3. See that the glass, silver, and steel are polished.
4. Decide on the number to be served.
ARRANGEMENT
1. Place a silence cloth of felt, woollen, or thick cotton:
(1) To prevent the dishes from making a noise
(2) To give the table a better appearance
(3) To preserve the table top.
2. Lay the cloth, placing the centre of the cloth in the centre of the table and spreading it smoothly, having its folds parallel with the edges of the table.
3. Arrange a centre-piece, using a vase or basket of flowers, a small plant or a dish of fruit.
4. Put a plate at each person's place and lay the cutlery and silver beside it about one inch from the edge of the table, in the order of use, those used first on the outside, or farthest from the plate. At dinner these plates are usually placed before the one who serves.
(1) Place the knives at the right side, with the sharp edges toward the plate.
(2) Place the forks at the left side, with the tines up.
(3) Place the soup spoons at the right of the knife, bowl up.
(4) Place the dessert spoons in front of the plates, the handle to the right, the bowl up.
(5) Place the dessert forks with the other forks, or in front of the plates with the dessert spoons.
5. Place the water glasses at the end of the knife blades, top up.