guests to someone's home
> knowing dinner was being served is extremely rude IMO. Another
> invitation to the invited couple would not be extended in the future.
>
>
>> The table was set for eight. There was barely
>> enough room for that many. There was no extra chopped liver, I had
>> made it from the duck livers and there was just enough for eight
>> portions. I had only the eight pieces of duckling, each just enough
>> for one person, not enough for more. If everything had not been on
>> plates, I might have been able to manage, but there was nothing I
>> could do or say.
>
> Sounds like a lovely dinner. I suppose it's one of those times one has
> to grin and bear it.
>
>
>>
>> There was no apology from the invited couple. No "thank you" from the
>> uninvited couple. We never invited either couple again, but I feel to
>> this day, that there should have been something I could have done.
>>
>> How would you have handled this?
>
> I would have handled exactly as you did, graciously. Then like you, I
> would never invite them again. If asked by the couple at some point why
> you no longer have them over I would tell them the truth.
>
> Michael

Everything Michael said. They were unconscionable guests and you were the
ultimate hostess. There is no one who could out class you, Margaret!

Wayne