last one to enter the dining-room. If, for any reason, one lady has precedence over the others, she is placed at the right of the hostess; otherwise the hostess selects for that seat the one whom she wishes particularly to compliment. If a stranger is being especially entertained, the other guests having been invited to meet her, she is given this seat of honor. The hostess in this case presents her as a new acquaintance to her friends, who afterward may call upon and extend to her other courtesies.
Invitations The invitations for luncheon are the same in form as for dinner; if the luncheon is a formal entertainment they are usually written in the third person, or conventionally expressed in the first person. An informal note is written for informal occasions. Under no circumstances should a verbal invitation be given.
It is polite to answer an invitation within twelve hours. People who are in the habit of entertaining are seldom remiss in the courtesy of a prompt reply, for they have probably experienced the inconvenience of uncertainty, and the embarrassment of having to fill places at the last minute, and so are better able to understand the significance of this social convention.
Dress Women wear street costumes or afternoon gowns; they lay off their wraps, but do not remove their hats. Men should wear afternoon dress.
The table At luncheon a table-cloth is not used if the table is handsome enough to permit its omission, but often leaves are put in which have not the same polish as the main table and must be covered with a cloth. The use of a cloth is, however, a matter of taste, not of rule.
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