She may accept invitations in which the hostess is not included, but never
without due consultation with her hostess.
She should show herself pleased with the efforts made to entertain her and
enter into them readily.
She should leave promptly at the expiration of the time set for her visit.
It is almost invariably a mistake to outstay the limit. If no limit was
named in the invitation, she should, within a day or two of her arrival,
state the date on which she will leave.
On her return home, her first duty is to write her hostess, announcing her
arrival and expressing her pleasure in the visit. To omit this is a grave
discourtesy. A hostess once said of a woman who failed in this particular:
"We don't know whether she reached home or not; we never heard from her
after she left."
On departure, maids or servants who have attended one should receive a
gratuity, proportioned to the means of the visitor and the style of the
establishment.
The hostess should arrange to have the visitor met, either meeting her in
person at the station or being first to greet her on her arrival at the
house.
Guest rooms should be in perfect order and equipped with every possible
convenience for the comfort of visitors.
The hostess arranges whatever pleasures are possible for her guest's
enjoyment, invites her friends to call on her, and probably gives a tea or
reception in her honor.
Do not forget that it is ill-bred as well as unkind to discuss the family
affairs of one's hostess with others; to criticise or complain of her
arrangements; or gossip about her or her family.