A declination should state a courteous reason.
All such answers are addressed to the hostess alone. If she is married the husband is, nevertheless, omitted from the address.
The reply to an informal invitation should always be correspondingly informal.
For a formal dinner, there should be an even number of guests, eight or ten, or more, with the sexes evenly divided.
Either a round or square table will serve, but it should be large enough to accommodate all the party without crowding.
A pad should cover the table. The white cloth over this should be so large that the corners reach nearly to the floor.
A folded napkin is placed on each plate, with a roll or piece of bread laid within it. Three forks are laid to the left of the plate, with prongs up. Two steel knives are to the right of the plate, and then a silver knife, the edge of each to the left. A soup spoon follows the silver knife, and then an oyster fork. Other utensils are sometimes added, but are not necessary.
A goblet for water is placed before the knives. With it are grouped whatever wine glasses may be required. A small card lying on the napkin carries the name of the guest to be seated here.
When dinner is announced, the host offers his arm to the woman who is to sit on his right, and leads the way to the dining-room. Already, in welcoming the guests, the hostess has made known the dinner-partners, introducing them when necessary. These now follow in pairs to the dining-room. The hostess brings up the rear. The guests find their places by the cards.
The hostess does not rise in greeting a late arrival, even a woman. But the host does, and sees to the seating of the laggard.