Part 12

accept with pleasure

Mrs. Stratton’s kind invitation

for April third.

Thirty Abernethey Row

May twenty-fifth, 1919_

A refusal might be in the following form:

_Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Brewster

regret that a previous engagement

prevents their acceptance

of Mrs. Stratton’s kind invitation

for April third

Thirty Abernethey Row May twenty-fifth, 1919_

When the invitation is by means of the visiting-card, an answer is not obligatory. Yet, it is well to acknowledge this form of invitation, also, by sending a short note written in the first person, either accepting or refusing.

Of course, when the invitation itself takes the form of a note, the answer should follow the same style.

It is part of the duty of the hostess to put her house in order, as well as the grounds. The guests on arriving may, in many cases, go within before greeting the hostess, to lay aside wraps or heavy veils. Moreover, weather conditions may make it necessary to seek shelter indoors. It is often convenient also to have the refreshments set out on the porch. These should include hot and cold tea, punch or claret-cup, cakes, sandwiches, salads, fruits in season, and the like, which are partaken of by the guests according to their pleasure.

Or a marquée may shelter the refreshments—a tent roof set up at any desired place on the lawn.

The hostess receives her guests on the lawn. She wears an afternoon gown, suitable for the season, and a hat. But, if she prefers, she may leave off the hat, and use a parasol in its stead.

The women guests, too, wear their most effective afternoon gowns and also hats and veils and gloves, which are not taken off.

The men may wear frock or morning coats and silk hats, and this garb is common at garden-parties in England. In this country, however, more comfortable clothes are popular, and flannels, or other fabrics of light material, are favored.

Guests leave their cards on a tray provided for that purpose in the hallway of the house. The requirements concerning cards have already been fully explained in the chapters on cards and at homes.

After greeting the hostess, a guest must remain for at least twenty minutes, and may properly continue on throughout the whole afternoon.

Discretion should be used in the matter of saying farewell. It should be omitted if the hostess is occupied. If she is free, good-bye may be spoken, and with it a phrase in appreciation of the hospitality.

HOUSE-PARTIES

THE HOUSE-PARTY is made up of any number of guests, from half a dozen to a score, and may be merely for a few days or for any desired length of time. But, whatever is to be the length of the guest’s stay, it should be specifically stated in the invitation. It is a common saying that an invitation that sets no time for the visit is no invitation at all, and the saying is quite true.

So, in writing her invitation, a hostess mentions the exact day for the guest’s arrival, and, as well, the exact day of departure. The invitation is always a note written in the first person. The following may serve as an illustration:

The Oaks, Hyde Park. April 10, 1919.

Dear Mrs. Ashland:

I should be delighted to have you come to us for the next week-end, and I hope that there is no previous engagement to prevent your giving us this pleasure.