That the lady invites the man to call, and being thus complimented he should soon avail himself of the permission.
It is the mother's place to invite young men to call, not the daughter's, though she may say "My mother would be pleased to have you call on us," The mother must then meet and assist, for a time at least, in entertaining him.
A first call must always be returned. Afterwards the acquaintance need not be continued.
"Not at home" is no discourtesy to a caller if she is so informed when the maid opens the door. The maid should know whether her mistress wishes to see callers or not.
P. p. c. on a card means "To take leave," and intimates your friend is leaving town for a season.
It is customary for mother and daughter to use a card on which hath names appear when calling together. A debutante, in our most conventional society, has no separate card of her own. If she calls without her mother, she uses this double card, running a pencil mark lightly through her mother's name.
Sisters may use a card in common; it should be engraved "The Misses
Jones," and used when calling together or sending gifts.
The divorced woman, if she drops her husband's name by permission of the court, uses her maiden name on her cards, with the prefix Mrs. If she retains her husband's name, she usually combines her family name with it, as Mrs. Jones Brown.
A card should never be handed to a hostess or any member of the family. Lay it on the table. If a member of the family opens the door, a card need not be used, though one is often left as above.
At afternoon teas, receptions and "At Homes" the visitor leaves a card for the hostess on the tray in the hall, and one for the guest of honor, or the debutante if one is being introduced.