THE CONDUCT OF A GUEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8472, 24 January 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE CONDUCT OF A GUEST.

Suppose you are cordially invited to pass a week at a friend's house. Now, at the expiration of that week, if all the kings of all the nation are to assemble in that place on exhibition, you must not suggest to your hostess that you would like to remain another day if it would not inconvenience her. No matter if she is your own sister, you must remember that she has a husband whom it is her duty to please before all others ; and you may nob know what plans she has formed for the use of his home after the expiration of your visit. Nothing can be more embarrassing for a hostess than to have a guest say, "If I thought it would nob inconvenience you I would like to stay over until after the concert," or after this or that occurrence.

If you have any accomplishment which can give pleasure, ib is your place to exercise it while you are visiting your friends. You should sins:, play, recite, or dance, if you are able to do so, without being urged. lion must seek to give pleasure to your hosts, as well as receive it from them.

ever tax your entertainers with your presence all day long when you are passing some days under a roof not your own. No matter how fond they are of you, your occasional absence—in your room or out for a walk—will be a relief to them ; quite likely they will not know it is a relief, but at the same time they would know that they were taxed if you remained constantly within sight and sound. A tactful guest will know just when to be absent. If you are visiting a wife whose husband is absent, never prolong your visit till his return, as few men care to find guests in the' house to entertain when they return, tired and nervous, from a wearisome railroad journey. If your visit is only half finished, it would be tasteful to make some excuse to be absent for a day at least on the husband's return.

Rob yourself of some pleasure rather than fail to make the servant some kind of a gift. The presence of a stranger in any house adds; materially to the work, and servants do not get the pleasure out of entertaining; which the host and hostess find. A little money or a gift of some kind will render servants gracious and obliging to guest and employer.