Never, on the other hand, be cowering and sniveling, as though desirous of some one to kick you as a boon. In deportment, the demeanor of the rabbit is no more to be emulated than that of the famished wolf.
Never, in the midst of a discussion upon solemn topics, retail antediluvian jokes, and then ha, ha! boisterously at them when no one else can see anything to laugh at. In fine, don’t be an unmitigated bore.
Never gape, yawn, “heigh ho,” or stamp your feet disapprovingly, when others are talking. This is blighting, if not fairly irritating.
Never be unduly “stuck up.” Because you are yourself is no reason why you are William H. Vanderbilt or George Francis Train.
Never sulk and growl under your breath, like a bear with a sore head, because you fancy yourself neglected. Brighten up, and even snicker, rather than adopt this gloomy course. Moroseness is dispiriting.
Never even murder a persistent bore until you get outside. To send for the police might cause an inconvenience.
Never, if playing cards with ladies, spit on your hands when dealing, or mark the bowers and aces with pencil-marks or knife-punctures. Englishmen would be especially horrified at such a proceeding.
Never rave, tear your hair, or swear there has been cheating all around, even if you have lost ten cents on the game. Either bear your losses with equanimity, or never gamble.
Never treat aged and venerable persons like budding hoodlums, or make riotous fun of their wrinkles or their bald heads. You may be old yourself, some time, if not assassinated for your bad manners.
Never neglect to give precedence to ladies, both on entering and quitting a room. A brutal disregard of this injunction might cause you to be led out by the ear.
Never, as hostess, insist that a casual caller shall send for his trunk and stay a week or two.
Never, as host, ask him hilariously if he is well over his last drunk, and getting primed for another. This is not in good taste.
Never hurry your departure, as if your legs were sticks and your body a sky-rocket.
Never, on the other hand, tarry from, say, four in the afternoon till three in the morning. A light, flying visit is one thing, taking root another.
Never descend to the breakfast-room without having washed your face and brushed your hair. Cleanliness is a part of good breeding.