" Men over forty doubtless recall with a shudder, that
awful custom which compelled a man to get into his dress clothes at
ten A.M., and pass his day rushing about from house to house like a
postman. Out-of-town clubs and sport helped to do away with that
remnant of New Amsterdam. Next came the male revolt from the
afternoon "tea" or "musical." A black coat is rare now at either
of these functions, or if seen is pretty sure to be on a back over
fifty. Next, we lords of creation refused to call at all, or leave
our cards. A married woman now leaves her husband's card with her
own, and sisters leave the "pasteboard" of their brothers and often
those of their brothers' friends. Any combination is good enough
to "shoot a card."
In London the men have gone a step further. It is not uncommon to
hear a young man boast that he never owned a visiting card or made
a "duty" call in his life. Neither there nor with us does a man
count as a "call" a quiet cup of tea with a woman he likes, and a
cigarette and quiet talk until dressing time. Let the young women
have courage and take matters into their own hands. (The older
ones are hopeless and will go on pushing this Juggernaut car over
each other's weary bodies, until the end of the chapter.) Let them
have the courage occasionally to "refuse" something, to keep
themselves free from aimless engagements, and bring this paste-
board war to a close.
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