Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-16

held stiff. The head is raised slightly, and
the eyes are directed at the person for
whom the courtesy is intended.
Entering and Leaving the Room.
She is taught how to enter and leave the
room with dignity and composure. She
must hold her head erect; her elbows should
be close to the waist line. Upon leaving the
room she should open the door with her
right hand, turn her body slowly, catch the
door knob with the left hand, and then
gracefully withdraw backward. This meth
cd of leaving the room is especially impera-
tive If young woman is excusng herself
from an honored or elderly guest.
The puzzling question of proffering the
hand on various occasions is solved by
actual example. She learns that she may
not exercise the same right in extending
her hand that is accorded an older woman
or married woman.
Is she hostess for the day? Then she al
ways extends her hand in receiving tho
guests. If she is not the hostess then she
shakes hands with intimate friends only.
She should not extend her hand to an older
woman unless the advance comes from the
other party.
1t is her Prerogative. however to extend
her hand to man. She soon learns r,er-
haps by Notifying mistakes, that ball
room introductions do not call for this
mode of recognition. An inclination of the
Hedu IS SuIllClent. Flftnef, II she Is seat
ed it is not necessary for her to rise when
profferns her hand to friend.
The Art of Receiving Callers
In many of the fashionable schools the
girls are encouraged to receive calls from
young men, always with a chaperon i'll at
tendance. By this means she becomes easy
and natural in the society of men, and is
not conscious and miserable when she fin
ally makes her social debut.
pretty sight in a well-known New York
school for young women is the parlor with
its bevy of pretty girls in simple dinner
gowns. each entertaining a caller, youth
full perhaps, but invaluable in this par
ticular stage of her social grooming. over
all is the watchful eye of the chaperon, al
SO in charming evening dress. woman of
gentle manners and unlimited tact.
In many of the schools the chaperon has
been in her time a neted hostess. reduced
to earning her own livelihood She is
great boon to girls in search of the path
to social success
The chaperon invariably accompanies the
girls to the theater. and by example teaches
them how to enter and alight from the
brougham or hanson Before entering the
equipage she gathers up her skirts care
fully so that they will escape contact with
the wheel When she is on the right side
of the cab, she puts the ball of her right
foot on the step of the hanson, and with
one hand firmly grasps the handle rail on
the dashboard. Then. with light move
ment, the left foot is planted on the floor
of the hanson. and with slight turn she
is easily seated in the vehicle.
The Prospective Hostess.
The 5 o'clock teas. so popular In the
pretty sitting rooms and studies of fash
ionable schools. provide the first training
for prospective hostesses. Here the girls
learn to preside over the table without con-
fusion, to select their guests tactfully, and
to see that all are not only served, but en-
tertained.
In many schools the pupil is initiated into
the mysteries of dinner and lunch giving
how to preside over elaborate affairs and
how to train her servants. But even this
phase of domestic science bears directly
upon her social life rather than on house
hold duties. She NAV not be able to name
good food combinations, but she can tell
how the table can be eXquisitely decorated
for smart breakfast. or the oder N which
dishes should be served and removed.
AS practical aids to all this training the
weekly reception and the society playlet
should be claSsed.
To the receptions come many women of
refinement and culture. as well as social
standing. who are interested indirectly in
the school. and who lend their presence and
example to all its social doings.
The plays bring UP questions of good form
and precedence. the answering of which
solves many puzzle that has arisen in the
anxious mind OF the novice.