Chapter XI.

_TABLE MANNERS._

SECOND TWO YEARS.

ILLUSTRATIVE LESSONS.

LESSON 30.

=Purpose.=--To show the necessity of good table manners.

=Method.=--Questions.

_The Lesson._

Suppose you should see at any table a young lady, very pretty and very nicely dressed, a perfect stranger to you, and she should say to the servant, in quite a loud tone of voice, “Hurry, and bring me my dinner.” What would you think of her, Henry?

“I should think she had not learned to be polite.”

Suppose she should eat very rapidly, putting the food to her mouth with a knife, what would you think of her, Kate?

“I should think she knew very little about good manners.”

And if she should take the choicest of everything on the table for herself?

“I should say she was very selfish.”

How have you formed these opinions of the young lady?

“From her table manners.”

Then good table manners are very important. Why?

“Because people judge us by them.”

LESSON 31.

=Purpose.=--To show the deference due the lady of the house at table.

=Method.=--A conversation.

_The Lesson._

Who is the lady of the house, usually?

“The mother of the family.”

What seat at table does she usually occupy?

“She sits at the head of the table.”

Is there any way of knowing when we shall take our seats at table? Shall we take them just as it happens?

“We should take them when mother does, not before.”

Or if we are away from home?

“When the lady of the house does.”

Yes, or when the one who presides at the table sits.

How long should we sit at table, John?

“Until we have finished eating.”

It is not proper to leave as soon as we have finished.

Can any one tell when we should rise from the table?

“When the lady of the house rises.”

Yes. Suppose it is necessary to leave before that?

“We should ask to be excused.”

Can you think of any other politeness to be shown the mother, or the lady of the house, at table?

“We should be prompt at meals.”

Where?

“Both at home and away from home.”

Why?

“Because it is impolite to keep people waiting for us.”

LESSON 32.

=Purpose.=--To specify some polite usages at table.

=Method.=--A conversation.

_The Lesson._

I would like you to tell me some things about table manners. You may think of polite ways of asking for things at table, and I will write them on the blackboard as you give them. But first you may tell me whom you should ask.

“A servant, if there is one.”

And if not?

“Any one who can easily reach what is wanted.”

You may tell me _how_ to ask.

“Please pass the bread.”

“May I ask you for the bread?”

“Will you be so kind as to pass the bread?”

Yes, and if you are asked if you would like the bread, what should you say?

“If you please.”

“And ‘Thank you,’ if you take it.”

If you should not wish it?

“No, I thank you.”

“Or, ‘Not any, I thank you,’”

How do you know these expressions are polite?

“Polite people use them.”

SUBJECTS FOR ADDITIONAL LESSONS.

Use of fork and spoon, with practical illustrations.

Impoliteness of rapid eating.