when pressing it to the wall, and
smooth it downward gently. Dadoes or friezes can be divided off with
the tiny beading which frame-makers use, or with a painted line, which
must be straight and evenly done.

Fireplaces

Fireplaces, which can be bought or made at home, should be put in
next. To make one yourself, take a strong cardboard-box lid about four
inches long and two wide (though the size must depend on the size of
the room). Very neatly cut off a quarter of it. This smaller part,
covered with gold or silver paper, will make the fender. Then cut off
both sides of the remaining piece, leaving the strip at the top to
form the mantelpiece. Glue the back of the cover to the wall, hang
little curtains from the shelf, put some ornaments on it, arrange the
fender in front, and the fireplace is complete. A grate can be
imitated in cardboard painted black and red.

A Furnishing Game

A splendid game of shop can be played while the furnishing is going
on: in fact, from the moment you have the bare house a board or sign
with "_To Let or For Sale_" will quickly attract house-hunting dolls,
and when a couple have taken it they will have their days full of
shopping before it is ready for them. You will, of course, yourself be
the manufacturers and shopkeepers. It is well to make out careful
bills for everything sold, and the more things you can display in your
show-rooms the better. All house-hunting dolls require plenty of
money.

Curtains

Windows have been mentioned, but they are not by any means a
necessity. Yet even if you cannot have windows, you should put up
curtains, for they make the rooms prettier. Shades can be made of
linen, edged at the bottom with a piece of lace, and nailed on the
wall just above the window. During the day these are rolled up and
tied. White curtains should be bordered with lace and run on a piece
of tape, which can be nailed or pinned on both sides of the window.
They will then draw. The heavy inside curtains can be hung on a pencil
(which may be gilded or left its own color) supported by two picture
screws. Fasten these curtains back with narrow ribbons. Some dolls'
houses, of course, are fitted with real doors. But if you do not have
these, it is perhaps well to hang the doorway with curtains, also on
pencils.

Floors

The floors can be stained or painted either all over or round the
edges. Carpets are better not made of ordinary carpet, for it is much
too thick, but o