Dress.  The hosts and guests wear afternoon
       dress.

  Invitations.  These maybe oral, brief notes, or,
       for a large affair, engraved, and should be
       sent from three days to a week in advance.

  Host. The host should greet his guests at the
       door, shaking hands with each one, and introducing
       to the chaperone those not known
       to her.

He introduces guests who are strangers to each other, bids them adieu, accompanies the women to the door, and escorts the chaperone to her carriage, and if she has come alone without one, may very properly escort her home.

If at a large reception several women have
helped him entertain, he should thank them
and see them to their carriages.

He will, of course, see that there is provided
a dressing-room for women with a maid to
wait upon them, and that the rooms are in
good order, well furnished with flowers, and
that the refreshments are attended to. 

    See also invitations.

Men.  Afternoon dress is worn.

Women.  The invitations, engraved or oral,
should be promptly acknowledged.

Women wear dress customary at afternoon teas, and on their entrance should greet the host.  Upon departing they take leave of him, though this is not necessary if the reception be a large one.

       If a young woman knows that a chaperone
       is present, she need not have her own chaperone
       accompany her.

       If the chaperone leaves early, she should do
       likewise.

Bachelors’ theatre party.  See theatre and opera
       parties given by men.

Badges—­balls (public).  It is customary for men
       and women on the committees to wear on the
       left side of the breast ornamental badges,
       embroidered with the official position of the
       wearer.

Baggage.  If a man is traveling with a woman, he
       should see to the checking and care of her
       baggage. 
         See also traveling.

Wedding trip.  The best man should, some
time before the wedding, see that the baggage
of the bridal couple has been checked, and
the checks given to the groom. 
See also best man.

Balls.  A ball is an evening function, beginning at
       a late hour, devoted wholly to dancing.  The
       costumes are more elaborate, the supper arrangements
       more extensive, and the floral
       decorations more lavish than at a dance.

Accepting invitation to dance.  While a
young woman may accept or decline any invitation
to dance, it is considered an act of discourtesy
to refuse one man for a dance and
to accept an invitation thereafter for the
same dance from another.