WORTH YOUR WIGHT IN GOLD 191

on you are to do all other work carelessly and without in-
terest. Not so, of course. I mean only that one branch at
a time shall receive most care and attention till it is mas-
tered to the utmost of your ability. Nor do I mean that
you are to spend all of your young life in housework. An
average of half an hour a day devoted to such work, or
even less, all through one’s girlhood, will in many cases be
all that is necessary or desirable. But certainly a girl is
to be pitied who never is taught to sew, nor given an oppor-
tunity to learn practically the rudiments of housewifery.
I hope none of you who read this are so unfortunate.

There are other fields of effort which you may cultivate.
Sewing or music, reading, fancy-work, drawing, certain
school-studies, gardening — whichever of them seems most
attractive to you — will serve as a starting-point. I have
dwelt principally upon the art of cooking, because Aunt
Patsy set me talking; but there are many fair paths open-
ing in every direction. Take the one nearest by, whether
it lead to the kitchen, the parlor, the lbrary, or out of
doors. But be sure to be thorough as you go along. Don’t
shimble-shamble through everything, and then wonder
that those who love you best are not quite satisfied with
your progress —that you do not really add to any one’s
comfort or interest; in short, that you are not your worth
in gold.

“T love books best, but can I be a help to anybody at
home if I sit and read all day ?” you may ask.

And I answer, you cannot. If you read too much, you
are not reading well. If you read too steadily, you are not