24 FARM HOMES, Itf-DOORS AXD OUT-DOORS. 



HALLS. 



If one's house must be small and the rooms few, still 

 a hall or some sort of pleasant vestibule ought to be 

 afforded, rather than have the living-room or parlor open 

 abruptly into the open air. It is good for family habits, 

 too, that the children have a regular place for hats and 

 caps, and an opportunity before a hall mirror to see that 

 they are presentable prior to appearing in the sitting or 

 dining-room. Such little household regulations teach 

 children order and self-control. 



This moral view of the Hall brings up another con- 

 sideration. There are many kind-hearted, fair-minded 

 house-keepers who regard the main entrance of their 

 houses as being too sacred for daily use, and prefer that 

 husband and children and intimate friends should "run 

 around " to a side or a kitchen door. This is a mistake. 

 Better live in a hut with but one entrance than have a 

 door-way too grand for those nearest us to walk through ! 

 Indeed, the burden of these chapters will be that we had 

 best have nothing that is "too good for human nature's 

 daily food." 



But these same fair-minded house-keepers will exclaim, 

 " Oh, it is all yery well to talk about the footsteps of 

 those nearest us, but I can't afford to have my hall-carpet 

 covered with mud every day and torn to tatters in six 

 months !" 



Of course you cannot afford it, nor can your afford to 

 have your" children acquire the careless manners and 

 habits that come of the back-door principle. Have a 

 door-mat at the hall door, and teach little feet to respect 

 it. Have everything everywhere as fine and tasteful as 

 means will permit, and lead the children to understand 

 that the condition of having good and pretty things to 

 use is care ! just a little thoughtful care. 



If the house is to be large enough, have a hall, and fit 



