Chapter 3

GOSSIP

Gossip in literature--Gossip comes from being of one kindred under God--Gossip and the misanthrope--Personal history of people we know and people we don't know--Gossip of books of biography--Interest in others gives fellowship and warmth to life--Essential difference between slander and innocent gossip--The psychology of the slanderer--The apocryphal slanderer--"Talking behind another's back"--Personal chat the current coin of conversation 63