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Show Rules of Politeness Were Not for Tennyson Tennyson gained a reputation in his later years for rudeness. It was due perhaps to his dislike of intrusions intru-sions upon his solitude. When the mood was upon him he was apt to disregard entirely the conventionalities, conventional-ities, says the Kansas City Star. A neighbor of the poet laureate once asked if he might bring to Aid-worth Aid-worth a woman who was visiting in his home. She was well known in society. so-ciety. It was carefully explained to ' Tennyson that the woman had a great admiration for the poet's works and desired very much to see him. Tennyson Tenny-son assented quite readily, telling the neighbor to bring her to luncheon and named the day. When the day arrived ar-rived the poet had forgotten all about it and, as it chanced, was in one of his solitary moods. The woman was introduced; Tennyson Tenny-son bowed. Luncheon was announced and they went in. She sat next her host, who throughout the meal did not utter a word. At the end of it he retired re-tired in silence to his own room and the woman left the house to which she had made her pilgrimage in hope and reverence, not having heard so much as the sound of the poet's voice. |