the wrong
people and thus miss much that belongs with and makes pleasant the smaller
affair.

No woman need hesitate at inviting a few friends to have luncheon with
her. She may prepare a simple meal, and if it is nicely served and she
herself gives the cordiality and the conversational impetus that "keeps
things going," her guests will find it enjoyable. She may adopt as much of
the regular method of serving as befits her home and its resources, but
she must make her table as beautiful as possible, and she must not serve
"stewed hostess."

TABLE ETIQUETTE.

We have seen how a table should be laid and a meal served; now let us see
how it should be eaten:

There is no situation in which one's good breeding is so much in evidence
as at the table. For that reason, mothers should begin to train their
children in infancy to correct usage. As soon as a child is able to hold a
spoon and fork, he should be taught how to hold them properly, and the
training should be continued until the right habit is established.

One should not be seated until the lady of the house is seated, unless
especially requested to do so. Children should observe this rule as
rigidly as that which requires the removal of the hat on entering the
house.

[MANNERS AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS 705]

At the Table.--On being seated, the napkin is unfolded and laid across the
lap. It is more correct to only unfold one-half, that is, open it at the
center fold. One is not supposed to require further protection than from
the accidental crumb. On no account should it be used as a bib, or be
tucked in the dress or waistcoat.

Grape fruit is eaten from an orange spoon. If oysters are served raw, they
must not be cut but eaten whole.

Soup must be taken from the side of the spoon, quietly, with no hissing or
other sound, nor should the spoon be so full that it drips over. The
motion of the spoon in filling it, is away from instead of towards the
person; and tilting the plate to secure the last spoonful is bad form.
Crackers are never served with soup: croutons--small squares of bread
toasted very hard and brown, or small H. & P. biscuits are passed. These
are never put into the soup, but are eaten from the hand. Neither soup nor
fish should be offered the second time.

Fish is generally eaten with a fork and a bit of bread, though silver fish
knives are in occasional use. The entree which follows the fish should be
eaten with the fork only. A mouthful of meat