Once a week, when a bedroom is to be thoroughly cleaned, the house-maid should commence by brushing the mattresses of the bed before it is made; she should then make it, shake the curtains, lay them smoothly on the bed, and pin or tuck up the bottom valance, so that she may be able to sweep under the bed.

There were green paper shades at the windows, some faded chintz valances about the bed, and two or three easy-chairs covered with chintz.

That leaves the black net dress and sun-parlour valance.

They lifted the heavy valance and one got upon his knees and prodded beneath with his sword.

"... Travelled through the vale of Nith, here little like a vale, it is so broad, with irregular hills rising up on each side, in outline resembling the old-fashioned valances of a bed.