Page:Side talks with girls (1895).djvu/31

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Side Talks with Girls
19

you must be the master spirit that substitutes that which is interesting and innocent for that which is, possibly, customary and not quite so innocent. It is in your power to obliterate the vulgar kissing games by offering instead interesting conversation, cheerful music, and even puzzling contests for them. Society does not approve of freedom, although it may laugh at innocent frivolity.

SOME OTHER SMALL POINTS

To the girl who wants to know, and who has asked me so many times if she must look after a man's coat and hat, I again answer by saying, "No, let him care for them himself." Neither is it necessary for her to follow him into the hall, unless, indeed, she should be seeing off a party, in which are included some girl friends. The girl in society, if she is a social success, soon learns the value of politeness as regards little affairs. She learns to ignore the using the wrong spoon or fork; I mean ignores the little mistake, and realizes that while it is desirable to fully understand all the minor points of etiquette, they do not absolutely comprise pure politeness, for this, my dear girl, must come from the heart. It is your duty, your social duty, to educate gently, and by example, the various young men who come around you, in the little ways of etiquette