Omenica.—Jackets are all worn short this year in England, as well as elsewhere. Our personal opinion is that the constant use of files, knives, and all steel instruments to the nails is very detrimental to their beauty. The habit of pushing down the quick round the nail with an instrument, or even cutting it away, is a very bad one. It should be gently pushed down with the wet towel when the hands are washed. Indeed most of the cleaning can be done in this way. The nails should be cut in a rounded form, and should never be permitted to extend beyond the top of the finger itself; and filing them at the sides would be foolish and unnecessary too.
Ungraceful Pigeon and Others.—Judging from your letters, you each and all need a course of gymnastics. This would probably make “Pigeon” grow a little also. There are five systems of gymnastic exercises—the German, Swedish, military, English, and those of Miss Chreiman. Gymnastic classes are held in London at Board schools, polytechnics, Young Women’s Christian Associations, High schools, and at many other places; so, by inquiry, you can very easily find a place. Then there is swimming, which is a capital exercise, the training for which can be had in many places in London. You might like that better perhaps. The terms are very moderate.
Jessica.—Write a separate answer for those of your party who refuse the invitation. If not a very special one, where the number would make a difference, or if uncertain, accept for all on one card, and apologise for those absent as you enter and greet your hostess.
Gladys.—We suppose you know the glass bottles that are sold for fly-catching. In America what is known as the feverfew, queen’s daisy, or pyrethrum, is thought to keep flies away. You might try a few pots of that. It may be either grown from seed, or can be obtained at a nurseryman’s. Darkness is one of the best remedies against flies, and so the more shaded you can keep your windows the better and the darker the shop on a bright day.
Sister Edith.—Not admitted under twenty-one years of age, we should think; but we can find no limit of age. Deaconesses must be under thirty-five years of age when admitted.
Ignorant One.—1. For a seed cake the following, from a well-known cookery book, is excellent and cheap. Rub six ounces of butter into three-quarters of a pound of flour, add a pinch of salt, five ounces of the best moist sugar, and a dessertspoonful of caraway seed. Dissolve half a small teaspoonful of soda in a teaspoonful of hot milk. Beat up this with two eggs, already well beaten, and stir the whole into the cake. Put the mixture into a buttered tin, and bake in a moderately-heated oven—from thirty to forty minutes will suffice.—2. Hyacinth bulbs deteriorate after the first year, and would not do for water after planting in the ground.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Full particulars of the Guild can be obtained from its founder, Sister Grace (Mrs. Kimmins) at the Bermondsey Settlement, where its headquarters are.
[2] Life and Letters of Mrs. Ewing, p. 283 (S.P.C.K.).