Volume I Part 28 (2/2)

_16 Blake Hall, June 14, 19--_

_My dear Mrs. Blank:_

_Harold will be seven years old on Thursday, the eighteenth of June. We are planning to give a little party for his friends on the Sunday following, June the twenty-first. I know he will not be happy unless little Marian is present. I do hope you will let her come._

_If the nurse brings Marian here at three o'clock, she will be in time for the opening game, and I will see that she arrives home safely at about half past six._

_Cordially yours,_

_Helen M. Roberts._

A friendly note of acceptance or regret should be written promptly upon receipt of the above, and if the child is unable to attend, the reason should be given.

Very often, a young host or hostess has a very large and formal party, in which case the invitations must be quite as dignified and formally correct as mother's. For instance, the youngsters who entertain their friends at a small afternoon dance word their invitations in the following manner:

_Miss Jean and Master Walter Curran would like to have the pleasure of Miss Helen Thompson's company at a dance at 3 o'clock Thursday afternoon, November third Clover Hall_

A young boy or girl just old enough to write his or her own invitations, may find some useful suggestions in the following model for a birthday party:

_Hanover Court, October 6, 19--_

_Dear Elizabeth:_

_I am going to have a birthday party on Sat.u.r.day afternoon, the thirteenth of October, at 3 o'clock. All of our friends from dancing school and a good many of Jack's friends from his school will be here. We are planning a donkey game, and I am sure we will all have a great deal of fun. Won't you come, too? I shall be very disappointed if you cannot._

_Sincerely yours,_

_Helen Camden._

It is always wise, however, for the children to make some sort of acknowledgment of the formal engraved invitation, for it impresses upon them the importance of their social duties.

INVITATIONS TO A CHRISTENING

It is not usual for many guests to be invited to the christening of a child. But when it is made an occasion of formal entertainment, it is necessary to have engraved cards prepared and issued to friends and relatives. Here is the correct form:

_Mr. and Mrs. John B. Meredith request the pleasure of your company at the christening of their son on Tuesday, April second at three-thirty o'clock Ten, Jerome Avenue_

The letter requesting a relative or friend to serve as G.o.dfather or G.o.dmother must be tactful and well-worded. It is usually very intimate, for no one with fine sensibility will ask any except a dear friend to act as G.o.dmother or G.o.dfather. Such a request is much better given in person than by letter, whenever it is possible. And it requires an answer in kind. We give here one brief letter of request, and another of acknowledgment, to serve as suggestions:

_34 Kinston Road, March 5, 19--_

_Dear Mr. Burke:_

_Jack and I have both agreed that we would rather have you serve as G.o.dfather for John Paxton, Jr., than anyone else. We hope that you will not refuse._

<script>