When younger people come to visit the daughters, it is not necessary that their mother stay at home, since the daughters take their mother’s place.  Nor is it necessary that she receive the men friends of her son, unless the latter for some unavoidable reason, is absent.

No hostess must ever fail to send a car to the station or boat landing for every one who is expected.  If she has not conveyances enough of her own, she must order public ones and have the fares charged to herself.

=GREETING OF THE HOST=

The host always goes out into the front hall and shakes hands with every one who arrives.  He asks the guests if they want to be shown to their rooms, and, if not, sees that the gentlemen who come without valets give their keys to the butler or footman, and that the ladies without maids of their own give theirs to the maid who is on duty for the purpose.

Should any of them feel dusty or otherwise “untidy” they naturally ask if they may be shown to their rooms so that they can make themselves presentable.  They should not, however, linger longer than necessary, as their hostess may become uneasy at their delay.  Ladies do not—­in fashionable houses—­make their first appearance without a hat.  Gentlemen, needless to say, leave theirs in the hall when they come in.

Travel in the present day, however, whether in parlor car or closed limousines, or even in open cars on macadam roads, obviates the necessity for an immediate removing of “travel stains,” so that instead of seeking their rooms, the newcomers usually go directly into the library or out on the veranda or wherever the hostess is to be found behind the inevitable tea tray.

=GREETING OF THE HOSTESS=

As soon as her guests appear in the doorway, the hostess at once rises, goes forward smiling, shakes hands and tells them how glad she is that they have safely come, or how glad she is to see them, and leads the way to the tea-table.  This is one of the occasions when everyone is always introduced.  Good manners also demand that the places nearest the hostess be vacated by those occupying them, and that the newly arrived receive attention from the hostess, who sees that they are supplied with tea, sandwiches, cakes and whatever the tea-table affords.

After tea, people either sit around and talk, or, more likely nowadays, they play bridge.  About an hour before dinner the hostess asks how long every one needs to dress, and tells them the time.  If any need a shorter time than she must allow for herself, she makes sure that they know the location of their rooms, and goes to dress.

=A ROOM FOR EVERY GUEST=

It is almost unnecessary to say that in no well-appointed house is a guest, except under three circumstances, put in a room with any one else.  The three exceptions are: 

    1.  A man and wife, if the hostess is sure beyond a doubt that
    they occupy similar quarters when at home.