Page:Advice to young ladies on their duties and conduct in life - Arthur - 1849.djvu/151

Rh she coolly waits for the gentleman nearest the door to get out of the vehicle, in order that she may get in; and it most generally happens that, for the sake of appearances alone, some one of them yields his place,—no matter whether he be too much indisposed to walk without great fatigue, or be in haste on important business,—and the lady gets in, perfectly unconscious of the fact that every one of her male fellow-passengers feels that she has trespassed upon their good feelings as men. The true lady, the moment she discovers that the stage is full, retires; but it is very rarely that she is not immediately recalled by some one, who says he has but a short distance farther to go, or who will stand outside, or who professes to be in no hurry, and would just as lief walk as ride. When pains are thus taken to make room for a lady, she should, in most cases, accept the offered seat with an expression of thanks, as, by so doing, she will afford the person who tenders it far more pleasure than if she were to decline the politeness. There is often more lady-like feeling displayed in accepting an offered kindness, than in declining it. It is not a little curious to see how these very ladies, who expect so much from gentlemen, seem to forget that any thing is due from them. Who has not come to the door of an omnibus,