THE SPARE BEDROOM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19456, 12 October 1926, Page 5

THE SPARE BEDROOM.

Mankind falls roughly into two great natural orders of born hosts and born guests. Breakfast in bed, a rest before dinner, and retirement to read or write letters have helped many friendships to survive the ordeal of being host and guest; only breakfast must be well served and appetising, the sofa or armchair invite repose, and books be chosen with taste and discrimination. If your house is largely dependent 011 the ministrations of a general —in the sense of a domestic—train her to see that the foundations of the. day are well and truly laid 011 the early cup of tea and the breakfast tray. The former is of real importance. Many persons of vigorous and active habits at a later stage are, when first called, far from being in a condition to "shake off dull sloth and joyful rise." Let your guest's initial blear-eyed blink be gladdened by a dainty set of yellow china, and insist that the tea, especially if not China grown, be made and poured off into a well-warmed teapot, in order that life can be faced with a cup which really cheers—remember, "The gentle. Fair on nervous tea relies." A ridge and furrow bed is unpardonable, as are pens which do not write or antique blotting-paper which merely smudges. Books should be chosen with an instinct for the tastes of your guest. It is disconcerting to find a book-rest, engraved with the proud motto, "Let Books be as Friends—a Chosen Few," when closer investigation reveals a battered copy of "East Lynne," such works as "The Duckkeepers' Companion," the "best-seller" of five years ago, and "A Book of Prayor3 and Praise for Servants." Do not make your spare bedroom the depository of hideous watercolours, on the ground that they will "do" the spare bedroom. They will probably "do" for your guests. Avoid offending your visitors' eyes by forcing them to contemplate insultingly tasteless wedding presents, or miscalled "ornaments" purchased in desperation at the stall of a country bazaar. Make your spare bedroom a room to which you yourself would be happy to retire to escape from the ministrations of a host, Then the day of departure maydawn on unimpaired esteem, and the parting guest bo sped with real regret and a hope for reunion at no distant dato beneath yonr hospitable roof.