't, for the life of me, see what use Cannie could be to
me. I might to her, perhaps, if I wanted to."

The "Manual of Perfect Gentility" was destined to excite more attention
than its donor had intended, in more ways than one. Candace and Marian
fell to reading it, and found its contents so amusing that they carried
it to the morning-room, where Georgie was taking a lesson in
china-painting from her mother, who was very clever at all the minor art
accomplishments. Gertrude came in at the same time, in search of some
crewels to match an embroidery pattern; so they were all together.

"Mamma, mamma, please listen to this!" cried Marian, and she read:--

"'_Directions for entering the room at an evening
party._--Fix your eye on the lady of the house on
entering, and advance toward her with
outstretched hand, looking neither to the right
nor to the left, until you have interchanged the
ordinary salutations of the occasion. When this is
done, turn aside and mingle with the other
guests.'

Now, mamma, just imagine it,--marching in with your hand out and your
eye fixed!" And Marian, relinquishing the Manual to Cannie, flew to the
door, and entered in the manner prescribed, with her eyes set in a stony
glare on her mother's face, and her hand held before her as stiffly as
if it had been a shingle. No one could help laughing.

"I don't think the hand and the glare are necessary," said Mrs. Gray;
"but it is certainly quite proper to speak to the lady of the house,
when you come in, before you begin to talk to other people."

"Here's another," cried Marian, hardly waiting till her mother had done
speaking. "Just listen to these--

"'_Directions for a horseback ride.
Mounting._--The lady should stand on the left side
of the horse, with her right hand on the pommel of
her saddle, and rest her left foot lightly on the
shoulder of her gentleman attendant, who bends
before her. When this is done, the gentleman will
slowly raise himself to the perpendicular
position, and in doing so lift the lady without
difficulty to the level of her seat.'"

"My gracious! suppose he didn't," remarked Georgie, looking up from her
painting. "There she would be, standing on his shoulder, on one foot!
Imagine it, on the Avenue!" And the four girls united in a peal of
laughter.