"Indeed, we manage most comfortably, and the saving is great. I cook well, and make the best of all we have, and the economy in gas and light and cleaning things and breakages is considerable. Our nice maid, Ethel, is quite one of the family, and says that getting out on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, 'there is always something to look forward to.' In winter I consider she should go out by daylight, so I often send her off early on the charwoman's day. If I went away from home I should engage a temporary cook, and if we wanted to have a party I should have a cook by the day, and a waitress. I work at a war depot every day, and often have my tea there. But even after the war I doubt if I shall alter my ways, provided I remain in good health, for I cannot see why it should be _infra dig._ to work in one's own house when it is absolutely 'the thing' to be a general servant or kitchenmaid in a hospital or canteen." Man and the ape shared a common ancestor. Is it a reversion to type which causes us to scramble about on all fours when we scrub and clean? Our developed intelligence should deter us from adopting monkey-like attitudes and time-wasting methods. [Illustration: _PLATE XXIX_ A STEAMER WHICH CAN BE USED TO COOK A WHOLE DINNER OVER ONE GAS RING This is made of block tin and boils with very little gas. Several forms of steamer, with from three to six compartments, can now be bought. The multiple steamer costs much less than three to six single saucepans, and burns much less gas.] CHAPTER VII WHAT THIS CHAPTER IS ABOUT _Labour and Time-Saving Housekeeping--Ordering in Advance--Cooking Mornings--Labour-Saving Utensils--The Late-Dinner Bogey--Simplified Requirements._ CHAPTER VII OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCES OF LABOUR-SAVING HOMES (_Continued_) I For many a year I have thought that the average good domesticated woman wasted far too much of her own time and that of her servants in housekeeping, while, on the other hand, many women give too little time and attention to their households. Clever organisation will do much to lighten the work of a household. Take, for example, the ordering of meals and the cooking thereof. The average mistress orders the meals each day with no regard except for the needs of that special day, and the average cook cooks in just the same short-sighted manner. Now, I hold that in a well-regulated establishment, with an intelligent cook, it should not be necessary to order the meals more than three times a week, unless special entertaining has to be considered. The mistress knows the number of her household, and can calculate with sufficient nicety what can be done with the available material, while the cook should be able to make the most of the various odds and ends which can be utilised for breakfast dishes, savouries, servants' supper, and so forth.