Guests go the dining-room when they wish without greeting the hostess.
It is not expected that guests at a large reception will stay all the afternoon. Twenty minutes is long enough. It is not necessary to bid the hostess good-bye when leaving. If guests take leave of host and hostess, they should shake hands.
In the dining-room the men, assisted by the waiters, help the women.
When the reception is a small formal one, the guests may stay a longer time, and usually it is better to take leave of the hostess, unless she is much occupied at the time.
HOST. Except when a newly married couple give a house-warming or a reception, the host does not stand beside his wife, but spends the time in making introductions, and doing his best to make the function a success.
When some married woman or woman guest of honor assists his wife to receive, he should at the proper moment escort her to the dining-room.
HOSTESS. The hostess and those receiving with her should be just within the door, ready to receive each guest as announced.
The hostess shakes hands with each guest, and introduces them to those receiving with her.
Friends assisting a hostess to entertain are generally permitted to invite a few of their own friends, and their cards are sent with those of the hostess. A pretty feature is the presence of a number of young women here and there in the rooms to assist in receiving the guests. Music is always appropriate.
HOURS. The hours are from 4 to 7 P.M.