The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-24
MRS. ME1ER'S TEA SMART
EVENT OF YES7ERDA
The Unanswered Invitation Subject of Comment-Mrs
Nabbs Luncheon Brillan-Miss Helen Benners, Hostess
Miss Kathleen Van HOSES Luncheon-Other Notes
Nv MYRTLE MILES.

the postman to present it to the hostess
the morning after the party she feels
that she has discharged every obligation.
Now, l can see no excuse for that kind
of behavior" she continued Mailing a
brief note of acceptance or regret is the
work of moment. while just think of
the time, the care and the expense ones
hostess is giving in order to have you as
her guest. 1t is thoughtlessness, of course,
and the Birmingham women do have a lot
to do, but it Is inexcusable thoughtless-
ness. Now, here l am giving a party to-
morrow afternoon and | have not the
faintest idea whether there will be 100
people there or $50 1t is most discourage
ing, and | feel as IL l will never do 1t
again"
This is only one of many comments
heard on the same subject recently. One
matron told of a card party where three
extra tables with the accompanying
chairs had been placed for the guests who
did not come and gave no sign of the re-
ceipt of the invitations until they paid the
required call a few days later. These
were all girls she said, and, do you
know, it was overlooked because, as the
hostess said, oh, well, you know how
girls are Upon which there was cry
of indignation, and she said, Indeed there
is no reason why a girls carelessness
should be overlooked If anything house
keeper should rather be forgiven for such
neglect when it is remembered that she
has countless real duties requiring her
attention where the society girl has moth
ing but the frivolities to demand hers
AT luncheon last winter" remarked
a woman the other day, "one of the girls
whose place was marked by all the ex-
pensive little frills and -gewgaws incl
dental to a bridesmaids party, failed to
appear at ALL" Indeed" remarked an
other, with the superior air of one tell
ing better one," one of the debutantes
last season failed to arrive at a card
party. friend came in and remarked
that she was on the way, the hostess took
her hand, the game proceeded and she
has never got there yet. nor has she ex-
planned what kept her."
All these experiences must undoubtedly
be very dsquieting to the hostesses; in
deed, from all accounts they are becoming
what might be termed harassing, and to
quote a hostess who is entertaining at
an evening party this week, tho Birming-
ham men are superior to their women
friends In the punctiliousness with which
they respond to invitations. IT find," she
said, that my gentlemen friends are
invariably more prompt than the girls.
Only one or two have left my invitations
unanswered and 1 expect to hear from
them today because they have heretofore
always let me know as soon as they found
out definitely about their business en-
gagements. l suppose men are careful
| because they are accustomed to being
bdsiness-lke. Why women are careless
| am sure l don't know. II everybody
would follow the little plan I have
mapped out for myself that of replying
Immediately to an invitation upon it's re-
ceipt, it would simplify the problem OF
entertaining In Birmingham. / think this
Is now the only difficulty the hostesses
| here have to contend with. | am sure no
southern city has a more pleasant social
| life, but 1t would be an unmixed Joy to
| have every person you invite sit down and
| tell you whether they are coming to your
party or not, and then stick to 1t, now
| wouldn't it7'