,print project4 ,a ,,little ,,housekeeping ,,book ,,for ,a ,,little ,,girl ,,or1 ,,margaret',s ,,saturday ,,mornings ,the ,ideal ,series for ,girls 99 99 99 99 99 ,a little ,cook ,book for a ,little ,girl ,,by ,,caroline ,,french ,,benton ,cloth decorative1 small #abmo4 #ge cents2 carriage paid1 #he cents ,the simple1 vivacious style makes this little manual as delightful reading as a story-book4 ,a ,little ,housekeeping ,book for a ,little ,girl2 ,,or ,,margaret',s ,,saturday ,,mornings ,,by ,,caroline ,,french ,,benton ,cloth decorative1 small #abmo4 #ge cents2 carriage paid1 #he cents ,a little girl1 home from school on ,saturday mornings1 finds out how to make helpful use of her spare time4 ,a ,little ,candy ,book for a ,little ,girl ,,by ,,amy ,l4 ,,waterman ,cloth decorative1 with a frontispiece in full color1 small1 #abmo4 #ge cents2 carriage paid1 #he cents ,this is a book of special appeal1 as it explains in simple fashion the processes of making delicious fudges1 fondants1 nut dainties and the like4 ,a ,little ,sewing ,book for a ,little ,girl ,,by ,,louise ,,frances ,,cornell ,cloth decorative1 with a frontispiece in full color1 small1 #abmo4 #ge cents2 carriage paid1 #he cents ,a splendid volume to encourage little girls in the study of the useful and beautiful art of the needle4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,page ,,company #ec ,,beacon ,,st41 ,,boston1 ,,mass4 ,a ,,little ,,housekeeping ,,book ,,for ,a ,,little ,,girl ,,or1 ,,margaret',s ,,saturday ,,mornings ,by ,caroline ,french ,benton ,,author ,,of ,a ,,little ,,cook ,,book ,,for ,a ,,little ,,girl ,boston ,,the ,,page ,,company ,publishers ,copyright1 #aijf ,,by ,,the ,,page ,,company ,,publishers' ,,note ,this little book was originally published under the title ,saturday ,mornings1 but there has been some criticism of that title because it is not sufficiently descriptive of the contents of the book4 ,the ,publishers1 consequently1 have thought it wise in the present edition to change the title to ,a ,little ,housekeeping ,book for a ,little ,girl ,,or ,,margaret',s ,,saturday ,,mornings4 ,this change has the advantage also of making the title uniform with the other titles in the series-- ,a ,little ,cook ,book for a ,little ,girl1 ,a ,little ,sewing ,book for a ,little ,girl1 etc4 ,thanks are due the editor of ,good ,housekeeping for permission to reproduce the greater part of this book from the serial in that magazine4 ,,contents ,,chapter ,,page ,i4 ,,margaret',s ,,christmas ,,tree #ac ,,ii4 ,,the ,,kitchen ,,fire #ai ,,iii4 ,,the ,,dining-,,room ,,table #cc ,,iv4 ,,washing ,,dishes #eg ,v4 ,,the ,,care ,,of ,,the ,,bedrooms #gj ,,vi4 ,,sweeping ,,and ,,dusting #hd ,,vii4 ,,the ,,bathroom2 ,,brasses1 ,,grates1 ,,oilcloths1 ,,and ,,vestibule #ii ,,viii4 ,,housecleaning2 ,,cellar ,,and ,,attic #aaj ,,ix4 ,,laundry ,,work #abb ,x4 ,,the ,,linen ,,closet2 ,,pantries2 ,,polishing ,,silver2 ,,the ,,care ,,of ,,the ,,refrigerator2 ,,cleaning ,,the ,,lamps #acc ,,xi4 ,,marketing ,,and ,,keeping ,,accounts #adh ,,xii4 ,,the ,,day',s ,,work #afa ,,chapter ,i ,,margaret',s ,,christmas ,,tree ,about ,christmas time ,margaret was accustomed to see things tucked out of sight whenever she came around1 and her feelings were never hurt when her ,pretty ,aunt1 or her ,other ,aunt1 or her mother1 or her grandmother said3 ,don't you want to run down-stairs a little while1 dear6 or1 ,margaret1 would you mind staying out of the sitting-room all this morning8 ,but this ,christmas everybody said these things twice as often as usual1 and ,margaret wondered about it4 ,mother1 she said one day1 if you were a little girl and every one said ',run away1 now1' over and over1 twice as many times as other ,christmases1 what would you think8 ,her mother laughed4 ,well1 she said1 ,i suppose ,i should think ,i was going to have twice as many presents as usual4 ,margaret drew a long breath4 ,would you8 she asked1 thoughtfully4 ,two pairs of skates1 and two sets of furs1 and two boxes of handkerchiefs1 and two pink kimonos1 and six books2 that would be twice as many presents as last year4 ,but what does one little girl want with twos8 ,now if ,i was twins-- ,the ,pretty ,aunt laughed4 ,let me explain it to her1 she said4 ,margaret1 how would you like two ,christmas trees1 one for everybody1 just as usual1 with your presents on it1 and one little tree1 all for yourself1 with more presents8 ,would you like that for a change8 ,margaret said she thought she would1 but it seemed very queer4 ,two trees1 and only one little girl6 ,now if she really had been twins-- ,twins1 indeed6 said the ,other ,aunt4 ,just wait till you see1 and perhaps you will be glad there's only one of you6 ,and everybody laughed again except ,margaret1 who thought it all very queer indeed4 ,when ,christmas morning came she jumped up in a hurry and waked every one up calling out1 ,merry ,christmas6 and then she danced with impatience because it took them so long to get ready4 ,but at last the doors of the parlor were thrown open and she rushed in4 ,there stood the great1 beautiful tree1 hung with tinsel and bright balls1 and twinkling with beautiful lights1 and on its branches were bundles and bundles1 tied with red ribbons and holly1 and on the floor were more bundles1 and she forgot about the little tree she had meant to look for4 ,but by and by1 when she had opened all her presents1 and made a pile of them on the piano1 and thanked everybody for them1 she whispered3 ,mother1 was there to be a little tree1 all for me8 ,why1 of course1 said her mother1 smiling1 we nearly forgot1 didn't we8 ,suppose you look behind the library door8 ,margaret ran and looked1 and1 sure enough1 there was the tree1 but such a queer one6 ,it was small1 and had no candles and no ornaments4 ,the corner was dark and she could not see very well1 but it seemed to be hung with things that looked like dust-pans and whisk-brooms4 ,she stood looking at it1 wondering if it was all a joke4 ,just then her father saw her and came to pull the tree out where she could see it1 and1 sure enough1 there was a dust-pan tied on with a red tape1 and a whisk-broom with another red tape1 and a little sweeping-cap with a red bow1 some gingham aprons and white aprons1 and brown towels and red-and-white towels1 and dust-cloths1 all with red ,m's in their corners2 and put at the top was a little book tied on the tree with a big red bow4 ,her mother took this down and handed it to her1 and every one stood and looked on and smiled because she was so surprised4 ,when ,margaret looked at the cover of the book she knew what was inside in a minute1 because1 painted on the cover was a little girl who looked just like her with a big apron on1 and a sweeping-cap1 holding a broom in one hand and a dust-pan in the other1 and above1 in bright red letters1 were the words1 ,saturday ,mornings4 ,oh1 it's for me6 she cried1 delighted4 ,it's like my own cook-book1 only it tells how to clean house instead of cook4 ,i love to clean house6 ,i love to make beds6 ,i love to wash dishes6 ,i just love to sweep6 ,may ,i wear that beautiful cap1 and are all those dish-towels for me1 and is that my very own dust-pan8 ,then she ran to the tree and got everything down4 ,first she put on all the aprons1 one on top of another1 with the ruffled waiting-on-table apron on top of the rest1 and she put the cap on her head1 and hung all the dish-towels over one arm and all the dusters over the other1 and gathered up the brooms and dust-pan in her arms and sat down in a corner with her book4 ,this is the best of all1 she said1 soberly4 ,my other presents are lovely1 too1 my books and my gold heart pin1 and my white rocking-chair for my own room1 and the mittens grandmother knit for me with the lace stitches down the back1 but ,i like my little book best1 and all the things on my own little tree most4 ,this is the nicest ,christmas ,i ever1 ever had6 ,the name of my book is ,saturday ,mornings1 because other days ,i have to go to school1 but ,saturdays ,i can sweep and dust and wash dishes4 ,what fun it will be6 ,i don't know which chapter sounds best4 ,she hugged the little dust-pan and shook out the dish-towels4 ,oh1 ,i just can't wait to begin1 she said4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,the ,,kitchen ,,fire ,although ,margaret had become pretty well acquainted with the kitchen during the year she was learning to cook she had never quite understood how to manage the kitchen range or the fire1 because ,bridget always attended to that part for her4 ,but at the very first lesson in the ,saturday ,morning ,class her mother1 who was to be the teacher that day1 said the subject would be ,ranges and ,fires1 because it was the beginning of all housekeeping4 ,margaret put on her biggest1 longest-sleeved gingham apron1 got a hearth brush1 a dust-pan1 the little dish which held the stove blacking1 brush and polisher1 rolled up her sleeves and prepared to listen4 ,the reason why so many women find cooking hard work1 her mother began1 is because they do not understand their range or stove4 ,they cannot make a fire grow hot quickly1 or make it cooler if it is too hot2 they do not know how to get what the cook-books call a 'moderate oven4' ',we never could understand about drafts and things1' they say1 but the real truth of the matter is that they are too lazy to try and learn1 ,i'm afraid1 because it is so very simple that even a little girl can learn about it in ten minutes4 ,the only way to be a good housekeeper is to understand all about a fire and how to keep a kitchen range in a good temper4 ,margaret laughed at this1 but her mother said stoves were just like people1 and sometimes would refuse to do as they were told1 and were cross and sulky2 but they could be as pleasant and smiling and obliging as a good little girl4 ,then she took off the covers and explained all about the inside of the range4 ,you see1 she began1 the fire is in a sort of box lined with heavy brick4 ,now1 if the coals come up to the very top of this1 or lie on its edges1 they will crack the brick as they get heated1 and so spoil it1 and fire-brick is very expensive and troublesome to replace4 ,you can heat the sides and bottom very hot1 and it will not hurt it1 but not the top edges4 ,so1 in putting on coal you must never let it quite fill the box1 and after you set the scuttle down on the floor you must take the long poker and feel all around on top of the ovens and see if any bit has rolled there1 and bring it back where it belongs4 ,if it should roll down the sides you could not get it out1 and it would spoil the draft and injure the stove4 ,now if you understand all this we will shake out the coal and make a new fire4 ,oh1 let me shake6 exclaimed ,margaret1 and before her mother could stop her she had put in the shaker and moved it about so quickly that the ashes came out of the open covers and drafts and filled the room1 and both she and her mother were coughing and choking4 ,her mother stopped her4 ,that isn't the way to shake a fire1 she said4 ,the covers must all go on first1 and everything be shut up tight4 ,then she showed her the two slides over the oven doors1 and the others in front1 and pushed them shut4 ,the two in the stovepipe were opened1 so the ashes could go up that way1 and the covers were tightly put in their places4 ,now1 she said1 you may shake4 ,so ,margaret shook and shook until her arms were tired1 but though the fine ashes all came out1 there was a handful of large coals which would not go through the grate4 ,these1 her mother explained1 were partly good1 unburned coal1 and partly poor1 hard bits1 called clinkers4 ,some people just turned them all out with the ashes and threw them away1 but this was wasteful4 ,they must be picked over and the good bits burned again4 ,margaret hunted up a big pair of old gloves of her father's1 and with these on she picked out the good pieces of coal and laid them on one side1 and then she tipped the grate by turning the stove handle quite around1 and the clinkers all fell into the ash-pan and the grate was left empty4 ,a big newspaper was next spread on the floor and the ash-pan carefully drawn out over it and emptied into a scuttle kept ready for this1 so it could be easily carried to the place where the ashes were kept1 and emptied into the can there4 ,she put the empty pan on the paper1 and with her brush swept out all the cracks inside the stove1 up and down1 here and there1 till no ashes were to be seen anywhere4 ,then the pan was put back4 ,the ovens were opened next1 and these1 too1 swept out with a clean whisk-broom1 and away back in the corners they found several bits of toast and such things all dried to a crisp1 which ,bridget had not seen at all4 ,when all the ashes were taken up and those on the newspaper cleared away1 her mother said1 ,now we are ready for the fire4 ,first we put a crumpled paper on the bottom2 on this we lay crossed sticks of kindling1 a good many1 because this is to be a coal fire2 if we were going to burn wood we would not need so many2 we must shut the little slide in the front of the stove directly before the fire1 and open the one at the bottom1 so the smoke will go up4 ,look and see if the two drafts in the pipe are open2 if not1 the room will be full of smoke as soon as we start the kindling4 ,the dampers into the ovens must be shut1 too1 so the fire will have nothing to distract its attention2 if we left them open it would think it had not only to burn1 but to get the ovens hot1 too4 ,now if you are ready you can light the paper4 ,in a moment ,margaret heard the wood roaring well1 then she took off a cover and sprinkled on one shovel of coal and closed the top again2 as soon as she saw by peeping in that this was red1 she put on another1 scattering it evenly all around1 and presently she added a third shovelful1 and by this time the wood was well burned away and the coal was hot1 so she knew the fire was made4 ,the lesson then took up heating the ovens1 which was still more important4 ,her mother showed ,margaret how to push in and out the dampers over the oven doors1 and explained the shutter inside which they worked4 ,when we want the oven hot we pull the shutter open to let the heat go all around the oven4 ,when we want to cool it we shut the shutter4 ,the first thing to learn about a stove is this3 find out whether the damper is pushed in or pulled out to heat the ovens2 you can tell by taking off the top covers and watching1 for you can see in that way how the shutter works4 ,some push in and others pull out1 and each stove may be different4 ,these push in when you want to get the oven hot4 ,now1 if you want to cook on top of the stove1 and want all the heat up there1 of course you do not need the ovens heated1 so you shut them away4 ,when you are all done with the fire never let it burn uselessly1 but close it up1 and so keep it4 ,the reason of the draft in the front of the stove at the bottom1 is this3 the air rushes in up through the coal and on into the chimney1 and makes the fire go hard4 ,if you want to have it go slowly and not waste the coal1 of course you must shut this tight4 ,the other draft1 directly in front of the fire1 lets the cool air right in on the hot coals1 and keeps them from burning up rapidly1 so if you want a hot fire you must shut this1 and when you want the fire to go down you must open it4 ,is that plain8 ,yes1 said ,margaret1 thoughtfully4 ,when ,i bake ,i make the ovens hot by pushing in the dampers1 and opening the slide at the bottom and shutting it at the top4 ,when ,i want to make something on top1 ,i pull out the dampers to get the ovens cool1 and ,i open the one at the bottom and shut the one at the top4 ,when ,i'm all done ,i leave the oven dampers out1 shut the bottom draft in front and open the top one4 ,then the fire gets cool4 ,but what do ,i do to the chimney dampers8 ,sure enough1 said her mother1 we almost forgot those4 ,you see the queer handles on them--thin and straight2 those are like the flat plates inside the pipe that turn just as they do4 ,when you want the fire to burn hard you turn the handle along the pipe1 and that turns the plate the same way1 and the heat can get out and make a good draft4 ,but if you are shutting up the fire you turn the handle across the pipe1 and that makes the plate turn straight across1 too1 and stops the heat from getting out1 and so the fire dies down4 ,oh1 yes1 said ,margaret1 that's easy to understand4 ,but what do people do who don't have coal fires8 ,sometimes they have wood to burn4 ,but the dampers and drafts all work the same way1 said her mother4 ,wood is nice and clean to burn1 and makes a quick1 hot fire1 but it has to be watched all the time or it will go out4 ,coal makes a steady heat1 and so for most things it is better to use4 ,now look in and see how things are going4 ,margaret raised the covers and found a bed of bright red coals4 ,her mother told her to put on coal at once2 if she waited the fire would grow still hotter1--what was called white hot1--and then it would be spoiled4 ,coal must always go on before this point1 but not too much1 which would be wasteful4 ,a bright1 low fire was always best4 ,now leave the drafts all open just a moment1 said her mother1 to let the coal gas burn away1 and then you can shut the fire up and it will keep just right for hours4 ,and one thing more--never let the coal come up near the covers of the stove1 or the great heat will warp these and spoil them2 they will always have cracks around their edges1 and the heat will be wasted4 ,bridget never lets her fire go out at night1 said ,margaret1 as she shut the fire all up4 ,she likes to keep it a whole week and then let the stove get cold and make it all over again on ,saturdays4 ,yes1 said her mother1 that is a very good way to do1 for it does not use up the kindling1 and it takes no more coal to keep the fire all night than to start a new one every morning4 ,but if you ever notice how she manages you will see that she shakes out the ashes at night1 puts on coal1 and lets the gas burn off1 just as we have done4 ,then she shuts up the oven drafts1 and the one at the bottom1 and opens the one in front of the fire as we did2 in the morning she finds her fire exactly right2 all she has to do is to make it a little brighter and hotter1 so she shuts the draft in front of the coal and opens the one at the bottom1 to get the air to rush up through the coal1 and sets the drafts in the pipe open1 too1 so the hot air can get out2 then when the fire burns up red she shakes out the ashes a little and puts on fresh coal1 and it is ready for the day1 and as hot as she wants it4 ,i don't see why she ever lets it go out at all1 said ,margaret4 ,why does it burn worse on ,fridays1 and have to be built all over on ,saturdays8 ,her mother laughed4 ,why1 you see1 she said1 the ashes will get into the corners and the clinkers into the grate in spite of all the care one can take1 so once a week she takes everything out as we have done and makes a nice1 clean1 new fire4 ,but now we are all done except blacking the stove4 ,generally that ought to be done when the fire is not hot1 but we were talking and ,i did not have you do it then2 next time we will manage better4 ,margaret wet the blacking a little1 dipped in her brush1 and scrubbed the stove well all over1 especially in the corners4 ,then she polished it with the dry side of the brush till it shone like a mirror4 ,the little knobs on the doors she rubbed with a bit of nickel polish she found in another box1 and used a dry flannel cloth on them last4 ,her mother explained that it was necessary to keep a stove very bright and shining1 or it would wear out1 and1 besides that1 a bright one made the kitchen look tidy and attractive4 ,some people just paint the whole stove over once or twice a year with a black enamel1 and never polish it at all1 and perhaps that is a good way for very busy people to do1 but ,i like the old-fashioned way better myself4 ,shine it a little every day in the week1 and once in every few days give it a good thorough blacking and polishing when the fire is out1 and you will make the stove wear a long time and keep it in good working order as well4 ,a clean range1 one that is really clean and well cared for inside and out1 is always good-natured and happy1 and does the very best it knows how for you when you try and cook1 but one that is full of ashes and clinkers1 with a face all grimy and dusty and gray1 gets sullen and cross1 and will not try and please anybody4 ,you must keep it good-natured4 ,just see how proud and happy it looks now4 ,margaret smiled admiringly at the shiny range and bright fire4 ,sometimes ,bridget puts things in her stove that make all the house smell1 she said4 ,i am never going to put anything into mine but nice1 clean wood and coal4 ,the reason ,bridget puts them in1 her mother replied1 is a good one4 ,i often burn up small quantities of garbage myself1 but ,i never have a bit of odor1 for all ,i have to do is to open the drafts in the chimney and at the bottom1 and shut those going into the ovens and the one in front of the fire1 and then all the smell goes straight up the chimney4 ,if you are careful you can often get rid of little things in the kitchen by burning them1 but you should be sure and never let the odor get out into the room4 ,just then ,bridget came into the kitchen and said it was time for her to get lunch4 ,see1 ,bridget1 ,margaret exclaimed1 proudly1 we blacked the range and made it smile all over4 ,it just loves to be clean and shiny6 ,it does that1 said ,bridget4 ,i guess it'll bake sponge cakes for lunch to say it feels glad4 ,oh1 goody6 said ,margaret1 as she ran to take off her big apron and wash her hands4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,,the ,,dining-,,room ,,table ,the second lesson in ,margaret's book really took her a whole month to learn perfectly1 because there were so many things to remember4 ,one ,saturday she studied about the breakfast-table1 and during the next week she practised the lesson over every day2 the next week she took the luncheon-table and laid that and waited on it1 and the third and fourth weeks she learned all about the dinner-table1 and that was hardest of all4 ,but1 as her mother said1 if she learned in one single month to be a perfect waitress she was an unusually bright maid6 ,,breakfast ,the first ,saturday morning her ,other ,aunt woke her rather early1 and told her after she was ready to put on a nice white apron and over it a fresh gingham apron to protect it1 or1 if she did not feel quite sure she could keep it fresh even so1 to put on the gingham one and bring down the white one to put on when everything was ready4 ,the dining-room was dark when they went into it1 and smelled of the dinner the night before2 they threw open the windows and let the wind sweep through while ,margaret got the carpet-sweeper and took up the few crumbs which had not been found and taken away after the last meal4 ,then they closed the windows again1 and dusted about where it was necessary1 leaving the thorough dusting until later in the day4 ,we are going to have oranges for a first course at breakfast1 said her aunt1 coming in with some in her hands1 and we will put them on the table now4 ,see how nice and cold they are because they have been in the refrigerator all night4 ,some people leave their fruit-dish standing on the sideboard all the time1 and all the oranges and apples and bananas grow warm and stale1 instead of being cold and crisp and refreshing4 ,put a white centrepiece in the middle of the table1 and we will pile these in a flat dish on it instead of using the pot of ferns we sometimes have4 ,it is always nice to have something pretty in the middle of the table4 ,margaret was standing before the drawer in the sideboard hesitating whether she should bring a table-cloth or not4 ,then she saw a large hemstitched square in a corner1 and remembered that her mother had said she had just bought some new cloths for breakfast and luncheon1 and that made it still harder to decide4 ,what should they have on the breakfast-table8 ,they usually had little squares of linen1 one under each plate and larger ones under the platter and tray1 but perhaps she was to learn some new way this morning4 ,her aunt came and looked over her shoulder4 ,for breakfast and luncheon we do not use a table-cloth1 she said4 ,few people do nowadays4 ,some use the doilies we have been using1 and others use a small cloth with a fancy border1 such as fringe1 or a narrow pattern2 the dinner-cloth1 you know1 is large and heavy1 not suitable for a simple meal4 ,but now we have some nice small cloths1 which are less trouble to put on than the doilies4 ,see1 this is a square which lies on the table with a point hanging over each side1 leaving the table corners bare4 ,the plates go on it1 but still it looks informal and pretty4 ,here is a pad just the right size to go under it4 ,you must always put a pad or something of the kind under everything you use on the table2 under the doilies1 you know1 we put squares of felt1 and under the big dinner-cloth a large piece of double ,canton flannel2 if we did not1 the varnish on the table-top would be spoiled in no time4 ,now let us get the silver4 ,there were always six places laid at the table1 so ,margaret counted out the knives1 forks and spoons1 and brought them over from the drawer4 ,at each place they put a knife on the right1 the sharp edge of the blade toward the plate1 and outside that a dessert-spoon for cereal and a teaspoon for coffee2 on the left was a fork1 and then a napkin4 ,at the top of the place1 directly in front1 they put a tumbler at the right and a small plate for bread and butter at the left1 with a little knife1 called a spreader1 on it4 ,they then got out small fruit-plates1 and on each they laid first1 a small1 clean doily1 then a finger-bowl with a little water in it1--not very much1 as it was not intended to swim in1 the aunt said1--and on the edge of the plate a fruit-knife and an orange spoon4 ,these plates were laid all around the table at the different places4 ,at the top of the table where her father was to sit ,margaret put a carving knife and fork1 but took them away when she found there would be bacon for breakfast1 and it would be passed around with a fork and spoon on the small platter2 if there had happened to be beefsteak she would have left them on1 as then they would have been needed4 ,at the other end of the table1 where her mother was to sit1 they put a tray covered with a fresh napkin1 and arranged on it the sugar-bowl1 the cream-pitcher1 the tray-bowl1 and a small pitcher for hot water4 ,at the right near by1 the cups and saucers were arranged1 each cup standing in its own saucer1 not piled up4 ,as it was cold weather ,margaret was told she must bring in hot water and half-fill them just before the meal was ready1 so they would be hot and not chill the coffee2 her mother would empty the water in the tray-bowl when she was ready to use them4 ,then they brought out of the china-closet the dishes which were to go into the kitchen to be heated3 the dish for cereal1 the small1 deep plates to use with it1 the plates and vegetable dish1 and the round platter4 ,never serve a hot cereal in a cold dish1 or use cold dishes to put it in on the table1 said the aunt4 ,and never1 never ask anybody to eat hot bacon and potatoes1 or anything else which has just come from the fire1 on a cold plate4 ,it is no trouble to warm everything1 and it makes just the difference between a good meal and a poor one4 ,a famous man once said that if he could have only one thing for his dinner he would choose a hot plate4 ,margaret laughed as she began to carry out the dishes4 ,her aunt stopped her4 ,you have a dinner platter1 she said1 get the pretty round platter2 always use that for luncheon and breakfast1 because it looks more informal1 and seems more appropriate4 ,and we must stop a minute to put on the salts2 we forgot them4 ,they did not have shakers1 because ,margaret's mother thought small1 low1 open silver or glass bowls were prettier2 these they filled freshly with salt and shook them evenly1 and placed them near the centrepiece at the ends of the table4 ,they only put on two because the table was small2 sometimes1 however1 they used four or six1 when guests were there4 ,while the dishes were heating1 and ,bridget was getting breakfast ready1 they filled the glasses and put the butter balls on the bread and butter plates2 then1 ,margaret had her lesson in waiting on the table4 ,after we sit down1 her aunt said1 pass the fruit1 going to each person's left1 so he can take it with the right hand and hold the dish low down4 ,then put the dish back in the middle of the table1 and leave it there through the meal4 ,if there are flowers or a plant on the table1 serve the fruit from the sideboard1 and put it back there when you have passed it4 ,if you have berries or melons to serve1 those may be ready on the sideboard before breakfast1 and a plate with a finger-bowl on it can stand at each place4 ,the berries may be passed1 and each person can lift off the finger-bowl and doily at the same time and set it near the plate and serve himself to the berries4 ,melons are usually set on the table before breakfast on each plate1 the finger-bowl standing near by1 but if you want to have it more elegantly arranged than this1 put the melons on small plates1 and after the finger-bowl is removed1 lay this plate down on top of the one standing already on the table4 ,just now it is considered very nice to nearly always have a plate in front of one4 ,i will tell you more about that when we come to serving dinner4 ,you can have the hot plates brought into the room when the cereal comes in with its hot dishes1 and you can lift off a fruit-plate1 standing on each person's right1 and lay down a hot plate with the small cereal dish already on it1 and when all are around you can pass the cereal1 and then the sugar and cream4 ,but1 objected ,margaret1 ,i can't carry a tray and take off a plate and put down a plate all at once1 because ,i don't have three hands1 only just two6 ,no1 of course not1 smiled her aunt4 ,but you don't use a tray in changing plates4 ,you slip off the soiled one with the left hand and lay down the clean one with the right1 holding this clean one over the other4 ,it really saves time in the end to manage in this way1 as you will see4 ,after the cereal1 if those small plates have been so good-sized as to well cover the hot plates underneath them and so protect them from cream1 all you have to do is to take these off1 leaving the larger plates1 using your tray this time and standing always on the right2 put the first dish on the tray and take the next in your hand and carry them to the sideboard and leave them there and then take the next two1 and so on2 never pile your plates4 ,then pass the bacon around1 going to the left1 as with the fruit1 and then the potato and muffins4 ,bring the cups on the tray1 as your mother fills them1 and set them down carefully at each person's right2 do not offer a cup to any one1 because coffee is so easily spilled in taking it off and on a tray and handing it about4 ,few people would ever have fruit1 cereal1 hot things1 and then cakes1 too2 but some day you may have fruit1 bacon or meat1 and then cakes1 so you had better learn how to manage with them4 ,just have ready small1 hot plates1 and bring one at a time and exchange it with the meat plate as you did before2 you must put on two forks instead of one at the left of each plate when you lay the table1 if you are to have a second hot course4 ,you do not take off the crumbs at breakfast because it is such an informal meal1 but you must watch and see if any tumbler needs refilling1 or if anybody needs a second butter ball1 and supply it without being asked4 ,the meat platter1 the dish of potatoes1 and the muffins or toast should also be offered twice to every one4 ,your mother1 however1 will ask if any one wants a second cup of coffee1 and then you bring her the cup1 and after she has rinsed it out by pouring in hot water from her little pitcher1 she will fill it and you can carry it back and set it down again4 ,now that is all1 ,i think1 and you can wash your hands and take off your gingham apron and ask ,bridget if you may call down the family2 that is1 if you may say to your mother1 very quietly and politely1 ',breakfast is served6' ,margaret laughed1 and smoothed down her nice crisp white apron proudly as she left the room4 ,,luncheon ,laying the luncheon-table proved to be exactly like laying the breakfast-table1 and1 as her aunt said1 if they were laying a supper-table that would have also been done in the same way2 so really all ,margaret had to learn was how to lay two tables1 one for breakfast1 luncheon or supper1 and one for dinner4 ,however1 her aunt thought they would use doilies instead of the lunch-cloth for a change1 so ,margaret would not think her lesson did not amount to much1 and she got these out at lunch time and put one down for each person with its square of felt underneath it4 ,in the middle she put a large doily which matched the others1 and added one or two smaller ones1 one for bread1 one for a dish of olives1 and so on1 arranging them evenly on the table4 ,she put a dish of ferns on for a centrepiece and a tray for tea for her mother at the end4 ,if1 said her aunt1 you wish a formal luncheon you lay a pretty plate--a cold one--in front of each place1 and exchange this for a hot one when you pass the main dish4 ,but when you are just laying a family table you can put a hot plate down and merely pass the food as usual4 ,you need not put the dishes of food on the table--just bring them from the sideboard4 ,but remember at every meal never to let the food get cold4 ,the vegetables you can keep in covered dishes1 of course1 but after you have passed everything so you can leave the room1 carry the meat out and put it in the oven until you want to pass it a second time4 ,if you are to have salad1 have this ready on the sideboard before lunch1 with its plates1 and1 if you are to have them1 the crackers and cheese also4 ,you can take off the soiled plates after the meat course1 and lay down clean ones just as before1 standing at each person's right1 taking off the soiled plate with the left hand and laying down the clean one with the right1 holding it above the other4 ,then pass the salad1 on the tray to each one's left1 and next the salad dressing or crackers or olives1 or whatever goes with it4 ,after the salad1 crumb the table1 both at luncheon and supper1 but if you use doilies do not take the regular crumb-knife and tray1 but carry a folded napkin in your right hand and gently sweep off the crumbs into the tray2 a knife might scratch the table1 and would certainly sound disagreeable against the wood4 ,the dessert1 which may be fruit1 should be ready before the meal on the sideboard1 with the plates and finger-bowls4 ,when the last course before it is taken off and the crumbs removed1 there are no plates on the table at all2 it is the one time when it is cleared4 ,so all you have to do is to lay down the plates and finger-bowls with the fruit-knives and spoons and pass the fruit4 ,if you have cake1 or preserves1 or dessert of any kind instead of fruit1 you do just the same way2 lay down the plates and pass the things4 ,but what do ,i do with the tray and teacups8 ,margaret asked4 ,take them off when you do the last plates before the table is crumbed1 said her aunt4 ,take off the bread and butter plates1 too4 ,a good way to do this is to take the large plate on the tray and carry the small one in the hand4 ,of course the large bread plate is removed1 too1 and any dish of jelly or olives which is done with4 ,but dishes of salted nuts or candies are left on1 to keep the table looking pretty4 ,now ,i really think that is all4 ,do you think you can serve luncheon as well as you did breakfast8 ,margaret said she thought she ought to do twice as well1 because it was really the same thing over again4 ,,dinner ,if the lesson on dinner had come first ,margaret would have thought it pretty hard1 but after the other two she had just had1 it seemed easy enough4 ,this time she put on the large pad and the long1 heavy dinner-cloth2 her aunt had to stand at the opposite end of the table and help her with these1 and she warned her to always be very careful not to crease the cloth1 because a mussed cloth was worse than none at all4 ,be careful always to have table linen spotless1 she said4 ,if anything gets on the cloth at dinner1 as soon as the meal is over put a cup under the place and pour a tiny stream of hot water through and then rub the place gently with a clean1 dry cloth and smooth it out with your hand2 leave the cloth on the table till morning1 and usually it will be smooth and dry2 if not1 take a flat-iron then and quickly and lightly iron the place2 then fold the cloth and lay it away4 ,most people cannot have a new cloth on every night1 but no one need ever have on a cloth that is not clean2 a good housekeeper never does1 so of course you never will4 ,margaret said she certainly never would4 ,one reason why we use doilies or a lunch-cloth for breakfast and luncheon and