and washes the windows the last thing, provided the sun is not shining on them at this time.  If so, the work will have to be deferred and slipped in with special work of some other time.  In localities where there is little smoke the weekly washing may be dispensed with, dusting off each pane with a soft cloth being all that is necessary.  In freezing weather this is the only cleaning possible, though if the glass is much soiled it can be gone over with a sponge wet with alcohol; or with whiting mixed with diluted alcohol or ammonia, followed by much the same rubbing process employed in cleaning silver, with a final polishing with soft paper, tissue preferably, which gives the finest possible shine to any vitreous surface.  If there are inside or outside blinds, they must be well brushed, and casings and sills which are much soiled washed, before the glass is cleaned.  The requirements for successful window cleaning are a third of a pail of hot water containing a little ammonia or borax, plenty of clean, soft cloths free from lint, a complete absence of soap, and a decided presence of energy—­aye, there’s the rub!  The less water used the better.  Instead of allowing it to run down in tears, squeeze the cloth out nearly dry, going quickly over one pane at a time, following immediately with a dry cloth, and then polishing.  Wrap the cleaning cloth around a skewer and go into the corners and around the edges of the glass.  Nothing is more productive of distorted vision than looking through a glass darkly.  Wherefore, for the sake of the mental as well as the physical eye, see that Phyllis’s window cleaning is a success.

After the bedrooms are in order the halls and passages on the same floor, and the bathroom, are swept and cleaned.

FRIDAY

On Friday Mrs. Grundy’s living rooms and first-floor halls are treated to their weekly renovation, which is similar to that which the bedrooms receive, only there is more of it.  The preparation of the drawing-room for sweeping is more elaborate, containing, as it does, more pieces of furniture and bric-a-brac to be cared for.  All movable pieces are dusted and taken from the room.  Upholstered furniture must be well brushed, going down into the tufts and puffs with a pointed brush similar to that used by painters, and pieces which are too large to move covered with a dust sheet.  A vigorous brushing with a whisk broom will be necessary around the edges of the carpet, in the corners, and under the heavy furniture.  Mirrors must be polished, glasses, frames, backs, and wires of pictures wiped off, and fancy carving which the duster will not reach cleaned out with a soft brush.