Page:Book of Etiquette, Volume 1, by Lilian Eichler.djvu/213

 to do is to leave cards for the bride's mother, even though she is a total stranger.

Cards must be left by each guest for the lady who has entertained a club, charity or literary organization, at her home. They serve the same purpose as cards that are left after an entertainment or hospitality on the part of the hostess.

The custom of card-leaving without a call is also observed when a friend or acquaintance goes to a home that has been visited by death.

The question has often been asked, whether or not a man or woman being entertained by friends, is obligated to leave cards when they accompany those friends on calls. There are certain varying conditions that govern the answers to this question.

The stranger is invited to accompany the caller primarily as a matter of convenience. If the person visited is not at home, no question of card-leaving is involved—only the friend leaves cards and not the stranger. But if the hostess is found at home, and if the stranger intends to spend at least two weeks in the neighborhood, it is necessary for him, or her, to leave cards. It is not necessary for the stranger to leave cards when the visit in the neighborhood is to be a short one, and the call is entirely a matter of convenience. If no card is left, the hostess will understand that no call is expected in return, and that the stranger expects no invitations to the coming social activities in the neighborhood.

Sometimes a man or woman accompanies a friend or relative to the home of a stranger, for the purpose, pre-