ern and imparts a
satiny gloss to the fabric, leaving it dainty, soft, and immaculate.
Iron all embroideries on the wrong side. Trimmings and ruffles must be
ironed before doing the body of the garment, going well up into the
gathers with a light, pointed iron, carefully avoiding pressing in
wrinkles or unexpected pleats. Iron frills, either plain or with a
narrow edge, on the right side to give the necessary gloss. Bands,
hems, and all double parts must be ironed on both sides. Iron colored
clothes--lawns, dimities, percales, chambrays, etc.--on the wrong side,
with an iron not too hot, otherwise the color is apt to be injured.
The home laundress is usually not quite equal to the task of ironing
shirts, which would far better go to the laundry; but when done at home
from choice or necessity, plenty of patience and muscle must be
applied. Iron the body of the shirt first, then draw the bosom tightly
over a board and attack it with the regular irons, wipe over quickly
with a damp cloth and press hard with the polishing iron. The ironing
of very stiffly starched articles may be facilitated by covering with
cheesecloth and pressing until partially dry; then remove the cloth and
iron dry. As each piece is ironed, hang on bars or line until
thoroughly dried and aired. A certain amount of moisture remains; even
after the ironing, and must be entirely removed before the final
sorting and folding and putting away.

And so the wash-day drama comes to an end. We survey with pride and
complaisance the piles of clean linen, shining with spotless elegance,
and as we read therein a whole sermon on the "Gospel of Cleanliness,"
we conclude that it is decidedly worth while, and rejoice that
fifty-two times a year this is a "washing-day world."

CHAPTER VIII

TABLE FURNISHINGS

The mistress no doubt has a housewifely taste for receipts, and may,
perhaps, find the following formula of service to her in her
home-making:

DINING-ROOM CHEER

One set of fine, spotless table linen sprinkled--not too thickly--with
pretty glass, china, and silver, and well lightened with brightness
tempered to the right consistency not to dazzle. To this add a few
sunny faces, some good conversation spiced with gayety--the
unpalatable, distasteful portions having been previously eliminated.
Then quietly and by degrees add food which has been carefully and
daintily prepared and arranged. Over all scatter little flecks of
kindliness a