Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-02
AFTERNOON AFFAIRS
Polite Procedures in Regard
to Invitations.
CARDS AND CALLING
BRIEF GREETINGS ONLY AT
FORMAL FUNCTIONS.
Hints on Conversation for These and
Other Social
Events.
CARDS AND CALLING
Written for The Star.

gether. The result is a very general form
of entertainment. including the formal in
PRODUCTION of a daughter into social life and
the simple Eat home when friends drop in
for a short chat and cup of tea.
Invitations for the former function en-
graved. and a large stiff pasteboard card
reads something follows:
Mrs. Frederick Park Hunnewell,
The Misses Hunnewell.
At Home
Wednesday afternoon, November
twenty-eighth.
From four until seven o'clock,
10 Berkeley Place.
Written acceptsnces or regrets for invita-
lions of this sort are not necessary. If the
recipient is not able to attend the calling
card is sent by mail the day of the func-
ton. For man at least two cards must
be sent, one to the mother and one to the
eldest daughter. Each is inclosed in sep
arate envelope which fits the card perfectly,
and IL man knows some other daughter
particularly well card is also sent to her.
For girl one card to the mother is all that
Is essential.
In the matter of dress for these formal re-
eeptfons girl always wears light clothes,
with hat and gloves to match, and nowhere
do furs with fluffy scarfs Or bows of tulle
appear to better advantage than in the bril-
| ltantfy lighted and flower-filled rooms of the
sists of frock coat with light trousers white
or gray vest and gray suede gloves. A tall
silk hat is worn with this afternoon suit.
The Time to Arrive.
AS to the proper time for arriving at the
hostess home. person pleases his own con-
venience. Between s and half after the
house is most crowded, and guest has
better opportunity of conversing with the
receiving party II he chooses an earlier or
later hour. Arriving promptly at A. how
ever. is not in good form, and with quar-
ter to as the latest hour of putting in an
appearance guest should take his depar-
ture very shortly after I.
Stationed in the front hall at these large
receptions Is maid or butler, who opens
the door for the arriving guest and directs
him to the room where WRAPS are removed.
In city houses this Is generally upstairs. q
separate room being provided for girls and
one for men, though in the modern apart
rnent hotel one dressing room serves for all,
and is small ante-room just off large
ception room on the ground or second floor
A girl retains all outer wraps with the ex-
ception of a coat, while a man enters the
drawing room unhampered with gloves or
hat or cane.
The receiving party, with the mother or
chaperon first, stands in line by the draw
ing room door. On entering q guest gives
his or her name to the servant who inter-
cepts the way to the hostess. The name
should be uttered very distinctly, though
in subdued tone, In order that the hostess
may be prepared TO meet the right per-
through mistakes in repeating the name.
and a guest must consider the number
which the servant is obliged to repeat as
we'll the endless line of faces that a.
hostess greets during the afternoon.
cordial handshake and courteous
word to the hostess is sufficient, guest
then passing on to speak with the daugh-
tiers and any other young ladies who may
be receiving with them. Unless the rooms
are comparatively empty, these greetings
| should be very short and the guest should
either turn and talk with friends who may
be standing near or make his way to the
dining room.
In the Dining Room.
Here some servant one of the receiv-
Ing party offers refreshments, which COM
prise salad or aspic connection. and later
an ice with cakes and demitasse These
| are eaten while standing. In case a guest
| is unacquainted with other persons in the
room, 1t is quite proper to enter into gen.
eral conversation with some one near who
| is not otherwise engaged.
Twenty minutes Is sufficiently long time
| to remain After few expressions of ap-
probation to the receiving party a guest
takes his departure. As a girl passes out
| the door she drops two calling cards, one
| for the mother and one for the eldest
daughter in a silver tray that rests on the
| hall table or Is held out by a servant for
| the purpose. A man leaves cards for the
mother and daughter. and one for the
father IL his name appears on the invita-
| ton. Should some mutual friend have been
| unable to attend, a girl or man may leave
cards at the same time thus obviating the
necessity of the friends sending the cards
| by mail.
| Invitations for a reception of a less
formal character than the Introduction of
a daughter to society are seldom engraved.
| A hostess calling card serves as the an
nouncement of the function, with the date
of the day she is to be at home in one
corner. If friend is to receive with her.
| this friends name appears in the other
| lower corner. Accepting the invitation in
person sending cards on the day for
which it IS issued is the only answer nee
eSsary.
Suitable attire for such an at home Is
| less elaborate than for a larger reception
and man often appears In business suit
though the frock coat Is in correct form
| A girl wears her best street gown and light
gloves and hat.
On entering the house, the maid who
opens the door presents a silver tray In
which guest places one card and asks to
see the hostess, calling her by her last
name preceded by Miss or Mrs. The maid
should take the card at once to her mis-
tress, the guest following her into the draw
ing room. A dressing room is seldom pro-
vided for Informal afternoon receptions.
man leaves overcoat and hat and gloves
on the hall rack
Suits All Alike.
homes" Is similar to that at formal func-
tons and the etiquette for a debutante's
coming out is equally suited to the former
entertainment. Rooms are always lighted
by artificial means. the shades being drawn
as though for evening. Refreshments are
served In a room adjoining the one in
which the hostess receives, and one or
more Of her friends usually preside at
small tables. Tea or chocolate with sand
witches and small cakes are served rather
than heavy caterers lunch.
Half an hour Is plenty of time to spend
at such function. If the hostess and her
guest Of honor are very busy at the time
of entering. a guest, after few words of
greeting proceeds to the outer room, where
the ladies who are serving are supposed to
see that each person In the room is sup
piled with dainties from the table. On tax
Ing leave guest should make few cour-
teous remarks to each of these women. If
the hostess is very much engaged. 1t is not
necessary to return to her, though the
guest of honor should be spoken to, that
she may know your pleasure at meeting
her and the hope OF seeing her at some fu-
ture day.
The last OF these afternoon receptions is
do nor11x h ~ cp..