An invitation to dinner demands an immediate answer, either accepting or declining. The invitation cannot be accepted conditionally, nor can the decision be delayed. The form of reply should be as simple as the form of the invitation.
17 North Street
April 30th, 1919
Mr. and Mrs. Sloan Potter
accept with pleasure
Mr. and Mrs. John Morehouse’s
invitation to dinner
Tuesday evening, May the sixth
at half-past seven
For a declination, the following form may be used:
17 North Street
April 30, 1919
Mr. and Mrs. Sloan Potter
regret that their absence from the city
must prevent their acceptance of
Mr. and Mrs. John Morehouse’s
invitation to dinner on
Tuesday evening, May the sixth
at half-past seven
The invitation in the form of a note is answered similarly by a note. Thus:
42 Chestnut Street
April 30, 1919
It is with much pleasure that I accept your kind invitation to dinner on Tuesday evening, the sixth, at half-past seven o’clock.
Yours sincerely,
Helen Potter