Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-01-30
THE HOUSEHOLD.
cial Calls Taking Up Mating.
Something New In Swiss.

The morning hours of fine days at
this season invite to informal calls.
Friends who are intimate enough to do
so take advantage Of bright morning
to call upon each other instead of defer
ring this pleasure until the conventional
calling hours have struck, although this
is always done in a semiapologetic man
ner. II thought / should be more likely
to find you at home il ! came in the
morning, or 81 hope you don't mind
my sailing in the morning, II hope
you were not going out when l came, "
or "You must not let me keep you in il
you are going ont, /" are few Of the
phrases current even between friends
whom calls before O'Clock p. m. are
made.
A reasonable excuse FOR calling thus
early in the day is that the conventional
afternoon calling hours have now be-
come practically but occasions for leav-
ing cards, and no one expects to find
those called upon at home, occupations
and engagements being accountable for
this, and therefore to receive the re-
joinder +" Not at home" is always fore
gone conclusion. In the morning hours
the chances are more 10 favor of the
contrary being the case, although "Not
at home" is also occasionally the reply
received even in the morning hours and
given in all sincerity. Again, the ques-
ton put varies in some degree from the
conventional one, and rs Mrs A. in,
and will you ask her if she will see me
for few minutes?" is frequently the
somewhat diffident inquiry.
''Not at home" is phrase so gener-
ally in use that most servants thorough
ly understand its purport--i. e., the
mistress of the house is not visible to
her friends and does not wish to see
them at that particular hour. Not in
frequently this answer of mot at hornen
leads to remarks at future meetings Of
an embarrassing nature. II called late
on Monday, hoping to see you. Isuppose
you had gone out" or, 81 was so sorry
not to find you at home on Tuesday
morning. came early, as particularly
wanted to tell you, etc. Thus the en-
barrassed one is driven into corner and
must either confess or remain silent.
Why does not society allow of little
frankness in this matter? Why is it sup
posed to be in such bad taste to say,
Mrs. A. cannot see any one this morn
ing" or Mrs. A. is at home, but is
very much engaged. "
Callers would not consider this infor-
nation to be snub, and servants would
infinitely prefer to tell the truth and to
avoid the cross questioning which some
times follows, such as when do you
expect your mistress back? Do you ex-
pect her in to luncheon? Is it any use
my waiting until she returns?" Or per-
haps another member Of the family is
inquired for, and this is additionally
perplexing to servant who is DESTROYS
of carrying out mistress orders.
In the afternoon hours many servants
are allowed to say, Mrs. A. is at home,
but she is just going out, F." and this is
satisfactory intelligence. Cards are
handed in without further parley The
objection to saying cannot see any one
this morning" or ''this afternoon" is
supposed to lead to tie inference that
illness is the cause thereof The objec-
tion to saying VERY much engaged" is
strong but unreasonable one, consider
ing how much it explains and what
common sense view of the matter it
would be to all concerned.