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Show a couple of days in the country can set you account of his own losi weekend back a couple of week s, You mayrecognize this humorisVs Watch out for those summer weekend invitations ' I blow-by-blo- I k is famous for his he about a writes But today reports from Europe. lurks that the American phenomenon peril strictly "come out for the behind an innocent imitation to weekend to somebodys "summer place.' By the way, where are you spending this ueekend? ART BtCHWALD ? tongue-in-chee- ) We ute 5 J 4 4 i 4 f IN Paris and were not used to the American way of life. Back in the States for a few months, weve discovered one of the big status symbols is "having a place out of town. The trouble is all our friends have a house out of town "to get away from everybody only to discover they cant stand being there all alone. So they are constantly pressuring their -friends to crane for the weekend. No excuse will stop them. If you say youve got work to do theyll tell you you can work out there. If you say you have no clothes they will tell you "Nobody could care less. If you have no car they tell you, Take the train. Our friends, the Whites, had been trying to get us out to their place and we finally agreed to go. This is what happened. Friday afternoon. Had to go out with wife and buy a "decent sports jacket, a "decent sports shirt and a "decent pair of slacks. She also buys "decent clothes for herself. Cost:' 200 bucks. Then we go to buy a present for the Whites. We w settle on an .$80 glass owl. Im now out $280, just enough money to take us to Las Vegas. Friday evening. The train leaves at 6:30. Three and a half hours later, wiping the grime off our faces, we get off the train at Wicked Bay. A wind is blowing up, rain is pouring down. Our hosts, Jane and Ralph White, in sleek yellow mackintoshes, are delighted to see us. Perfect weather last week "What a shame, Ralph White says. "Last weekend the weather was perfect. "WeD still have a wonderful Weekend, Jane White says. t We pile into the station wagon, hungry, thirsty and cold, and drive 15 miles to the Whites. "I guess you people are looking forward to a hot bath and a good drink, Jane White says. "And maybe something to eat, I say. IVicked Bay: Guests get off to a wet start "Oh, havent you eaten? Weve had dinner . . . Ralph White: "Well rustle you something up from the ice box. Jane White: "The Qaremonts are visiting us too. Do you know' them? He went to Yale. I say: "I didnt go to Yale. Ralph White: "Where did you go, Harvard? "No, I went to the University of Southern California. "I dont think theres anyone around here that went there, though I think Carol Stander went one year to Stanford, Jane White says. "Its okay, I reply. "Ill see everyone at my class reunion next year. Party in Wicked Bay We arrive at the Whites house which is called "Dew Drop In. "Ralph thought of the name, Jane White says. "Its pretty clever, I admit. We go in the house. The Qaremonts, having arrived in the afternoon, are in warm sweaters and slacks, looking well fed, drinking Scotch and sitting by the fireplace. "Where have you been? says Mrs. Qaremont. "Were going to be late for the party. "What party? I ask. "The Kleimans are giving a party in Wicked Bay.1 "But thats where we just came from. Jane comtimved oa wxtpogw White: "I know. We dont |