The state herald., 1907-05-17
FORMS OF SOCIETY
ETIQUETTE THAT MARKS THE
WELL BRED.
Time for Returning First Calls Mat
ter on Which Authorities Differ
-"Housewife" for the
Sewing Room.

First calls should be returned with
in q week, according to Manners and
Social Usages" (Harper Brothers., or,
as some authorities say. within
fortnight. II lady is invited to any
entertainment by new acquaintance,
whether the invitation come through
friend or not, she should immediate
ly leave cards, and send either a re-
gret or an acceptance. To lose time
in this matter is rude. Whether she
attend the entertainment or not, she
should call after 1t within week.
Then, having done all that is polite,
and having shown herself woman or
good breeding, she can keep up the
acquaintance or not as she pleases.
Sometimes there are reasons why a
lady does not wish to keep up the ac'
quaintance, but she must recognize
the politeness extended.
No first visit should be returned by
card only; this would be considered
slight unless followed by an invi'
tation. The size of New York, the
great distances, the busy life of q
woman OF charities, large family. and
immense circle of acquaintances may
render personal visit almost impos-
sible. She may be considered to have
done her duty If she, in her turn, asks
her new acquaintance to call on her
on specified day, If she is not her
self able to call in person.
After balls. amateur concerts, theat-
rical parties, garden parties, "at
homes" cards should be left by all in
vited guests within week after the
event, particularly II the invited
guest has been obliged to decline.
These cards may be left without in
quiring for the hostess, If time press
es or If the weather is bad; but it is
more polite to ask for her. even II II
is not her day. If 1t is her reception
day, 1t would be rude not to inquire,
enter. and pay personal visit. After
a dinner or formal luncheon. one
must pay personal visit These are
called visits of digestion" and per.
son who falls to pay them is thought
10 be lacking in courtesy. especially
In the case OF an invitation to din.
ner.
1t is proper TO call in person. or TO
leave n card after an acquaintance
has lost a relative, after an engage.
ment is announced. after marriage
has taken place. and after return
from Europe; but. rs society grows
larger and larger. these visits may be
omitted. and cards sent II II is impos.
sible 10 pay the visits personally.
a novel and convenient article for
the sewing room is the housewife
made on the plan of suit case. 1t
stands vertically, and is made OF
wood. The upper inside is fitted with
shelves and pegs for spools. hooks for
scissors. etc. and also n small folding
shelf supported by hinges and chains.
The lower part is lined with a pretty
design OF cretonne. against which IL
tackled several pockets OF the same
material for pieces. tapes, etc. three
on one side an large one on the
other. On each side OF the large
pocket Is a brass fixture TO hold
shears. All inside metal fittings are
OF brass, This particular housewife
Is stained n dark brown. with row
OF nickel like n regular suit case. but
II can be made In any color TO match
the furniture of the sewing room
When not In use It can be closed. and
thus be kept free from dust. Al.
though this convenient article is rath.
er expensive TO buy at the shops. any
competent worker in wood can make
II at slight cost.