He had never been asked to a party before, not a full-dress party, and he found it embarrassing.

But Dan came to the rescue, and with his jokes and his laughs and his funny stories soon made them all feel more at ease, so that by the time the first cups of tea were drunk, and the dish of "splits" emptied, the ice had been melted and all was going well.
"Jabez," said Dan, turning to him with a very solemn face, "it is you we have to thank for this feast." Jabez stared, bewildered.

"I don't take your meaning, sir," he answered in a puzzled voice.

"Tedn't nothing to do with me.

I am the invited guest, I am, and proud so to be.