A bit more Saki from 1904. Here Reginald is musing on his Christmas presents:

" There is, for instance, the female relative in the country who 'knows a tie is always useful', and sends you some spotted horror that you could only wear in secret or in Tottenham Court Road. It might have been useful had she kept it to tie up currant bushes with, when it would have served the double purpose of supporting the branches and frightening away the birds - for it is an admitted fact that the ordinary tomtit of commerce has a sounder aesthetic taste than the average female relative in the country."

Wonderful 'Dandy' Stuff.
Amazing that this was published in 1904. Oscar Wilde had 'died in disgrace' only 4 years ago and many flippant once-young Englishmen who were fond of clothes were still in self-imposed exile in France. Yet here is Saki giving us pure 'Green Carnation' style and getting published. Throughout his works Saki mocks and smiles at everything - his black humour is wonderful. And all with a raised eyebrow and, you feel, a silk dressing gown close to hand.

M.

Reginald at the Carlton -

" 'Hors d'oeuvres have always a pathetic interest for me,' said Reginald: 'they remind me of one's childhood that one goes through wondering what the next course is going to be like - and during the rest of the menu one wishes one had eaten more of the hors d'oeuvres., "


A very Peter Pan -ish sentiment. Good point, Lord Hillyer.
And you're right it's not boyhood that Saki is interested in (unlike JM Barrie) but they years of young manhood. Freedom without responsibility etc.
That whole 'golden age' idea...

Saki, of course, was killed in WWI.