The Virginia enterprise., 1906-12-07
HER DAY THOjME"
ADVANTAGES OF A REGULAR RE.
cEPTioN TIME.
Plan Does Away with Annoyances Of
'nopportune Calls and Allows
Hostess to Be Seen at
Her Best.

How on earth am I to make nv
duty calls If am going to be detained
like this every afternoon?" queried
young Mrs. B., resentfully, gazing
despairingly at her mother-in-law as
1ne door closed on an inopportune
caller. Every day this week I've
been just on the point of setting out
when caller has been announced
And there is another!" she exclaimed
as the whirr of the bell resounded
through the apartment.
The elder woman smiled at tho
younger's comical expression of dis
may, but said nothing until the second
caller had departed.
The only possible way to avoid an
noyances of that Sort" she observed
then, '.ts to have a regular receiving
day and see everybody at once"
But that would be such a lot of
? bother-and so ceremonious, too," OBJ
served Mrs. B., jr, who was brought
up In town where everybody who is
anybody knows everybody else
Observation-Disclosures; but a lot
OF bother'-no. In fact, it is the one
: and only way of avoiding misunder-
standings and waste of time in city
community. You simply set apart one
day in the week-possibly only one
day IN a month-for receiving your
friends; and on that day you make a
point OF being at home, dressed in
your daintiest gown and with your
house very model of spick-and-span-
ness. For the rest of the week, or
until the next reception day comes
around, you are at liberty to come and
go as you please, and, incidentally, to
meet your own calling obligations"
That this is the only practicable
plan for coping with the formidable
question of social calls is now gener-
ally conceded. The modern woman
mas so many interests clamoring for
her time and attention that she must
; needs systematic her social as we'll
as her domestic affairs. The days
when people dropped in on one an
other informally whenever the spirit
= moved them have gone by forever
Even intimate friends recognize the
fact that they can no longer follow
these unconventional methods without
risk Of intruding; consequently, the
adoption of a receiving day, instead of
being frowned down as an attempt to
put on airs,' is regarded as a neces-
sary concession to modern conditions.
That there may be no mistake as to
ones Intentions it is necessary to in
d1cate ones receiving day upon ones
visiting card. 1t may be either en-.
graved or written, but must invariably
appear in the lower left hand corner
Unless specific mention is made to
the contrary it is inferred that one
will be "at home" during the entire
day which does not, of course, include
morning; and it is a distinct breach
OF etiquette to be out during the call
ing hours. It is a good plan to state
the hours, as: "wednesday, to and
8 to H. 1t sounds rather business
like, but at least it leaves no loop
hole for misunderstanding
Most busy women receive only once
in two weeks, their cards being in
scribed thus: First and third Wednes-
days." or Second and fourth Tues
days." For some inexplicable reason
J Wednesday seems to be the favorite
receiving day; hence, if every one
should receive weekly, there would be
few left to make calls. To avoid a
conflict of days" it is not unusual for
women of the same social set to con-
fer together before completing their
arrangements for the season.
Refreshments are not expected at
an informal "at home" although some
hostesses have adopted the pleasant
English custom of having tea and
Wafer-thin slices Of bread and butter
and cake served in the drawing room
at o'clock whether callers are pres
ent or not. AS the duration of an
afternoon call should not exceed 20
minutes it is clear that tea would be
Evening calls may be somewhat ex-
tended, but refreshments are not gen.
orally offered.
Women wear ordinary visiting CO.'S
tune when calling informally, and do
not remove their hats, though it is
permissible to lay aside heavy wraps.
The hostess wears a pretty indoor
gown on such occasions, or, in the
evening, simple dinner toilet. It is
contrary to good form to appear in
the elaborate costume that would be
worn as matter of course at formal
function.
To Clean Mating.