They ought to have the most comfortable chairs, in winter the warmest seats by the fire, and in the evening the place where their failing eyes shall have the best light.
If we are sitting in the only rocking-chair in the room, or in the easiest one, and an old person enters, we should immediately _rise_ and offer it to him, not simply ask if he would not like it.
At the table we should see that old people are helped first and their wants carefully attended to.
In cars or public places, a boy or girl should never allow an old man or woman to stand, but should hasten to give up a seat and insist on its being taken, especially if the person is poorly dressed.
The following story of what happened long ago in the famous old city of Athens well illustrates this point:--
A play was to be performed at the principal theatre of Athens, and the seats were soon taken. When the theatre was full, an old man came in and looked around for a seat. He was quite infirm and could not stand long. He looked first one way and then another. At length he saw a party of young Athenians beckoning to him. He tried to get to them, which he had to do by climbing over seats and pushing through the crowd; and, when at last he reached them, they sat down, and, instead of giving him the seat he had expected, took up all the room, leaving the old man standing.
In this theatre were some seats fitted up for strangers. These were filled by young Spartans, who, when they saw the behavior of the Athenians, were much displeased, and beckoned to the old man to come to them. When he was near them they all rose and received him with the greatest respect. The whole assembly, seeing this, could not help bursting into a shout of applause.
The old man then said, "The Athenians know what is right, but the Spartans practise it."
Above all things, we should never let the old feel that they are in the way, or that it is a relief when they leave the room. They are usually sensitive to anything like a slight, and their feelings are quickly hurt by real or seeming neglect.
_Promptness in coming to the table._ _When to be seated._ _Waiting one's turn to be helped._ _Beginning to eat before others._ _Asking for articles of food,--how, when, and where._ _Criticism of food on the table._ _Use of napkin, knife, fork, and spoon._ _Haste in eating._ _Attention to wants of others._ _Conduct in case of accidents._ _Mention of unpleasant subjects._ _Use of toothpick._ _When and how to leave the table._ _Quietness of movement._ _Observance of table manners in others._