“The art of not hearing should be learned by all.”  Young America flouts the chaperon.  The young girl of the middle class guesses she can “look out for herself,” and knows “how to behave.”  Very often she doesn’t know, and sadly demonstrates her lack of the knowledge of life and good sense that would enable her to avoid situations that create gossip.  In European society the chaperon is indispensable and has an acknowledged and honored position.  In America, young women ridicule the idea and young men are decidedly impatient of her presence.  And yet in our more conventional circles it is understood that she is a protection to the girls in her charge, and an oft-needed restraint on young men who are inclined to be too free and familiar.

Mothers as Chaperons.—­A mother is her daughter’s best chaperon.  Very often her health, her home duties and her own lack of social experience unfit her for such a duty.  In that case, she should be glad to put her girls in charge of some more experienced woman.  If all young men were honest and honorable and temperate, the unchaperoned girl would meet with fewer embarrassments.  Think of the awkward plight of a girl should the carriage or the taxicab break down as she is returning home, or the miserable state of the girl whose escort at play or party has taken too much wine!  These things don’t often happen, some one says.  They do happen—­far more frequently than the world at large is aware.

Chaperon’s Lot Not Easy.—­The duties of a chaperon are so onerous that she deserves much gratitude, rather than revilement, for undertaking them.  She must stay at balls and parties when she would infinitely prefer her bed; she must frequent places of amusement that are tiresome to her but agreeable to her young charges; she must remain in the parlor, or in the adjacent room separated only by draperies from it, while the girt entertains men callers, and no woman enjoys being “gooseberry;” she must check too high spirits and prevent “loud” behavior.  And she will many times know that her presence is resented, and sad to say, endure slights in the discharge of her duties.

Chaperons a Social Help.—­Nevertheless, if girls only knew it, the chaperon may be very helpful and aid them materially in having a good time.  She should be a woman of wide acquaintance, accustomed to good society.  Then she will introduce the girls under her charge to nice men whom they should know, and to partners for the dance; see that they are invited to nice places, and that they are correctly dressed.  She must have tact combined with dignity, and be able to reprove little lapses in decorum so tactfully that youth will not take umbrage.  She must make her charges like her, and win and hold their respect.  And it is very important that she should know what not to see—­“the art of not hearing”—­yet she should never overlook anything vital, It will be seen that she should be a person of infinite tact, good nature and courage.