No woman with proper self-respect will let a girl as- sume control of the household ; when she is engaged, and it is proper and not hard to make conditions, her duties should be explained, and she should be made to under- stand that all is to be done under the direction and with the approval of the lady of the house. Two friends of mine determined to carry out this idea in hiring help ; the result was that one girl stayed but two days in the house. 100 HOUSEHOLD HINTS. and the other not only remained, but has kept on improv- ing steadily. Every woman before she becomes a housekeeper ought to know enough about house-work intelligently to systema- tize and plan her work, and she should try to develop strength of character enough to insist on having her di- rections carried out. Our households, as a rule, need enlightened supervision ; until they have it there will continue to be the needless waste, the lack of cooperation between husband and wife which is necessary in any partnership, and especially in this where the higher interests of a family are concerned. A thing that ought to be done can be done. The few houses in which we see faultless system, and all the graces flourishing, demonstrate clearly that the hindrances which so often prevent comfort and culture in homes where we have the right to expect them may be effectually removed. SYMPATHY FOR CHILDEEK. One of the most important things for a young mother to keep in mind is that her children have great need of her active sympathy, not only in their griefs, but in all that interests them. If a woman has plenty of time at her dis- posal, and is not hurried with work, she will naturally give much thought to her children and to their education ; but if perplexed by the absorbing cares of a household, where economy of time and of money is required, she must exer- cise great self-control to get along happily with the never- ceasing interniptions she is sure to have. It is not easy to stop in the midst of bread-making or dish-washing to tie up cut fingers, to get drinks of water, to look for mittens, to admire the gift brought to her of a dandelion, or a pebble with something that looks like gold in it, or to accede to the timid request or the bold demand for a story. Then what rare sympathy with childhood is TALKS UPON VARIOUS SUBJECTS. 101 needed to restrain her from too frequently giving utterance to that terrible injunction to " keep perfectly still ! " If there is anything which healthy, good-natured children can not do, it is that ; they must and will move, if it is only the toes in their shoes. I believe that nothing helps a child so rapidly toward the knowledge and practice of deceit as demanding, without regard to their physical condition, that they shall be quiet. I have seen an honest, obedient little fellow try it about as successfully as a pet terrier can play " dead dog ; " it seemed quite as much of a trick for the boy. How often their legitimate curiosity is checked by ** Go away now ; I'm too busy !" or, "You must not say another word ; mother is nervous to-day ! " Remarks like these, too often prompted by self-indulgence, are common, and no one but a loving little child could overlook the lack of sympathy so often shown at home. By and by the mother is surprised and pained to find that her children seek intimate friends outside their own home, never think- ing that she has forced them to do so. The wisdom needed in motherhood, the great issues which wait upon the proper fulfillment of its duties, are subjects upon which we can not dwell too much. "CHANGE IS REST."

AI-modernized reading of the original text

No woman with proper self-respect will let a girl assume control of the household ; when she is engaged, and it is proper and not hard to make conditions, her duties should be explained, and she should be made to understand that all is to be done under the direction and with the approval of the lady of the house. Two friends of mine determined to carry out this idea in hiring help ; the result was that one girl stayed but two days in the house. and the other not only remained, but has kept on improving steadily. Every woman before she becomes a housekeeper ought to know enough about house-work intelligently to systematize and plan her work, and she should try to develop strength of character enough to insist on having her directions carried out. Our households, as a rule, need enlightened supervision ; until they have it there will continue to be the needless waste, the lack of cooperation between husband and wife which is necessary in any partnership, and especially in this where the higher interests of a family are concerned. A thing that ought to be done can be done. The few houses in which we see faultless system, and all the graces flourishing, demonstrate clearly that the hindrances which so often prevent comfort and culture in homes where we have the right to expect them may be effectually removed. SYMPATHY FOR CHILDREN. One of the most important things for a young mother to keep in mind is that her children have great need of her active sympathy, not only in their griefs, but in all that interests them. If a woman has plenty of time at her disposal, and is not hurried with work, she will naturally give much thought to her children and to their education ; but if perplexed by the absorbing cares of a household, where economy of time and of money is required, she must exercise great self-control to get along happily with the never-ceasing interruptions she is sure to have. It is not easy to stop in the midst of bread-making or dish-washing to tie up cut fingers, to get drinks of water, to look for mittens, to admire the gift brought to her of a dandelion, or a pebble with something that looks like gold in it, or to accede to the timid request or the bold demand for a story. Then what rare sympathy with childhood is needed to restrain her from too frequently giving utterance to that terrible injunction to " keep perfectly still ! " If there is anything which healthy, good-natured children can not do, it is that ; they must and will move, if it is only the toes in their shoes. I believe that nothing helps a child so rapidly toward the knowledge and practice of deceit as demanding, without regard to their physical condition, that they shall be quiet. I have seen an honest, obedient little fellow try it about as successfully as a pet terrier can play " dead dog ; " it seemed quite as much of a trick for the boy. How often their legitimate curiosity is checked by ** Go away now ; I'm too busy !" or, "You must not say another word ; mother is nervous to-day ! " Remarks like these, too often prompted by self-indulgence, are common, and no one but a loving little child could overlook the lack of sympathy so often shown at home. By and by the mother is surprised and pained to find that her children seek intimate friends outside their own home, never thinking that she has forced them to do so. The wisdom needed in motherhood, the great issues which wait upon the proper fulfillment of its duties, are subjects upon which we can not dwell too much. "CHANGE IS REST."

Household hints