Etiquette for Two.

Jerry (sulkily): You're uncommonly cool tonight.
Kitty (in a fascinating spirit of mischief): Oh, no; I am simply behaving well. I have been reading "Etiquette for Young Ladies," by Aunt Margery. Young ladies should not receive gentlemen alone.
Jerry (glowering): No?
Kitty: No. Ben and Clara are out, but papa and mamma and George will be down in a minute.
Jerry (with strong displeasure): Indeed?
Kitty: You may go and lay your hat on the hall rack; or you may hold it.
Jerry: Don't trouble yourself, pray.
Kitty: Oh, I don't mean to. It is not proper for a young lady to dispose of a gentleman's hat. It is only a shade less improper than helping him on with his overcoat.
Jerry (with heavy gloom): You've always done that for me.
Kitty: I blush to think of it. Aunt Margery would have been horrified beyond expression if she had seen me. But the worst thing, positively the most shocking, is going to the door with a gentleman when he takes leave.
Jerry (with sundry sweet recollections, savagely): I am gratified to hear it.
Kitty: I knew you would be. Aunt Margery says so, and she knows. I am so glad I have learned how to behave well. I shall endeavor not to forget anything. I wonder where papa and mamma and George are? It is so improper for me to be alone here with you. (Lapses into a stiff and wrathful silence.)
Jerry (brightening, after a wrathful five minutes): I was going to remark that I have been reading "Etiquette for Young Gentlemen."
Kitty: Yes.

Etiquette for Men.

When paying a call, accompanied by ladies, you must enter the room behind them, and must not greet your hostess until they have done so.


The ladies must be the ones to terminate the call, not the man. Do not rise until they do, and, having made your adieux after them, and opened the door, follow them out of the room.


Should ladies be shown in while you are calling, rise immediately and remain standing until they are seated. When a lady takes her leave, rise also, and hold open the door for her as she leaves the room. You would not, of course, put yourself forward if a gentleman belonging to the house were present, unless you were nearer the door than he.


Source: The Penny Illustrated Paper and Illustrated Times, Saturday September 30, 1905, page 199, Issue 2314

A Delicate Question of Etiquette

Source: The Penny Illustrated Paper and Illustrated Times, Saturday October 05, 1907, Issue 2419.

Etiquette of Chaperonage

Very often a girl has to go out under other chaperonage than that of her mother; and she is sometimes a little in doubt of what is expected of her under these circumstances. She may either go to an entertainment with her chaperon or meet her there, waiting for her in the cloak-room, that they may be announced together.


A girl must remain at her chaperon's side at a ball till she begins to dance. Between the dances she may walk about with her last parter, go and get refreshments with him, or sit in one of the corners provided for the purpose till the next dance begins. Her partner must then take her back to her chaperon, and, unless her next partner encounters her on her way back to the ball-room, she waits by her chaperon's side till he comes to claim her.


Girls with dancing chaperons are sometimes awkwardly placed, since their chaperons may be waltzing while they themselves may be sitting out, and a young girl under these circumstances feels rather shy and lost in a crowded room. If she knows another chaperon present she can ask to sit by her till her next partner comes.