Perfect Behavior; a guide for ladies and gentlemen in all social crises by Donald Ogden Stewart
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you might possibly desire to continue the acquaintanceship.
Quotations from poetry of the better sort are always appropriate; thus, on this occasion, it might be nice to write on the card accompanying the flowers--" "This is the forest primeval'--H. W. Longfellow," or "'Take, oh take, those lips away'--W. Shakespeare." You will find there are hundreds of lines equally appropriate for this and other occasions, and in this connection it might be well to display a little originality at times by substituting pertinent verses of your own in place of the conventional quotations. For example--"This is the forest primeval, I regret your last evening's upheaval," shows the young lady in question that not only are you well-read in classic poetry, but also you have no mean talent of your own. Too much originality, however, is dangerous, especially in polite social intercourse, and I need hardly remind you that the floors of the social ocean are watered with the tears of those who seek to walk on their own hook. Within a week after you have sent the young lady the flowers, you should receive a polite note of thanks, somewhat as follows: "My dear Mr. Roe: Those lovely flowers came quite as a surprise. They are lovely, and I cannot thank you enough for your thoughtfulness. Their lovely fragrance fills my room as I write, and I wish to thank you again. It was lovely of you." FLOWERS AND THEIR MESSAGE IN COURTSHIP It is now time to settle down to the more serious business of courtship. Her letter shows beyond the shadow of a figurative |
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