. A widow may act her pleasure as to
using her Christian name or her late husband's on her card; the latter is
customary. It would be a social convenience to use the Christian name, as
with the prefix "Mrs." widowhood would be indicated.

[690 MOTHERS' REMEDIES ]

THE ETIQUETTE OF CALLS.

As has been said, a woman is expected to call on her friends once a year
at least. The "Day at Home" has rather gone out of fashion. It imposed an
obligation on the hostess which often proved irksome, interfering with
engagements she might wish to make. If, however, one has "a day," her
friends should so far as possible observe it.

Time and Manner.--The time limit of a call is fifteen or twenty minutes,
not to exceed the latter. This is the protection society affords us from
bores. We can endure even the most tiresome of visitors for fifteen
minutes.

If one does not wish to see callers, the maid or whoever answers the door
should be so informed; the conventional "Not at home" being perfectly
proper; it is merely a polite way of saying it is not convenient to
receive anyone. But for the maid to say "I will see, if Mrs. A is at
home," and return to say she is not at home or not receiving, is a grave
discourtesy. Nor should one keep a visitor waiting while she makes an
elaborate toilette; better say "Not at home." The call counts as a visit
whether the lady is at home or not, and must be returned. It is not
customary to invite a visitor to be seated, to come again, or urge a
longer stay. It is supposed she will take the initiative in these
particulars; and too, that the fact that the two exchange visits warrants
a certain wontedness of habit. Still, among intimates it is by no means
unusual for the hostess to say "Do come again soon; I always enjoy you so
much I should be glad to see more of you," or for the departing visitor to
say: "I shall hope to have the pleasure of seeing you at my home soon."

Men's Demeanor.--A man calling upon a lady either takes his hat and stick
into the reception room with him, or deposits them in the hall; she does
not instruct him what disposition to make of them. He removes his overcoat
of his own volition, or retains it, as he pleases; the lady does not
suggest its removal. This is the strict letter of etiquette. As a matter
of fact, many a man would feel snubbed, and the hostess that she failed in
cordiality, if she failed to invite him to lay aside his coat. One must be
governed by the customs of