re, of course, exceptions to this rule, and
circumstances sometimes arise when it is greatly relaxed; but even in
this case it would be in favour of small and friendly dinners rather
than large ones.

During any temporary absence of her husband, a lady would accept
invitations to dine with her relatives and intimate friends, though she
might refuse invitations to large dinners given by acquaintances; but,
as a rule, when it is well known that the head of a house is away for
any length of time, invitations are seldom sent to the wife by givers of
large dinners.

When young ladies are invited to dinner they accompany their father,
mother or brother; but occasionally, when a young ladies' party is given
by a friend of their parents', the young ladies are invited alone, and
they should either go with their maid in a cab or by themselves in their
father's carriage.

FOOTNOTES:

[3] Respecting the arrangement of the dinner table for dessert, see
the work entitled "Waiting at Table."

[4] See the work entitled "Waiting at Table."

CHAPTER XIV

DINNER-TABLE ETIQUETTE

Fashion has its freaks and its vagaries, and in relation to inanimate
objects these freaks and vagaries are but transitory and evanescent, but
when they touch upon manners and modes they become a conventionality and
a custom perhaps for many a year. Changes and innovations, slight as
they are, are more subtle than sudden, and, paradoxical as it may seem,
they are as important as they are insignificant; still it is difficult
to believe that fingers once did duty for forks, and that it was not
customary for a host to supply his guests with forks, who, if fastidious
enough to require them, were expected to bring them in their pockets.

There are here and there people in society who affect a few
eccentricities of manner, but these whims at all times take the form of
originalities and not of vulgarities; and even then are only indulged in
by those whose position in society is secure.

* * * * *

=As regards Dinner-table Etiquette.=--When a lady has taken her seat at
the dinner-table, she should at once remove her gloves; although
occasionally long elbow gloves are not removed during dinner, but this
is conspicuous and inconvenient. She should unfold her serviette and
place it on her lap. It is immaterial whether she places the bread on
the right or left-hand side of the cover when taking it from the
serviette.