supper is because if these get soiled it is easy to wash them out at once2 it makes housework simpler in the end to have them instead of using table-cloths three times a day1 which are large and very troublesome to wash4 ,people who once learn to use them never go back to the old-fashioned way of doing4 ,now get a pretty centrepiece and put that on in the middle1 and bring the bunch of roses from the parlor2 we will have them to-night instead of the fern-dish1 because we want an especially nice table for you4 ,after the flowers were on1 the silver was laid1 almost as at breakfast4 ,a knife at the right1 blade to the plate2 a dessert-spoon beyond1 for soup2 two forks at the left2 the bread and butter plate at the top1 at the left1 and the tumbler also at the top1 to the right4 ,if they were having a company dinner1 ,margaret was told1 the bread and butter plate would not be used1 for then a dinner roll would be laid in the napkin and no butter served at all4 ,the napkin1 as before1 went to the left1 beyond the forks1 and a large1 cold plate was laid down between the silver4 ,the salts were freshly filled and put on1 and a glass dish for jelly at one end of the table4 ,in front of her father's place they laid a carving cloth1 and on it a large knife and fork1 putting the tips on a little rest4 ,next they took the soup-plates1 the dinner-plates1 the large platter and two vegetable dishes out into the kitchen to be made hot2 they also carried out the bread-plate1 the salad-bowl1 and the pudding-dish1 as well as the after-dinner coffee-cups and saucers4 ,then they arranged the plates for salad on the sideboard1 and the dessert-plates1 putting a dessert-spoon and fork for each person on these4 ,while the dinner was getting ready came the lesson in waiting1 as before4 ,you see we have laid down cold plates1 the aunt said4 ,some people lay down hot ones1 as we did at luncheon1 but the soup is so likely to soil them that it is really hardly safe4 ,besides1 dinner is a more formal meal than the others1 so we must be more particular4 ,when ,bridget brings in the tureen she will stand it on the sideboard with the hot soup-plates1 and you are to dip a spoonful of soup carefully in each plate and carry it on your tray to each person's right and set it down1--do not offer it on the left4 ,when all are served1 carry out the tureen4 ,if we had no waitress of course your mother would serve the soup from the table1 but this is the way we do when we are nicely waited on4 ,when it is time to carry off the soup-plates1 take your tray and go to each person's right and lift the plate1 putting the first one on the tray and taking the next in your hand4 ,put them on the sideboard1 and carry them out later1 very quietly1 but do not stop now4 ,leave the cold plate on the table still4 ,then bring in the hot plates and put them in a pile in front of the carver1 slipping out his cold plate first4 ,bring in the vegetables and put them on the sideboard2 last of all bring in the meat and set it before the carver2 do not leave the room after the meat is on the table1 for it will get cold4 ,as each plate is filled1 take it to the first person served--your mother1 if you are a family party1 and either your mother or a woman guest first1 if you have company2 some people always have the mother served first even if guests are present1 and others prefer the other way2 but always serve the ladies first1 whether guests are there or not4 ,slip out the cold plate and lay down the hot one at the right1 as you have before1 and put the cold plates neatly in a pile on the sideboard4 ,pass the vegetables next1 offering them at the left1 and then the bread in the same way4 ,while this course is eaten1 carry out the soup-plates1 if they are still on the sideboard1 and fill the glasses4 ,when all have finished take off the roast first and carry it out2 then take off the soiled plates and lay down the salad-plates at the right1 as you have done each time1 and pass the salad to the left4 ,take off these when they are used1 with the bread and butter plates1 bread and jelly1 and crumb the table1 using the knife and tray4 ,then lay down before each one a dessert-plate with either a fork or a dessert-spoon on it1 or both1 if the dish to come needs them2 nowadays this is done even where the dessert is served at one end of the table4 ,if you can1 pass the pudding1 or whatever the sweet is1 so that each one can serve himself1 offering it at the left1 of course4 ,if it is very soft1 or is something difficult for one to manage in this way1 then have the dish put at one end of the table before your mother4 ,she will put a portion on the plate before her1 removing the spoon as she does so and laying it at one side1 and you can set the plate down before the one you serve first1 exchanging the two plates2 this person will also remove his spoon and lay it down as the plate is slipped away4 ,stand on the right to do this2 then take the second plate for your mother to fill1 and so on4 ,it is a good plan to have one extra plate ready1 and when you take the first plate lay this down before your mother1 and when you come back with the second one this will be filled waiting1 and you can exchange the two1 and so save time4 ,there will be one over at the end1 of course1 and this you can lay on the sideboard4 ,when you have company1 the coffee is served in the drawing-room1 and you must bring it in on a tray4 ,but when you are alone1 and wish to have it on the table1 take off the pudding-dish1 when all have finished1 and then all the plates1 and bring in the coffee-cups filled on the tray1 and set one down before each1 from his right4 ,if you use finger-bowls after dinner1 lay these down1 too1 a little above each place4 ,this is a long lesson1 and a difficult one for a little girl1 and you must not be discouraged if it takes you quite a while to learn it well4 ,keep on trying1 and soon you will be a perfect waitress4 ,just remember these things1 anyway1 and everybody will forgive you if you forget some others3 ,be sure your hands are clean1 your hair very tidy1 and your apron white and starched4 ,wear silent shoes1 and do not clatter the dishes2 do not speak to any one1 unless you do not understand what to do next1 then quietly whisper to your mother4 ,do not offer anybody a cup of tea or coffee1 or a plate of soup1 or even a plate with food on it2 set these all down at the right4 ,offer platters1 vegetable dishes1 bread1 and such things always at the left4 ,change all plates at the right4 ,while a course is being eaten1 softly carry out any soiled dishes from the sideboard and fill the glasses4 ,watch to see what is needed1 and offer it4 ,do not offer any one what is already on his plate2 that is1 if you are passing a dish all around and see that he has some of it left1 skip him and go on to the next4 ,now ,i hear ,bridget coming in with the soup-tureen2 run and put on your very best apron and announce dinner as though you were the finest waitress in the land6 ,,chapter ,,iv ,,washing ,,dishes ,it was ,margaret's grandmother who gave her the lesson on dish-washing4 ,she said it was the part of housekeeping she really liked the best of all and did most easily1 so everybody said1 ,oh1 well1 if you really like it1 perhaps you had better be the one to show ,margaret how to do it properly6 and then they all laughed4 ,the gingham apron with sleeves was the one ,margaret put on after breakfast4 ,it buttoned around her wrists snugly1 but on unfastening the buttons the sleeves could be rolled up and pinned out of the way1 so they would keep clean4 ,after she was ready the grandmother showed her how to stand all the dining-room chairs back against the wall and take up the crumbs under the table1 pushing this to one side and then the other1 so that the rug would really be clean when they were done4 ,now1 she said1 run into the kitchen and see that the table there is quite empty1 so there will be plenty of room for the dishes we are going to bring out2 bring back with you the large tray1 and get out the scraping-knife4 ,margaret found that ,bridget had left some pans and dishes on the table after she had cooked the breakfast1 and these she piled neatly at one end1 out of the way4 ,the scraping-knife was a long one with a thin blade which bent easily2 a palette knife1 such as artists use in cleaning their paints up1 her grandmother explained4 ,it seems funny to use an artist's knife to scrape dishes with1 said ,margaret1 when she came back4 ,i should think we would just scrape the plates with the silver knives on them4 ,that's the way ,bridget does4 ,but it is bad for the knives1 her grandmother said4 ,besides1 a stiff knife cannot get the grease off1 and this thin one can4 ,you will see presently how beautifully it works4 ,now we must carry out the food4 ,the dishes of meat1 potatoes1 bread1 and other things were taken to the kitchen table and emptied2 the bread was put back into its box2 the bits of meat and vegetable were put on small dishes and put in the refrigerator2 the butter on the small plates was scraped together into a little bowl and set aside to cook with4 ,then they were ready to get the dishes together on the dining-room table4 ,they carefully emptied the tumblers and coffee-cups into the tray-bowl1 so they would not be spilled in carrying them out4 ,they piled the silver carefully on a dish1 and carried out the plates and other things on the table4 ,when it was quite cleared1 ,margaret took up the crumbs and laid the cloth and pad in the sideboard drawer4 ,a centrepiece was put on the bare table with the fern-dish on it1 and the two armchairs were pushed back in their places1 one at each end4 ,there1 said the grandmother1 when you have dusted the room will be right to leave until luncheon4 ,once or twice a week1 of course1 it has to be thoroughly swept and put to rights1 but this is the way we do every day4 ,in the kitchen they scraped the plates very carefully1 putting all the scraps into a bowl to empty into the garbage pail4 ,they piled them nicely1 putting all the same kind of plates into one pile1 not mixing two sizes or sorts4 ,the cups were put together1 and the saucers piled also4 ,the tray was set ready on one end of the table1 and ,margaret got out her new1 clean dish-towels1 soft ones for glass and silver1 and firmer ones for the rest of the things4 ,then she put out the two dish-pans1 and turned on the water4 ,it ran very hot from the first1 so it was all right1 but ,margaret was told she must always try it before she sat down to a meal1 and if it was only warm she must put on a kettleful to heat1 so it would be ready when needed1 because it was impossible to wash dishes well in any sort of water but the very hottest4 ,they only filled one dish-pan to begin with1 and after it was half-full ,margaret put in the soap-shaker and stirred it around till the water was foamy4 ,she hung it up again1 and began to put in the tumblers4 ,you must be careful that those are not icy1 her grandmother cautioned4 ,even after they have been emptied they must stand till they are fairly warm1 or they will crack as soon as they touch the hot water4 ,but you must be most careful of all about cut glass2 that really needs a special lesson4 ,if you have a piece there1 set it to one side1 and when the rest of the glass is done and the silver1 we will take that4 ,there was a fruit-dish which had been used for breakfast1 so it was put on a corner of the table where it could not be knocked off1 to wait its turn4 ,the tumblers and finger-bowls were put into the hot soapy water at once and turned about in it till they were clean4 ,then they were wiped while they were still a little soapy1 without rinsing them1 because in that way they were polished like diamonds4 ,after they were lifted out and put on the tray the silver went into the pan and was well scrubbed with the mop1 and then rinsed with very hot water1 which proved to be too much for ,margaret's hands2 when she tried to lift out the forks and spoons she could hardly touch them4 ,ouch6 she exclaimed4 ,it burns me4 ,i must put in some cold water4 ,no1 indeed6 said her grandmother1 that would spoil everything4 ,just slip a large spoon under all the silver1 and lift it out at once4 ,there is a saying that no water is hot enough to wash silver in unless it is too hot to put your hands in4 ,just see how fast the heat in it dries it as it lies on the tray6 ,and see how it polishes1 too1 as ,i wipe it6 ,if it were cold it might be greasy1 and certainly it would not look half as well when it was done4 ,now before we take the china ,i will tell you about washing cut glass4 ,you can put some fresh water in the dish-pan1 but make it only as warm as your hand4 ,while she was getting it ready the grandmother got a soft brush and a cake of nice white soap1 and1 after trying the water to see that it was not too warm or too cold1 she mixed the soap in thoroughly4 ,the beautiful glass bowl was lifted carefully into the pan and scrubbed with the little brush till every crack was cleaned and it was brilliant with the suds4 ,margaret was not allowed to lift it out on the tray for fear she should let it slip1 but she watched how her grandmother handled it4 ,if ,i had done as some careless maids do1 her grandmother began1 as she wiped1 ,i might have put this bowl right into the very hot water the tumblers can bear1 and cracked it at once4 ,cut glass cannot bear either hot or cold water4 ,i once had a beautiful bowl broken in two because it was held directly under the faucet in the sink while the hot water ran into it1 and another dish was broken by having a piece of ice put in it on the table4 ,iced lemonade often breaks lovely and costly pitchers4 ,you must always wash each piece by itself in lukewarm water1 and never put it in the pan with other things4 ,make a suds with good white soap1 scrub the cracks well with a soft brush which will not scratch1 and wipe dry without rinsing1 and you will have beautiful1 brilliant glass1 and your care will make it last a lifetime4 ,i will set this away in the dining-room while you draw some hotter water with soap in it for the china4 ,put in the cleanest things first1 and only a few at a time1 so they will not be chipped4 ,why do ,i take the cleanest china first8 ,margaret inquired1 as she put in the fruit-plates4 ,why don't ,i take them as they happen to come on the table6 ,some plates are greasy and some are not1 and the greasy ones would spoil your dish-water1 her grandmother explained4 ,now rinse those1 and while ,i wipe them1 wash the rest and then change your water4 ,when ,margaret lifted out the plates1 she turned them up edgewise and let the water run back into the rinsing-pan1 so that they were already half-dry when she laid them on the tray4 ,but her grandmother got a fresh towel for them1 because the first one had become damp1 and the dishes would not dry easily with it4 ,margaret decided that the easiest way to empty the dish-pan before putting in more hot water would be to tip it up1 so she took it by the handles and turned the water directly into the sink4 ,her grandmother stopped her4 ,use the sink-basket1 she said4 ,see1 the wire one in the corner4 ,pour the water through that1 and then if any bits of food are in it they will stop there and not get into the drain2 it's a great convenience1 and one we never had when ,i was a little girl4 ,so with the dish-mop2 that goes into hot water where the hands do not like to go1 and into cups and dishes where it would be much more trouble to take a cloth1 as we used to do4 ,nowadays we do not use dish-cloths very often1 because doctors tell us that they are not as cleanly as they might be1 and may bring us typhoid fever and other things4 ,a mop can be scalded in very hot water after it has been well washed in soap suds1 and then shaken out perfectly clean to dry quickly1 so that it is better to use4 ,on the iron and tin things we use a wire dish-washer1 which is also very clean1 indeed1 and these make us feel safe4 ,when the glass1 silver1 and china was done1 ,margaret took them on her tray and carried them into the dining-room and put them all away4 ,when she came back1 she looked at the pile of pots and pans on the table1 and groaned4 ,now1 she said1 comes the worst of all6 ,these are no trouble1 laughed her grandmother1 though there are a great many more of them than there ought to be4 ,if ,bridget only washed1 wiped1 and put away every dish as soon as she had finished using it1 there might not be one to wash now4 ,as it is1 scald out the dish-mop1 and put it away1 and get the wire dish-washer1 and a little household ammonia and sapolio1 and some more very hot water in the dish-pan1 and we will do these in a minute4 ,then she showed ,margaret how to wash out her rinsing-pan well1 and wipe it dry before hanging it on its nail4 ,the other pan was half-filled with very hot water1 and a teaspoonful of ammonia put in4 ,the cleanest dishes first1 ,margaret was told1 so in went the baking-tins1 after they were well scraped1 and the wire-washer soon scrubbed them clean1 and grandmother dried them with a strong towel1 and put them on a corner of the stove for a moment to get rid of any dampness before they were put away4 ,the scorched marks on the white enamelled saucepans had to be rubbed well with sapolio1 and a nice dish-cloth was found hanging up over the sink for the purpose4 ,the coffee-pot had a special bath all alone1 and was scrubbed out carefully inside as well as out1 and every single ground was picked out of the spout and corners1 and it was wiped and dried very carefully1 because otherwise it would never make good coffee4 ,the frying-pan had to have a little ammonia to cut the grease1 and as the outside seemed to be rough1 as though it needed attention1 too1 this was well scrubbed with the wire washer till it was just as nice as the inside4 ,after it was wiped1 it1 too1 was dried off on the stove1 lest any dampness might rust it4 ,this finished the dishes1 and ,margaret washed out the dish-pan and scalded it1 and then wiped and hung it up1 as she had the rinsing-pan4 ,the sink was swept up with a little wire broom1 and the bits gathered on a small iron shovel4 ,these they put first into the wire sink-basket1 and then turned out into the bowl of garbage2 they scalded the shovel and broom1 and the basket--turned upside down in the sink--till they were all clean4 ,a bit of washing-soda was laid over the drain-pipe1 and a quantity of very hot water was poured into the sink to flush it4 ,the soda melted away1 and as it went down the pipe it took all the grease with it which the water had left on the sides and in the corners of the