Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/32

 WOMAN'S HOME and it is bad management and false economy to permit domestics to become unhealthy and discontented for lack of them. A NEW SERVANT Be sure and give her a good start. Before her arrival see that all the cupboards, apparatus, cloths, etc., belonging to her province are in good order. Hand her an inventory of everything over which she has charge, and a plainly detailed scheme of her daily and weekly work, hours, etc. A considerate mistress will also make sure that the maid's room, bed, etc., are clean and comfortable, and will be prepared to show a little indulgence for the first week, or until the girl has been given time to settle down and learn the various fads of the family. DUTIES OF THE GENERAL SERVANT In no condition of service is the relation between mistress and maid of more im- portance than in those homes where it is only possible to employ a general servant. 14 It is imperative to recognise that a "general " is very apt to feel lonely. Loneli- ness means depression, and a depressed maid never does good work, and sooner or later gives notice. Therefore, let the owner of one maid make excuses now and then to visit the kitchen, have a few minutes' chat, ask after rela^-ives, and generally evince the natural interest of one human being in another. There is no need to be familiar, and the best servants do not expect or even like it, but without ever losing caste it is perfectly possible to be interested and sympathetic in new clothes, family affairs, and so forth. When only one servant is kept the mistress of necessity has to give much help, and, as it is difficult for her to be quite regular in performing all her self-imposed duties, she cannot strictly adhere to any time-table. The following may, however, be some slight guide. GENERAL SERVANT'S TIME-TABLE Daily work in seven-roomed house. Family — Master, mistress, and one child 6 A.M. — Rise, light kitchen fire, fill kettles, clean boots, szueep hall and steps. Siueep, and light di^iing-room fire, call family, and take hot water. Help fnistress to lay table, and prepare breakfast. 8 A.M. — Have kitchen breakfast while family breakfast. Clear kitchen breakfast ; tidy kitchen. Attend to bedrooms. 9 A.M. — Help clear dining-room. Wash breakfast things. 9.20 A.M. — Help make beds ; receive daily orders. Dust bedrooms. 10.15 A.M. — Do special work for the day. Help in the kitchen, etc. 12.30 A.M. — Lay cloth for hmcheon. I P.M. — Difiing-room luncheon and kitchen dinner. 1.45 v.y..— Remove and wash lunch things. Tidy kitchen. Make up fire. 2.30 P.M. — Change dress. Put large clean apron over afternoon black dress and muslin apron, and do some light ivork, such as cleaning silver, se2uin<^, ironing. Be ready to an siver front door. 4 P.M. — Prepare drawing-room and kitchen teas. 4.30 p.M, — Carry ift drawing-room tea. 5 15 P.M. — Remove a?id wash tea things. 6 P.M. — Arrangebedrooms for the night. Help prepare dinner. 7 P.M. — Lay table. 7,30 OR 8 P.M. — Serve dinner and 7vait at table [the amount possible depends on the skill of the mistress in organisi7ig and arranging this meal). 8.30 OR 9 P.M. — Clear, and ivash up din?ier things. Tidy kitchen. Have supper. 9.45 P.M. — Take hot water to bedrooms and go to bed. The mistress should see that the general reading, or going on some errand during servant has an hour off for writing letters, the afternoon or early evening each day. SPECIAL WEEKLY WORK MONDAY MORNING Wash kitchen cloths, dusters, and any small articles done at home. TUESDAY MORNING Clean large bedroom. WEDNESDAY MORNING Clean two small bedrooms. THURSDAY MORNING Clean dining-romn, bathroom, and lavatory. FRIDAY MORNING Clean staircase, hall, and sweep drawijig- roofu. FRIDAY AFTERNOON Clean kitchen brasses, etc. SATURDAY MORNING Clean kitchefi range thoroughly, and do extra work in larder, etc. Wages of a general servant vary in dif- ferent localities from ^12 to ;^24 per annum. Usually IS. to is. 6d. is allowed for laundry expenses, according to the time allowed for gettmg up her own small things. Dress. — Print dresses, with neat white aprons and caps, should be worn for morn- ings, and large coarse aprons should be used when stoves have to be cleaned or scullery work done. A black dress, pretty muslin apron and cap, should be worn in the after- noon. If low wages are paid, the mistress will often give the maid material for one black dress, or provide her caps, aprons, cuffs, etc. ; but this is a voluntary matter.