"I am wondering if it would help you to see a list of our dinners for the week; I send one in case it may be of use and also my food bill. The quantities will seem very small to you, but you must remember we have no 'downstairs' to consider. Our girl only comes for a few hours each day. This makes a great difference in our expenses. In fact, if we did not make this arrangement, I do not think we could continue our present mode of living. Now, do not worry. If you are so anxious to have everything nice you will succeed in time, and if your mother-in-law is so kind and so fond of you, I am sure she will not pity her son too much, even if your cook does make one or two failures. Could you not get her to postpone her visit until you are a little more settled. "Here is the dinner list-- _Sunday._ Stewed Steak. Mashed Potatoes. Mince Pies. (_Supper._) Poached Eggs on Toast; Cocoa. _Monday._ Tripe à la Normandie. Sago Pudding. _Tuesday._ Sheep's Head. Vegetables and Dumplings. Baked Treacle Tart. _Wednesday._ (_High Tea._) Fish Mould. Gingerbread. _Thursday._ Brown Soup. Fish in Milk. Cottage Pudding. _Friday._ Mutton Cutlets. Boiled Potatoes. Brussels Sprouts. Macaroni Cheese. _Saturday._ Celery Soup. Minced Callops and Mashed Potatoes. Cup Puddings. "You see, we live very simply. "The stewed steak was cooked the day before and warmed up; the mince pies also. "The 'tripe à la Normandie' is made with a thick brown gravy; the tripe made in rolls with pieces of ham in each and a few mushrooms to flavour. We have half a ham in the house just at present, so it was a good time to have the dish. The brown soup on Thursday was made of the broth in which the sheep's head was cooked; the fish mould is made by pounding half a pound of breadcrumbs, one ounce of butter, a beaten egg and a gill of thick white sauce; season this well and steam in a buttered mould. The callops are minced beef, which I buy at threepence each callop. "Here is the food account--