"This custom of serving afternoon tea is an adopted-from-England idea that deserves a universal following.

Here is an interlude in the day's activities that soon becomes a delightful habit. Friends "drop in." There is cheer and a charning informality that cements friendship and provides a welcome period to a busy day.

Not all of us have maids so it is best, as well as in the best of taste, to keep things very simple. Afternoon tea is not a meal.

But use your prettiest china. Have your whole setting dainty and attractive and create an atmosphere of informal good cheer. If you have a fireplace, in front of that is the place for you tea table, anyway in the cold weather. And out on the porch in the summer, your tea table may be the pleasantest spot in the world!

Tea should be freshly made in an earthen or china pot. Provide your tea table with a tea kettle that can be kept hot.

If you use tea balls, there are one or two cup sizes. If you take the tea from a caddy, allow one teaspoon to each cup of boiling water. Never boil tea. Steep it for a few minutes.

Plan to seve different things. That is have sandwiches, and perhaps tea muffins or cakes, wafers, cheese things; in fact, there are so many dainty bites to serve with tea that the list is endless.

Always have thinly sliced lemon, and such spicy things as clove, cordial drops and crystallized peels or ginger.

Have your cups, plates, silver and small dishes of condiments, nuts, mints and your tea pot, water kettle and bowls on the table. The sandwiches and cakes may be passed or placed so guests may choose and help themselves."

MENU Sardine Sandwiches Salted and Sugared Nuts Shrewsbury Cakes Maple Sugar Dreams Chocolate Wafers Tea Sliced Lemon Clove Drops Rock Candy

SHREWSBURY CAKES 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon mace 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup sour milk 2 cups flour 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon lemon extract

Cream butter, add sugar and beaten egg. Dissolve soda in sour milk. Add to mixture alternately with flour sifted with salt, nutmeg and mace. Add lemon extract. Drop from spoon on greased tin. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake about ten minutes in oven 375 to 400 degrees F. If sweet milk is used, use 2 teaspoons Rumford Baking Powder and no soda.