“And, Aunt Sarah, I suppose this deep, glass-covered picture frame containing a bouquet of hair flowers, most wonderfully and fearfully made, was considered a work of art in days past and gone, as was also the crescent in a frame on the opposite side of the room, composed of flowers made of various seeds of grain and garden vegetables.  Those daisies, made of cucumber seeds with grains of red corn for centres, and those made of tiny grains of popcorn with a watermelon seed in centre, are cute.  The latter look like breastpins with a circle of pearls around the edge.  And this glass case on the table, containing a white cross, covered with wax tube roses, ivy leaves and fuchsias drooping from the arms of the cross, sparkling with diamond dust!  The band of green chenille around its base matches the mat underneath, composed of green zephyr of different shades, knitted, then raveled to imitate moss, I suppose; and, no doubt, this marble-topped table has stood here for fifty years, in this same spot, for the express purpose of holding this beautiful (?) work of art.”

“The hair flowers and the seed wreath were made by John’s sister,” replied Aunt Sarah.

“Aunt Sarah,” exclaimed Mary, “I’ve an original idea.  This oval, marble-topped table has such strong, solid legs of black walnut, suppose we remove the marble slab and have a large, circular top made of wood at the planing mill?  Wait; I’ll get my tape measure.  About thirty-two inches in diameter will do.  The new top we shall stain to match the walnut frame, and it could be easily fastened to the table with a couple of screws; and, after the marble top has been well scoured, we’ll use it in the kitchen as a bake board on which to roll out pie crust.”

Her Aunt as usual acquiesced to all Mary’s suggestions.

“You’re a dear, Aunt Sarah!” exclaimed Mary, as she gave her a hug, “and I’ll embroider big, yellow daisies with brown centres of French knots on gray linen for a new table cover.  Won’t they look just sweet?”

“Yes, Mary, and I’ll buy a large, new lamp with a pretty shade, as I feel sure your Uncle will like to sit here evenings to read his papers and farm journals.”

“And don’t forget the Shriners’ little magazine, The Crescent, which amuses him so greatly.  Aunt Sarah, I do wish those stiff, starchy-looking, blue-white Nottingham lace curtains at the windows had grown yellow with age.  They would be ever so much prettier and softer looking, and they are such a pretty, neat design, too.”

“Oh!” replied her Aunt, “that may be easily remedied.  I’ll just dip them into a little weak liquid coffee and that will give them a creamy tint, and take out the stiffness.”

“Now,” said Mary, “what shall we do with these stiff, ugly, haircloth-covered chairs and sofa?”

“Why,” replied Aunt Sarah, “we shall buy cretonne or art cloth, in pretty shades of brown and tan or green, to harmonize with the wall paper, and make slip covers for them all.  We could never think of dispensing with the sofa.  It is a very important article of furniture in German households.  The hostess usually gives the person of greatest distinction among her guests the place of honor beside her on the sofa.”