oroughness often leads to very grave
accidents. A ship has gone down before now in mid-ocean because of the
unfaithfulness of somebody who had to do with its building, and from
time to time tall houses fall and people are killed because architects
or carpenters were unfaithful when constructing the rickety things, and
allowed flaws to pass, and were contented with makeshifts. Our rule
should be not to slight our work, but always to do it in the best
possible manner.

The habit of thoroughness in housekeeping leads one to keep rooms in
good order and the table beautifully appointed. I know a girl who says
that she takes great pains with her room whenever she thinks her aunt
Mary is coming to see her, because Aunt Mary's sharp eyes discover every
speck of dust, and observe any trifle that is in the least out of order.
Aunt Mary is a bit of a critic, and her niece a little afraid of her
comments.

In other words, the aunt has made a coward of the girl. I do not like
the idea of being in bondage to anybody, whether an aunt or a stranger.
It would seem to me a far better way to feel that one must answer to
one's self, and that one would not feel satisfied unless she could look
herself in the glass and say: "There, everything is done in the best
possible manner, and you cannot find any fault with me to-day. Try to,
if you dare!"

I wonder whether you are particular to write notes of thanks very soon
after receiving gifts or acts of courtesy? The value of a note of thanks
is greatly increased by its being prompt. If some friend leaves a bunch
of violets at your door, and you fail to acknowledge it until the
flowers have failed, your thanks, when they do come, are tardy. When
flowers are sent to those who are ill, they, of course, cannot repay the
courtesy by a little note themselves, but some one in the family should
do it for them. Your note of thanks should be very genial, showing that
you are really pleased by the kind attention and the happier because of
it. Do not be afraid to write warmly and cordially on such occasions. If
stiff and formal you are unjust both to your friend and yourself.

Speaking of illness, it happens that some of you have to take care of
those who are ill, and it is worth while to cultivate a way of moving
lightly and quietly about a sick room. One should never wear creaking
shoes nor a rustling dress in a room where any one is ill. The nerves of
people in illness are very acute and sensitive to