and profession of women,
if it is raised to the level of the other great businesses and
professions, and managed quickly, efficiently and economically, will
cease to be regarded as drudgery and take its real place among the arts
and sciences.

When the girls of today have learned to do this, the women of tomorrow
will be spared the criticism of waste and extravagance that our nation
has had to bear. If Girl Scouts make good as far as this medal is
concerned and become real "Scout Aides" the Scout reputation is secure.

[Illustration]

1. THE HOME MAKER

BY SARAH LOUISE ARNOLD

Formerly Dean of Simmons College

_The Keeper of the House._ Every Girl Scout knows that good homes make a
country great and good; so every woman wants to understand home-making.
Of course that means "keeping" a house; and of course that means that
Girl Scouts should try for the Housekeeper Merit Badge, the "Home
Maker."

Now "making a home" doesn't mean just having it, owning it and holding
its key. It means making it a good place to live in, or helping to make
it so. This sounds like the House that Jack built; but all this belongs
to the making of a home.

_Planning Your House._ When you plan a house of your own you must think
what it needs most. You would choose, first of all, to have abundant
air, fresh and clean; a dry spot where dampness will not stay; sunshine
at some time of day in every room of the house, which you can have if
your house faces southeast; and you must be able to get a good supply of
pure water. You will want to make your house warm in the winter and
cool in the summer, so you will look out for windows, doors and porches.

Think what must be done in a house: eating, sleeping, working, resting,
by the whole family. How many rooms must you have? Draw a plan of some
house in your neighborhood that seems good to live in. Make up your mind
what you like best in that house.

_Furnishings._ Then houses must be furnished with the things that the
family needs. The furniture will be for use. You must ask every piece
what it is good for. What will you do with it? Could you get along
without it? Some things you would use constantly, others once in a
while. Which would you get first if you were planning carefully? How
much would it cost to furnish the house for which you have drawn the
plans: to furnish the kitchen, the living room, the bedrooms? Make a
list of the furniture _needed_ (not just _wanted_) for each room with