Will you treat her just as you do your own mother, not being afraid to tell her of your little affairs, receiving her as one of your own, and making her feel happy in the fact that she has not lost a son but has gained a daughter, and a loving, considerate daughter? Will you remember this, too—that before you came your husband was all in all to his mother? And sometimes when she comes to see you, won't you leave these two alone, and let them talk together as they did before the two became a trio? Don't make it evident that you are doing this, but go off for a little while and attend to some of your household duties. You will be loved all the better for it, and be sure that if anything is said about you the words will only be those of appreciation and love.
Don't make your husband's mother an utter stranger, receiving her in the drawing-room, and changing all your arrangements so that she may be treated exactly as if she were a formal visitor. You do not do it with your own mother. When she pays you a visit she comes up-stairs where you are busy working, and if she feels like giving a helping hand you take it; if not, she chatters and gossips while you are sewing, and both of you have a pleasant morning. If she stays to dine or lunch with you, you may make a little change, putting some special delicacy on the table. Still you do not treat her as you would a visitor from far off
