Oliver Farnsworth via his secretary had called to cancel his attendance. After Mrs. Pringle received this news she cut off the line in anger not hearing what was to follow. She transfers aggression from the disappointment to her daughter Elaine and Dunham her servant.
Somewhere in the middle of the story, two more invitees drop out of the list. The climax of the story plays out with the Prince of Wales and his bodyguard in attendance, in place of Mr. Oliver Farnsworth.
