* * *

Katherine Mansfield

...

And the perfect afternoon slowly ripened, slowly faded, slowly its petals closed. 

     "Never a more delightful garden-party ... " "The greatest success ... " "Quite the most ... " 

     Laura helped her mother with the good-byes. They stood side by side in the porch till it was all over. 

     "All over, all over, thank heaven," said Mrs. Sheridan. "Round up the others, Laura. Let's go and have some fresh coffee. I'm exhausted. Yes, it's been very successful. But oh, these parties, these parties! Why will you children insist on giving parties!" And they all of them sat down in the deserted marquee. 

     "Have a sandwich, daddy dear. I wrote the flag." 

     "Thanks." Mr. Sheridan took a bite and the sandwich was gone. He took another. "I suppose you didn't hear of a beastly accident that happened to-day?" he said. 

     "My dear," said Mrs. Sheridan, holding up her hand, "we did. It nearly ruined the party. Laura insisted we should put it off." 

     "Oh, mother!" Laura didn't want to be teased about it. 

     "It was a horrible affair all the same," said Mr. Sheridan. "The chap was married too. Lived just below in the lane, and leaves a wife and half a dozen kiddies, so they say." 

     An awkward little silence fell. Mrs. Sheridan fidgeted with her cup. Really, it was very tactless of father ... 

     Suddenly she looked up. There on the table were all those sandwiches, cakes, puffs, all uneaten, all going to be wasted. She had one of her brilliant ideas. 

     "I know," she said. "Let's make up a basket. Let's send that poor creature some of this perfectly good food. At any rate, it will be the greatest treat for the children. Don't you agree? And she's sure to have neighbours calling in and so on. What a point to have it all ready prepared. Laura!" She jumped up. "Get me the big basket out of the stairs cupboard." 

  (The Garden Party )