Foods and home making

What shall be done when accidents occur at the table? There is an old saying which goes, “ The least said, the easiest mended.” This advice should be followed after an accident at the table. Of course, you should say some such thing as “ I am so sorry. Please excuse my awkwardness.” If you express your regret briefly and sincerely (for who is not disturbed when an accident occurs in the presence of those before whom he would like to appear well?), you are doing the best you can under the circumstances. To continue expressing your regret in a profuse manner is unpleasant to the other guests at the table. If you are a guest at a meal, the hostess will assure you that it is of no consequence and will see that the damage caused by the accident is repaired. If no maid is waiting on table, it may be that you can help the hostess in repairing the damage. If you are in your own home and there is no one waiting on table it will probably be best for you to remedy the accident rather than let your mother do it. In case you drop a piece of silver on the floor, do not attempt to recover it during the meal. The hostess will see that another piece of silver is given you. In your own home, you can get the clean silver. i3» Breakfast What shall be said at the dining table? At meal time one should be comfortable and happy. A happy state of mind is believed to help digestion. This means that conversation at the table should be pleasant. Such subjects as sickness and opera- tions do not make suitable table talk. Sad or disgusting topics should be avoided. Choose pleasant subjects and wholesome stories that cause amusement or laughter. Perhaps your mother has been in the house all day. She has seen no one except her family. She will usually enjoy hearing at the table what the members of her family who have mingled with other people have heard or learned. Your family may be interested in an account of something that happened in school. You may be able to do much to make meal time one of the pleas- antest times of the day. When you are having company for a meal there are some things for you to consider other than giving your guests good food and making them comfortable. You should try to make them enjoy the meal not only because they are eating good food but because there is pleasant conversation. Sometimes, espe- cially at the beginning of a meal, there are pauses in the con- versation. Then it is that you should start a topic. Direct a question now and then to one who is saying little or nothing. If you are a guest at a meal, help the hostess in making conver- sation pleasant. If the table is a large one, you may not be able to talk to every one — only those nearest you. Talk at least to those on both sides of you. Does your appearance count at the table ? When we studied setting the table we learned that the linens and dishes should be clean and that they should be arranged neatly. It would seem then that those who sit around the table should be clean and neat. There is a health rule which says : “ Wash your hands before going to the table.” If your face is dirty, it too should be washed. This should be done not only for your own sake but for the others at the table with you. Good Manners at the Dining Table 139