pipe4 ,a special cloth was always kept hanging up over the sink for the tables4 ,this ,margaret wrung out1 and used in wiping off all the dish-water which lay there2 she also wiped up the wood of the sink4 ,then the kitchen broom was brought out and the floor nicely swept1 especially under the tables and in the corners4 ,the damp dish-towels were scalded and hung out in the sunshine2 the chairs were set straight1 the window-sills wiped off and some flat-irons put away which had been left on the stove4 ,there1 said the grandmother1 as they stood looking at the tidy kitchen1 that's all there is to do1 and ,i call it pleasant work4 ,i like to make things clean and sweet1 and ,i never could see why so many women hate to wash dishes4 ,why1 grandmother1 said ,margaret1 ,i think it's just fun6 ,,chapter ,v ,,the ,,care ,,of ,,the ,,bedrooms ,when it was the turn of the ,pretty ,aunt to give her lesson in housekeeping1 she said she should begin at daybreak1 so ,margaret was not surprised to hear her knock at the door early in the morning1 almost before she was dressed4 ,she helped the little girl take the clothes off the bed1 one at a time1 and put them on two chairs near the windows1 being careful not to let the blankets get on the floor4 ,she beat the pillows well1 and turned the mattress up over the foot of the bed so the air could get underneath it4 ,the white spread she kept by itself1 and had ,margaret help fold it up in its creases4 ,nothing wrinkles more easily1 she told ,margaret1 and a wrinkled spread spoils the look of neatness a bed ought to have when it is made4 ,if you have a heavy ,marseilles spread1 do not sleep under it2 fold it at night and put it away1 and use only the blankets1 because it is not good for any one to sleep under such a weight4 ,now hang up your night-dress1 and put away your slippers and bath-wrapper4 ,i am delighted to see that you have no dress or petticoats lying around this morning from last night4 ,too many girls do not hang them up at once when they take them off1 but leave them over a chair1 and put them away in the morning1 perhaps creased with lying4 ,it is much better to put them away as you take them off4 ,open your windows1 next1 top and bottom1 and set the closet door open1 too1 and then we will go to breakfast4 ,why do ,i open the closet door8 asked ,margaret1 laughing at the idea4 ,because your closet needs airing just as much as your room does2 more1 indeed1 because its door has been shut all night1 while the fresh air has been blowing into the room through the open windows4 ,if you did not air it every day1 it would soon have a close1 shut-up odor1 and perhaps your dresses would have it1 too1 which would certainly not be nice at all4 ,it has to have fresh air to keep it sweet4 ,now we will shut the door of your room as we go1 for the cold wind would chill the halls1 and besides1 the sight of a disordered bedroom is not attractive4 ,after breakfast ,margaret went up-stairs and shut the windows of her room1 and a little later1 when it was warm1 she and her aunt put on fresh white aprons and went in and began to put it to rights4 ,one stood on each side of the bed and turned the mattress from head to foot2 the next day1 ,margaret was told1 it must be turned from side to side as well as over1 to keep it always in good shape4 ,if this was not done constantly there would soon be a hollow place in the middle1 which would never come out1 and the mattress would be spoiled4 ,they laid over it the nice white pad which kept it looking always new and clean1 and then the lower sheet1 the wide hem at the top and the narrow one at the bottom1 the seams toward the mattress1 and tucked it smoothly in at the sides4 ,some people are careless about these little things1 said the aunt as they worked4 ,they think it does not matter if there is a hollow in the mattress1 or whether they have a cover for it or not4 ,they mix the top and bottom sheets1 and never know which is which2 but you are going to do things the right way1 which is always the easiest in the end4 ,they laid the upper sheet on with the wide hem at the top1 as before1 but with the seam up instead of down4 ,margaret wondered at this1 but was told that this way made the two smooth sides of the sheets come next to the one who slept between them1 and at the same time made the upper sheet turn over at the top with the seam underneath4 ,when the blankets went on1 the ,pretty ,aunt said she was thankful to notice that ,margaret's mother always cut hers in two4 ,what for8 asked the little girl4 ,well1 was the reply1 double blankets are difficult to handle4 ,they are really one long blanket folded together1 and one-half sometimes slips and gets wrinkled1 and is hard to get into place4 ,then1 half-blankets are more easily aired than whole ones1 and more easily washed1 also4 ,and if one is too warm in the night1 and wishes to throw off half of the clothes1 it can be done without pulling the bed to pieces4 ,it is simple enough to cut a pair in two and bind the edges with ribbon so the colors will match1 and it well pays for the small trouble4 ,i sometimes wish ,i had a nice1 fat comfortable instead of two blankets1 said ,margaret4 ,i know a girl who has such a hot one1 all made of cotton and cheesecloth4 ,they are not nearly as healthful as blankets1 my dear1 nor so easily kept clean4 ,people who own them would hate to have to tell how seldom they are washed1 because they are so heavy to handle that it is put off month after month1 and season after season4 ,a pretty little silkolene coverlet to lay on the foot of the bed1 such as you have1 or a small eiderdown puff1 is very nice1 but blankets are the things to sleep under4 ,now let us put the white spread on4 ,but1 auntie1 objected ,margaret1 you haven't tucked anything in6 ,just see1 not the sides nor the bottom6 ,i don't like to have my feet out all night2 ,i like to be tucked in all nice and warm4 ,shan't we tuck in everything as we go along8 ,that's the way ,bridget does when she makes my bed4 ,her aunt laughed4 ,just wait6 she said4 ,then she put on the white spread1 and smoothed it nicely all over1 and told ,margaret to stand opposite to her at the side of the bed near the foot1 and do as she did4 ,first she turned the spread back1 just as though it was at the top instead of the bottom2 then she turned back one blanket2 then the other2 then the upper sheet1 and next the lower one1 leaving the mattress and pad showing4 ,they raised the mattress1 and putting their hands under all the folded back clothes at once1 they put them under the end of it smoothly1 pushing them well back2 then they tucked in the sides4 ,there1 said the aunt1 nodding her pretty head at her little niece1 ,i'd like to see you pull those clothes out at night1 as you do when ,bridget makes your bed6 ,if you tuck things in one by one sometimes they will come out1 but if you tuck them in as we have done they are sure to stay4 ,now for the top4 ,she turned over the spread1 blankets1 and sheet1 and laid them flat on the spread1 and then turned them under themselves1 making a smooth1 rather narrow fold1 close up to the place the pillows were going to stand4 ,if the sheet was mussed ,i would not do this1 she explained4 ,then ,i would just lay all the clothes back under the pillows2 but when the sheet is fresh it looks nice this way4 ,beat up the pillows1 smooth them out1 and stand them up evenly4 ,remember1 if you have a white spread with a fringe on it and a muslin valance around the bed1 the spread is not tucked in at all1 but after the bed is finished and tucked in all around1 it is laid on and left hanging over sides and foot4 ,if1 instead of a spread1 you have a figured cover1 or one made of lace or muslin1 you do not use any spread1 but put that on over the blankets during the day and take it off at night4 ,a roll covered with the same stuff is used with such a bed cover1 and at night this1 too1 is put away and the pillows brought out from the cupboard and put on when the bed is opened4 ,the bed in the guest-room is like that2 you know it has a pretty cover and a roll4 ,but whatever you have1 it is always nice to have the bed opened for one at night1 the clothes folded smoothly back1 the spread laid away and the pillows put down flat1 so all one has to do is to slip in4 ,i know1 ,margaret replied4 ,it makes you feel sleepy to see a bed like that4 ,now let us take the wash-stand1 her aunt went on1 after she had passed her hands all over the bed as though she were ironing it1 leaving it as smooth as a nice white table4 ,get the cloths from the bathroom1 a clean white one1 you know1 and a clean colored one2 and the soap4 ,she showed ,margaret how to wash everything out neatly1 beginning with the tooth-brush mug and soap-dish1 and she was told to look carefully and see if they were both clean in the bottom1 because probably they are not1 she said4 ,the wash-bowl was washed with soap1 especially where there was a greasy streak around it1 and the pitcher was filled1 and wiped where the water dripped down the front4 ,the dark cloth was used on the rest of the china2 it was better to have two cloths of different colors1 her aunt explained1 to avoid mixing them4 ,after the stand was finished1 and the top wiped off with the white cloth1 the cloths were both washed out in the bathroom and put away1 with the soap4 ,the towels were folded in the creases they had been ironed in1 and pulled into shape and rehung2 the wash-cloth was wrung dry and shaken out before it was hung up on the rack4 ,the cake of soap had been washed off in the bowl when that was washed1 and it was now put back in the clean dish4 ,whatever you forget1 ,margaret1 never forget to wash off the soap6 her aunt warned her4 ,there seemed a good deal to do to make the room nice even after the bed and wash-stand were done1 for the closet was opened and everything taken out and put on chairs around the room1 and then put back4 ,the dresses had to be hung up by the loops on the skirt1 and the waists which matched hung each on the same hook with its own skirt by the loops at the sleeves4 ,the petticoats had to go by themselves in a separate part of the closet1 and the shoes were all put in pairs in the bag on the door1 instead of being left on the floor in piles4 ,margaret did not like to do these things1 but she had to admit that she could dress faster in the morning when she knew just where everything was1 and when she could find mates to her shoes in just half a second1 instead of having to take a minute or more to hunt them in the corners of the closet on the floor4 ,arranging the bureau was still worse than making the closet tidy4 ,all the drawers were emptied out1 and everything sorted in heaps and put away4 ,some pretty boxes without covers were brought from her aunt's bureau and put in ,margaret's upper drawer1 one for gloves1 one for handkerchiefs1 one for ribbons1 so that everything should be where it belonged1 yet as soon as the drawer was opened one could see where everything was4 ,underclothes were made into neat piles1 and arranged in the drawers below1 one sort of thing in one pile and another in another1 and the stockings laid in a nice row1 mates together1 folded and tucked in1 ready to go on4 ,the top of the bureau had many pretty silver ornaments1 but they were dull and shabby1 and ,margaret had to get the silver polish and a bit of chamois and make them shine before they could go on the fresh bureau-cover the aunt put on1 and she was given a bit of velvety stuff to tuck in a corner of a drawer1 ready to use every day or two1 so they would not grow dull again4 ,when all else was done they brushed up the floor1 dusted everything thoroughly1 straightened the pictures on the wall and the window-shades1 and set the chairs where they would look best4 ,then ,margaret sat down to rest1 and her aunt finished the lesson in this way3 ,a lady1 she began1 no matter whether she is grown up or not1 always keeps her bedroom in beautiful order1 fresh and dainty1 especially the places which do not show1 like bureau drawers6 ,her closet has plenty of hooks1 and her gowns are kept together1 each on one4 ,her hats are in their boxes on the shelves1 her shoes in their bag4 ,her bureau is orderly1 the silver clean and shining4 ,her hair-brush is washed at least once a week1 to keep it white and fresh1 and the comb is never allowed to have bits of hair in it1 but is as clean as the brush4 ,her wash-stand is always perfectly clean and tidy1 and nothing is ever left about in the room4 ,most important of all1 the air of her room is always fresh and sweet1 because the window is left open at night and often opened during the day for a time4 ,now this has been a good long lesson to-day--it's almost noon2 but if you have learned it1 you have not wasted a minute of even this nice bright ,saturday4 ,there's a prize offered by this teacher for perfect lessons4 ,keep your room in order for a month1 and see what you'll find on your bureau then6 ,oh1 what8 cried ,margaret1 running after her ,pretty ,aunt as she went out into the hall4 ,wait and see6 was all she would say1 but ,margaret decided to keep the room beautifully tidy for the prize1 just the same4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,,sweeping ,,and ,,dusting ,margaret could hardly wait for the time for her sweeping lesson1 because she wanted so much to wear her sweeping-cap4 ,when she heard her mother say one ,saturday morning that the lesson that day would be on the care of the parlors and hall1 she asked to be excused from the breakfast-table1 and ran up and put on her long-sleeved apron and the pretty little cap with the red bow in front1 and came down proud and smiling4 ,the halls and stairs were of hardwood1 so ,margaret selected from the broom-closet the long-handled floor-brush1 the large dust-pan and the small one1 a flat wicker beater for the rugs1 the bottle of floor oil1 and the flannel cloth which was with it1 a certain small dish kept especially for the oil1 and some of her new dust-cloths4 ,she tried to remember all the things her mother had told her to get1 but1 after all1 she forgot the broom1 and had to go back twice for it1 the second time because she brought the wrong one4 ,the very best broom1 used only on the freshest carpets1 had a red tape tied around the handle1 so it would not get mixed with the one used in the dining-room1 or the rest of the house4 ,bridget helped carry out the rugs and put them over the clothes-line1 and ,margaret gently struck them with the wicker beater till all the dust was out4 ,she knew she would injure them if she pounded as hard as she wanted to1 so she was very careful to hit them softly1 but to do it so often that they were clean when she was done4 ,she laid them on the back porch1 and brushed them with the whisk-broom afterward until they were like new2 then they were folded and left in a corner of the dining-room1 ready to go down when the halls were done4 ,her mother told her to go to the very top of the house and shut the doors of the rooms all the way down that no dust could get in4 ,then they moved the table and chair and umbrella jar out of the hall1 and carried the coats and hats to the closet1 and shut them up4 ,the upper hall was very dark with all the doors closed which usually lighted it1 so the gas was lit1 that the corners might be easily seen4 ,beginning at the top of the house ,margaret swept down the halls and stairs all the way1 using her long-handled brush and taking a little whisk-broom1 which was also soft for the corners and the stairs1 putting the dust into the pan as she went along1 especially on the stairs4 ,her mother wanted her to let ,bridget wipe off the wood with oil1 but ,margaret begged to be allowed to do at least one floor and the lower stairs1 so she would know just how to do it in her very own house1 when she had one6 ,she put on a large1 strong pair of gloves1 put a little oil in the dish from the bottle1 dipped in her flannel cloth1 and was going to begin when her mother stopped her4 ,wring out the cloth1 she said2 you are not going to wash the floor1 only to wipe it4 ,then she went away until this part of the work was done1 so she might not step on the wood while it was wet1 and perhaps spoil the whole floor4 ,the work was not very pleasant1 perhaps1 and the oil did not smell very nice1 but it was interesting to do something new1 and ,margaret did not mind it at all4 ,she wiped up one floor and one flight of stairs1 and then wiped also the baseboard around the floor and the balustrades of the stairs1 and when she was done it all looked so fresh and nice she wished she had done all the halls4 ,however1 she put away the oil and cloth and floor-brush1 and1 setting the front door open to let the air come in and dry the wood and carry away the odor of the oil1 she dusted the rest of the halls with her ordinary dust-cloth1 wiping the tops of the pictures well1 and the hall table and chair1 which ,bridget helped her put back4 ,they brought in the step-ladder1 too1 so that ,margaret could get to the chandelier and the top of the doors1 and wipe these off thoroughly4 ,the vestibule had been swept and dusted early in the morning1 and there was nothing to do outside1 but the glass in the front door looked dingy1 and ,margaret wiped it off with a clean1 damp cloth and polished it with the chamois duster and shook out the lace which hung over it1 and dusted the edges of the glass and the wood of the door4 ,then she ran and got the rugs and spread them down1 and called her mother to come and see how beautiful the halls looked4 ,beautiful6 ,i should think so1 indeed6 her mother exclaimed4 ,i could not have done the work better myself4 ,what made you think of the glass in the door8 ,i forgot to tell you about that4 ,oh1 said ,margaret1 ,i pretended ,i was a new maid1 and that you were showing me all about the work1 and first ,i said to myself1 ',next1 ,mary ,jane1 the front door1' and then ,i was ,mary ,jane1 and did the front door1 you see6 ,her mother smiled4 ,well1 certainly1 ,mary ,jane does her work thoroughly1 she said4 ,i am sure ,i shall keep her4 ,now if you are not tired we will do the parlors4 ,these two rooms took all the rest of the ,saturday morning lesson4 ,the window-curtains and portires were pinned up and put into bags1 long1 loose ones1 which kept them off the floor and out of the dust1 but did not muss them4 ,they dusted the piano and large sofa and covered them with strong sheets4 ,they wiped off the book-shelves1 and tucked newspapers in and out until all the books were entirely covered and protected4 ,they brushed off the cushions of the chairs with a whisk-broom as they