Yes/No/Maybe

It has been seventeen years since our last wedding, but what a change in attitude. Last time I sent out x invitations and received x replies. Simple. The reply said "yes" or "no". This time I enclosed the little  reply envelope, printed with our names and with a stamp decorated with ribbons spelling out the traditional "Love", so that all the recipient had to do was fill in his intentions and throw it in a mail box. Today was the last day to R.S.V.P. and I have no idea how many people plan to come. Etiquette allows me to get on the phone, but I don't want to. Nor do I want to run out of food for people who come and don't tell me, or—worse yet—pay for people who don't intend to turn up. On the one hand I am nervous that some of those silly little envelopes have gone astray, especially during the Christmas season, and on the other hand the pop sociologist in me says there is a link between not bothering to reply—and I have had several people e-mail me or my daughter or my future son-in-law—and the decrease in letter writing.

I'll let you know how it goes.