to her home to dinner. She and Mr. Davis have been formally entertained
in the other home, and the dinner they had there was superintended by a
butler and carefully manipulated by two maids. Now Mrs. Davis has no
maid, her china is very simple, and the food that she and her husband
have, even when they entertain their friends, is plain and wholesome.
Should she, for the great occasion, hire more beautiful china and engage
servants? Should she draw on the savings bank for more delicate viands?

To begin with, Mr. Burke knows exactly what salary Mr. Davis gets. He
knows whether it will warrant such expenditure. Will it make him feel
like placing more responsibility on his assistant's shoulders to see him
living beyond his means? Is it not, after all, much better for people to
meet face to face instead of hiding themselves behind masks? The masks
are not pretty, and in most cases deceive only the persons who wear
them.

Men who are friends in business often like their wives to be friends as
well. It is many times possible to bring about a meeting at the home of
a common friend, but when this is not convenient, one of the women may
invite the other. If the invitation is to dinner, it is not correct for
Mr. Gardner to invite Mrs. Shandon even if he knows her and his wife
does not. The invitation should go from Mrs. Gardner and should be
addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Shandon. If the invitation is for tea, Mrs.
Gardner simply invites Mrs. Shandon, and the nature of the invitation
depends upon whether the affair is formal or informal.

As to which of two women should proffer the first invitation there might
be some discussion. Usually it is the wife of the man whose position is
superior, if they both work for the same concern. It frequently happens
that a man whose position in business is high is married to a woman
whose social standing is not of corresponding importance. Perhaps such a
man has a subordinate whose wife is a social leader. In this case which
of the women should extend the first invitation?

Most women of eminent social rank realize and appreciate the fact
thoroughly. The social leader knows that the other woman might be
embarrassed and hesitant about inviting her to her home. If she does
apprehend this it is only gracious for her to extend the first
invitation herself.

In small towns the rule is for the old residents to call upon the new,
and the wife of a business man who has recently established himself in