The Chaperon in Middle Class Society.—­While the rules of etiquette are intended to be of general application, there are certain relaxations in middle class society not permissible in more fashionable circles.  This is the case as regard the chaperon.  Many young men on moderate salary would not feel they could afford to buy a ticket to the theatre or concert for a chaperon, or order a carriage.  But is a girl then to be denied permission to accept the invitation?  Under such circumstances middle class etiquette requires that the young man shall be well known to the family as a person of good habits and reputation.  The girl, however, is not supposed to accept an invitation to a supper afterwards.  She may go to a dancing party at a private house or a club in case proper chaperons are provided for the affair and they almost invariably are.  But it is better taste for a party of young people to go together under the care of a chaperon.

When a girl receives a young man visitor, her mother should always meet him.  She should enter the parlor, be introduced if he is a stranger, converse for fifteen or twenty minutes, and excuse herself, leaving the young people to their tete-a-tete.  No girl ever loses a young man’s estimation through being properly looked after.

Under no circumstances should the young girl be allowed to accompany a young man on an excursion without a chaperon.  She should not motor with him alone; another pair of young people should go with them unless a chaperon is included.

GOOD FORM IN SPEECH.

“It isn’t so much what you do; it is how you do it.  Not so much what you think as how you clothe your thoughts that enables you to make a pleasant impression.”

Good breeding is shown in the use of words, quite as much as in manners.  Correct use is evidence of culture and personal refinement.

Use of Slang and Colloquialisms.—­Slang, we are often reminded, is common—­meaning vulgar.  And yet, there are some slang phrases that are so expressive, and convey so much meaning in few words that the temptation to use them is irresistible.  Much use of slang, however, is very undesirable, indicating lack of refinement.  We may be colloquial, but must eschew the vulgar.

Among the words that are bad form we find “folks,” used instead of “family” or “relatives.”  “Ain’t” is one of the most common improprieties of speech and one that has no standing whatever in good language.  “Gentlemen friend.” “lady friend,” are vulgarisms.  We should not speak of young men as “fellows.”

We should say “shops” instead of “stores,” and “station” instead of “depot.”  A depot is a place where provisions and stores are accumulated.  Just how it came to be applied to a railway station is an etymological puzzle.  The use of “learn” for “teach” is incorrect.  “Pupil,” “student” and “scholar” are often used interchangeably, but incorrectly so.  “Pupil” refers to the younger classes in a school.