The
beauty of it is a little focused and smartened, but that is all.
There is no covering up of deficiencies or hiding desolation out of
sight. If one goes down to a public-school on an ordinary day, one
finds the same brave life, the same unembarrassed courtesy
prevailing. There is no sense of being taken by surprise; the life
is all open to inspection on any day and at any hour. We do not
reserve ourselves for occasions in England. The meat cuts
wholesomely and pleasantly wherever it is sampled.
The disadvantage of this is that we are misjudged by foreigners
because we are seen, not at our best, but as we are. We do not feel
the need of recommending ourselves to the favourable consideration
of others; not that that is a virtue, it is rather the shadow of
complacency and patriotism.
But at last a feeling begins to arise in the minds both of hosts
and guests that the play is played out for the day, that the little
festivity is over. On the part of our hosts that feeling manifests
itself in a tendency to press departing guests to stay a little
longer.
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