g at the tea-table,
and gentlemen generally stand about the room, or near the tea-table, at
small "at homes."

* * * * *

=Receiving Guests.=--The servant should precede the guests to the
drawing-room as in "morning calls."

At large "at homes" the hostess should receive her guests at the
drawing-room door, and shake hands with each on arrival. The
drawing-room door should remain open, and she should stand within the
doorway.

At small teas, the drawing-room door should not remain open, and the
hostess should receive her guests within the room, as at "morning
calls."

The guests should arrive from a quarter-past four until half-past five
or six o'clock. The guests are not expected to remain the whole three
hours specified, and are at liberty to remain as long or as short a time
as they please. The earliest arrivals are generally the first to leave.

When the hostess judges it expedient to do so, she introduces one or two
of the ladies to each other, either in a formal manner (see Chapter
II.), or in a semi-formal manner, by saying, "Mrs. A., I don't think you
know Mrs. B."; but she should not say this unless quite certain that
Mrs. B. desires the acquaintance of Mrs. A., or that Mrs. A. has no
objection to knowing Mrs. B.[5]

It is rather the exception than the rule to make general introductions
on these occasions. Introductions should only be made when the hostess
is aware that the persons introduced would be likely to appreciate each
other, or for any reason of equal weight.

The guests should go to the tea-room with any gentlemen of their
acquaintance present, or in the case of ladies with each other, if they
have not done so on arrival.

This move to the tea-room is usually made in the intervals between
music, recitations, etc.

Occasionally, the hostess introduces one or two of the gentlemen present
to the ladies of highest rank for the purpose of sending them into the
tea-room.

A lady should place her empty cup on any table near at hand, unless a
gentleman offers to put it down for her. It is optional whether a lady
removes her gloves or not, and many prefer not to do so.

At large "at homes," the hostess remains at her post the whole of the
time, and hardly ever sits down. At small "at homes," she should move
amongst her guests, conversing with them all more or less. When there
are daughters, they should assist their mother in entertaining the
guests.

When ladie