They would invite cordially a person of no attraction whatsoever whom they had only just met, and they would behave with casual coolness to desirable acquaintances or favourite friends whom they had known all their lives.

However, there was no doubt that their parties had got the name for being funny, and that was quite enough.

London people in every set are so desperate for something out of the ordinary way, for variety and oddness, that the Mitchells were frequently asked for invitations by most distinguished persons who hoped, in their blase fatigue, to meet something new and queer.
For the real Londoner is a good deal of a child, and loves Punch and Judy shows, and conjuring tricks (symbolically speaking)--and is also often dreaming of the chance of meeting some spring novelty, in the way of romance.

Although the Mitchells were proud of these successes they were as free from snobbishness as almost anyone could be.

On the whole Mrs Mitchell had a slight weakness for celebrities, while Mr Mitchell preferred pretty women, or people who romped.