d of
myself. There wasn't one I wouldn't have been willing to have my father
read--and you know what I think of my father!"

[MANNERS AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS 721]

THE DEBUTANTE.

A large number of young girls enter society without formal introductions.
After leaving school, they assume their social responsibilities with no
formality. It is seldom that a girl enters the social world under
eighteen, or over twenty-two. The early appearance implies no college
career; the later, that, she has spent several years at college or
finishing school.

Increasingly, however, it is becoming the custom to introduce the young
aspirant for social recognition at some function given in her honor. This
may be a ball, a reception, a "coming-out party," a dinner, a tea, at
which the debutante is introduced to the older members of the circle in
which she will move. Whereas her associates heretofore have been young
folk of her own age, she now meets the people of all ages who constitute
what we call society. Her circle of acquaintances will be much enlarged,
and her breeding will be judged by the manner in which she accepts her new
obligations.

A Grave Mistake.--The greatest mistake the debutante can make is to treat
with carelessness and lack of respect the matrons, young or old, to whom
she is introduced. In the arrogance of her youth and ignorance she may
think them "old frumps" and devote herself to her mates in age and
inexperience. But the "old frumps" hold the trump cards; she will be
dependent on them for invitations to many pleasant little functions,
especially those exclusive affairs to which it is an honor to be invited,
and if she is not personally agreeable, there will always be some one else
to take the place that might have been hers, for a chaperon often
influences a young man's invitations. Moreover, by her disrespect for age
and position she advertises her lack of good breeding and social training.

Her Dress.--The debutante dresses in white at her "coming-out party," as a
rule; white being supposed to typify her virginal attitude in the social
realm. The mother receives her guests with her daughter standing at her
side. It is not uncommon for two girls of about the same age who are close
friends to be introduced at the same function. The celebrant's friends
send flowers; sometimes the number of bouquets is so great that a screen
is arranged behind her on which they are displayed. Girls pique themselves
on the number