Servants should be taught always to answer the telephone politely and intelligently. When answering, a servant should say whose residence it is, if asked, not by giving the family name, as “Smith,” but as “Mr. Smith,” and then, if asked who is at the instrument, she should reply, “Mrs. Smith’s cook” or “maid.”
One’s individual manners, and ordinary polite or impolite forms of address, are very noticeable when accentuated by the telephone.
CHAPTER VI.
The Table and Service at Table,
Habits at Table, Servants
and Serving.
“God may forgive sins, but awkwardness has no forgiveness in Heaven or earth.”—Hawthorne.
THE TABLE AND SERVICE AT TABLE.
The table looks best when not over-decorated. The housekeeper who cannot make changes in her table decoration finds that a mirror centerpiece is a background that multiplies the beauty of her flowers, fruit, leaves, or whatever may constitute the decoration.
A unique and effective decoration for a luncheon table is made of long, narrow bouquets of white carnations, tied with bows of yellow satin ribbon, and arranged so that the ribbons all meet in the center of the table, while the points are directed towards the guests. The effect is of a great golden-hearted daisy.