ONE WOMANS WAY.

White Ribbon, Volume 15, Issue 176, 16 February 1910, Page 10

ONE WOMANS WAY.

M.a M.IK WMI.KI.KIi «<>ss I l I dual nee how you do it. You always 1< M»k mat am tidy; vour house in in order, and you hive j lenty of spare time,” Maid Stella Underhill to her winter (iraif, a hc»usekeeiM*i of hi\ months 1 experiem e.

“ I train*,' briefly aiisw or* 1 Grace, tap ping her broad, smooth, forehead, with one white, slender, well-cared for finger. “ lionh!” sniffed Stella, stamping the floor w ith a hoot which hud not been on friendly terms with the polish bottle. 44 Housekeeping i* n >thing hut urudgery. Ibre I’ve been mistress of my tlat for nearly two yearn. 1 work all the time; I'm never through, I’m always tired, and things are never straight. I don’t see that brains have anything to do with it.” Grace rippled a merry laugh, and made an effort to he sympathetic, as she took her sister's hand; hut she knew the picture of Stella’s housekeeping was well drawn aid true to life.

Tin two girh were sitting in the cosy parlour of Grace Murray’s apartment. Kverything visible was immaculately clean and well ordered, with the single exception of the person of the elder girl. Here was evidence of a hastily made toiht, lacking all of the trifling touches wnirh go towards making up the wellgrot hum 1 woman. ‘ Well, I'm convinced that brains are the most valuable capital in the housekeeping business," went on (irate, “ aud I can orjve my statement.’’ “Y.ur iu no proves anything you n ight sav,” replied Stella, “hut 1 never think of brains in connection with housek« oping except n« those nasty-looking, stNingj wads soaking in a yellow Imiwl of -alt water,’ and a faint smile pass'd over her tired fac e.

“That's your |s>int of \’*w,” said vi.ace, “hut let me explain. When the average man goes into business he works on a definite plan He studies aud systeniatees each department, lie carefully plans his business hours, and usually reserves some time for himself. \\ hen I married I determined to use my grey matter in the housekeeping business, and I opened up w ith system, w ith a big, big. ** S. and Grace smoothed out her snow ywhile apron, and relaxed her graceful figure* ha« k in her Morris cba*r. “ I’m o|>en to suggestions,” laughed Stella, seating herself c unfortahly. “In the first place,’ resumed Grace, “1 nevc*i throw a thing down where I hapjen to be using it, or w he n I take* it off. I put it instantly where it belongs. You tosM anything you have, any place you happen to Im*—result, confusion all the time. When 1 get a meal 1 wash up

things as I use' them, and put them away, Then I don’t have everything in the* pantry to wash when the meal is over, as you do. Another tiling, in the preparation of a meal I make tie* same vessel do duty several times, economising dishwashing, sec-?’’ Stella nodded absent.

“ When I tidy up in the morning, I don’t try to do tiie whole house at mice, as you do. 1 take a room at a time, and do rterifthitt'/ necessary before I leave it. Then nothing i omitted, to he forgotten ent rely, jierhaps, when my efforts arc* put elsewhere; and I have ulways one* completely tidy apartment in which to ask a stray visitor. In order not to make my work too routine ano dull I vary iuv room for beginning, (hie day the bedroom, the next the fitting room ; sometimes the dining room, and seldom the kitchen, for several reasons. I don’t like it so well to work in, especially soon after cooking in it and again, it matters little and adds nothing to your reputation as a housekeeper if your kitchen is in perfect order, and some chance early c aller finds vour reception room up-side-down. ’’ “ But your kitche n is always perfect,” put in Stella Grace smiled and went on, “ If I’m tired after doing up the rooms, I sit clow n and read the morning pap**r —just like a man and then I wash the dishes. Then my own toilet is arranged for the day. This I never neglect, if John gets one less dish for luncheon. The balance of my morning 1 give to a different thing each dav in the week. Sometimes the silver and glassware is cleaned ; again tlu* dainty linen is washed. ( Gio morning 1 hake another I sweep and invariably on Monday I mend and get the laundry ready. You see, with system it’s simple enough.” “Where do the brains come in?’’ asked St»*lla. “ First in the system and later in the small tiling" on which I save much time. For instance, when 1 was in your house last week late in the clay, you and your home were in shocking disorder, because you said, it took you half the morning to chop the citron for vour mincemeat. Now I’d use mv brains.”

“ To chop with?’’ asked Stella. “Not exactly, ’’ laughed Grace, “but instead of trying to c hop the hard, sticky stuff, I’d reason thus, it would r*/, if soft. So I’d steam it a few minutes over the tea-kettle, while 1 did something else, and the citron would cut easily and quickly.” •‘Good jsiint.” said Stella, with interest.

*• Here’s some more good points,” went on Grace, “when you have a tire in the

range all morning boil beans, soup stoc k and other things that use up time and fire, and at the same time make brown bread. A fine Hour dredger will save you lots <>f dishwashing if you use* it to rift your ‘hickening into gravies and soups instead of mnimj it in a cup or howl. And don’t forget to use vour gas or gasoline tlame to singe fowls over, as it doesn’t blacken them 1 ke a burned paper, and they are not so hard to clean after singe’iig.”

“ You’ve learned all these things in six months’ experience?” asked Stella, thoroughly awakened. “ Yes, and many more,” answered Grace, “which I will tell you another time. Just one thing now. Ido everything possible in the hack porch, such as preparing vegetables and cleaning glassware and silver. By this means I get the fresh air and you know that is one thing most women neglect which accounts for nine-tenths of the feeble health amongst our sex. This with my daily afternoon walk, when I do my marketing or go visiting, gives me plenty of outside life, especially with the* regular >unday afternoon outing which John and ! always take* together. “Must you go?” as Stella began to gather up her belongings. “ Yes,” answered the older girl, “you’ve set me to thinking; I’m going right home to begin housekeeping over again.” A nternan M<>tht rh< oil.