Colours.

Delightful shades in new woollens are blueberry, flame, gypsy purple, dahila red, purple and valley green.

Styles.—Day frocks, as in the illustration, are extremely simple. Necklines are high. Shoulders are slightly exaggerated. Waists are natural and hips slim-fitting. Even when a skirt is entirely pleated, pleats are stitched from waist to hip, or start at the hip as sun-ray pleats. The frock sketched may be taken as the background to which may be added a smart touch of individual trimming.

Trimmings.—Braid, tassels, antique clasps, appliqués of satin or patent leather, plain or patterned stitching—all give the season's cachet to fashionable simplicity.

One delightful gown has a highdraped neckline caught with an antique gold brooch. It is simply stitched with horizontal rows of tinsel thread six inches apart. The accompanying box-coat has its long sleeves banded at the elbow with soft fur.

Ribbed wool with an angora finish features padded motifs, which outline the yoke and the unusual curved pockets.

A frock in wool jersey has slim long sleeves and a bodice softly shirred to the front seam. The plain V neckline is outlined with a foliage design appliquéd in satin.

Another wool jersey frock has a neat high collar and vest of pin-tucked pastel satin. There are panels of embroidery down the sides of the bodice and on the upper sleeve.

A black crepe dress, with sunray pleating on the front of the bodice, has long revers made of patent leather, and a patent leather belt.

A soft fine woollen, the colour of loganberries, has its bodice encrusted with satin arabesque of the same colour, and is worn with a jacket lavishly trimmed with sheared beaver.

Lamé.—Older women and smart young ones, add richness, with the aid of lamé, to woollen frocks.

On a black woollen, lamé gleams like a neckline below the upward curve of a high neckline, and drapes from shoulder to waist on each side of the bodice. Lamé buttons march from the elbow to a slim wrist.

Another model features a draped bodice, caught at the neckline with a stiff ribbon bow, opening over a vest of dark lamé featuring horizontal rows of golden spots.

Lamé with a horizontal pattern fashions an entire frock, with slim-fitting skirt, short full sleeves, and bodice gauged to the shoulder bands.

Tartans.—For the under-thirties a tartan frock becomes the most useful occupant of the wardrobe. It is warm, it is gay, it is new. For the office, for street wear, for the home, it is equally delightful. And don't forget that a red ground is most charming.

The design sketched is specially suitable for tartans. The pattern runs straight on the bodice, and is used diagonally for two tiny breast pockets, for the sleeves and for the skirt. Neat collar and cuffs of white piqué add a smart touch.

Note that the girl who posed for the sketch was “bigly” built. (I have slimmed her down quite a lot!). The style of frock suited her admirably! Now, you big girls, here's a chance for planning the type of frock you crave.

A Child Needs Mother Love. The Case of Billy.

Billy's teacher is worried about him. He is an exceedingly difficult child, dull at lessons, sullen, unpopular with his class-mates. He is so unresponsive that his teacher frequently feels annoyance, but stifles it because she pities Billy. He is ten years old, an orphan, and has been living in a Home ever since he can remember. Billy's teacher knows that there is a big difference between a “Home” with a capital H, and a “home.” Therefore she may be able to help him.

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A child needs mother-love to bolster up his self-confidence. Without it, he feels isolated and afraid. There is no one to praise him as his childish abilities develop, no one to comfort him when something goes wrong in his small world. Most children have a happy home background where they can always find love and understanding. The orphan child, on the other hand, has no one to whom to turn. Matron, nurse, the maids, are kind to him as they are kind to all, but there is nothing personal about it. There are so many children that the few adults can't possibly supply the necessary amount of love and attention to each.

Some happy-natured children are not so deeply affected by their orphan state, but a sensitive child like Billy can develop dangerous complexes. With no older person to take a loving interest in him, he becomes discouraged, with consequent failure at school, and a developing timidity. He becomes egocentric. His thoughts are so turned in upon himself that he shows no liking for other people—and consequently receives none in return. He develops, even as a small child, a pessimistic outlook.

The only thing that can save Billy, is interest prompted by affection. Some adult, preferably a woman, with understanding of children, must realize what is wrong with him, and endeavour to supply his lack.

His teacher may be able to do it, but not so well as someone who is in more constant contact with him. She may be able to visit Matron and discuss Billy's case. If his teacher and one of the staff of the Home can join in a conspiracy to “make a fuss of” Billy, even if it means neglecting the happier children a little, they will be well rewarded by his timid reaching out towards kindness, his response to affection, and his sudden development in all sorts of ways.

This won't come all at once. Billy is like a hedgehog. It will take a lot of coaxing and gentle encouragement before he ventures out, but finally he will realize that here are human beings who mean well towards him, who can be trusted, and so, gradually, he will develop belief in mankind.

Breakfast. An Important Meal.

A happy breakfast hour (or halfhour) sets the tone for the rest of the day. Therefore it is the duty of the wife and mother to plan the early morning so that husband and children can set off gaily for office or school.

Late rising causes a rush in bathroom, kitchen and breakfast room, with consequent upset of temper and digestion. Therefore a good alarm clock, and the will to rise when it sounds, are necessary to the home-maker.

A little thought the day before can make the preparation of breakfast an easy matter. If the husband is a Scot and likes real old-fashioned oatmeal, cook it the night before and re-heat next morning. Home-made coffee essence is tastier and cheaper than the bought variety, and enables breakfast coffee to be prepared in record time. Stewed fruit may also be prepared in advance.

I know one young couple who start the day right with a mixture of chopped fresh fruits, sprinkled with prepared bran. The creamy top of the milk adds that “fruit-salad” touch.

Simple cooked breakfasts can be more attractive if the following rules are kept.

Toast.—Turn slices twice each.

Poached Eges.—Use boiling salted water, to which add a drop or two of vinegar for whiteness. Stir the water and drop the egg into the whirl.

Fried Eggs.—Cook slowly.

Bacon.—Grilled bacon is better than fried. Cook quickly. After bacon has been grilled, eggs may be cooked in the pan underneath.

Liver.—Place lamb's liver, cut in thin slices, in a bowl, pour boiling water over, and leave for three or four minutes. Cook quickly in bacon fat, turning after two minutes and cooking the other side two or three minutes.

Tasty gravy is made by rubbing a teaspoon of cornflour into the frying pan, adding seasoning, and slowly stirring in boiling water. Cook for a few minutes.