the turkey at a family Christmas dinner. This leaves the host and hostess as free to enjoy themselves as the guests.
One may omit any course, but should not refuse to be served. If he trifles with the food and is interested in the talk, no one notices that he is not eating. No one should ask for a second helping of anything. This keeps everyone else waiting. If a hostess is obliged to speak to a waitress she should catch her eye and speak low. For Things That May Happen her to rebuke a waitress before guests is ill-bred, because it humiliates the girl and makes everyone feel uncomfortable. If a guest should upset a glass of grape juice or a cup of coffee, the hostess should be stone-blind to the accident. A trained waitress will come along casually and lay a napkin or doily over the stain. The hostess should not notice any delay or mistake in the service. A strike may be threatening in the kitchen but she is serene.
A dinner of many courses, eaten leisurely, may take two or three hours to serve. That is a visit in itself, and guests may not remain more than half an hour in the drawing room. However, it is best for one to wait until the party breaks up, before going. Thank your hostess for a pleasant evening, but don’t thank her for the dinner. Shake the host’s hand and bow yourself out. Then pay your dinner call within one week.
THE LADIES LUNCHEON.
A ladies’ luncheon is similar to a dinner except that it is given about one o’clock, is not so heavy, and the polished table is only partially covered with a handsome centerpiece, tray cloth and doilies under the plates and glasses. From three to five courses are sufficient. Often the ladies keep on their hats and simply remove their gloves at the table. A luncheon in a down-town tea room, followed by a matinee party to some popular play, is a delightful way for a chaperon to entertain several young ladies.
- We should be as courteous to a man as
- we are to a picture, which we are willing
- to give the advantage of the best light
- --Emerson.
