A harmless visitor to our home may do a deal of harm to us and
ours, as well as to others whom we think well of and are glad to
know. It is not that Miss Tattle and Mr. Teller really wished to
make mischief If they did they should be labelled talebearer and
mischief-maker and kept out of our house at any cost — even to the
point of telling them that their visits are not desired — but they do it
without malice, just for want of something better to talk about, and
because they see it gratifies the natural curiosity of the idle.
"The idle!" That is just the class who love scandal, for those
who have their hands full of work have no time to be busy with
other people's affairs. Industry, however un remunerative, is never
unproductive of good if it only keeps us out of mischief And what
social mischief can at all compare, in the unhappiness it causes, with
the talebearing of small communities !
This industry is the only and the effectiv^e safeguard against hav-
ing the privacy of your home invaded by callers who, having nothing
to do themselves, make frequent visits to all their neighbors, whom
they are likely to find at leisure, to talk and listen to them.
Professional persons have their reception hours ; private families
should have them also. Let the gossip and the mere vacant idler
COMPANY IN THE HOME. 323
understand that life is to you more valuable than that you should
fritter away its morning and evening hours. If they think that their
vital machinery is going to last forever, let them know that you are
alive to the truth that you are mortal, and must do with regularity
and industry the work you find to do. How many weak-minded
housewives are always saying, " I was just going to do this or that
important piece of work, when Mrs. Fuss or Miss Feathers came in
and stayed so long chatting that I had to give it up ! " Better sweep
good Mrs. Fuss away with your broom and blow the airy Miss
Feathers up the chimney than"*allow them to prevent you doing your
day's proper work. Better be " talked to death," if talk would only
be kind enough to make an end of the listener when it will not make
an end of itself, than be talked out of one's works and ways. Don't
hurt anybody else's feelings if you can help it, but be firm and screw
your courage to the sticking point of saying : " You will really have
to excuse me, but this is my hour for work, and I must postpone the
pleasure of a chat until I am off diity!' Be off duty, my sisters, as
little as you can. Make your life as full of duties as you can.
Utilize all the hours you can, so will you neither give nor t£ikc
offense ; you will compel the respect of your neighbors and shut the
gossip's mouth. Your sleep will be healthy and sound, undisturbed
by. the self-accusing thoughts of the idler and the horrid nightmares
of the social scandal-monger.
Page 211
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
A harmless visitor to our home may do a deal of harm to us and ours, as well as to others whom we think well of and are glad to know. It is not that Miss Tattle and Mr. Teller really wished to make mischief If they did they should be labelled talebearer and mischief-maker and kept out of our house at any cost — even to the point of telling them that their visits are not desired — but they do it without malice, just for want of something better to talk about, and because they see it gratifies the natural curiosity of the idle.
"The idle!" That is just the class who love scandal, for those who have their hands full of work have no time to be busy with other people's affairs. Industry, however un remunerative, is never unproductive of good if it only keeps us out of mischief And what social mischief can at all compare, in the unhappiness it causes, with the talebearing of small communities !
This industry is the only and the effective safeguard against having the privacy of your home invaded by callers who, having nothing to do themselves, make frequent visits to all their neighbors, whom they are likely to find at leisure, to talk and listen to them.
Professional persons have their reception hours ; private families should have them also. Let the gossip and the mere vacant idler
understand that life is to you more valuable than that you should fritter away its morning and evening hours. If they think that their vital machinery is going to last forever, let them know that you are alive to the truth that you are mortal, and must do with regularity and industry the work you find to do. How many weak-minded housewives are always saying, " I was just going to do this or that important piece of work, when Mrs. Fuss or Miss Feathers came in and stayed so long chatting that I had to give it up ! " Better sweep good Mrs. Fuss away with your broom and blow the airy Miss Feathers up the chimney than allow them to prevent you doing your day's proper work. Better be " talked to death," if talk would only be kind enough to make an end of the listener when it will not make an end of itself, than be talked out of one's works and ways. Don't hurt anybody else's feelings if you can help it, but be firm and screw your courage to the sticking point of saying : " You will really have to excuse me, but this is my hour for work, and I must postpone the pleasure of a chat until I am off diity!' Be off duty, my sisters, as little as you can. Make your life as full of duties as you can. Utilize all the hours you can, so will you neither give nor take offense ; you will compel the respect of your neighbors and shut the gossip's mouth. Your sleep will be healthy and sound, undisturbed by the self-accusing thoughts of the idler and the horrid nightmares of the social scandal-monger.