The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1917-09-10


being written by Mabel Herbert
Urner.
well, it's an Illuminating expert
ence." Laura flung of her hat with a
relaxing sigh. I've been a general
housemaid just two weeks I'm going
to finish out the month-but not q day
longer"
TT was an absurd. ouixotic thing
for you to do" scolded Helen. II
knew you couldn't stand it. You're
not used to the work and"
"Oh, it isn't the work! But she's
always after me-giving 'orders' She
hasn't anything to do but oversee
me-"
yet when she engaged you-you
thought she was going to be 50 con-
siderate."
'T hadn't worked for her then"
grimly. you don't know a woman
until you've been her maidi That
sounds like an axiom, doesn't it?''
with a laugh. well, it's truer than
most axioms. I'd defy any man to
marry any woman-if he could first
disguise himself and work as her
maid. Talk about srnRllness! And Pc
nurious-I never knew before what
thu word meant"
in what way?" asked Helen, with
eager interest. You mean about the
| food?"
About everything. Why she even
makes me give her the premium
wrappers of the soapi Not that
want them, disdainfully, but most
girls would. And she's too stingy to
buy a piece of oilcloth for the kitchen
table"
Are they really hard up? She
looked as IL they had money"
They're we'll of and he's very
liberal. He gives her a generous al
lowance-she doesn't spend half OF it.
She's always talking about the high
prices-that's her excuse for skimping.
But I could endure that, II she wasn't
so small in other ways. She's forever
shopping around-trying to ind some
thing to criticise. Last night I for
got to put the spinach. left from din
ner. in the ice-box. She called me
from my room after. I was ready for
bed. Said she did II so I wouldn't
forget again"
why, spinach wouldn't spoil over
nightw exclaimed Helen.
That's the poInt-everything wrong
that isn't done Just her way. She has
absolutely no system. If she'd only
make out SCHEDULED could get
through before five. She can't bear to
have me have a minute to myself. She
feels she's not getting her moneys
worth unless I'm on my feet from the
time I get up until I've finished the
dinner dishes-and that's rarely before
nine"
why. what time do they have din
ner?' asked Helen.
"She said half-past six when she en-
ga ged me-but it's usually seven,
sometimes after. When she goes to
tea or card party she's always
Late
Helen's color deepened with self-ac-
cusation. While she always felt that
II was unfair to delay her own mead
IN getting through her work. yet both
she and Warren were often late for
dinner.
my afternoons off I'm supposed to
be through by two. Well. today it was
almost four. I came straight here"
glancing at the clock, which gave a
faint whir, preparatory to striking
| Ave
'"Then why stay two weeks longer
Laura, you're perfectly foolish!''
mo, I'm determined to hold out fol
! a month. I need the n1oney-and the
| experience. I'm writing an article or
general homework from the servants
viewpoint. Oh. know that's beer
! done, but not as I'll do It! If I can
| sell it to some woman's magazine
and 1 think I can-it'n create SEN
sation."
Now that's a clever idea" ap-
| proved Helen with enthusiasm
Laura. that's something you can dc
Il know you can"
There was a series called, Maids
He Had and I'm going to call
! this Mistresses ! Have Had II the
first story's a success-I might take
| one or two other places and make II
a series" Then starting up suddenly.
"Oh. while / think of It'll want to
see that schedule in your pantry"
Helen, with a conscious pride in hav-
ing systematized her own homework.
led the way to the kitchen where the
daily schedule was tackled on the pam
try door.
Misunderstanding. Tuesday-iron-
Ing, Wednesday = clean one room,
Thursday-nickel and bathrooms, FRI
day-silver. Saturday-clean one room.
That's a good list I'm going to but
that in my article"
Yes, il makes the work much
easier. We take the rooms in order
SO the whole apartment gets a thor
ough cleaning once a month"
i wish I dared give a COPY of that
TO Mrs. Morrfsl She hasn't the faint
est idea : -ystem. II I only knew
what was to be done-I could plan
ahead. What's this?" taking up a
large pan with a wire tray.
On. that's a silver cleaning-pan.
You use soda and salt in the water.
ana lay the silver on those wires.
Tnere's some chemical change that
cuts the tarnish-and very little rub
ping gives polish. Why / Thought
I eney We're common-hasn't she one ?,'
she has NO conveniences! NOT
event biscuit cutter. I have to use
tne top OF a baking powder can"
why don't you tell her what Won
need? Every now and then Nora
gives me a list"
II asked for an, apple corer Inst
week; they're only ten cents-but I
know she won't get one. I bourht
roll of shelf-paper myself-I was a.
tired OF seeing newspaper on the
kitchen shelves"
Here the door Of the maids room,
opened. and Nora came out to start
dinner.
Mora. Miss Wilson will be hare.
Make some of those era ha n, MN NJ. %