“The Day's First Hour For A Business Girl.”

A Merciless alarm-clock triumphantly wrenches you from oblivion and to the realisation that you have a mere half-hour to prepare for the day—a day of rush, of work, of meetings and partings, of pleasures and pains. You creep reluctantly front the warmth, hastily slip on your office rig—a quick wash, a touch of “make-up”—usually an apology for breakfast, and you rush off to the train, ‘bus or tram, sympathising with your ill-used self and envying the mythical “lady of leisure.”

It is a generally accepted fact that man is a creature of habit; he makes little rules unto himself, and mechanically applies them to the round of daily life. Observe the animal in his sacred ritual of shaving, bathing, dressing and eating. Is anything ever allowed to interfere with his law and order?—if it does the entire household suffers in unison. “Father's shaving water” is more important than a rise in the price of wool—his morning paper, his egg, his train. Really it is just a little exasperating, and we women are secretly envious under a mask of amused and lofty toleration. “Women,” we say (from sheer force of habit!) “are above and beyond Habit.” We must live up to the time-honoured ideal of being whimsical, capricious creatures acting on impulse. This is all very well in many respects; let us keep our reputation for doing the unexpected and being enigmatic, for herein, they say, lies a great part of our charm! But, if we wish to compete successfully with the great creation Man, to be his equal in the world of business, I am firmly convinced that we must emulate some of his characteristics. We have already done so with disconcerting success; we have become less “snobbish,” less insincere, more direct and dependable. Let us adopt some Habits!

Think for a moment about this business of getting up in the fnorning—trivial in itself—but to be faced with fatal regularity every day. Money may cease to have-any value, suns may be eclipsed, earthquakes may quake, waists may rise or fall, but the business girl must be at the office at 8.30. Now, if we were to form a few habits here, to have our daily routine-sacred and strict, we would improve in appearance, character and happiness. (These qualities are not in order of merit, but most of you will agree that upon the first depend the other two!)

Here is a “time-table” for the first hour of your day. (Notice, hour, not to be reduced.) page 62 Follow it with masculine tenacity, and be well-groomed, healthy and efficient. It is worth giving up that extra half-hour in bed. These ten rules are in order, don't reverse them:—

• 1. Stretch. This is very important—each muscle is gradually awakened—stretch luxuriously in bed.

• 2. Take ten deep breaths by an open window; slow and full. This is not a “fad,” but a medical tonic.

• 3. Clean your teeth—now, not later. This to remove any bacteria before eating.

• 4. Drink two cups of hot water. (See last month's beauty notes!)

• 5. Bath; either hot or cold. Rub down vigorously with a rough towel to stimulate circulation.

• 6. Exercises—for those who do?

• 7. Brush your hair with swift even strokes—toss it over your head to do this.

• 8. “Make-up.” Not too much for the office, please. Try to look as though you didn't. This takes trouble. First a little face cream, then lightly powder—a touch only of rouge, a little grease first for your lips—just a suspicion of lipstick. Your motto at 7.30 a.m. is to look natural.

• 9. Breakfast. Allow at least ten minutes, and don't gobble. It will ruin your day. Be wise about what you eat here; it needs to be nourishing and sustaining. Whole-meal porridge; stewed fruit of some kind; a lightly boiled egg; toast and honey.

• 10. Walk. Don't tram all the way. Whenever possible, walk; fifteen minutes brisk exercise in the early morning sun will keep your feet warm for the day and bring a colour to your cheeks.

  These are the ten simple habits for “getting there” in the morning. Follow them regularly, and soon you won't notice it. Other people will.