Evening star., 1909-06-30

Undoubtedly much of the friction be-
tween mistress and maid. and incidentally
fellow servants, when it exists might be
avoided if the duties to be performed and
the privileges granted were definitely
stated at the time the worker was en-
gagged.
OF course, it would be impossible to go
into every detail or even to make any
hard and fast rule that could be applied
In every case. for while it might be prac-
ticable in business. in household pro-
vision for emergencies, especially where
there are children. must be made.
For instance, supposing mother nursed
a sick child during the hight and so re-
quired rest during the next day, the maid
would naturally be expected to take a
share at least of the duties usually per-
formed by the mother and to do her best
to preserve harmony in the household
while the parent rested
1t would be ridiculous on the part of a
maid to refuse such aid on the plea that
she had not engaged to do So" There is
a regular routine in every home. or should
be. and when engaging servant the rules
should be stated plainly as to the number
In family. the time the maid is expected
to rise. the hours for the various meals,
the days on which the worker is at lib
done at home, the size of the house and
the conveniences
1t would be simple matter to mention
these details at the beginning, yet l am
told by those who supply help to families
that frequently this is not done; or evas-
i've rather than plain answers are given,
and naturally this breeds dissatisfaction
afterward. When there Is a baby in the
home there are often a number of grev-
ances on the part of the maid; more on
account of the thoughtlessness of the
mother than any trouble given by the
child. For example. the maid will be
asked to hold care for the infant a
dozen times day, which, of course takes
her from her work. Yet the mistress ex-
poets her duties to be performed in the
same time and as thoroughly as though
there had been no stopping.
AS an instance: A competent girl en-
gagged herself in a family consisting of
father. mother and two children, one an
infant She was expected I" get a Z
o'clock breakfast for the male head OF the
house and then wash and dress the small
girl. The mother rose at 8 o'clock Cthe
baby being always restless the night she
stayed In bed mornings), and about half
past she called the maid to stay with
the baby while she and the small girl
breakfasted.
To this the maid made no serious objec-
ton. but her grievance was that the mis-
tress invariably took book for fully an
hour after the morning meal that a
released.
The consequence was the maid remained
in that position only one month and then
sought another place.
When only one maid is kept il is rather
dificult to clearly define her duties but
speaking generally. she should rise about
am. and prepare the dining room for
breakfast.
IL there is time while the food is cook
ing she should sweep off the stoop. veran-
da. etc. and give neatness TO the front
of the house.
BY this time the family appears and.
having donned a white apron. she car
ries the hot dishes TO the dining room.
While the breakfast is being eaten she
should go TO the bed rooms and open beds.
pick up. straighten and tidy much as
she can. Then the breakfast dishes must
be washed and put away while the mis-
treSs makes the beds. The busting of
the rooms should also form part of her
duties If the washing is done at home
then the mistress is expected to take
care of the house on wash day after the
breakfast has been prepared.
On other days she should do any light
household duties. attend to the cooking OF
the lunch, while the maid is employed in
cleaning rooms or ironing, etc. Lunch
over. the dishes washed. any extra work
got out of the way and the kitchen tidied
will bring the time to ) o'clock, usually
The maid should then rest for at least
one hour when she should begin to pre-
rare vegetables for dinner. The mistress
is expected to attend TO all but plain
cooking. Some mistresses engage a gen
eral servant and then complain because
she is not an expert cook. Were she SO
qualified she would not take a position
as general helper at only a reasonable
wage.
Dinner over and the dishes washed. the
maid should be at liberty and should not