Page:Book of Etiquette, Volume 1, by Lilian Eichler.djvu/279

 ''can say or do to make your sorrow any the less. Yet I cannot refrain from offering my sincerest sympathy, and along with it the hope that Time, which softens all things, will make even this easier to bear.''

Believe me, most sincerely yours,

Lillian M. Roberts.

Mourning or white paper is always used when answering a letter of condolence, except when the engraved cards of acknowledgment are sent. These are severely plain, and the message is always brief. Often they are sent in the name of the entire family, as:

This is certainly the easiest way for the bereaved to express their gratitude, though simple notes of thanks may be sent instead of the more formal card.

It is often a moot question among friends as to who shall write the first letter. Generally speaking, it is the one who has gone away rather than the one remains behind who writes first, though among good friends there is no more necessity to count letters than there is to count visits. The writer knew a college girl who, when she came home, decided to wait before writing and see how many of her friends cared enough for her to write to her.