These are scenes from the life of the Western woman; some of them are entertaining, and some are useful. Here, then, are the ques-tions that readers of the magazine 'Woman's Companion' addressed to their magazine, and the replies they received:

Q: We have two little girls, and my husband wishes God would grant him a boy. Since my husband's sister has a little boy, he has taken to doting on him and giving him his tenderness; his two daughters notice this and tell me that their father loves Michel more than them — what is to be done?

A: I do not think your husband loves his sister's son more than his two daughters. Do not try to wound your husband's feeling for his sister's son, and do not let your daughters notice your displeasure. A father usually loves his daughters dearly and is tender toward them, and your husband's wish to have a boy does not lessen his love for his two daughters. And you can hint to him, with tact, that his two daughters ought to hold the first place in his heart.

Q: My mother has recently been widowed, and it appears she has made up her mind to remain in her own house; but she cannot manage the expenses of her living, and this means that the burden of support-ing her will fall upon my husband. I do not doubt that my husband will do all in his power for her sake, but he is responsible for his

family and has nothing put aside. We would welcome my mother to come and live in our house, but she refuses — what is to be done?

A: It is natural that your mother should be attached to her old house — but could she not rent out part of it? If she refuses that, then I think the two of you should speak with her frankly about the matter, and ask her to consider what expenses she requires; and tell her gently that you will do everything that brings her happiness, but that your help to her will be limited. I believe that once she begins to think seriously about the future, she will agree to your proposal and join you.

Q: Every Sunday my husband, my two children, and I go to visit my relatives, and my mother-in-law complains that we visit her only rarely; but whenever we do visit her, she requires the two children to sit quietly, while she herself spends the whole time talking of her aches and pains — most of them imaginary, without basis in truth or fact. What is to be done?

A: Your mother-in-law, my dear,

does not realize the reason your visits to her are so few. I would call your attention to the necessity of harmony in the family: were I in your place, I would always strive to visit her more often, and I would create in these visits an atmosphere of gaiety and cheer. And besides — do you not see in your mother-in-law's eagerness to see you a compliment to yourself?

Q: I have a daughter of nine who reads books that do not suit her age, and I fear these books will bring her harm — what is to be done?

A: It is truly regrettable that your daughter should read books that do not accord with her years. Why do you not help her choose works she likes that are suited to her? Is there no children's library in your neighborhood? And is there no children's library at the school? The most fitting course is to take counsel on this subject with her teacher.

Q: We shall soon be giving a family party, and I do not know — must I present every guest who arrives to all of the invited company?

A: If the party is a small one, there is no harm in presenting every guest who arrives at your house to all the company; but at large parties the presentation is confined to one or two persons who happen to be near the guest as he enters.

Q: Is it true that one can attain any wish one aspires to, if one concentrates one's thoughts upon it? I have heard that most successful people have reached the success they reached as the inevitable result of their insis-