s for
letter-writing, including stamps. Perhaps the guest has brought these
things with her, more likely she has forgotten them, and it may be a
matter of great convenience to her to find this little desk awaiting
her. If there is a shelf above, a selection of standard and
entertaining books may be placed thereon. The Bible, a book of Common
Prayer, a hymnal, may be included; a copy of Shakespeare, a dictionary,
some clever and interesting book, like _Curious Questions_, and a
volume or two of sketches and essays, ranging in style from Emerson to
Jerome K. Jerome, may agreeably fill the mid-day hour of rest which the
guest takes in her room before dressing for the afternoon. The only
trouble is that the guest who is made so thoroughly comfortable may
forget to go home. At all events, she will no doubt hail with delight
a second invitation to come.

It may be objected that to keep the guest-room supplied to this extent
would involve a considerable expense; but that would depend on the
character of the guest. No well-bred woman would depend on these
"supplies" for the entire period of a long visit. They are there to
meet the emergency of a belated trunk, of something forgotten or
overlooked, or the delays in making necessary purchases after her
arrival. She will gratefully accept the cologne until her own flask is
unpacked, but she leaves the guest-room supply but little diminished
when she departs.

The hostess who has been embittered by seeing only a train of empty
bottles in the wake of a departing guest may naturally feel discouraged
about offering unlimited hospitality in the matter of druggists'
sundries. But it is merely that she has been unfortunate in her
guests. She should revise her visiting list. In entertaining the
right sort of people, she will have no such experience. She will be
fully rewarded for every care she bestows to make her house a home-like
resort, and she will find that the cost amounts to very little compared
with the large return it brings in the way of social appreciation, to
say nothing of the satisfaction afforded to her own benevolent
impulses. "It is more blessed to give than to receive," as the ideal
hostess can testify.

"MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME"

The responsibilities of a visit are not all on the shoulders of a
hostess. The guest has also a duty in the matter.

The phrase of welcome quoted above is variously interpreted, if we may
judge by the various ways in wh