756. If you drop a fork, and it sticks in the floor and remains in a standing position, it is a sign that a gentleman will call; but if a knife, a lady will call. _General in the United States._
757. Should you drop a knife or scissors so that they stick into the floor and stand up, it is a sign of company. _New York._
758. The dropping of any sharp-pointed instrument which sticks up in the floor, such as a knife, a pair of scissors, etc., foretells company coming from the direction in which the article leans. _Massachusetts._
759. If the scissors drops there will be visitors; if the small blade sticks in the floor it will be children; if the large, adults. _Nashua, N.H._
760. A needle dropping on the floor and sticking up means visitors. _St. John, N.B._
761. If a knife be dropped at table, a woman will call. _Pennsylvania._
762. If you drop a knife at table, a lady will come during the evening; if a fork, a gentleman is coming. _Talladega, Ala._
763. If you drop a knife, your visitor will be a woman; if a fork, it will be a man; if a spoon, it will be a fool. _Pennsylvania._
764. If you drop a knife, it is a sign a lady is coming to see you. If a fork, the visitor will be a man; if a spoon, your cousin. _New York._
765. Two knives beside a plate mean a lady stranger; two forks, a man. _Peabody, Mass._
766. To put two spoons in your teacup is a sign of a stranger. _Maine and Massachusetts._
767. Two forks or spoons crossed on a plate signify that a stranger is coming.
768. If you wash the sugar-bowl, you will have company. _Eastern Massachusetts._
769. To have too many plates on the table means guests.
770. If an extra plate be accidentally placed upon the table, some visitor will come hungry. _Northern Ohio._
771. If you are offered an article of food at the table, which you already have on your plate, but forgetting that you have it, take some more, it is a sign that a stranger is coming to your house before you eat another meal. _Quebec._
772. If stems of tea-grounds are found in the cup, it denotes that visitors are coming. If you wish them to come, bite the heads off and throw them under the table. _Deerfield, Mass._
773. If the stems of tea-grounds come on top of the cup, visitors are coming. Bite one, and if it is hard, it will be a man; if soft, a woman. _New Hampshire._