Tea-Table Talk

A modest tea‑table becomes a stage for spirited debate, as a “Woman of the World,” a Minor Poet, a Girton scholar and a dry‑witted Philosopher trade barbs about love‑letters, courtship rituals and the art of address. Their banter is peppered with quick observations on fashion, poetry and the stubborn conventions that shape everyday affection. The opening scene captures a snapshot of early‑20th‑century social life, where a single misplaced letter can set off a cascade of humor and self‑reflection.

The book unfolds as a series of similarly crisp sketches, each illustrated with a playful line drawing that mirrors the tone of the dialogue. Jerome’s prose blends gentle satire with earnest curiosity, probing whether admiration springs from the beloved herself or from the lover’s imagination. Readers are invited to consider how language, etiquette and gender expectations intertwine in the simple act of saying “I love you.”

Listeners will find a charming, conversational window onto a bygone salon, where wit and warmth reveal timeless questions about how we choose to express affection. The tone remains light, inviting you to linger over each exchange like a favorite cup of tea.