thrust out so that her toes are at knee level.  An arm a-kimbo is not a graceful attitude, nor is a twisted spine!  Everyone, of course, leans against a chair back, except in a box at the opera and in a ballroom, but a lady should never throw herself almost at full length in a reclining chair or on a wide sofa when she is out in public.  Neither does a gentleman in paying a formal visit sit on the middle of his backbone with one ankle supported on the other knee, and both as high as his head.

The proper way for a lady to sit is in the center of her chair, or slightly sideways in the corner of a sofa.  She may lean back, of course, and easily; her hands relaxed in her lap, her knees together, or if crossed, her foot must not be thrust forward so as to leave a space between the heel and her other ankle.  On informal occasions she can lean back in an easy chair with her hands on the arms.  In a ball dress a lady of distinction never leans back in a chair; one can not picture a beautiful and high-bred woman, wearing a tiara and other ballroom jewels, leaning against anything.  This is, however, not so much a rule of etiquette as a question of beauty and fitness.

A gentleman, also on very formal occasions, should sit in the center of his chair; but unless it is a deep lounging one, he always leans against the back and puts a hand or an elbow on its arms.

=POSTSCRIPTS ON VISITS=

A lady never calls on another under the sponsorship of a gentleman—­unless he is her husband or father.  A young girl can very properly go with her fiance to return visit paid to her by members or friends of his family; but she should not pay an initial visit unless to an invalid who has written her a note asking her to do so.

If, when arriving at a lady’s house, you find her motor at the door, you should leave your card as though she were not at home.  If she happens to be in the hall, or coming down the steps, you say “I see you are going out, and I won’t keep you!”

If she insists on your coming in, you should stay only a moment.  Do not, however, fidget and talk about leaving.  Sit down as though your leaving immediately were not on your mind, but after two or three minutes say “Good-by” and go.

A young man may go to see a young girl as often as he feels inclined and she cares to receive him.  If she continually asks to be excused, or shows him scant attention when he is talking to her, or in any other way indicates that he annoys or bores her, his visits should cease.

It is very bad manners to invite one person to your house and leave out another with whom you are also talking.  You should wait for an opportunity when the latter is not included in your conversation.

In good society ladies do not kiss each other when they meet either at parties or in public.

It is well to remember that nothing more blatantly stamps an ill-bred person than the habit of patting, nudging or taking hold of people.  “Keep your hands to yourself!” might almost be put at the head of the first chapter of every book on etiquette.