SIR.—As a by no means retired housekeeper in my seventy-eighth
year, still .doing all the household mending. my own washing and tabkwork, See., I read with interest any articles on household economy.
Being a mile from the bus route, staff has always been a difficulty, and since the war began we have been reduced, to our great economy and comfort, from four indoor maids, a gardener, a chauffeur, to a gardener and forenoon daily help. No chasing round registry offices, no days off, no grumblings—what a relief!
There is one criticism of the retired schoolmaster's expenditure which I should like to make. If he is trying to make ends meet 1 feel that f144 and £75, being his bills at the village shop and butcher, baker, &c., are excessive if one is trying to economise. For the last four years I have put in my household cash-box every three months £30, which covers everything mentioned in the lists of the retired schoolmaster, with the exception of newspaper and tobacco (as I don't smoke). My total for the year is £120, while his is £219. Our household consists of myself, two daughters, who beside their other activities do the cooking and much of the housework, and a schoolmaster son, who lives with us in the holidays. We have a large garden, and so have our own fruit, vegetables and eggs ; but I have no doubt the retired schoolmaster has the same. I run the house and pay all the _household expenses, but cannot make further comparisons as my family are otherwise
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