And the Yeah, Welcome back everyone to 1001 Classic short stories and tales.

This is your host John Hagadorn,

and today two stories by H.H. Monroe, better known as Saki.

And now a holiday task by H.H. Monroe.

Canelm Jurden entered the dining hall of the Golden Galleon Hotel in the full crush of the

luncheon hour.

Nearly every seat was occupied, and small additional tables had been brought in where floor space permitted to accommodate late comers with the result that many of the tables were almost touching each other.

Jert was beckoned by a waiter to the only vacant table that was discernible,

and took his seat with the uncomfortable and wholly groundless idea

that nearly everyone in the room was staring at him.

He was a youngish man of ordinary appearance, quiet of dress and unobtrusive of manner, and he could

never wholly rid himself of the idea that a fierce light of public scrutiny beat on him as though he had been a

notability or a super nut.

After he had ordered his lunch, there came the unavoidable interval of waiting, with nothing

to do but stare at the flower vase on his table

and to be stared at, in his imagination, by several flappers, some maturer beings of the same sex,

and a satirical-looking Jew. In order to carry off the

situation with some appearance of unconcern, he became furiously

interested in the contents of the flower vase. What's the name of these roses?

Do you know?

He asked the waiter.

The waiter was ready at all times to conceal his ignorance concerning items of the wine list or menu.

...