DEAR MISS MANNERS: I had dinner party guests arrive 45 minutes early. They weren’t confused about the time, they just came early. What should I have done?

I sat them in the living room, got them each a drink and then abandoned them for 45 minutes while I changed clothes and finished up in the kitchen. They seemed peevish when I finally joined them, but honestly, what should I have done?

GENTLE READER: Seated them in the living room, given them drinks, and then abandoned them while you changed clothes and finished up in the kitchen.

Too bad they didn’t ask Miss Manners what they should have done: not arrived early, apologized if they did, thanked you for the drinks, and assured you that they would be fine sitting in the living room until you were ready.

Stories by Judith Martin

Miss M

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