housemothers, a knowledge of those small economics, so necessary to
health and prosperity, taught me by many years of hard work, mental
travail, experience and some failures. In this extravagant Twentieth
Century economy is more imperative than formerly. We feel that we need
so much more these days than our grandmothers needed; and what we
need, or feel that we need, is so costly. The housemother has larger
problems today than yesterday.

"Every husband should give his wife an allowance according to his
income, so that she will be able to systematize her buying and
occasionally obtain imperishable goods at less cost. Being encouraged
thus to use her dormant economical powers; she will become a powerful
factor in the problem of home-making along lines that will essentially
aid her husband in acquiring a comfortable competency, if not a
fortune. Then she will have her husband's interest truly at heart;
will study to spend his money carefully, and to the best advantage;
and she herself, even, will be surprised at the many economies which
will suggest themselves to save his hard-earned money when she handles
that money herself, which certainly teaches her the saving habit and
the value of money.

"The majority of housewives of today aren't naturally inclined to be
extravagant or careless. It is rather that they lack the knowledge and
experience of spending money, and spending it to the best advantage
for themselves and their household needs.

"'Tis a compulsory law in England, I have heard, to allow a wife pin
money, according to a man's means. 'Tis a most wise law. To a loyal
wife and mother it gives added force, dignity and usefulness to have a
sufficient allowance and to be allowed unquestioningly to spend that