Partly Practical 81 



without board. You want a fire in the 

 grate ? Fifty cents. A servant to carry a 

 message ? Fifty cents. A lamp to read 

 by ? Impossible. Ice-water ? Ten cents. 

 A hot-water bag at your feet ? Ten cents, 

 and also buy the bag. Information? 

 Ask a policeman. But in a country tav- 

 ern, where the charge is five dollars a 

 week with board, you can ask the land- 

 lady to sew on a button, borrow the land- 

 lord's slippers or the hostler's fishing-pole, 

 call for hot water to shave with, have a fire 

 in your room, get a parcel taken to the 

 station, have your mail brought in, have a 

 snack between meals, and there is no 

 thought of extra charge. 



In Europe, where I flew exceeding light 

 of baggage, I resorted to this expedient to 

 save the carriage of an extra shirt : my 

 night-gown was pierced for collar buttons, 

 and I carried a detachable collar and scarf. 

 On the day when my shirt was in the wash 

 nobody who may have seen me in the 

 galleries or museums knew that I was so 

 nearly ready for bed. I am aware that 

 these hints will seem funny to people who 

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