had the sofa1 and wiped their woodwork1 and then carried them into the dining-room2 the sofa-pillows were shaken and beaten and put there also4 ,all the ornaments on the tables and mantels1 and the lamps1 were wiped and put on the dining-room table4 ,when the rooms were as empty as possible they shut the doors and sprinkled bran on the carpets just as though they were sewing garden seeds1 which ,margaret thought was great fun4 ,some people use tea-leaves on their carpets1 her mother explained1 and as they are damp they do take up the dust nicely2 but they will stain delicate colors so1 ,i think it is safer to use bran1 which also takes up dust but never hurts any carpet4 ,now ,i will show you how to sweep4 ,beginning at one side of the room near the wall1 she made long1 even strokes with the broom1 not bearing on too hard1 and sweeping toward the centre all the time4 ,don't give little jerky dabs at the carpet1 she cautioned1 for that is bad for it1 and don't sweep from one side to the other1 but always toward the middle4 ,but we forgot to open the window4 ,margaret pushed up the one nearest to her and instantly in rushed the wind1 scattering bran and dust all over the floor4 ,her mother hurried to shut it4 ,you must find out from which way the wind comes before you open the window1 she said4 ,that one did more harm than good4 ,try the other one4 ,when this was open they could not feel any breeze at all1 and it seemed as though it was not worth opening1 but the mother said it was exactly right1 for it made a draught1 and carried all the dust gently outdoors4 ,after a time ,margaret took the broom and finished the floor1 and when the dust lay in a little pile in the middle1 her mother held the pan for her and she swept it all up1 except a little which refused to come on2 this they brushed up with the whisk-broom2 they also brushed out all the corners of the room with the whisk and pan1 because the broom was so large that it would not go in easily1 and a little bit of dust had been left in each one4 ,the carpets looked nice and fresh when they had finished4 ,once in awhile1 the mother said1 it is a good plan to have ,bridget wipe off the carpets quickly with warm water in which a little ammonia has been put4 ,she squeezes out a cloth almost dry and works quickly1 not to wet the carpet too much1 and the ammonia brings out the colors and makes the whole look like new4 ,some housekeepers like to put a couple of tablespoonfuls of turpentine in the water instead of the ammonia1 and this is just as good for the carpet1 and if there is any fear of moths being in it1 it is even better4 ,every two or three months a carpet ought to be wiped off in one way or the other to keep it nice4 ,now while we wait for the dust to settle we will make the marble mantel clean4 ,you can get a basin of water1 the sapolio1 a flannel cloth1 and a white cotton one4 ,they wet the cake of soap a little and rubbed the flannel on it and scrubbed the mantel thoroughly1 and then the hearth1 rinsing them off and wiping them dry afterward4 ,they also wiped off the fireplace1 using a dry cloth here1 too1 for fear of rust1 and then took a damp one to wipe off the baseboard4 ,if there had been a wood floor1 that would have had to be treated just as the halls had been--brushed up with the soft brush1 and wiped off with floor oil4 ,and1 her mother explained1 if the halls had been carpeted ,margaret would have had to sweep them with the broom and use the whisk in the corners and on all the stairs1 one at a time1 carefully4 ,by this time there seemed to be no dust left in the air1 so they wiped the pictures off with a clean duster1 especially on the top where ,bridget's duster sometimes failed to go4 ,the sheets were taken off the sofa and piano next1 and they were lightly dusted again1 just to make sure1 ,margaret said4 ,the piano keys proved to be very sticky1 and in some spots there were dark marks1 as though a little girl had practised with unwashed fingers1--though1 of course1 no little girl would really do such a thing1 the mother said4 ,so ,margaret got a little bottle of alcohol and a flannel cloth and sponged off each key4 ,if she had used water on the ivory it would have made it yellow1 but the alcohol did not injure it at all4 ,the chairs were brought in after this1 and the other things they had carried out1 and all arranged again4 ,some of the bric--brac was not clean in spite of its dusting1 and this had to be carefully washed in warm water and wiped dry before it was put in place4 ,anything but soiled ornaments1 her mother told the little girl4 ,the curtains and portires were taken out of their bags and smoothed1 and the bags and sheets folded and put away till the next sweeping day4 ,the parlors looked beautifully fresh and orderly1 but something seemed missing4 ,why1 the palm6 ,margaret said at length4 ,bridget took it out this morning for its bath and did not bring it back4 ,they found there had been no time for the bath yet1 so ,margaret and her mother said they would attend to it4 ,they wet the earth well1 and while the water drained off into a large pan they washed the leaves1 using a soft cloth dipped in a basin which held a cup of water and a cup of milk4 ,i did not know plants liked milk1 said ,margaret1 as she helped sponge the large leaves all over1 the back as well as the front sides4 ,palms love it1 her mother replied1 and it pays to use it on them1 for it keeps them green and glossy2 you will see how pretty this looks when we have finished it4 ,sure enough1 when they were done the palm looked as though the leaves had just opened1 and they agreed that it should have a drink of milk and water every week4 ,then they put it back in its pot in the window of the parlor1 and the room was all done4 ,the last thing of all was the lesson the mother repeated for ,margaret to remember for all kinds of sweeping and dusting4 ,it was like this3 ,first get rid of all the ornaments and furniture in a room2 in a bedroom you can put the things from the bureau and mantel on the bed1 provided you dust them all well first4 ,the chairs can go into the hall1 and over the bureau1 table1 sofa1 and bed1 you must put sheets and towels1 or even newspapers2 never sweep till everything is well covered1 or you will have to do double work when you come to dust4 ,pin up the curtains1 and put bran on the carpet1 and get somebody to help you push the heavy furniture about so you can sweep under it2 there are some people who do not move these things for months1 because it is too much trouble1 but nice housekeepers always move them every single time they sweep4 ,use the whisk-broom in all the corners2 wipe off the baseboards2 dust the pictures thoroughly1 and shake out the curtains1 and when the room is rearranged1 dust all the little things and your rooms will always look as though they had been housecleaned4 ,my windows really and truly need washing1 said ,margaret4 ,when ,i sweep my room next week ,i shall wash them all myself4 ,then you had better learn how now1 her mother said4 ,that will be a good ending for the lesson4 ,to wash windows you need a basin of warm water1 a little ammonia1 and two clean cloths4 ,wring out your first cloth in the ammonia-water until it is nearly dry1 and rub the glass over and over from one side to the other1 and around and around4 ,wipe dry each pane as you finish it1 so it will not be streaked1 and when all are done1 polish them off with a handful of tissue-paper or a chamois4 ,when you wash plate glass1 such as we have in the parlors1 do not use ammonia1 but instead put a few drops of blueing in the water1 and when they are wiped dry go over the glass again with a cloth wrung out in alcohol4 ,do mirrors in this way if they are very dim2 if they are new but dusty1 do not use any water1 only the alcohol1 and polish them with the chamois4 ,would you like to try one window or one mirror still1 this morning8 ,margaret said she thought she would rather wait a week1 and as it proved to be luncheon time she hurried to put all the things away which they had been using1 and get herself ready4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,,the ,,bathroom2 ,,brasses1 ,,grates1 ,,oilcloths1 ,,and ,,vestibule ,when the ,saturday morning came on which ,margaret was to learn how to take care of the bathroom1 and clean grates1 and do other such things1 she groaned out loud4 ,so far her lessons had been delightful1 but this one sounded as though it would be work instead of fun4 ,however1 she put on her long-sleeved apron and out of the little bathroom cupboard she took the flannel cloth1 the cotton cloth1 the sapolio1 the metal polish1 a queer little brush of twigs with a long handle and a bottle of disinfectant1 all of which stood ready there in a neat row4 ,then her ,other ,aunt came into the room1 with a big apron on just like ,margaret's1 and began3 ,the bathtub1 luckily for us1 she said1 is of white enamel1 so it is easy to keep clean4 ,but see1 all around it there is a streak where the top of the water came after somebody's bath this morning4 ,now1 of course1 every single person who uses a bathtub ought to wipe it out afterward2 but men don't take the trouble1 and women sometimes forget2 little girls never do1 of course6 ,so the tub has to be washed and wiped out every morning4 ,every single morning8 ,margaret asked1 grumblingly4 ,it seems as if that would be too often2 it must wear the nice enamel off to wash it so much4 ,not at all1 said her aunt2 it is good for it6 ,get the nice white cloth and a cake of soap1--not the sapolio1 because that would scratch it1--and roll up your sleeves4 ,kneel down by the tub1 put in the stopper1 and draw a little warm water2 wring out your cloth in it1 rub it well on the soap1 and scrub off the greasy mark first1 and afterward wash the tub all over2 rinse out your cloth1 let out the water1 and wash the tub again and wipe it dry4 ,sometimes1 perhaps twice a week1 put a little ammonia in the first water so that the tub will have an extra cleaning4 ,if ever you have a really dirty tub to scrub1 take gasoline on a flannel cloth and wash with that1 and it will be like new2 but tubs which are washed out every day never need gasoline4 ,if you have a tub lined with zinc remember that needs even more care than a white one1 if it is to be kept shining bright4 ,you can scrub it out with gasoline if it seems greasy1 then with vinegar1 if it is dark1 then with metal polish1 and so on2 zinc tubs are really difficult to care for4 ,a better way is to paint it all over with two coats of white paint and when it is dry enamel it4 ,it costs only a dollar to do it1 and it does save so much work2 besides1 a white tub always looks best of all4 ,now we will do the wash-stand4 ,they took off the soap-dish and tooth-brush mug and bottles of tooth powder1 because1 as the aunt explained1 one must always wipe under things1 not around them4 ,the marble slab and bowl were scrubbed and dried1 and the mugs and soap-dish washed1 wiped1 and replaced4 ,after this they cleaned the closet by pulling the handle and letting the water run while they put in the long-handled brush of twigs and brushed out every inch of china1 even down into the pipe as far as possible4 ,margaret was told that when she used ammonia in the tub she must put some in the closet1 too1 and once or twice a week a little disinfectant must be poured down to keep the pipe perfectly clean4 ,the woodwork was wiped off with a cloth kept for that purpose1 and then they turned to the polishing of the faucets and pipes4 ,this was hard1 but as ,margaret and her aunt both worked it made it easier4 ,they put some polishing paste on a flannel and rubbed and rubbed till they could see the metal shining through the paste2 then they wiped it off with a dry cloth4 ,if this was all rubbed a little every single day1 said the aunt1 it would never be such hard work4 ,i should say that this nickel had been just a little bit neglected lately1 but see how bright we have made it6 ,now for the oilcloth on the floor4 ,they set the hamper and a chair out into the hall1 and ,margaret went to the kitchen for a basin of milk with a little warm water in it4 ,out of the cupboard she brought the ,japanese seat she had learned she must always use when she got down on the floor1 partly to save her dress1 and partly because there was a painful disease called sometimes housemaid's knee1 which one could get by kneeling and working on a hard floor with nothing underneath one4 ,when she was all ready her aunt wrung out the cloth for her in the milk1 and told her to begin at one edge and work straight across the floor1 wiping every part well1 but especially under the tub and wash-stand1 because those were likely to need it most4 ,the milk will freshen the oilcloth and make it shine1 she said4 ,always try and have some when you wipe up an oilcloth1 for water alone is not good for it4 ,when the floor was dry they set in the hamper again1 folded the towels neatly1 and hung them straight on the rack1 and dusted around the window and the wood around the sides of the room4 ,we are done here1 the aunt said1 as they put away all the things they had been using1 but the lesson isn't over yet1 for while we are in the scrubbing business you may as well learn how to take care of steps and vestibule4 ,you may get the old broom from the kitchen ,bridget keeps for this1 and ask her to bring a pail of water2 you will need the scrubbing-brush1 too1 and the sapolio1 and two cloths2 the ,japanese seat1 some more metal polish1 a flannel1 and a duster4 ,margaret got them all1 and brought them out to the vestibule4 ,the door-mat was taken up1 shaken well1 and hung over the balustrade outside1 and1 after sweeping out the vestibule1 ,margaret knelt on the seat and scrubbed the marble floor1 especially in the corners1 and then wiped them dry4 ,the steps had already been swept once that morning1 so all they needed was a good bath4 ,a little water at a time was poured over them and swept off with the broom1 and while they dried in the sunshine1 she rubbed the door handles and bell with polish1 and gave them a beautiful finish with chamois leather4 ,the woodwork of the doors was pretty dusty1 and before it could be made to look just right it had to be rubbed off with a damp duster and a little stick used in the cracks of the wood4 ,when the rug was laid down once more ,margaret and her ,other ,aunt stood and admired their work4 ,a good housekeeper always has nice1 clean steps and a well-cared-for vestibule1 said the aunt4 ,they are like a sign-board on the front of a house1 telling the sort of people who live inside4 ,that thought ought to make you keep your vestibule in nice order4 ,yes1 indeed1 said ,margaret4 ,i'd be ashamed to have a sign-board in front of my steps1 saying1 ',an untidy girl lives here6' ,now what do we do8 ,well1 let us see if we can find any brass to polish4 ,there are the andirons in the hall1 for instance1 and the shovel and tongs4 ,so out came the metal polish once more1 and1 after putting down a newspaper1 they rubbed them all well4 ,they found out1 however1 that some of the brass about the house had an enamel finish over it to keep out the air1 and all this needed was wiping off with a cloth instead of rubbing1 which was a great saving of time2 though this brass was not quite as nice looking as that which they rubbed till it shone like a mirror1 in the old-fashioned way4 ,it happened that the chandelier in the hall was covered with the enamel1 and here her aunt told ,margaret she did not dislike it1 because it would have been nearly impossible to rub a chandelier clear up to the ceiling every week4 ,they brought out the step-ladder and wiped it off with a dry duster1 however1 and then they washed the globes nicely in warm water1 and dried them4 ,globes often got very dusty1 the aunt said1 and nobody remembered to wash them off instead of merely dusting them once in awhile1 and then the family thought the gas must be very poor because the light was dim4 ,now1 auntie1 what next8 ,margaret asked1 when this work was done4 ,the sitting-room fireplace1 her aunt replied4 ,it is full of wood ashes4 ,margaret went once more to the broom closet and got a shovel1 a dust-pan1 a whisk-broom1 a damp cloth1 and a newspaper4 ,there were andirons in the fireplace and the ashes lay all over and around them1 so her aunt first helped her lift these heavy things out on the newspaper at one side4 ,then she told her to sweep most of the ashes into a small pile right in the centre of the hearth1 at the back4 ,but1 auntie1 they won't burn any more2 why don't ,i take them right out6 asked ,margaret4 ,because they make the fire burn better and last longer4 ,you can take up part of them and put them in the scuttle1 but leave some1 and especially all the bits of charred wood2 it would be wasteful to take those away4 ,margaret carefully swept up the greater part of the ashes1 working from the edges of the hearth toward the middle1 and put them into the scuttle4 ,once she spilled a shovelful1 but as a newspaper was spread on the carpet it did not matter4 ,her aunt told her to be sure and always have plenty of papers ready to use in housework1 because in the end they saved so much work4 ,suppose you had to sweep up those ashes1 she said1 and clean the carpet1 too1 would not that be a bother6 ,now if the hearth is clean1 wipe it with the damp cloth1 and dust off the andirons well4 ,if there had been a grate here you would have had to polish it with the blacking from the kitchen stove4 ,when you have finished you can get more paper and kindling and lay a fire4 ,they put crumpled paper between the andirons1 covering all the ashes which lay there so they did not show4 ,on this they laid kindling1 crossed1 and then some pieces of wood4 ,when they gathered up the newspaper there was nothing to brush from the carpet1 and everything was neat4 ,there1 said her aunt1 that's all for to-day4 ,run and wash your face and hands1--they need it6 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,housecleaning2 ,,cellar ,,and ,,attic ,margaret's ,saturday morning lessons were interrupted at this point by the spring housecleaning4 ,everybody was so busy taking up and putting down carpets1 hanging curtains and pictures over1 putting away winter clothes and getting out summer ones1 that the lessons seemed forgotten4 ,the grandmother1 however1 remembered1 and one day she took the little girl around the house while the cleaning was going on1 showing her how the work was done4 ,they found the guest-room had been finished1 so they sat down there and talked4 ,housecleaning is very different nowadays from what it used to