The rule of elimination is a good one to follow in bedroom pictures; no “rogue’s gallery” of photographs, no useless, meaningless, and trivial pictures, but just a madonna or two, perhaps a photographic copy of some old master, with a favorite illuminated quotation—­something to help and quiet and inspire.

Tables, dresser, and chiffonier should have each its spotless cover of hemstitched or scalloped linen, or ruffled lawn or Swiss—­anything but towels.  They will answer, of course, but we want a little more than just answering.

CARE OF BEDROOM AND BED

Much of the refinement of the bedroom depends upon its daily care.  This begins with its airing the first thing in the morning.  The bed is stripped of its coverings, which are spread over two chairs placed before the open window; the mattress is half turned over, and night clothes and pillows are placed near the window.  The slops are then emptied, bowl and all toilet articles washed in hot water and dried, pitcher emptied and refilled with fresh water, and soiled towels replaced by clean ones.  Soiled towels must never be used to clean the crockery.  Cleaning cloths for bedroom use should be kept for that purpose alone.  Once a week slop receptacles must be scalded with sal soda water and stood in the sun.  After an hour the windows may be closed and the bed made.  The first thing is to turn the mattress—­end for end one day, side for side the next—­and then comes the pad, and after it the sheets.  The lower one is put on right side up, drawn tight, and tucked in smoothly all around; the upper should be wrong side up, drawn well up to the head, and tucked in at the bottom, and the blankets brought up to within half a yard of the head, with the open end at the top.  When all is straight and even, the upper sheet is turned back smoothly over the blankets and both are tucked snugly in.  The counterpane, which was folded and laid aside during the night, then goes on, and is brought down evenly over the foot and sides of the bed, the bedroll or day pillows are added, and the bed is itself again.  On Saturday the bottom sheet is replaced by the top sheet, which, in turn, is replaced by a clean one, and the pillowcases are changed.  The spread usually needs changing about once a month.  The night pillows are now beaten and put away, and night clothes are hung in the closet.  Other articles are put in their places, the dresser top is brushed off and its various contents properly arranged, litter is taken up with dustpan and brush, or carpet-sweeper, and the room is dusted.  Opened windows at night are a foregone conclusion.

VERMIN AND THEIR EXTERMINATION