MANNERS 
51 
People feel that they can see, look at, and pass, each other in the street ; 
and they think a stare of five minutes from a chair, as meaningless as a 
stare on one s legs in the highway. In the saloon, they regard it proper 
to devote much time to the interchange of opinions sociably ; and they 
look upon indifference or a distrait air, or what would elsewhere be called 
fashionable ease, as little better than rudeness. 
Upon entermg a room, after any unusual absence, if well known to all 
the members of a family, you go through the process of an embrace, and 
the health and occupations of every member of your family are minutely 
and affectionately inquired for. After a while, if there are girls in the 
house, a little music will be given, or their drawings, embroidery, or 
other pretty works displayed, as you are supposed to have an interest in 
such things. And if you are a particular favorite^ the lady of the man- 
sion, who indulges in a cigarrito, will take a delicate one from her golden 
etui, light it, touch it to tier lips, and present it to you. 
At parting, the ceremony is very formal. You bid good-bye with an 
embrace, or, if less acquainted, with a profound bow to each individual ; 
you turn at the door of the saloon, and bow again ; the master of the house 
accompanies you to the head of the stairs, where you shake hands and 
bow again ; you look up from the landing of the first flight of stairs, and 
find him ready with another ; and as you pass through the court-yard 
below, (if he like you, or you happen to be a person of consideration,) 
you find him gazing from among the flowers over the balustrade, and still 
gracefully nodding farewell ! Before this^waZe it is not very safe to put 
on your hat. 
LAOr QOINQ TO MASI. 
