It is customary for the family to be in retirement at the hour of the funeral, and they are the first to enter the carriages.
Those in charge of the house should, after the funeral party has left, arrange the apartments to make them as cheerful as possible, and also provide a substantial meal for the mourners on their return.
GARDEN PARTIES.
CARDS. Guests leave their cards in the hall either when entering or leaving only at large garden parties.
DRESS. It is customary for women to wear light afternoon dresses.
Men wear summer business suits, yachting flannels, and straw hats, and even white duck trousers. Gloves are not worn.
The regulation frock coat and high hat is not worn, save by men from the city or at some extremely fashionable affair.
GUESTS. After leaving their outer garments in the dressing-rooms, the guests should pay their respects to the hostess, after which they are free to enjoy themselves as they please.
The usual length of stay is about half an hour or the whole afternoon.
While guests may arrive at their own convenient time, they would do well to remember that they have not the same freedom to come and go as at an afternoon reception.