Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/201

Rh sake of meeting friends and passing an agreeable evening, than for the sake of what they eat; but I have known our ladies refuse to eat either dinner or supper, so that they might be able to eat the more at night, or as many of them express it, that they might stuff themselves; and often when I have been so tired I could scarcely stand, and perhaps tasted nothing for twelve hours, and would complain of being hungry or tired, they would say to me, never mind, you will be there to-night, stuff yourself. I would only smile, but often wished I could teach them a lesson of refinement. Yes, I have seen our ladies and gentlemen standing round the door of the supper room before supper was announced, and actually I have heard the waiter beg for room to carry in the jellies, ice creams, and so forth. When the door opened there was a general rush, as though there was a fire in some part of the house from which they were endeavoring to escape, and all would be confusion to know who should seize the bouquets and anything else the table might be ornamented with, and as for bonbons, the first table or those who were first at the table, got them all. I have known ladies take home as much as three or four dollars' worth at a time. I know, however, many who are exceptions to this rule, who go to parties, enjoy themselves very much and leave before the supper is announced.

The refreshments that are provided in this country for two hundred people, would be sufficient for a thousand in Europe, for the ladies do not touch any of the ornaments of the table, and as for taking away anything from the table, no lady would so far lower herself as to take the most trifling thing; but I have