One last hint: always, unless you live in London, keep two or three new toothbrushes and a clean brush and comb in the house; then, should your guest be willing to remain until the next morning unexpectedly, you will even be ready for that emergency, and will not have one tiny flaw left to be found in your simple but most complete system of entertaining. CHAPTER XX. THE SUMMING-UP. I have been so continually asked what is the very smallest possible sum of money that will suffice to furnish a little house for a young couple beginning life, that I have drawn up from actual bills a short schedule of the cost of furnishing the ordinary villa residence in the suburbs. But to this must be added quite another 50_l._ should the householder have literally every single thing to buy; for in this special house, as will be seen from the list, several rather important items were already procured, and wedding presents made a great and perceptible difference in the appearance of the modest _ménage_, as is fortunately generally the case with all young couples starting in life, who, if they are wise, will only purchase necessaries at first, saving their money until they are actually married, and know not only what their friends have given them, but also what the house itself really requires. There is no doubt, if this be done, the following will suffice at first; and on 150_l._ the house will not only look nice but artistic too. DINING-ROOM. Bought of £ _s._ _d._ A. and R. Smee Six oak-framed rush-seated chairs at 25_s._ 7 10 0 Maple Mahogany table 3 5 0 “ Kidderminster square carpet 1 17 6 Burnett Felt for curtains 1 4 9 Whiteley Fender 0 7 6 “ Fireirons 0 9 6 ------------ £14 14 3 There were two deep cupboards in this special room, which rendered the purchase of a sideboard unnecessary; if one be imperative, I recommend the purchase of Maple’s ‘Vicarage’ suite of furniture at 20_l._ It is both pretty and good, I _hear_; I have not actual personal experience of it. DRAWING-ROOM.