l as the door. The kitchen sink is at
the west end of the room, between and under two windows, which must be
at least three feet from the floor. It is near to the pantry door, to
accommodate the dishes used in cooking; yet not so near that one cannot
stand beside it without danger of being roasted or broiled; near to the
cellar door, from whence come the Murphys and other vegetables to have
their faces washed and their eyes put out. Of course there is a china
sink in the china closet, to insure tender treatment for all the table
ware, and I should like a sort of window or slide behind the sideboard
opening through it. Sometimes it will be convenient for the waitress to
arrange the articles to be used on the table within reach from the
dining-room side, and save a special journey whenever a dish, or a
spoon is changed."

"It strikes me," said Jack, "that when it comes to spoons you're
drawing it pretty fine. I suppose these are modern improvements, but
how much better will the dinners be than the dinners cooked in my
kitchen? Two servants will do all the work for the same wages."

"Real labor-saving is a religious duty, like all other economy; and if
we don't have better domestic service with better facilities for doing
work the fault is our own."

"But I don't see that this kitchen is any better than mine."

"Of course you don't; you're a man; but for one thing, your china
closet hasn't even a window of its own. How do you expect glasses to be
made clean and silver bright in such a place? Now observe my plan: Not
only is the kitchen light, but the entry where the ice comes in, the
pantry where the food is prepared, the butler's pantry, the stairs to
the cellar and to the second floor, and Mugby Junction, are all light.
There isn't a dark corner on the premises, and consequently no excuse
for uncleanness or accidents."

"Just think of the flies."

"Windows are easily darkened. But I am not quite ready to talk over
these minor matters. The general plan is the first thing, and I think
you will agree with me that it is well begun."

"According to Poor Richard, then, it is half done. So it's time for
recess."

"Very well; way of change let us look at the plans of brother Ted's
house in Kansas. Its situation is different from ours, as it stands on
a high bluff in a bend of the Missouri, and the parlor looks over the
water in three different directions, up and down and across the river.
The piazza seems to be arrange