be1 she began4 ,we used to take up all the carpets at once1 and keep everything upset for a week or two1 and then get all to rights4 ,now we take a room at a time1 and so do the whole house gradually and comfortably4 ,perhaps the work is divided1 and part done in the spring and part in the fall1 to make it still easier4 ,then we do not take up every carpet every year1 as we did4 ,this guest-room carpet1 for one1 does not need beating and cleaning and putting down again1 because the room is not used all the time1 and once or twice a year it has a scrubbing with warm water or turpentine or ammonia after it is swept4 ,yes1 said ,margaret1 ,i learned about that in my sweeping lesson4 ,when this room was cleaned1 her grandmother went on1 the curtains were taken down1 and the pictures wiped off and put into the storeroom4 ,the furniture was well dusted and put away also1 and the bed all taken apart1 the mattress beaten gently1 the springs dusted and wiped off2 the bed slats were washed in hot soap and water1 and put away1 too4 ,then the bed itself was taken to pieces and washed in warm soap-suds1 because being white iron they could not hurt it4 ,if it had been a wooden bed it would have been wiped with a damp cloth4 ,and then1 ,margaret1 what do you think8 a brush dipped in turpentine was put in all the corners of the bed and the springs1 so that if by any chance a little bug should have crept in there to hide1 it would be driven out4 ,margaret looked disgusted4 ,we don't have bugs in our beds1 she said1 indignantly4 ,nice1 clean people never do4 ,her grandmother smiled4 ,even a very nice1 clean person may bring home a bug from a crowded street-car1 she said4 ,and if it happens to be on a coat which is thrown on a bed1 it may crawl quickly into a corner without anybody's seeing it1 and presently the bed will have half a dozen bugs in it4 ,of course a good housekeeper would never let them stay in a bed a single minute after she finds out they are there1 and she always hunts occasionally1 at least as often as every few months1 so that she may be perfectly sure everything is all right4 ,if ever you think you are perfectly safe1 my dear1 and do not look to make sure1 you will be the very one to be surprised some day6 ,you must often put the mattress on a sheet on the floor1 and look all along the edge and in the corners and under the ties4 ,the spring must be painted with turpentine1 especially in the hidden places1 and so must the corners of the bed4 ,it is a good plan to use only metal beds with iron spring frames1 for bugs like wood much better2 they seldom stay where there is none4 ,if you ever find a bug1 or the tiny black speck it makes1 get the white of an egg and beat it with a teaspoonful of quicksilver1 and paint everything with it1 and you will have no more trouble4 ,after the bed is cleaned and taken down1 the floor is to be swept twice over1 and the carpet taken away2 the paper under it may be swept clean in the yard4 ,the walls are to be swept down with a soft brush1 or a broom covered with a duster4 ,the closet is to be emptied entirely1 the drawers1 shelves1 floor1 and baseboard washed well1 and the closet floor washed also4 ,the windows must be cleaned and all the woodwork washed in warm water with a little nice soap1 and rinsed well4 ,when all is fresh and the floor dry1 the paper can be laid1 the carpet put down1 the furniture wiped again1 the bed put together and made1 the pictures hung1 and the fresh curtains put up1 if they are used in summer1 and the room will be thoroughly done4 ,all rooms are alike in the way they are cleaned4 ,first do the closets1 remember1 all the drawers as well as shelves2 then1 shutting this up1 empty the room1 and do walls1 floor1 paint1 and windows4 ,if there is a matting down1 this must be wiped off with salted water1 which freshens it4 ,now ,i think we can go down to the cellar for the next part of the lesson4 ,the cellar proved to be rather chilly1 but they stayed long enough to learn a good many things about it4 ,there were two rooms1 one for the coal and wood1 and one for vegetables and preserved fruit and such things4 ,all these1 ,margaret was told1 must be looked after4 ,the fuel room should have several bins1 one for kitchen coal1 one for furnace coal1 and one low one for wood2 it was untidy to leave any of these lying in heaps on the floor4 ,the vegetables had to be constantly looked over for fear any should decay1 and so bring sickness to the family1 who might never know why it came4 ,the preserves must be examined1 lest any begin to leak1 and the whole place must be kept cool and dry by having a window open a little at the top1 with a good bolt or a few nails to keep any one from opening it from the outside4 ,the windows did not need to be washed quite as often as those up-stairs1 but they should never be left grimy and dirty4 ,a good housekeeper always keeps watch of her cellar1 said the grandmother4 ,she sees that the air is fresh1 the floor clean1 the walls free from cobwebs1 and that no rubbish is allowed to accumulate4 ,the wood and coal must not get too low in the bins2 the grocer's boxes must be kept chopped into kindling1 and1 most important of all1 every cellar should have a good coat of whitewash every spring to make it all sweet and clean4 ,margaret said she thought she knew this part of her lesson now1 and that cellars were not so very interesting4 ,well1 suppose we take the attic next1 grandmother said1 smiling2 that is1 if you are really certain you can keep your own cellar clean and nice when you have one4 ,margaret promised to try4 ,the attic was a nice1 dusky room1 with some old furniture1 trunks1 and boxes1 rolls of carpet1 and bags of pieces4 ,it had a dry1 comfortable sort of smell in the air4 ,i like attics1 said ,margaret4 ,i mean to have a great big one some day1 all full of interesting things1 like the girls in story-books4 ,the more things in your attic the more trouble you will have to be a good housekeeper1 said her grandmother4 ,let us sit down on this sofa for our lesson1 and suppose that was really your own attic4 ,what would you do to put it in order and keep it so6 ,well1 said ,margaret1 thoughtfully1 ,i'd move everything out and sweep it2 then ,i'd brush off the walls and wash the windows2 then ,i'd arrange things--and then it would be done4 ,oh1 no6 her grandmother replied4 ,that isn't half4 ,i see you needed the lesson on the attic1 as ,i thought4 ,now listen3 ,you see it is rather dark up here1 and so moths love the place1 and if it was left to them they would eat up all that is in the trunks4 ,the first thing in cleaning an attic is to empty all the trunks1 one at a time1 and look everything over4 ,there are pieces of clothing which may be used again which have to go outdoors on the line in the sunshine and be beaten1 and furs1 especially1 require this done frequently4 ,your pretty little baby things are in one trunk1 and those your mother wishes to keep always1 so she airs them and refolds the dresses so they will not get discolored streaks by lying always one way2 the flannels are aired1 too1 and folded in papers with perhaps a bit of camphor or a moth ball1 though these are not as much protection as the constant airing and shaking is4 ,in that large trunk there are some old silk dresses1 and such things1 which are also to be kept4 ,moths do not touch silks1 but these1 too1 must be taken out and shaken and refolded once in awhile to keep them from cracking in the places where they have laid4 ,once a year1 at least1 all trunks must be emptied1 wiped out1 and relined with fresh papers1 the things aired and put back freshly4 ,if there are any clothes which are being kept which1 after all1 are not needed1 it is always best to give them away before they are out of style or moth-eaten4 ,it is wrong to keep things one does not want when so many are cold4 ,one always keeps certain things like your mother's wedding-gown1 and some handsome pieces of velvet1 too valuable to give away1 and other things which would be of no use to any one else2 but your father's old clothes1 and your outgrown dresses1 and my heavy winter coat which ,i shall not wear again1 must all go before they are half-spoiled by lying4 ,you see there are several piece-bags hanging up2 those we must go over1 too4 ,we always keep bits of our dresses to patch with1 or to use in re-making them4 ,but sometimes we keep the pieces long after the dress is gone1 when perhaps some one would like them for patchwork1 or to make a pincushion or needle-book out of4 ,the pieces must be sorted often1 the woollen ones put by themselves with moth balls1 and the silk and cotton ones divided1 some to keep1 and some to give to anybody who needs them more than we do4 ,the roll of old carpet is to go away1 too1 this time to be made into a kitchen rug4 ,carpets must not be left in the attic or they will surely make a nice home for moth-families4 ,the broken chairs are to go to-day to be mended1 ,i heard your mother say this morning4 ,some she will use again1 and the rest she will pass on to somebody who wants chairs and has not enough4 ,this old sofa1 of course1 she will keep1 because some day she will have it re-covered2 it is a strong1 good piece of furniture1 and she knows we can use it4 ,the summer clothes are kept in those two large trunks under the window2 in a few days they will go down-stairs1 and the winter ones1 all shaken and beaten on the clothes-line till they are fresh and clean1 will be packed away carefully in their places after the trunks have had fresh paper put in them4 ,do you know how to put away winter clothes1 by the way8 ,margaret said she did not think she did1 so they stopped the lesson for a minute to put this in4 ,after the things are aired well1 fold each dress or coat or suit of clothes up by itself1 and pin it snugly in newspapers1 which moths do not like4 ,tie a strong string around the bundle to lift it by1 and paste a slip of paper on the top1 and write on this plainly just what is inside4 ,if you have anything very nice to put away1 such as a broadcloth suit1 put it in a new paste-board box and paste a strip of paper all around the edge of the cover2 use good mucilage1 and the moths cannot possibly get at it4 ,put furs in paper bags after they are clean1 and hang them from the rafters4 ,hats and such things may go into boxes1 and you can lay a paper over each box before putting on its cover1 to keep the dust out4 ,summer clothes do not need so much care2 just fold them neatly and put them in a nice clean trunk1 and they will take care of themselves4 ,now do you think you know how to keep a cellar and attic in good order8 ,suppose you make up a rule to give me4 ,margaret thought a moment4 ,keep the cellar clean1 she said at length1 and give away the things in the attic4 ,her grandmother laughed4 ,keep both the cellar and attic clean1 and don't hoard uselessly1 she corrected4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,laundry ,,work ,margaret's teachers held a meeting before her next lesson4 ,they could not decide whether she should be taught to wash and iron or not4 ,her ,pretty ,aunt said1 ,certainly not6 ,she will never need to know4 ,even on a desert island she will find some ,woman ,friday to do her laundry work6 ,but1 suggested her ,other ,aunt1 suppose she had a very beautiful thin dress to be washed1 and had a very poor laundress to do it who might spoil it2 don't you think she would wish she knew how to do it herself8 ,besides1 said her mother1 however could she teach an ignorant servant to wash and iron if she did not know how8 ,of course she must know1 said her grandmother1 sternly4 ,i will teach her myself4 ,so on ,friday night ,margaret made up a bundle of clothes as she was told2 samples1 grandmother called them1 because there were some of every sort of thing found in a regular washing2 these they took down to the laundry4 ,the first thing is to sort the clothes1 the lesson began4 ,put the white1 starched things in one pile2 the bed and table linen in another2 the flannels by themselves2 the stockings by themselves2 the handkerchiefs and colored things in two more piles4 ,many people do not soak clothes over night1 and it is not necessary to do so1 but ,i am going to teach you to do it because it is the easiest way4 ,if you are ready1 look over the white things first for spots4 ,coffee1 tea1 and fruit stains must have boiling water poured through them till they disappear4 ,rust must be rubbed with lemon juice and salt and laid on a new1 shiny tin in the sunshine till the spot disappears2 some people use acid1 but this is apt to eat the cloth4 ,blood stains must be soaked in cold water2 get the handkerchief you had on your cut finger and put it in this pail4 ,now wet the white things only1 rub on a little soap1 and get out every spot2 put them in nice rolls1 the soapy side turned in1 and lay them all in the warm water in these two tubs1 clothing in one1 and table and bed linen in the other--never put the two together4 ,do not soak the flannels or they will shrink2 nor the colored things1 or they will fade2 nor the stockings4 ,the handkerchiefs1 well soaped and rubbed and squeezed1 go into a pail of water all alone with a tablespoonful of kerosene to kill any germs of cold in the head which may be in one of them1 and would spread to all the handkerchiefs4 ,the oil boils out and does not smell after they are ironed4 ,that is all for to-night1 but be up bright and early in the morning1 for only lazy people hang out their washing at noon4 ,the next day ,margaret came into the laundry with her biggest apron and her sleeves rolled up and pinned to her shoulders1 ready for work4 ,flannels first1 she was told4 ,draw two tubs of warm water1 one just exactly as warm as the other4 ,put in some nice white soap and make a good suds1 and then take it out and put in the flannels2 rub and squeeze them with your hands till they are clean1 but never rub them on the wash-board1 or put any soap directly on them or they will grow hard and stiff2 as soon as they are clean1 wring them out and rinse them in the second water4 ,the reason why they must be washed and rinsed in the same sort of water is that if they were dropped from cold to hot or hot to cold water they would shrink all up and be spoiled at once4 ,a little ammonia or borax in the rinsing water makes them soft and white4 ,you cannot take too much care in washing flannels1 for they are expensive and easily spoiled2 think how often your winter undervests are shrunken before they are half-worn1 and how once ,bridget spoiled a pair of beautiful new blankets she washed for the first time1 all because the two waters were not just alike1 and because she rubbed soap on them and made them hard and yellow4 ,now you may wring yours out with your hands and hang them out on the line4 ,when ,margaret came in again her grandmother had put the white apron into the water the flannels had been rinsed in1 for its first bath4 ,she said it was still fresh and warm and soapy and ought not to be wasted4 ,the first tubful1 however1 she had thrown away as useless any longer4 ,she told ,margaret to put a little more soap on the apron and gently rub it on the board1 turning it over and over till it was clean2 then she dropped it in the wash-boiler1 which her grandmother had filled with fresh water and put on the fire4 ,the linen was washed in the same way1 rubbing and turning it till it was all fresh1 and putting it in the boiler4 ,the water was allowed to boil up well for a moment1 the clothes pushed down and turned around with a stick as they rose to the top4 ,they were lifted out with the stick into a tub of fresh1 hot water1 and rinsed till all the soap was out1 and dropped in a tub of cold water which had a little blueing in it4 ,here they were rinsed once more1 and wrung out dry and then put out in the sunshine4 ,bridget had hung a low clothes-line for ,margaret between two small trees1 so she could easily reach it4 ,the clothes-pins were in one of her aprons1 in a pocket made by turning up the bottom almost half-way to the belt1 so none could fall out4 ,this apron was made of heavy ticking1 and none of the water reached her dress as she carried out the wet things to the line4 ,when she came in this second time she found her grandmother ready to make starch4 ,as there were only a very few things to stiffen she measured a heaping tablespoonful of dry starch1 wet it with just as much cold water1 and added a cup of boiling water1 with a half-teaspoonful of sugar1 to make it extra nice and glossy4 ,the white apron was dipped in this and wrung out2 then more water was added till the starch was like milk1 and the pillow-cases and gingham apron were dipped in4 ,i never starch table or bed linen1 said her grandmother1 but you may1 if you wish to1 if you use very thin starch4 ,i know a better way to make such things look nice1 however1 and when we iron ,i will teach it to you4 ,now we must finish the washing4 ,wash and rinse the stockings in hot water1 but do not boil them2 wash and rinse and boil the handkerchiefs by themselves4 ,when these are all on the line1 and you have made the laundry tidy1 you can rest for an hour1 while the irons get nice and hot1 and then we will take the second half of the laundry lesson4 ,the sunshine had made everything dry and sweet when ,margaret brought in the clothes from the line and heaped them on the laundry table4 ,she spread the napkins and pillow-cases out smoothly1 and from a nice white bowl of clean water she sprinkled them1 one at a time1 and smoothed out the creases as her grandmother showed her4 ,the fewer wrinkles1 the easier ironing1 she said4 ,each was made into a tidy roll and laid in the basket again4 ,the handkerchiefs were sprinkled also1 and made into one roll and laid by them4 ,the flannels were still damp1 and so just ready to iron as they were1 and so were the stockings4 ,as the irons were hot1 ,margaret now spread the ironing-pad of flannel over the table1 and laid the ironing-sheet very smoothly over it4 ,she put the iron-stand on one corner on a square1 white tile1 so the heat would not burn the cloth underneath and got out a thick1 soft holder4 ,she also got out the ironing-board1 because the flannel petticoats were easier to manage on this than on the table4 ,she tried the iron by holding it to her cheek1 and found it quite warm4 ,then she wet the tip of her finger1 as she had seen ,bridget do1 and quickly touched it4 ,it seemed just right1 hot1 but not burning1 so she began on the stockings1 and ironed them flat1 on the right side1 turning each one over and pressing both sides4 ,she did not turn in the toes1 because some of