Guests in the Guest Room.
The Perfect Hostess.

The guest room is prepared. You are taking a last look round. Cigarettes and matches, a carafe of water and a tumbler are in position. For a woman guest a bowl of flowers is a sweet welcome. The bedhead reading-lamp is at just the right height, with the light switch at the door working independently of it. There are magazines and a few up-to-date books on the beside table.

If your guest is arriving at night in cold weather, you will pop a hot-water bag in the bed, and have an electric radiator glowing in welcome. An extra coverlet may be thrown over the end of the bed.

If a married couple are visiting you, you probably know whether they prefer double or single beds, and have arranged accordingly, maybe by vacating page 58 your own charming double room for the duration of their visit.

You are happy to have done everything possible, and are now ready to meet your guests, on the doorstep if they come by car, or on the station if by train. The perfect guest will, of course, have let you know, well in advance, the time of arrival.

After glad greetings, you help to convey luggage to the guest-room, where a luggage stand (just a wooden framework) will save a lot of bending. Your guest will probably coo at the flowers and the radiator, and admire your charming colour-scheme. Show her the drawer and wardrobe space, and indicate the bathroom. If your hot water supply is variable, tell her the best time of day for baths. Face and bath towels will be on a spare rail in the bathroom, or on a rail placed unobtrusively in the guest room.

At whatever time she arrives, your guest will be ready for a meal. Don't ask her whether she would like it or not, but serve it after she has had a few minutes for preliminary unpacking.

You know in advance your guest's pastimes, and have advised her as to whether to bring sports equipment. Even if you don't play games yourself, you can probably enlist a friend to introduce your guest to the local golf or tennis club. If she is really keen, leave her free to spend her days on the links or courts. If not, suggest other outings, without forcing your suggestions on her.

You will know whether she is a gregarious soul, and whether to arrange outings and parties for her. In any case, give her opportunities to meet your few intimates, of whom she has no doubt heard.

As to meals, your guest will no doubt make it her business to turn up on time. At the beginning of her visit, make arrangements about breakfast. She will probably appreciate breakfast in bed, thus leaving you free to attend to the family and to early morning tasks.

Having prepared to be the perfect hostess, you certainly deserve the perfect guest.