A small girl (or boy) giving a party should receive with her mother at the door and greet all her friends as they come in.  If it is her birthday and other children bring her gifts, she must say “Thank you” politely.  On no account must she be allowed to tell a child “I hate dolls,” if a friend has brought her one.  She must learn at an early age that as hostess she must think of her guests rather than herself, and not want the best toys in the grab-bag or scream because another child gets the prize that is offered in a contest.  If beaten in a game, a little girl, no less than her brothers, must never cry, or complain that the contest is “not fair” when she loses.  She must try to help her guests have a good time, and not insist on playing the game she likes instead of those which the other children suggest.

When she herself goes to a party, she must say, “How do you do,” when she enters the room, and curtsy to the lady who receives.  A boy makes a bow.  They should have equally good manners as when at home, and not try to grab more than their share of favors or toys.  When it is time to go home, they must say, “Good-by, I had a very good time,” or, “Good-by, thank you ever so much.”

=THE CHILD’S REPLY=

If the hostess says, “Good-by, give my love to your mother!” the child answers, “Yes, Mrs. Smith.”  In all monosyllabic replies a child must not say “Yes” or “No” or “What?” A boy in answering a gentleman still uses the old-fashioned “Yes, sir,” “No, sir,” “I think so, sir,” but ma’am has gone out of style.  Both boys and girls must therefore answer, “No, Mrs. Smith,” “Yes, Miss Jones.”  A girl says “Yes, Mr. Smith,” rather than “sir.”  All children should say, “What did you say, mother?” “No, father,” “Thank you, Aunt Kate,” “Yes, Uncle Fred,” etc.

They need not insert a name in a long sentence nor with “please,” or “thank you.”  “Yes, please,” or “No, thank you,” is quite sufficient.  Or in answering, “I just saw Mary down in the garden,” it is not necessary to add “Mrs. Smith” at the end.

=ETIQUETTE FOR GROWN CHILDREN=

Etiquette for grown children is precisely the same as for grown persons, excepting that in many ways the manners exacted of young people should be more “alert” and punctilious.  Young girls (and boys of course) should have the manners of a gentleman rather than those of a lady; in that a gentleman always rises, relinquishes the best seat and walks last into a room, whereas these courtesies are shown to, and not observed by ladies (except to other ladies older than themselves).

In giving parties, young girls send out their invitations as their mothers do, and their deportment is the same as that of their debutante sister.  Boys behave as their fathers do, and are equally punctilious in following the code of honor of all gentlemen.  The only details, therefore, not likely to be described in other chapters of this book, are a few admonitions on table manners, that are somewhat above “kindergarten” grade.