A card to an "At Home" or an afternoon reception does not require either acceptance or regret. If the person invited attends she leaves her card; if not, she sends it by mail to reach the home on the day of the reception.
[784 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
An invitation to a dinner must be answered immediately, and unconditionally accepted or declined.
If, having accepted, it becomes absolutely impossible to keep the engagement, the earliest possible notice must be given to the hostess.
It is unpardonable to be late at a dinner party. Arrivals are expected within ten minutes of the hour named.
One wears the best she has that is suitable for a dinner party.
The reply to an invitation must follow the style of the invitation. If formal, that is, in the third person, the reply must also be in the third person. If informal, the personal form being employed, the reply is also informal.
Do not send your card with "Regrets" written upon it, in response to any invitation, formal or informal.
Telephone invitations are admissible only for informal affairs. General invitations, given verbally, have no social footing. "Do come and dine with us some day," unless followed by a definite date or note of invitation, means nothing.
An invitation given by a man to dine or visit, or to a home entertainment, is not to be accepted unless seconded by his wife.