[772 Mothers’ remedies]

The Chaperon of the Motherless Girl.—­Nowdays, the wealthy widower, instead of putting his young daughter at the head of the household, secures some woman of good reputation and social standing as his daughter’s chaperon.  She is, practically, the feminine head of the house, and in so far as possible, takes a mother’s place with the girl.  She sees to it that the girl has proper companionship and does not make undesirable acquaintances.  She accompanies her on shopping expeditions, travels with her, attends theatres and parties with her, takes the head of the table if the girl gives a luncheon, and everywhere strives to make life pleasant for her young charge, giving up her own pleasure and convenience for that purpose.

Even the young woman of twenty-five or twenty-seven, at the head of her father’s household, or living in a hotel, should have a companion.

Avoid Espionage.—­And yet, with all this responsibility, the chaperon must avoid anything like espionage.  She must not open letters; she must not be prying and inquisitive; she must not give reasons for the girl she chaperons to regard her as “a dragon.”

A giddy, flirtatious chaperon is a disadvantage to a girl.  She is so desirous of securing attention and having a good time herself that she neglects her charge.  Often she undertakes chaperonage chiefly or entirely in order to go about herself.  Such a chaperon is worse than none at all.

The Girl and the Chaperon.—­A girl should remember that her chaperon stands in the relation of a mother to her for the time being, therefore any disregard of her chaperon’s suggestions or wishes is the same as disregarding her mother’s.  No well-bred girl ever does this—­well, at least not publicly.  If her chaperon gently intimates that it is time to go home, that she is dancing too many times with the same man, or “sitting out” too long, she should cheerfully comply with the hint.  She should not vanish with an escort, leaving her chaperon and others—­to wonder at her absence, but at the close of every few dances, before the beginning of another, ask to be taken to her chaperon.  There her next partner will naturally look for her.

She must at all times treat her chaperon with the utmost respect and deference, remembering the lady is bestowing a favor by taking charge of her, and that it is often at her parents’ request.

At a theatre party, bachelor’s tea, sailing party, excursion, etc., one married woman is sufficient chaperon.

The girl who works, the art and music student, may look after herself, but the society girl must submit to the thralldom of the chaperon.

[Manners and social customs 773]