Evening star., 1914-11-22

TT is no easy matter to chaperon
party of young girls at dance or
other gay function at which there
are men. so if it devolves upon a
youthful matron to undertake this
onerous duty she must be reconclled
to putting her own pleasure IN the
second place. For though 1t is not so
much the custom in this country to
exact a duenna for gallivanting young
persons, when one is asked to act IN
this capacity, and accepts the task, she
is held responsible for all. indecorous
| behavior, however trifling ii may be-
Therefore, if mothers are not quite
certain of the social wisdom and dis
cretion of the young married woman
who is going to the dance or theater
party, they should make an effort to go
themselves to the function. and so
chaperon their own daughters: or else.
after a little wise talk on the subject
! they, should keep their daughters at
home.
The best chaperon for young daugh-
ters carefully brought up is the one
who, does not expect to take an active
part herself in the entertainment-the
woman. who has passed her fortieth
wear and has accumulated good share
of the worlds wisdom. If the chaperon
is necessarily young the mother would
do well to state definitely to her the
things she does not want Catherine or
Mary to do.
At the Theater.
If the function is a theater party,
the best place in the box is. given to
the chaperon. who. even when young
need not necessarily be accompanied by
her husband. The young women are
given the next best places. also as a
matter of course. and the men sit be-
hind them or stand when it is neces-
sary to see the stage more clearly. A
party, and in order that there should
be no doubt on the subject the chap
eron should inquire beforehand or the
mothers if they object to this detail.
At the feast it would be highly in
correct for the men to ask the young
women if they would like 'anything to
drink" and it would be the best taste
for the chaperon to refuse II a Splrltu-
GUS beverage is offered. Ihere may oe
even vulgarity in the choice of dishes
at the theater supper party, so, II you
have not too much understanding or
the fortune of the men who are to nay
! for the feast. choose the simplest dishes
on the bill of fare-sardw and a
/ fruit punch, or a green salad and bread
and butter or ices and cake.
This consideration. which. Of course.
| is explained by the chaperon before
hand to her charges. makes it plain to
| inexperienced girls that it is very bad
| taste to expect too much expenditure
| from a man entertainer who is no re-
| lation.
What to Talk About.
| AS to the talk which goes on be-
! tween the young persons, both at the
| theater and at the supper, it should be
! general, and if at any moment the
| chaperon discovers that one girl Is
being left out in the cold. so to speak
through the others getting more than
their share of attention, she must give
the gentle conversation monopoilzers
70 understand somehow that all the
| Measure is not for them.
well-bred word, laughinsiy put
nerhaps. but preemptory. no."i.h t,l
Standing. may also be whispered IN tne
oar of the man who seems the MOI
sansihle one present. WORD TO the e.
| fen+ that, it is correct for SeEtleinen
aistrihute their attentions eVehi!
At affairs of this sort.
~ ia in such little things that ,ne
otira Measure of a jaunt that inciuoes
.ha two sexes depends. so while LOOK
;np ont for the proprletles !et .is
chaperon also remember the pfioe anu