To sum up all, my dear friends, if you aim at rational happiness, let there be what is artistically termed keeping in your whole system of life. Let your style of dress, your mode of housekeeping, and entertaining, your relaxations, amusements, occupations, and resources, be harmoniously combined.
"Where and how is the most charming of Jewesses?" I asked one morning of an old friend, upon whom I had been making an unreasonably early call, rising to go.
"Here, sir, and very well," responded a cheerful voice from an adjoining room. "Will you not come in a moment?"
The smiling "home-mother" opened wide the half-open door through which my queries had been answered, and seconded her daughter's invitation.
There sat my fair young friend, with a small table before her, covered with sewing materials, and a huge overcoat upon her lap. She was in a simple, neat morning-dress, and plying the needle with great industry. She apologized for not rising to receive me, but not for continuing her occupation after I seated myself.
"As busily engaged as ever, I see," said I.
"Rather more so than usual, just now. Fred has come home in a very dilapidated condition."
"And you are repairing him. But what are you doing with that huge, bearish-looking coat? It's as much as you can do to lift it, I should judge."
"Oh, I've been putting in new front-facings and sleeve-linings, and fixing it up a little," returned she. "But, Colonel, do tell me, have you read Macaulay's second volume?"