October, 1912 
Day after day that little child 
Out of it I know she 
always counted the blocks. 
was impatient for the block-game. 
learned a great deal. 
This was an introduction to numbers in which she always 
excelled in after life. When I took the letter E, I used five 
blocks laid upright with two placed in horizontal lines from 
the top and bottom and only one in the middle. She never 
placed five blocks horizontally top and bottom and never, 
after the first day, placed more than one in the middle. It 
was a long time before she said words to indicate counting, 
but she did something like counting every day in this placing 
of the right number of blocks. Her game became no less 
entertaining because directed along these educational lines. 
Whether or not this game of block-built letters influenced 
the development of this child’s mind or only brought out 
what was sure to come, she became a skilled designer, and 
graduated at an early age, 
a full-fledged architect. 
You never know just when 
the seed is planted which 
produces the fruit of later 
years, but you do know 
whether you are enriching 
the soil and making the 
proper preparation for 
atter life. hese carly 
formative years are of 
vital importance. 
The child who is al- 
lowed to finish building his 
house of blocks learns to 
complete his work before 
leaving it, so mothers 
should think twice before 
interrupting the child’s 
play. It is better to waita 
time for the child than to 
encourage habits of care- 
less endeavor. In this way 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
A PINEAPPLE RECIPE 
By Mary H. Northend 
371 
The habit of helpfulness can be begun very early. Baby 
soon learns to wait upon you if you show him how, and finds 
enjoyment in it. This helps to prevent the growth of a 
selfish tendency. It is fair to assume that the little ones who 
are taught to run and pick up the spool or thimble which has 
dropped from mother’s lap will have a feeling of watch- 
fulness for the comfort of others when grown. The habits 
of a lifetime are forming in these little children and the re- 
sponsibility is always great, and is, generally, belonging to 
the mothers. 
It is true that we have to deal with heredity, tempera- 
ment and environment in the molding of a child’s character 
and habits, but, if we keep our own ideals of what we wish 
them to be constantly before them, helping them through 
our care and consideration of their rights as well as ours, 
we surely will have better results than if we allow them to 
live their first six years 
without training. 
After years of experi- 
ence and observation, I 
feel confident that it is far 
easier, far wiser, to work 
for good habits from the 
first, than to let perversity 
and selfishness get in their 
work and then try to make 
corrections and to create 
new habits. The struggle 
is too great, the possibil- 
ity of failure too evident, 
for such a risk to be taken. 
PUM MM KR eK 
A HOUSE AT READING, 
MASSACHUSETTS 
(Continued from page 350) 
bedpdpzdhedbedb:db-d: Gb-4p-dbsib-40= 4p <p a0 db < 30-40 a <b 4 
ing, and as a result each 
feature here is distinctive. 
habits of fulfillment will 
be started, as well as re- 
spect for the rights of an- 
other. 
It always grieves me to 
hear a child called to do 
this, that or other thing, 
when he is absorbed in a 
book or in his play, and 
Sliced Pineapple with Farina—Cut a pineapple into slices quarter of 
an inch thick, and then in halves. Sprinkle with sugar, and set away 
in a cool place until ready to use. At serving time, arrange, stand- 
ing on edge, around a mound of farina. Place the sprout of the pine 
in the center of the mound for decorative effect. To prepare the farina, 
to a quart of rich milk, add one tablespoonful of Sea Moss Farina, 
shaking gently into the milk to prevent lumping, and half cup sugar. 
Flavor with pineapple juice, if desired. Cook slowly until it begins to 
thicken, which will be in about thirty minutes Turn into a mold, and 
set away to harden. Canned pineapple can be used as well as fresh 
fruit, if the fresh fruit is out of season. 
Nearly opposite the en- 
trance is the fireplace 
flanked on the right by 
built-in bookcases,  ar- 
ranged one on either side 
of a French door opening 
on to the living porch. At 
the left is a built-in cup- 
board and beyond a long 
then to hear him scolded 
if he does not start at 
once. How many times I have done the same thing. But 
is it right? Has the child no rights which should be re- 
spected if we would have him considerate of us in later life? 
To the child his play is so important a thing, and yet how 
many times we compel the clearing up process when he is 
absorbed in working out some idea with his playthings. Now 
I am learning that this is detrimental to the child, for it 
surely is the beginning of a discouraged way of doing things. 
Sure of an interruption, gradually the child takes less and 
less interest in the ending of his work and his play, and this 
we know is a sad thing, when in later life his play has be- 
come work calling for great endeavor and determination to 
see the finish. 
An active, honest conscience is one of the greatest pos- 
sessions a human being can have, and habits of truth ought 
to be trained into the child from the very first. We older 
ones stand as patterns, a daily example to our children. If 
we are not absolutely honest, can we expect absolute hon- 
esty and truthfulness from them? When a mother makes a 
promise to her child she should keep her word. 
seat, extending beneath a 
broad window. Windows 
on three sides of the room admit an abundance of light and 
sunshine, and the cheerful effect thus created is enhanced 
by the pure white of the trim finish, and the soft coloring 
of the wall hangings. 
The dining-room shows interesting details, and in finish 
is especially attractive. Built-in cupboards, the upper por- 
tions glass enclosed, flank the entrance from the hallway 
on either side, and just opposite, quaint casement windows 
add a touch of interest. Grouped windows at the front 
render the room bright and sunny, and the setting complete 
shows to advantage the fine equipment. From the dining- 
room opens the pantry, fitted up with shelves and cup- 
boards, and from here leads the kitchen, equipped with 
built-in closets and other conveniences. This apartment is 
approached from the exterior by a separate entrance, which 
gives upon a small entry at the end of which is the refrig- 
erator space and closet for brooms. On the second floor 
there are four chambers, linen closet, and bathroom, each 
finished with due regard for comfort and convenience, and 
all equipped with ample closet space and mahogany doors— 
