had brought with her to Lewisburg, packed in the
box with her green ribbon, the box that had been slipped into the
canvas-covered trunk unknown to Miss Eliza. Arethusa had been very sure
there would be Parties for her to attend; had not Miss Asenath told her
so? Had not a dress for them been provided? And the book would clear up
her ignorance of the line of conduct recognized as to be followed at
these entertainments.

The first time she had read it, it had seemed to her to cover every
contingency that might arise in the most varied and active of social
careers. But there was absolutely nothing in it, she was sorry to see,
when she fished it out of the trunk and climbed into her window-seat to
study it this day before the Party, relating at all directly to
dinner-dances; although two whole chapters were devoted to a full
discussion of the subject of dinners.

She went through the pages again and again, but not once did the magic
word she hunted greet her eyes. Then she went back to a paragraph in
one of those chapters headed "Dinners," which had particularly
attracted her attention.

"A Young Lady," so it ran, "should be thoroughly conversant with
the affairs of the day and able to take part in an intelligent
and lively way in conversation regarding the same with her fellow
guests, most especially that member of the other sex next whom she
may be seated at the festive board. In a manner of the proper
reserve and deference to masculine opinion, she should endeavor
to introduce topics that would promote animated and interested
discussion among those nearest her, thus adding to the enjoyment
of the party and assisting the efforts of her hostess to make
the occasion prove an auspicious Event, which is one of the very
first requirements of the true guest. It is well, also, before
attending a dinner-party, where most of the evening's entertainment
inevitably consists of conversation over the delicious viands, to
be ready with thoughts formed for expression as opinions in regard
to the polite arts; to be well-read in the current novels such as
are proper for young females of good family to have read: for talk
and discussion may often be led adroitly in such directions with
pleasure and profit."

Here, Arethusa dropped the little book, bitterly disappointed, to look
out of her window for awhile at the automobiles whirling past her down
Lenox Avenue. S