“Why can’t the boys clean their own boots?” Cecilly began, but I stopped her, for I saw Aunt Jane was looking vexed at her interruptions, and I knew mother would not like the boys to do such work while they were going to school among other boys. “Next,” continued Aunt Jane, “I should advise you to do away with your kitchen range and have a gas stove.” “No, dear Aunt Jane,” I pleaded. “We must not spend anything to save ourselves.” “I am not asking you to spend anything, my dear, excepting a few shillings. The gas company will let out on hire any stove for a small sum, I believe about one shilling and eightpence a quarter. There will be the cost of setting it, but that will soon be paid for by the saving in coals. A gas stove can be turned off as soon as you no longer require it, so is economical in every way. I know I must not add that it will save you much work, both in cleaning and lighting, though that is the truth.” We laughed as we told her we were quite lazy enough to be saved any labour, and she continued, “I will tell you another plan to lighten your work. Take up all the heavy carpets possible, especially in the bedrooms. A stained floor with rugs you can shake is far easier to keep clean as well as being more healthy.” “But we should have to have the floors stained,” said Cecilly. “And every shilling will be wanted for father.” “I think you must spare one or two of them to buy a bottle or so of stains,” replied Aunt Jane, smiling. “Stain them, and then polish them by degrees with beeswax and turpentine. I had an oak staircase once that I treated in that way, and it looked beautiful. Of course, if you have mats and rugs, so much the better, but strips of carpet with the ends fringed out do very nicely. What you will find most irksome is the continual washing up. Take my advice and leave your evening dinner things till the next morning. I know it is far nicer to get them washed up overnight, but you must remember that your first duty is to make home bright for the boys. When dinner is over, put away all domestic duties and make the evenings as bright with music and suchlike as you do now. Now I must be going, and will only add this piece of advice. When you speak to cook and Ann, tell them the reason you are parting with them. They are both kind-hearted girls and will, I am sure, help you in getting ready to do without them, and doubtless will be able to give you good advice too.” “I hope Jack won’t be very vexed,” sighed Cecilly. “Never mind Jack,” said Aunt Jane. “He is too sensible to be really vexed.” “Poor Jack,” I said. “You know, Aunt Jane, how very friendly and kind Mr. Marriott has always been to him. Now, although he has been goodness itself in finding him extra work after office hours, we can all see he does not approve of the friendship between Jack and Cynthia. Cynthia comes to us in the daytime as much as ever, but very rarely in the evening when Jack is home.”