he same fashion.

Ladies invited to help receive are not simply asked as a compliment to
their friendship. It is not their sole duty to stand beside the
hostess for the hour of coming and smile and shake hands with each
guest and then see no more of them that evening. When a lady issues
invitations for a large evening gathering she usually decides to ask
some intimate friends "to receive with her."

If she expressed what she really meant, and what she supposes her
friends understand, she will say: "Will you come and help me in the
actual entertaining of the guests, for I shall have only time to stand
at the door and say, 'How do you do;' 'Good-by.'" But no, she phrases
it conventionally: "Will you come and receive with me?" And so they
come in a flock and do nothing but "receive."

Should Make Every One Happy.

A woman who is invited "to receive" should arrive at the hour of the
invitation, not one minute before, unless for some especial reason she
is requested to do so by her hostess. She should remove her wraps and
quietly join her hostess in the rooms below, where, probably, she
will have a cup of hot bouillon brought to her at once and maybe a
glass of wine. For a half hour or so she should stand with the hostess
and only take upon herself the task of greeting, but, as the rooms
begin to fill, she should leave her place and go slowly about the
rooms, not talking and visiting with friends, and having a good time
herself, but passing by the groups of gay and lively ones, who know
every one and seek out the solitary and alone. To these is her
especial mission, to make them known to some of her own intimates,
whose friendship is so certain and so warm that it will stand this
demand of introducing a stranger.

An acquaintance is not necessary for this giving of attention. A
member of the receiving party may speak to any one in the room without
even the form of introducing herself, although, if she sees after a
few words that she is unknown she will bring her own name casually
into the conversation, making no effort to do so. Any guest will feel
flattered on being addressed by the ladies receiving.

Making Things Easy for the Hostess.

Another duty she owes is keeping her eyes on the hostess and seeing
that she is never left alone for one single moment in her position by
the door. One of the receiving party ought to be beside her constantly
ready to execute any wish she may express, as, for instance, if she
s