Teddy Bear Party Planned

Mary is talking about holding a Teddy Bear Party, which sounds a lot of fun. We got excited and started talking about bear-shaped sandwiches and bear-shaped cakes and bear this, and bear that, and Mary sneezed and said "nothing of the kind!"

"Och - so what's the point of a Teddy Bear Party?" I enquired, flummoxed.
"Just to have the teddy bears there, all siting around the room with the guests, of course," said Mary.
"But we're ALWAYS there!" I protested. "What would make the Teddy Bear Party any different from an ordinary party?"
"The guests," said Mary, as though I should have guessed. "We'll invite folks who have never been here before."

Ah.

I still think we should have some sort of teddy bear feature. I suggested the teddy bear shaped sandwiches again, and Mary snorted, and said "we won't have much to eat. No sandwiches. Maybe tea and a few biscuits."

I see. It's not just the 'bear' side of things that's being played down, but the 'party' side of things too. I suppose that's the Scottish way. Pretend it's not a party, and it will be a success. Make too much of a fuss and a pother, and it will fall flat like a frightened sponge cake.

Well, don't tell Mary, but I'm still going to dress up for it and pour the tea and make everybody most welcome. Over the biscuits, we'll gossip about Lost and Flog It! and Pop Idol. And then when I get bored, I'm going to fall asleep and let Mary wind things up.

It will be a lovely day, so long as nobody carries me away in her handbag.