Mrs. Smith requests the pleasure of Mr. Jones’s company at dinner, on Thursday, January 5th, at seven o’clock.
R. S. V. P.
12 New York Avenue, January 2d, 1875.
The capital letters constitute the initials of four French words, meaning, “Answer, if you please” (Répondez s’il vous plait). The person thus invited must not fail to reply at once, sending a messenger to the door with the note. It is considered impolite to send it by post.
If the person invited has any doubt about being able to attend the dinner at the time stated, he should decline the invitation at once. He should be positive one way or the other, not delaying the question for consideration more than a day at the utmost. If Mr. Jones should then decline, he might reply as follows:
Mr. Jones regrets that he is unable to accept Mrs. Smith’s polite invitation for Thursday evening.
8 Thirty-seventh Street, January 3d.
Or,
Mr. Jones regrets that a previous engagement prevents his acceptance of Mrs. Smith’s polite invitation for Thursday evening.
Thirty-seventh Street, January 3d.