presence; nor offer any
opinion, unless asked for it; nor even to say "good night," or "good
morning," except in reply to that salutation.

To preserve cut Flowers.

2289. A bouquet of freshly-cut flowers may be preserved alive for a long
time by placing them in a glass or vase with fresh water, in which a
little charcoal has been steeped, or a small piece of camphor dissolved.
The vase should be set upon a plate or dish, and covered with a
bell-glass, around the edges of which, when it comes in contact with the
plate, a little water should be poured to exclude the air.

To revive cut Flowers after packing.

2290. Plunge the stems into boiling water, and by the time the water is
cold, the flowers will have revived. Then cut afresh the ends of the
stems, and keep them in fresh cold water.

UPPER AND UNDER HOUSEMAIDS.

2291. Housemaids, in large establishments, have usually one or more
assistants; in this case they are upper and under housemaids. Dividing
the work between them, the upper housemaid will probably reserve for
herself the task of dusting the ornaments and cleaning the furniture of
the principal apartments, but it is her duty to see that every
department is properly attended to. The number of assistants depends on
the number in the family, as well as on the style in which the
establishment is kept up. In wealthy families it is not unusual for
every grown-up daughter to have her waiting-maid, whose duty it is to
keep her mistress's apartments in order, thus abridging the housemaid's
duties. In others, perhaps, one waiting-maid attends on two or three,
when the housemaid's assistance will be more requisite. In fact, every
establishment has some customs peculiar to itself, on which we need not
dwell; the general duties are the _same in all_, perfect cleanliness and
order being the object.

DUTIES OF THE HOUSEMAID.

2292. "Cleanliness is next to godliness," saith the proverb, and "order"
is in the next degree; the housemaid, then, may be said to be the
handmaiden to two of the most prominent virtues. Her duties are very
numerous, and many of the comforts of the family depend on their
performance; but they are simple and easy to a person naturally clean
and orderly, and desirous of giving satisfaction. In all families,
whatever the habits of the master and mistress, servants will find it
advantageous to rise early; their daily work will thus come easy to
them. If they rise late, there is a struggle to