In 1840s Fife, a deserted spouse could have their marriage annulled if they set a place at the dinner table and shouted out the door for the absent spouse to come eat. After a year plus one day, they were free to marry again.
Every evening a fresh table setting had to be put out when the jilted spouse was ready to eat, and every time they’d have to call out that dinner was ready. Think it was to demonstrate good faith that you *wanted* your spouse to come home.