Children Dancing in the BBC Miniseries version?

[Stephen]

In the Lucas Lodge party segment of the BBC mini-series at two of the dancers appear to be children of 7 or 8 years old, certainly no more than 10.

I'm supposing that those must be the littler Lucas children. Would children of that age normally be allowed to attend a party like that? I'm guessing that the girl would not be "out" at that age.

[Jeni]

As I understand it, children may attend a party until supper is served, at which point, they go back to the nursery with their nanny (nurse)for their own meal and bedtime.

In more intimate, family gatherings, children may stay longer until their normal bedtime.

With these parties, there will be finger foods, drinks, dancing, and then a multi-course, sit-down dinner will be served much later--9 or 10 pm, sometimes, so the children would get to dance a bit. It's where they learn to socialize with their future peers.

[Barb]

And, country manners were more "savage" - children were allowed more leeway in the country.