The late H. C. Bunner and the more recently deceased T. B. Aldrich cherished an aversion for each other.  They were not acquainted, but disliked each other on general principles, both being engaged in literary work.  They happened to meet at an entertainment where Bunner was in the house of his friends and Aldrich an outsider.  Bunner’s native kindliness and courtesy made it impossible for him to see anyone uncomfortable in a friend’s house.  He introduced himself, carried Aldrich to his host’s “den,” and over a cigar and a glass of “Scotch” began a friendship that was ended only by death.

School Girls’ Etiquette.—­Etiquette is not so formal among school girls, though its form remains the same.  Propinquity in classes, and the being thrown together by mutual aims and interests, excuses informal friendliness.  In some women’s colleges there are what may be termed “unwritten laws”—­school traditions—­never set down in books but handed on from class to class.  Thus a member of a lower class would not take precedence of a Senior, either on entering or leaving a room, or at table.  She would introduce her friends, even her parents, to the Senior and to any member of the Faculty instead of the Senior to them.  These little matters of punctilio have to be learned by observation, or by the grace of some friendly classmate who happens to be conversant with them.

[688 Mothers’ remedies]

Card and calling etiquette.

For Women.—­Card etiquette has been jocosely termed “going into society in a pasteboard way.”  Yet cards have a very essential part in the social regime.  They are the expedient resorted to by the woman with a large circle of acquaintances and many engagements, for keeping herself in mind.

A card represents a visit, or acknowledges a courtesy in the way of an invitation, There are well-defined rules which regulate the use of cards, familiarity with which is necessary to all who have social aspirations.  And the questions most frequently asked by the novice relate to whom and when they should be sent or left.

A General Rule.—­Though calling has, in a degree, “gone out of fashion,” the general rule is that a woman should call on her friends and acquaintances once a year.  This signifies the desire to continue the relationship.  If she finds her friend at home she gives her name to the maid and at the conclusion of the visit leaves her card on a table or some convenient place.  If her friend is out, the maid receives her card on a tray.  In each case a visit has been paid and the card is a reminder that the obligation has been discharged.  At this call, if it is the first, or expected to be the only one of the year, a married woman leaves one of her cards for each lady in the family, and one of her husband’s for each lady and one for the man of the house.  One card, of her husband’s may include several grown daughters.  If she calls again during the season, she may leave her own cards only, though she should acknowledge an invitation received by her husband by leaving his cards.  Cards are never to be handed to the lady of the house or any member of the family.