1. Drum. 2. Assassin. 3. Bat. 4. Sole, soul.
This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.
"How shall I perform an introduction?" inquires a girl who likes to do things gracefully, and who is entirely right in her notion that for most things there is a right way and also a wrong one.
Introducing people is neither difficult nor occult, and it requires no special training. There are a few very simple rules to be observed. You present a gentleman to a lady, and a younger to an older person. You are careful to speak clearly and distinctly, for nothing is more embarrassing than to have a stranger's name mumbled so that it remains unknown, thus defeating the end of the introduction. You do not say, "Mamma, let me present my classmate," leaving your mother to guess at the part of your speech which was really the most important; you say, "My classmate, Miss Leonard." And, equally, when you are introducing Miss Leonard to your friend you do not say, "Alice, may I introduce my cousin Sophie," in which case neither young woman would have the least idea of more than the other's Christian name. If a person is a personage—a professor, or doctor, or clergyman, or in any way noted or famous—the tactful young girl makes the title a part of her introduction, so that the people presented to him are aware that they are honored by the new acquaintance.
When you ask your friends to a little informal tea, at which a visiting friend in town, or an author, or artist, or distinguished stranger is the guest of distinction, you simply write on your own ordinary visiting-card: "Tuesday [or whatever day you select], July —, from four to seven. To meet Madame Thus-and-so." No formally engraved invitation is required for what is a purely spontaneous affair in which informality is part of the attraction. The day and hour arrived, one stands near the door of the drawing-room with her guest, and with any other lady who is receiving with her. As they enter, friends who call are presented to the guest; the guest is not presented to them; and here the rule about age is waived, for the company are gathered for the express purpose of doing the guest honor and giving her pleasure. Only light refreshments are needed in summer—iced tea, coffee frappé, small cakes, and very thin biscuits, with possibly an ice, are admissible at such a gathering.
To the girls of fourteen who anxiously inquire concerning the length of their frocks I can only say that custom just now indicates common-sense in this matter. Have your frocks to the tops of your boots, and enjoy the freedom of walking, and playing games, bicycling, etc., which this length gives. A girl of fourteen needs very simple frocks. She is not out in society, and nothing in the way of costliness or great elegance is expected of her, nor would it be appropriate.
The prettiest fashion in hair-dressing for very young girls is either to wear the hair in lovely loose curls or else in long braids. One thick braid is apt to be less comfortable than two braids, and as a girl can seldom do her hair nicely herself, she should get her mother or sister to help her, unless there is a maid who has time to give the hair the careful brushing it needs. I do not advise shingled hair for girls of any age. Sometimes, if the hair is very thin and dry, a little vaseline may be rubbed into the scalp at night, but usually regular brushing will be sufficient to keep it in nice order. Do not have a frowzy and untidy appearance in any part of your dress. A little pains is well worth the taking, for your friends' sake as well as your own.