fifteen to twenty minutes being
quite sufficient. A lady paying a visit may remove her boa or
neckerchief; but neither her shawl nor bonnet.

When other visitors are announced, it is well to retire as soon
as possible, taking care to let it appear that their arrival is
not the cause. When they are quietly seated, and the bustle of
their entrance is over, rise from your chair, taking a kind
leave of the hostess, and bowing politely to the guests. Should
you call at an inconvenient time, not having ascertained the
luncheon hour, or from any other inadvertence, retire as soon as
possible, without, however, showing that you feel yourself an
intruder. It is not difficult for any well-bred or even
good-tempered person, to know what to say on such an occasion,
and, on politely withdrawing, a promise can be made to call
again, if the lady you have called on, appear really
disappointed.

28. IN PAYING VISITS OF FRIENDSHIP, it will not be so necessary to be
guided by etiquette as in paying visits of ceremony; and if a lady be
pressed by her friend to remove her shawl and bonnet, it can be done if
it will not interfere with her subsequent arrangements. It is, however,
requisite to call at suitable times, and to avoid staying too long, if
your friend is engaged. The courtesies of society should ever be
maintained, even in the domestic circle, and amongst the nearest
friends. During these visits, the manners should be easy and cheerful,
and the subjects of conversation such as may be readily terminated.
Serious discussions or arguments are to be altogether avoided, and there
is much danger and impropriety in expressing opinions of those persons
and characters with whom, perhaps, there is but a slight acquaintance.
(_See_ 6, 7, and 9.)

It is not advisable, at any time, to take favourite dogs into
another lady's drawing-room, for many persons have an absolute
dislike to such animals; and besides this, there is always a
chance of a breakage of some article occurring, through their
leaping and bounding here and there, sometimes very much to the
fear and annoyance of the hostess. Her children, also, unless
they are particularly well-trained and orderly, and she is on
exceedingly friendly terms with the hostess, should not
accompany a lady in making morning calls. Where a lady, however,
pays her visits in a carriage, the children can be taken