does her own washing, and assists
with the ironing if her mistress so decree. The division of labor
between cook and waitress is sometimes a delicate matter, and here more
than ever is adherence to rule and routine imperative. The tendency
for one servant to override the other and more yielding, must be
guarded against. When a nurse is to be hired she should be questioned
as to her experience in caring for children, and her cleanliness,
honesty, truthfulness, morals, and general character carefully
investigated. She ought to be fond of children, and young-hearted
enough to enter into their little games and joys and sorrows. No maid
whose example is demoralizing to the little ones should have any place
in the home. The nurse probably will do the baby's washing, and may
help a little here and there about the house, but as a rule she has
nothing to do with the general work.
SERVANT'S COMPANY
The vexed question of the "lady help's gentleman company" usually has
to be faced by the housekeeper. Since yours is your maid's only home
it is better to allow her to receive her friends there than for her to
seek them elsewhere, taking it for granted, of course, that any girl
whom you would be willing to have in your family would have no
objectionable friends. And besides, she is somebody's daughter, you
know. It is to be hoped that the time will come when every maid can be
provided with a sitting room of her own, but until then her friends
will have to be received in your kitchen. Let her feel that they are
welcome out of working hours. A servant of the right kind will
appreciate and not abuse this privilege.
And so on--and so on! After all is said and done one can only give a
few hints and suggestions on the servant question, with the wistful
hope that they may help some one to "start right," for maids may come
and maids may go, but the problem goes marching on. The only way to do
when it overtakes one is to grapple with it womanfully, for it _will_
happen, even in the best regulated families.
THE END
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Complete Home, by Various
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