CHAPTER XXXVIII. WINDOW DECORATION 429 Oriental Window-shade, 430; Ribbon-curtain, 430; Drapery of Very Small Scraps, 431; Painting Window-panes, 432; Painting on Lawn, 434; To Imitate Stained Glass, 435; Windows of Imitation Ground Glass, 436. CHAPTER XXXIX. FURNITURE, OLD AND NEW 438 The Bookcase, 439; The Chair, 441; The Bedstead, 444; A Dressing-table, 444; Washstand, 446; A Hall Seat, 447; Window Seat and Book-shelves, combined, 448. CHAPTER XL. SOMETHING ABOUT MANTLE-PIECES AND FIRE-PLACES 451 CHAPTER XLI. HOME-MADE CANDY 458 Peanut Candy, Butter Scotch and Molasses Candy, 459; Walnut and Fruit Glacé, 460; Marsh-mallow Paste, 460; Chocolate Caramels, 461; Pop-corn Balls, 462. CHAPTER XLII. SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY 464 Valentine Party, 465. [Illustration: SPRING] [Illustration] The American Girl’s Handy Book. CHAPTER I. FIRST OF APRIL. THIS is the children’s own day, and no assumption of dignity on the part of their elders can deter them from exercising the privileges granted to them by acknowledged custom and precedent. “April fool! April fool!” cries my little nephew, as he dances with delight to see his aunt walk out of the room with a piece of white paper dangling from a hooked pin, attached to her dress. “April fool! April fool!” shout the children in the street, thus announcing the success of some practical joke. “April fool!” laughs everyone at the table, when some unfortunate bites into a brown, wholesome-looking cruller, only to find it a delusion and a snare, the coat of a cruller, but the inside of cotton. “April fool! April fool!” is what even the little sparrows seem to chirp, as with a “s-w-h-e-r-r” they sweep down from the tree and, frightening away the kitten, take forcible possession of her bone. What does all this mean? Why is the first day of April called “All-Fools-Day,” and when or where did the custom of the day originate? Who can tell? No one seems to know. Even the derivation of the word April does not appear to have been definitely settled, and this saucy month, with her mischievous tricks and pranks, her surprises and mysteries, fools and puzzles our wisest men. Through many centuries the observance of All-Fools-Day has descended to us. In many climes and many countries this day is chosen as the proper time for playing tricks on the unsuspecting. “Festum Fatuorum,” or “Fools’ Holiday,” is what it was called in England at the time of the arrival of the early Christians in that country.