'My 'Ilda wants a place, would she do as 'ousemaid though she is a bit
rough and young like?'
She came up to see me, and she proved to be a cheery soul, and perhaps
the corners will rub off. I hope the superior parlourmaid won't be too
superior to take on the job of training her. In any case there does not
seem to be another housemaid in the world, so my choice is somewhat
limited.
The staff, therefore, consists of the Titmouse, and the Stench for
outside, and the Superior Person (commonly called the S.P.), the cook,
who rejoices in the name of Dulcie, and 'my 'Ilda' for the house. Nannie
insists she can manage for me and all the nursery part, if 'my 'Ilda'
does the scrubbing.
It has turned very cold again after the thaw, and the frost made
everything exceedingly slippery, the roads are like glass.