breakfast,
except her attendance on her mistress prevents it, if the rooms are
carpeted, she should sweep them carefully, having previously strewed the
room with moist tea-leaves, dusting every table and chair, taking care
to penetrate to every corner, and moving every article of furniture that
is portable. This done satisfactorily, and having cleaned the
dressing-glass, polished up the furniture and the ornaments, and made
the glass jug and basin clean and bright, emptied all slops, emptied the
water-jugs and filled them with fresh water, and arranged the rooms, the
dressing-room is ready for the mistress when she thinks proper to
appear.

2261. The dressing-room thoroughly in order, the same thing is to be
done in the bedroom, in which she will probably be assisted by the
housemaid to make the bed and empty the slops. In making the bed, she
will study her lady's wishes, whether it is to be hard or soft, sloping
or straight, and see that it is done accordingly.

2262. Having swept the bedroom with equal care, dusted the tables and
chairs, chimney-ornaments, and put away all articles of dress left from
yesterday, and cleaned and put away any articles of jewellery, her next
care is to see, before her mistress goes out, what requires replacing in
her department, and furnish her with a list of them, that she may use
her discretion about ordering them. All this done, she may settle
herself down to any work on which she is engaged. This will consist
chiefly in mending; which is first to be seen to; everything, except
stockings, being mended before washing. Plain work will probably be one
of the lady's-maid's chief employments.

2263. A waiting-maid, who wishes to make herself useful, will
study the fashion-books with attention, so as to be able to aid
her mistress's judgment in dressing, according to the prevailing
fashion, with such modifications as her style of countenance
requires. She will also, if she has her mistress's interest at
heart, employ her spare time in repairing and making up dresses
which have served one purpose, to serve another also, or turning
many things, unfitted for her mistress to use, for the younger
branches of the family. The lady's-maid may thus render herself
invaluable to her mistress, and increase her own happiness in so
doing. The exigencies of fashion and luxury are such, that all
ladies, except those of the very highest rank, will consider