them needed to be darned1 and whoever did it would have to turn each one back to see if there were any holes in it2 but she made them into pairs1 folding each once1 and hung them on the little clothes-horse standing before the fire4 ,the flannel skirts she slipped over the skirt-board1 and ironed them by beginning at the hem and working toward the belt1 pulling each one around the board to bring the unironed part up4 ,these1 too1 she hung near the fire1 because flannels take so long to grow perfectly dry4 ,the table napkins were a real pleasure to do4 ,her grandmother taught her why they needed no starch--because if they were ironed over and over1 with a good hot iron1 first on one side and then on the other1 they grew a little stiff1 and became very glossy and beautiful1 like satin1 while if starch was used they easily got too stiff4 ,these were folded very carefully indeed1 so the edges exactly matched1 and laid in a pile by themselves4 ,by the time these were done the iron was again cool and had to be changed for the second time for a hot one4 ,linen1 the grandmother explained1 needed hot irons1 but one should always be very careful not to have them so hot that there is any danger of scorching1 because linen is very expensive1 and easily ruined4 ,the towels were ironed exactly as the napkins had been1 on both sides1 and again and again1 till they were dry and shining4 ,then they were folded carefully1 not in four narrow folds1 but in three parts1 so they would look generous1 grandmother said4 ,the side edges had to match exactly1 and the lower edge had to be a tiny bit longer than the rest1 so that when hung on the towel-rack it would be perfect4 ,this took time1 but when once ,margaret learned how they should look1 she said it was no trouble4 ,the white apron also took some time to do because it had to be polished1 and the gatherings and ruffles were bothersome1 but still it was done presently1 and also the gingham apron1 which was easier4 ,the handkerchiefs were only play1 but they had to be carefully folded1 so the edges would be even4 ,at last everything was done1 and there was a whole clothes-horse full of beautiful clothes4 ,it looked like a blossoming tree1 all white and fragrant1 and ,margaret felt very proud and happy as she ran to call the family to come and admire4 ,i knew she could learn6 said her grandmother1 nodding to her mother1 as they all came in to look and praise the little laundress4 ,,chapter ,x ,,the ,,linen ,,closet2 ,,pantries2 ,,polishing ,,silver2 ,,the ,,care ,,of ,,the ,,refrigerator2 ,,cleaning ,,the ,,lamps ,i think1 said the ,pretty ,aunt one day1 we must be coming to the end of the ,saturday morning lessons4 ,we have had the kitchen and dining-room1 the bedrooms1 halls1 and parlors1 the bathroom1 cellar1 attic1 and vestibule4 ,i really can't think of anything else to teach ,margaret about the care of the house4 ,why1 exclaimed the ,other ,aunt1 ,i can6 ,i can think of five or six things you have not said a word about2 all important ones1 too6 ,how nice6 laughed the ,pretty ,aunt1 because now you can give the lesson6 ,margaret had felt disappointed when she thought the lessons were over1 for she liked to learn something new each week2 so when she was told to put on a clean apron and be ready in half a minute1 she ran off in a hurry4 ,her aunt was in the upper hall when she appeared1 with the door of the linen closet open1 and she told ,margaret they would begin here4 ,this little room is the one good housekeepers are especially fond of1 she began4 ,clean1 white linen1 polished and beautiful1 is a joy to look at and handle1 and every woman is proud if she has a quantity1 all nicely kept4 ,let us begin with the shelves1 taking them in order1 and see what is on each4 ,the top one held blankets1 each pair folded together smoothly and pinned up in a clean1 strong piece of white cotton cloth1 and labelled4 ,the first label read1 ,guest-room blankets1 and when they were opened there lay a fresh1 soft1 fleecy pair1 with a lovely border of pale pink1 and edges of broad pink ribbon4 ,this is your mother's very best pair of blankets1 began her aunt4 ,they are cut in two and bound alike at each end1 you see2 they have never been washed or cleaned yet1 so they are still very white and soft4 ,by and by they will begin to look a little soiled1 and then they will be cleaned perhaps1 once or twice1 and presently they will be washed1 and they will not be nearly as nice as they are now1 though well-washed blankets should still be fleecy and white4 ',soft1 warm water1 with suds of white soap1' murmured ,margaret1 reviewing her laundry lesson2 'rub with your hands1 rinse in the same sort of water as you used in washing1 with a little borax or ammonia1 and they will look like new4' ,splendid6 said her aunt4 ,i see you can wash blankets to perfection4 ,but even so1 some day there will be new ones for the guest-room1 and these will be on one of the family beds4 ,the next two or three bundles1 you see1 are clean1 washed blankets1 in pairs1 laid away till they are needed4 ,all blankets have to be put on the line in the sunshine frequently whether they are washed or not1 or they may be eaten by moths4 ,here are a few clean comfortables next1 on this second shelf1 done up like the blankets4 ,these have to be washed1 too1 and are more difficult to manage than blankets1 because they are so heavy2 they have to be aired often to keep them sweet1 for the cotton holds odors easily4 ,then come the white spreads1 the heavy ,marseilles in one pile1 the lighter ones in another1 and the single ones and double ones kept separate4 ,the third shelf holds towels1 you see4 ,this pile is for the best ones2 notice how beautifully they are ironed and folded1 and how the embroidered initials stand out4 ,the ordinary bedroom towels come next2 see how many your mother has1 and how each kind is by itself3 the hemstitched ones in one pile1 the plain huckaback in another2 those with colored borders in this one1 and the bath towels in that4 ,any one could come in and get a towel in the dark1 sure of taking just the right one4 ,you must remember always to keep your own towels just this way2 too many people mix them in in any careless fashion1 and do not take the trouble to have them arranged neatly1 but it's the best way to do4 ,the sheets and pillow-cases are in these deep drawers4 ,this top one has the double sheets and the best linen ones2 notice how they lie in piles1 each kind by itself1 just like the towels4 ,they are all marked on the narrow edge1 and so they can be recognized at a glance2 the large sheets have your mother's full name4 ,in this next drawer are the single bed sheets1 marked with her first initials1 and her last name4 ,the servants' sheets have only her three initials4 ,you see how easy it is to tell which is which4 ,the pillow-cases are marked in the same way1 and put in piles4 ,you must be sure when you have a washing to put away that you do not put the clean things on top of each pile1 and then take them off again to use at once2 put things on top and take them off the bottom of the pile1 so they will all be used in turn4 ,now for the table-linen4 ,this was in another drawer1 and ,margaret exclaimed when she saw how beautiful it was4 ,the cloths were like satin1 the napkins which matched lay in dozens by them2 the every-day cloths and napkins were by themselves1 and the small lunch-cloths had a pile of their own4 ,the doilies were in a smaller drawer1 all in piles1 too1 and the pretty centrepieces were fastened around stiff paper made into rolls4 ,if you ever have lovely table-linen you will want to keep it nicely1 said the aunt4 ,i think it is high time you had some1 too4 ,i believe in the old ,german custom of making a linen-chest for each girl2 so learn your lesson well1 and when your birthday comes who knows what you'll get8 ,perhaps a lunch-cloth or some embroidered napkins6 ,i'd like some towels1 too1 ,margaret said1 soberly4 ,i guess ,i'd like to have some linen every birthday4 ,very well1 ,i'll remember1 said her aunt as they closed the drawers4 ,and when you really begin to fill your chest ,i will make you some pretty bags of lavender to lay among your sheets and pillow-cases to make them smell sweet4 ,we will go down-stairs now4 ,the pantry shelves were looked over next2 in the china-closet in the dining-room everything was in order2 the dishes neatly arranged on white paper1 with pretty scalloped flouncings hanging over the front4 ,the plates were piled in sets1 the platters were together1 the glasses and small dishes on the sides of the closet where the shelves were short4 ,there was really nothing to be done here1 so they went into the kitchen4 ,the pantry where the pots and pans stood had rather dingy papers1 and they decided to have a good cleaning4 ,they took everything off and washed the shelves with warm water and borax and wiped them dry1 and put on fresh papers4 ,the tins and dishes which were seldom used1 were then arranged on the highest shelf1 and those which were used every day were put lower down4 ,the little things1 such as the skimmer1 the small sieve1 the egg-beater1 and the spoons1 were hung on nails driven into the edge of the shelf which was over the baking-table in the kitchen1 where stood also the cups1 bowls1 and plates used in cooking1 within easy reach4 ,when they were done1 the aunt said1 ,always watch for ants in the pantry1 and roaches and water-bugs in the sink4 ,ants hate borax1 so you can put that on the shelves in all the corners1 and it will help keep them away4 ,roaches come to the sink for food1 and you must see to it that they do not find it4 ,keep it perfectly clean and scalded out1 especially at night1 and never let the sink-basket have any crumbs in it4 ,if1 in spite of everything1 the bugs do come1 put insect powder on the corners of all the woodwork and use washing-soda to flush the drain every day1 and they will get discouraged and leave your house for somebody else's1 where there is something in the sink for them4 ,now for the refrigerator4 ,margaret helped empty this entirely1 setting the things in it on the table1 and putting the ice in a large dish4 ,they looked underneath at the pan into which the ice drained and found it half-full1 so they emptied it4 ,then the lesson began as usual4 ,you see all these little covered bowls and plates with bits of food on them4 ,we never put nice china dishes in a refrigerator1 for fear of breaking them2 this heavy1 yellow ware is just the thing1 and a saucer can go over each bowl4 ,we do not put anything in which has a strong odor1 such as onions or cheese1 or they would make everything taste like themselves4 ,butter must be in a covered crock1 and milk in bottles with a tight top4 ,warm food must never go in1 or it will waste the ice4 ,let us look in the top2 you see there is a nice piece of ice1 all covered up with a bit of old blanket1 so it will last4 ,you must watch and see that you do not take more ice than you really need and use it economically4 ,some people never cover it at all1 because it keeps the food colder if it is left so1 but often it is unnecessary2 there may be little food in the box1 and that would keep as well if it were not quite as cold4 ,now you may get a basin of water1 two clean cloths1 and the borax1 and ,i will show you how to clean a refrigerator4 ,margaret put a tablespoonful of borax in the water1 rung out her cloth1 and washed out all the inside of the great box1 poking a little stick into the corners1 and scrubbing the shelves thoroughly1 as well as the sides and bottom4 ,then she wiped them dry and the food was put in again neatly4 ,there had been a small pan of charcoal in one corner1 and this was emptied on a paper and the pan refilled from a bag near by and put back4 ,what do you put black charcoal in the clean box for8 ,margaret asked1 curiously4 ,because it dislikes a disagreeable odor1 and destroys it at once1 her aunt replied4 ,we change this pan every few days because it will take up only so much1 while fresh charcoal will keep everything sweet and nice2 ,bridget burns up what is not fresh1 putting it in the fire when she wants to broil or toast1 for it makes a clear fire without flame4 ,it only costs a few cents for a large bagful1 and we can always have it on hand4 ,remember to wash out your refrigerator at least three times a week4 ,this is very important1 indeed2 if you forget it somebody in the family may be very ill4 ,if you have not time to wash it out and still sweep the parlors1 let the parlors go6 ,just as they finished they noticed the garbage pail outside the door and took a look into it4 ,it was nearly empty1 so ,margaret got a dipper of boiling water and a handful of washing-soda and put them in1 as her aunt told her1 to keep the pail from getting greasy and sour4 ,the better the housekeeper the less she has in her garbage pail1 and the cleaner it is kept1 she said1 as she put back the cover4 ,we have still one pleasant thing and one disagreeable thing to do before we are done this morning2 which would you rather take first8 asked the aunt4 ,margaret said she thought she would keep the pleasant one to finish off with4 ,then get a newspaper1 was the reply1 and spread it over the table1 first of all4 ,that's the way most kitchen lessons seem to begin1 said ,margaret1 as she took one from the paper drawer4 ',first get a newspaper4' ,and very sensible1 too1 smiled her aunt4 ,it saves so much work if everything can be carried away and the table left clean at once4 ,you may go to the closet and bring the box of things for the lamps while ,i bring the large one from the sitting-room4 ,the box proved to have in it two cloths1 one of flannel1 and a white one free from lint2 a pair of scissors2 a round brush with a wire handle1 and a piece of soap4 ,the lamp was taken to pieces1 filled with kerosene from the can kept in the cellar-way1 and wiped off nicely4 ,the charred wick was rubbed and trimmed1 and the corners rounded a little to keep them from throwing the flame against the sides of the chimney and breaking it4 ,the glass chimney was put in a basin of warm water with soap-suds1 and washed with the flannel cloth1 rubbed with the round brush1 and wiped dry with the white cloth4 ,whenever a new wick was put in a lamp1 ,margaret was told1 the burner should be boiled with washing-soda to free it from clogging oil1 and if a wick ever smelled it was to be cooked a few minutes in vinegar and dried1 and it would then be all right again4 ,when the lamp was put back they gathered up the things used1 and put the newspaper with the kindling for the kitchen fire4 ,now for the pleasant thing1 ,margaret said1 as she carried away the oil-can and washed her hands4 ,i don't think doing lamps is very nice work4 ,no1 it is not1 her aunt replied2 but it is certainly very nice to have a clear1 strong light to read by at night1 and you cannot have that unless the lamp is perfectly clean1 so the work is worth doing4 ,look now on the closet shelf once more and find another box with the silver polish1 while ,i go for the basket from the sideboard4 ,once more a newspaper was spread on the table1 and they set out the box of powder1 a small flannel cloth1 a little saucer of water1 a soft brush1 and a chamois4 ,they dipped the flannel into the water1 then into the powder1 and rubbed the pieces of silver well1 scrubbing them with the brush1 except where they were perfectly smooth1 as in the bowls of the spoons4 ,when it was done they washed it in hot water1 wiped it dry1 and polished it well with the chamois1 and it shone like new4 ,as they put it away again they counted it carefully1 using the list which was kept in the bottom of the basket2 every piece was there1 fortunately1 so no time was lost in hunting for it4 ,do you count the silver every time it is cleaned8 ,margaret inquired1 as she took up the basket to put it away4 ,every single time1 said her aunt1 firmly4 ,it must always be done4 ,one can find a missing spoon when it first disappears1 but not after it has been gone a month or more4 ,we are all done1 ,margaret said1 cheerfully1 as they put the kitchen to rights4 ,won't ,bridget be pleased when she sees her clean refrigerator and pantry1 and the nice shiny silver1--and the garbage pail too6 ,that looks just as nice as can be6 ,of course it does1 said her aunt4 ,everything looks nice when it is clean4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,,marketing ,,and ,,keeping ,,accounts ,i think it must be my turn to give you your lesson to-day1 said ,margaret's ,pretty ,aunt at breakfast-time1 because ,i have thought of something none of your other teachers have as much as mentioned4 ,you can get ready as soon as possible4 ,which apron8 asked the little girl1 curiously4 ,no apron at all1 said her aunt2 your hat and coat4 ,we are going a-marketing4 ,how can anybody be a good housekeeper without knowing how to buy a dinner8 ,before they set out they went to the kitchen with a small pad and pencil1 and looked into the refrigerator to see what they had already1 to know what they would need to buy4 ,there proved to be several things which would be used for luncheon1 and then they asked ,bridget what she wanted them to get4 ,she said she was out of flour and granulated sugar1 and would want raisins and coffee and tea1 beside a vegetable for dinner and some lettuce and meat4 ,they planned the meals together1 and decided on having a dessert of apple-tart1 made with apples and cream1 and these were added to the list ,margaret wrote down so nothing would be forgotten2 then they set out4 ,they stopped at the grocery first1 and ,margaret was told to order a seven-pound bag of sugar4 ,while the clerk was getting it the aunt explained that this was a better way to buy it than to get it loose1 as then it would be sent home in a paper bag1 which might break and spill it2 then1 too1 the nice cotton bag in which it would come home would be just the thing to strain jelly through4 ,the flour was also ordered in a bag1 this time a large one4 ,some things we buy in small quantities because there is danger of waste in the kitchen if there is an unlimited supply at hand4 ,but flour is needed every day1 and never wasted1 so we buy a good deal of that at a time4 ,if we had a very large family we would buy a whole barrel at once1 and so save a little money2 as it is1 the big bag does very well for us4 ,now for coffee2 tell the clerk to give you his very best ,java and ,mocha mixed1 in a tin can4 ,we will take it browned1 but not ground4 ,i thought ,bridget always browned the coffee1 said ,margaret1 who remembered the delicious smell which often had filled the house