erly person, or a lady.

_Courtesy to Servants_

It is safe to predict that, if the acumen of the business man, and the
courtesy of the social leader and woman of true refinement were
brought to bear upon the servant problem, that would soon assume a
different aspect.

If the consideration that would be shown an ailing guest were shown an
ailing servant, service would be more generously and more faithfully
rendered.

The waitress at the table is entitled to courtesy, but not to
apologetic efforts to diminish her task. Appreciation may be shown in
a "Thank you," or, "If you please," but such notice of her should be
unobtrusively spoken, so as not to interfere with the general
conversation about the table.

The servant has every human right to civility, and the withholding of
wages is no more culpable, if more illegal, than is the withholding of
civil treatment, and the infliction of the indignity of impatience and
harsh and unmerited reproof.

All servants need careful training.

Neatness is the first requisite. The lack of it most seriously
reflects upon the management of the household.

Servants should be trained to answer the door-bell promptly, reply
civilly to questions, and in all things represent their master and
mistress in a dignified and courteous way. They should not admit one
person who calls socially, and deny another, unless under special and
exceptional orders. They should not fail to deliver promptly all
notes, messages, and cards which may be received. Verbal messages
should be received and given with accuracy.

The direct neglect of orders is unpardonable in an intelligent servant
who has been well trained, and will not occur, even in the absence of
the mistress, if the training has been explicit and complete and the
servant is honorable,--as he should be in order to retain any
position. A certain degree of initiative, too, should be cultivated in
a servant who is given responsibility, so that he may meet an
emergency with resourcefulness, in the absence of orders or specific
instructions.

The servant needs to respect his master and mistress. The firm,
strong, honest, and just control is respected by servants, and is much
preferred to the irresolute one, even when the latter overflows
frequently in lax kindness. Each man needs to be made to do his duty,
and the power that forces him to do it should be gracious but must be
firm.

To be familiar with servants is a fatal mistake, and eve