Or two or three intimate friends who perhaps (especially in the country) come to spend the day, are not bound by rules of etiquette but by the rules of their own and their hostess’ personal preference.  They take off their hats or not as they choose, and they bring their sewing or knitting and sit all day, or they go out and play games, and in other ways behave as house-guests rather than visitors at luncheon.  The only rule about such an informal gathering as this is, that no one should ever go and spend the day and make herself at home unless she is in the house of a really very intimate friend or relative, or unless she has been especially and specifically invited to do that very thing.

=THE STAND-UP LUNCHEON=

This is nothing more nor less than a buffet lunch.  It is popular because it is a very informal and jolly sort of party—­an indoor picnic really—­and never attempted except among people who know each other well.

The food is all put on the dining table and every one helps himself.  There is always bouillon or oyster stew or clam chowder.  The most “informal” dishes are suitable for this sort of a meal, as for a picnic.  There are two hot dishes and a salad, and a dessert which may be, but seldom is, ice cream.

Stand-up luncheons are very practical for hostesses who have medium sized houses, or when an elastic number of guests are expected at the time of a ball game, or other event that congregates a great many people.

A hunt breakfast is usually a stand-up luncheon.  It is a “breakfast” by courtesy of half an hour in time.  At twelve-thirty it is breakfast, at one o’clock it is lunch.

Regular weekly stand-up luncheons are given by hospitable people who have big places in the country and encourage their friends to drive over on some especial day when they are “at home”—­Saturdays or Sundays generally—­and intimate friends drop in uninvited, but always prepared for.  On such occasions, luncheon is made a little more comfortable by providing innumerable individual tables to which people can carry the plates, glasses or cups and sit down in comfort.

=SUPPERS=

Supper is the most intimate meal there is, and since none but family or closest friends are ever included, invitations are invariably by word of mouth.

The atmosphere of a luncheon is often formal, but informal luncheons and suppers differ in nothing except day and evening lights, and clothes.  Strangers are occasionally invited to informal luncheons, but only intimate friends are bidden to supper.

=THE SUPPER TABLE=

The table is set, as to places and napery, exactly like the lunch table, with the addition of candlesticks or candelabra as at dinner.  Where supper differs from the usual lunch table is that in front of the hostess is a big silver tea-tray with full silver service for tea or cocoa or chocolate or breakfast coffee, most often chocolate or cocoa and either tea or coffee.  At the host’s end of the table there is perhaps a chafing dish—­that is, if the host fancies himself a cook!