when the coffee came from the oven4 ,so she did1 her aunt explained1 until we found she would sometimes burn just a few grains each time1 which made the whole taste burned4 ,now we buy it in a can1 only a pound or two at a time1 and of a man who has just had it browned for him4 ,we keep the tin closely shut always so the odor cannot escape1 and grind each morning only as much as we need1 and have this heated very hot just before the water is added1 and that gives it the same fresh odor you remember4 ,it is the easiest way to manage1 though1 of course1 freshly roasted coffee is the best of all4 ,but remember always to get a good quality in buying1 for poor coffee is not fit to drink4 ,order the tea1 when the clerk is ready1 and get that also in a package1 because it is cleaner and fresher that way4 ,you can pay anything you like for tea1 from thirty cents a pound to about two dollars1 but your mother gets a black tea without a bit of green mixed in it for from sixty to eighty cents1 and buys it in half-pound packages4 ,what is next on the list8 ,raisins1 said ,margaret4 ,well1 order those in a paper box1 the kind which come already seeded1 and when you get them home1 take them out of the box and shut them up in a glass jar with a tight top1 to keep them fresh4 ,the vegetables come now1 but before we buy those you must put down in this little book what we have bought already1 with the price of each article opposite4 ,i could wait till we got home1 but ,i am afraid you may forget the cost of things1 because you are not used to them4 ,she handed ,margaret a cunning little book and a tiny pencil1 and showed her how to find the right month and day printed at the top of the page1 and to put down under a column headed ,groceries1 just what they had bought so far and what each thing cost4 ,after this they crossed the shop to the place where the vegetables and fruit were piled1 and looked these over4 ,the apples were of all kinds1 sweet and sour1 big and little1 red and green4 ,margaret said she would take the biggest red ones for the apple-tart4 ,no1 those are not cooking apples1 they are meant for the table1 her aunt told her4 ,and do not take the yellow ones1 because they are sweet and only good for baking4 ,take a nice green apple1 not too large1 because the smaller ones do just as well and cost less4 ,let us get half a peck of those greenings4 ,we want oranges for breakfast1 too1 though ,bridget forgot to say so4 ,can you pick those out1 do you think8 ,there were a good many boxes of these1 some with rough skins1 some with smooth1 some with little bunches at the end4 ,these last1 her aunt explained to the little girl1 were seedless and rather too dry for breakfast1 though very nice for dinner4 ,the rough-skinned ones are light1 as you will see if you lift one1 so they would have little juice4 ,choose a heavy one of medium size and a rather smooth skin2 but do not get those which are a very light yellow1 for they may be sour4 ,the vegetables had to be looked over carefully4 ,spinach proved withered1 so they passed it by2 the cauliflower had tiny black spots on it2 the green string beans would not snap as they should when they were bent2 but they found a large egg plant1 with a fresh1 smooth skin1 which they took4 ,the lettuce was all dark green1 with thick strong leaves1 and the aunt said it would never do2 lettuce must be in heads1 like cabbage1 and pale green4 ,instead they chose some chicory with a white centre1 which seemed crisp and newly gathered4 ,all these things were written down in ,margaret's account-book under ,fruits and ,vegetables4 ,a nice dairy was not far from the grocery1 and there they ordered a little bottle of cream and put this down in the book before they went on to the meat market4 ,as they entered this shop her aunt said the lesson here was so long it would take years to learn it1 and they would only take the a1 b1 c1 of it in one day4 ,buying good meat means learning day after day1 she explained4 ,however1 there are some things you can learn this morning1 and one is to be sure you buy in a clean place4 ,look around the floor and see whether the sawdust is fresh2 notice the odor of the place and whether it is disagreeable or not2 look at the counter1 too1 and be sure it is white and freshly wiped off2 and above all1 see whether the meat is kept in the ice-box at the back of the shop1 not hung up on nails1 or left lying carelessly about4 ,don't buy any meat which has been hanging or lying around2 insist that it comes from the box4 ,but ,i can't think of the kinds of meat there are if ,i don't see them1 ,margaret said1 anxiously4 ,you will learn1 the aunt smiled4 ,i am sure you will never be willing to eat meat which you are not certain is clean4 ,then look well at what the butcher brings out to show you4 ,beef ought to be firm1 clear red and white1 and not streaked with little lines2 mutton must not be too fat2 veal not too young--you can tell when it is because then it will be very small4 ,bacon must not be too lean nor too salt1 and cut as thin as a wafer4 ,fish must be fresh1 with nice1 clear eyes4 ,chickens too often are buried in a barrel of chopped ice for weeks1 and come out blue and clammy2 such are not fit to eat4 ,suppose we buy a pair of roasting chickens this morning1 and then you will see how they ought to look4 ,the butcher brought out a pair which were yellow and dry1 showing they had not been covered with ice4 ,the aunt bent down the breastbone to see if they were tender1 and showed the little girl that if it had been too stiff to bend she would have known by that that they would not do4 ,she also looked inside to see if there was a good deal of fat1 for this1 too1 was a sign of age4 ,she said they had few pin-feathers1 were firm and plump1 and the feet were clean1 so she was quite sure they would be good1 and told the butcher to send them home1 and not to forget the giblets4 ,chicken liver gravy6 ,margaret exclaimed at this4 ,i like your lessons1 auntie6 ,after they reached home and their things were put away the account-book was brought out again1 and a lesson given in that4 ,margaret had to listen carefully1 for it seemed rather difficult at first4 ,it is best to know always how much you are going to spend on your table every week1 her aunt began4 ,at first you may spend too much or too little1 but by looking over your book you can tell in a moment where the trouble lies1 and the next week you can make it right4 ,some things cost a great deal1 such as turkeys1 or strawberries too early in the season1 or certain fancy groceries1 and by seeing just where your money has gone you can remember the next time not to get these4 ,look at the different columns in your book4 ,one says ,groceries1 the next1 ,vegetables2 then ,fruits2 ,milk and ,cream2 ,butter and ,eggs2 ,meat2 ,fish2 ,wages2 ,incidentals4 ,you can put down under these exactly what you spend each day1 and when the month is over you can put down in another book what each has amounted to4 ,let me show you3 ,suppose when you add up your columns in your day-book you find at the end of the month you have spent twelve dollars for groceries1 fifteen for meat1 four for vegetables1 three for fruit1 and so on4 ,you simply open your second book at the right month and put down what the whole has been2 the next month you do the same thing under the new date1 and so on4 ,at the end of the year you do not have to go over all the little sums spent each day1 but by looking in the right book under each month you can see exactly what all the meat cost and all the vegetables1 and so on4 ,if your ,october bill for meat was larger than it ought to have been and more than it was in ,september or ,november1 you can look back and see just why1 if you care to4 ,under ,incidentals you put all your car-fares spent in shopping for the house1 and such things as dust-cloths1 or new kitchen tins4 ,when the last of ,december comes you can see all you spent during the whole year by adding what each month came to1 and know exactly how much it costs you to live1 and you can plan to spend more or less next year1 as you think best4 ,that is not hard to understand1 is it8 ,no1 said ,margaret1 not to understand1 but you see ,i am afraid ,i will forget to put things down1 and then ,i will not know after all what ,i spent4 ,but you must put them down at once1 her aunt said4 ,either taking a pencil with you to market1 or writing them down as soon as you come home4 ,you will soon learn1 and you will like the plan more and more4 ,it is so nice to know exactly where the money went1 day by day4 ,sometimes the grocer has a little book to put things down1 too1 said the little girl4 ,if he has a book why do ,i have to have one8 ,because he may make a mistake1 for one thing1 her aunt replied1 and because if you have him put things down and do not do it too1 you spend more than you think1 and grow extravagant4 ,you can pay each day1 if you prefer1 or once a week1 or once a month2 some people like one way1 and some another about this1 but you should always keep your own accounts1 anyway1 and know what you have had and how much1 and what it cost2 and at the end of each month you must copy off the result of adding your columns1 and see what the expenses of the month have come to1 and so at the end of the year4 ,that's the way a good housekeeper does6 ,well1 said ,margaret1 then ,i will do that way1 too1 even if it is some trouble4 ,that's right1 said her aunt4 ,if you do1 ,i'll give you the loveliest set of account-books and the prettiest silver pencil ,i can buy when ,christmas comes4 ,oh1 ,i truly1 truly will6 ,margaret exclaimed4 ,i'll put down every single penny4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,,the ,,day',s ,,work ,it happened that just as ,margaret was finishing her ,saturday morning lessons ,bridget had to go away for a few days1 and the last lesson of all1 which was given by her mother1 was really a sort of review of what she had learned1 such as she had in her school lessons4 ,it was hardly more than six o'clock in the morning when the little girl woke and jumped out of bed4 ,she dressed softly so that she should not wake any one1 and took her bed to pieces and set her closet door open1 as she had learned in her ,bedroom lesson4 ,she threw up the windows and hung up her night-dress1 and then left the room1 closing the door behind her4 ,her mother met her in the hall1 and they went down-stairs together1 tying on their clean gingham aprons as they went4 ,the house was all shut up of course1 so they opened the front doors1 raised the shades in the parlors1 and opened the windows a little to change the air4 ,in the kitchen the fire was burning1 shut up as they had left it the night before1 and they first closed it to shake it down1 and then opened the drafts and put on fresh coal1 as ,margaret had learned when she studied about the range4 ,while the fire was burning up she pinned a little shawl about her head and swept off the front steps and sidewalk1 and came in all glowing from the cold air4 ,by this time the fire was hot and bright1 and the cereal was put on to cook in the double boiler1 the kettle filled with fresh water and put on to boil for coffee4 ,her mother said she would stay out in the kitchen and make muffins for breakfast while the other rooms were put in order1 so ,margaret went into the parlors and sitting-room and straightened the chairs1 put away books and papers1 and dusting a little here and there1 leaving the regular dusting until later in the day4 ,the windows were now shut1 and the rooms looked very tidy1 so she went to the dining-room to prepare that for breakfast4 ,she brushed up the crumbs1 aired the room1 and put it in order4 ,she arranged the doilies on the table1 one under each plate1 with a round of felt under that1 laid the silver1 put on her mother's tray with the cups and saucers1 set the tumblers and napkins around1 and the plates with the finger-bowls and fruit-knives1 and the bread and butter plates with the spreaders4 ,she filled the salts freshly1 and last of all put on a vase of flowers4 ,then she took the cereal dishes1 platter1 and plates out to heat in the oven4 ,she found her mother was getting ready the eggs and other things for breakfast1 and she need not help1 so she carried into the dining-room the butter balls and put them around2 filled the finger-bowls and tumblers with cold water and the coffee-cups with hot2 arranged the fruit on the sideboard1 and put cream into the pitcher on the tray as well as in another pitcher for the cereal4 ,by the time breakfast was ready she had on her white apron and had washed her hands1 and when the family came down she was ready to show them all what a well-trained waitress she was4 ,do sit down with us1 her father begged4 ,you have done so much already6 ,but ,margaret felt a little proud that she knew her waiting lesson so well1 and said she would rather not4 ,she really enjoyed moving very quietly around the table1 bringing in and taking out things1 passing everything to the left1 and laying down plates at the right1 and generally remembering just what she had been taught4 ,after all had finished she ate her own breakfast1 and found she had been up so long and worked so much that it tasted twice as good as usual4 ,when she had finished she put on her gingham apron again and cleared the table4 ,she took up the crumbs carefully and used the carpet-sweeper all over the rug4 ,she scraped and piled the dishes in nice1 neat piles1 and1 drawing the hot water1 she washed and wiped them all nicely1 and put them away4 ,she swept the kitchen1 wiped off the tables1 shut up the range and washed out the dish-towels exactly as her grandmother had taught in the lesson she gave on the kitchen4 ,then she went up-stairs4 ,her grandmother1 mother1 and aunts had been afraid she would get too tired with such a long day's work as she had planned to do1 and they had made their own beds1 but they left ,margaret's room for her for fear she would be disappointed4 ,she closed the windows first1 and while the room warmed she made the bathroom neat1 washed and wiped out the tub and scrubbed off the wash-stand4 ,her room was put in beautiful order1 to her closet and shoe-bag1 and she even stopped to put a clean cover on the bureau and dust nicely1 to show she had not forgotten a single thing4 ,the halls and parlors had to be thoroughly dusted now1 but as none of them needed sweeping it did not take very long1 and there was still time to go to market4 ,she got out her jacket and hat1 took her pencil1 account-book1 and kitchen pad1 and went out to see what was in the refrigerator4 ,here she had to stop1 for ,bridget had gone away in such a hurry she had quite forgotten to wash this out and arrange it properly1 so on went the gingham apron again1 and out came all the things from the box4 ,she gave it a good scrubbing with warm water and borax1 and put in a fresh dish of charcoal before she put back the ice and dishes of food4 ,then she got her pad again1 and with her mother's help1 planned the meals and wrote down what she must buy4 ,the walk to the grocery and meat market was pleasant1 and ,margaret quite enjoyed ordering the vegetables1 chops1 fruit1 and fish1 which were needed1 and watched to see if she was getting fresh things and good measure1 and wrote down the prices as though she had been an old housekeeper instead of a new one4 ,when she got back again she found there was an hour until lunch1 and she at once wiped off the shelves in the pantry and put fresh papers on them and arranged the tins in a more orderly way than she found them4 ,by the time she had finished her ,pretty ,aunt came out to help get luncheon1 and together they laid the table and got the meal4 ,she put on her waiting-apron again1 when it was ready1 but this time she sat down with the family because her mother said she must surely be tired4 ,her grandmother insisted on helping with the dishes1 and watched with pride when afterwards ,margaret poured boiling water down the sink after laying a bit of washing-soda over the drain1 and scrubbed off all her tables until they shone1 and blacked her range until it was like a mirror4 ,you surely are going to make a wonderful housekeeper6 she said4 ,margaret laughed as she took off her apron4 ,but ,i just love to do things1 grandmother1 she replied1 as she went up-stairs4 ,bridget always found that she had an hour or two to rest in the afternoon after her work was done1 and so did the little girl1 but after she had taken a walk and read in a new book for a time1 she suddenly remembered that the silver needed cleaning1 and she might surprise the family at dinner with it all polished4 ,she got it out and rubbed it well1 delighted to see how quickly it grew bright4 ,as she finished her mother came into the kitchen with her ,other ,aunt1 and said they meant to help get the dinner4 ,the mother looked around her4 ,everything is very nice1 she said4 ,the sink is clean1 and so is the pantry1 and so are all the dishes4 ,the range is bright2 the dish-towels are washed2 the dining-room is in order4 ,i noticed as ,i came through the other rooms that the bedrooms1 bathroom1 and parlors have all been looked after to-day1 too4 ,margaret1 ,i do believe you are as good a housekeeper as ,i am already4 ,well1 said the little girl1 thoughtfully1 ,i didn't sweep any to-day1 nor wash any windows2 ,i didn't shine the faucets in the bathroom1 either1 because ,i forgot them till this minute4 ,i didn't have time to oil the floors in the hall this morning-- ,i only brushed it up2 and ,i haven't looked at the cellar or the attic at all4 ,her mother laughed4 ,but nobody does the whole house from top to bottom every single day1 she said4 ,we sweep twice a week1 only1 and we wash windows when they need washing1 not all the time4 ,the attic and cellar are to be kept in order1 but not put in order daily1 you know4 ,the really good housekeeper does a little putting to rights all the time1 and every day she takes a certain part of the house and makes it clean1 but she never tries to do more in one day than belongs to that one4 ,to know how to keep a house nice is quite as necessary as to know how to make it so4 ,the most important thing of all is knowing what you have learned to-day--to quietly go through the work1 taking one thing after another1 each in its turn1 and to do all well1 without hurry or worry4 ,to be able to do this is to make housework pleasant4 ,well1 said ,margaret1 earnestly1 ,i like to keep house4 ,when ,i am a woman ,i mean to have the nicest1 cleanest house in all the world6 ,suppose you help me keep this one nice till then6 said her mother4 ,,the ,,end