1852
March [sic] 3rd Saturday Have made a ribbon head
dress for sister Amelia Orinthia & self went into
Edwins this noon for some fish chowder. She gave us
some platters and a great iron spoon to eat with and we
had to wait upon ourselves. We excused her knowing
she was a young housekeeper and knew no better. She
ought to come here and learn politeness Called on Mrs
Brett. her babe is nearly two weeks old. she is not very
comfortable Called on Abby Hannah & Mrs J. C. Williams
Young neighbor Augusta Pool Gilmore invited Evelina and Orinthia Foss to midday dinner. This was a sweet gesture, perhaps intended to thank Evelina for her many kindnesses in welcoming Augusta to the village. The young bride may have been excited to debut her skills as a hostess.
However well-meant the invitation was, Augusta still had a lot to learn about entertaining. Evelina, a matron who had welcomed many guests to her dinner table over the years, saw much to judge wrong and in her diary took a snide swipe at the young woman. She criticized Augusta’s faux pas in laying out the wrong cutlery and failing to serve them properly.
While Evelina forgave Augusta her missteps, because the young bride “knew no better,” she also condescendingly noted that Augusta needed to spend time with the Ameses to “learn politeness.” Such scorn was perhaps exacerbated by the presence of Orinthia, who was always looking for ways to laugh. Innocent, inept Augusta was an easy target.
Evelina’s natural empathy returned in the afternoon. She visited other friends and called on another young woman in the neighborhood, Eveline Brett, who was doing poorly after having given birth.
evelinaames 