“An’ sure ma’am, such a thing aint niver been in this house sence iver I come into it.”

And as there is no way of proving the falsity of this statement, one must submit.

As I have said before, dish-washing, as done by a lady, takes little time and labor, and may be a pleasant occupation.  The laborer, not the labor, makes a thing common or refined.  With an abundance of scalding hot water, a soap-shaker, mop, gloves with the tips cut off, clean and soft dish-towels, and delicate glass and china, dish-washing is in every sense of the word a lady’s work.  The mistress will do it in one-third of the time, with five times the thoroughness, and one-tenth as many breakages as will the average servant.  And when the dishes are washed and the table is spread for the next meal with pure linen, glistening glass and shining silver—­who dares say that the glow of housewifely pride and satisfaction does not more than compensate for the little time and trouble expended to produce the agreeable result?

I have said that every additional mouth counts in the sum of family expenses, and for this reason many housekeepers of moderate means neglect the duty of hospitality.  Pardon me if I say that I think this is one of the economies which, if carried too far, is more honored in the breach than in the observance.  I do not advocate, indeed I reprehend, pretentious entertaining, such as dances, parties, etc.  But it impresses me that it is, to a certain extent, a mean spirit that counts the cost in asking a friend to stay to a repast, to spend a night or a week.  It is your duty to have things so nice every day, and always, that you cannot be too much “put out” by an occasional guest.  When you invite your friend to make you a visit, explain that you live quietly, and that he will find a warm welcome.  Then give him just what you give John, and make no apologies.  Above all, do not let him feel that any additional labor caused by his presence throws the whole course of the household machinery out of gear.  Do not invite to your home those for whom you have to make so great a change in your daily life.  If you keep house as a lady should, you need not fear to entertain anyone who is worthy to be your friend.  It is no disgrace if your circumstances are such that you cannot afford to keep a staff of servants at your beck and call.

These suggestions are but hints as to daily management.  First and foremost, Mary must learn to systematize her work.  Method and management do wonders toward saving time and money.  Some housewives are always in a hurry and their work is never done, while others with twice as much to do never seem flurried, and have time for writing, sewing and reading.  The secret of the success of the latter class lies in that one golden word—­METHOD.

I hope the young housekeepers to whom this talk is addressed will not consider such trifles as I have mentioned, degrading.  It is the work laid before them and consequently cannot be mean.  Such labor, when sweetened by the thought of what it all means, is ennobling.  I know that Keats tells us that: