an afternoon card-party. The
usual limit for playing is two hours. The "progressive" fashion requires
the providing of two prizes, the first prize and a consolation prize for
the person having the lowest score. If prizes are given at each table they
should be duplicates. These prizes are wrapped up in tissue paper and tied
with ribbons, and are to be opened at once, displayed, and the hostess
cordially thanked. It is not good form to be ostentatiously generous in
the matter of prizes, nor should guests show themselves too eager to win.

It is customary to engage card tables and chairs for such an
entertainment. The refreshments are served on these tables. Punch is
sometimes served while the game is in progress.

Very often the hostess invites some of her friends who do not play cards
to come in for refreshments at half after four or five o'clock.

Refreshments should not be too elaborate for either afternoon or evening
card-parties. Sandwiches, coffee, and small cakes, or ices and cake, for
the afternoon; salad of some kind with coffee, olives, and some sweet or
fancy wafer, for evening. Men enjoy an oyster stew served hot in the
dining room.

[MANNERS AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS 725]

YOUNG GIRLS' PARTIES.

Until a girl is formally launched in society, her parties are of the
simplest and most informal kind. She will invite a few friends to tea, or
to a card-party, giving informal invitations and confining them to her
school friends and most intimate acquaintances. Games, music, and the like
are the usual amusements. Properly chaperoned, she may give a small
theater party.

Birthday Party.--The largest of her social functions will probably be her
birthday party. For this, her birthday flower will be chosen for
decorations. Her young friends may give her little presents. Once in a
season she may be invited to a small dance given for some schoolmate. This
she will attend, prettily and simply gowned, and properly chaperoned. On
no account will she go alone in a carriage, or with a young man alone. If
she is a well bred girl she will not pique herself in dancing every dance,
nor "split the dances" into fragments to please those who wish to dance
with her. She will be careful not to romp nor laugh too loud; nor to
permit herself to be held too closely in dancing, nor be served too often
with punch.

"STAG" DINNERS.

The woman who wishes to give her husband a birthday party or anniversary
will not go amiss if she makes