HIRED HELP
The difficulty of dealing with the subject of hired help is about as
great as the dealing with the help herself, who is so often not a help
at all. The appellation is the one insisted upon by the great
unorganized union of the "household tramp," whose pride cannot endure
the stigma implied in the name "servant," and who has never learned
that we, in all walks of life, are more or less servants--servants of
Fame, or Ambition, or Duty, or Country, or Business. The maid who gave
notice on the spot because she was introduced by the daughter of the
house to her mother as "your new servant," seems to be the incarnation
of that spirit of independence which is loosening the very foundations
of our national structure. England has servants; Germany has servants,
but America has help. Let us then, like Agag of old, walk delicately,
remembering that help, by any other name, is even more surrounded by
thorns.
THE GENERAL HOUSEMAID
It is almost impossible to get a competent girl for general housework
these days, and viewed in the light of past experiences with the able
but unwilling, the willing but unable, the stupid, the dishonest, the
ignorant servant within our gates, with the very occasional good genius
of the kitchen to leaven the lump of incompetency, we are sorely
tempted to give up the struggle and do our own work, feeling that the
time and strength so consumed are more than compensated for by the
peace of mind which comes with the cessation of hostilities. But after
a breathing spell we are generally ready for another joust, and the
struggle goes on as of yore. Shops and factories have greatly reduced
the supply of servants, and of these so many specialize as cooks,
waitresses, and nurses that we really have a very small choice when
seeking an all-round maid--one who has some knowledge and experience of
the different branches of housecraft. And right here we encounter
another difficulty: ways of living and methods of household management
are so diverse that a girl might be considered competent by one
mistress and entirely the reverse by another. Our servants are more or
less as we make them, and it is frequently the case that the mistress
herself needs a course of instruction before she is capable of rightly
instructing her maid--a course which shall embrace not only
housewifery, but the cultivation of self-command, patience, wisdom,
consideration, and that power which comes only with knowledge. The raw
foreigner with whom she often has to deal is so entirely ignorant of
life as we know it; her training in field and peasant's cottage has in
no way prepared her for the refined home with its dainty furnishings
and food, and the difficulty of understanding and being understood adds
to the perplexities of the slow and undeveloped mind. Such a servant
is really nothing but a child, so far as her faculties are concerned,
and should be treated as one until experience and training shall enable
her to put away childish things. Like most children, she is an
imitator; let it be our care that we set only a worthy example before
her. She is quick to recognize inconsistency or unfairness, and to
seize an opportunity to get the upper hand. Try to treat her with a
firmness which is not arbitrary, and a kindness and consideration which
are not familiarity. Make her feel that she is an entity, a person of
place and importance in making home comfort, and a good bit of that
subtle antagonism which seems to exist between mistress and maid will
be gradually smoothed away. Don't wonder if she has the blues
occasionally; you have them yourself. Don't be worried if she is a
trifle slow; help her to systematize and so shorten her labors. If she
cracks and breaks your dishes show her how to handle and care for them,
with a timely word about avoiding undue haste. If she wants to do
certain things in her own way, let her, provided it is not a bad way,
until you can prove to her that yours is better. You know there are
other ways than yours--good ones, too. Study her as you would a
refractory engine; if she runs off the track, or doesn't run at all, or
has a hotbox or any other creature failing learn the cause and remedy
it if you can. She is human, like yourself, and young too, probably,
and needs diversion. Don't begrudge it to her when it is of the right
kind. Like you, she needs rest occasionally, between whiles; make an
opportunity for it. She needs good strengthening food; see that she
has it, and if she prefers plain living and high thinking on bread and
tea, that's her own lookout. She probably will have strong leanings
toward the jam closet; lock the door and keep the key, and leave no
money, jewelry, or other valuables carelessly about to tempt her,
perhaps beyond her strength. Don't be overnice in your exactions; if
she is even a fairly good cook, waitress, and laundress, you are indeed
blessed among women. Give judicious praise or kindly criticism where
due; sometimes a warning in time will save nine blunders. While she is
under your roof and a member of your family you are in a measure
responsible for her welfare, moral, spiritual, and physical, and are
her natural and lawful protector. She may neither need nor want your
protection, but let her feel that it is there, none the less.
HOW TO SELECT A MAID
And now, how shall we find this person to assist us in making domestic
life "one grand, sweet song"--we hope! The usual way is to apply to a
reputable agency where you will find the better class of girls and be
dealt with honestly. An agency of this kind usually keeps on file the
references of girls offering themselves for service, which will give
you at least some idea of the qualifications of the maid you may
engage. Many housekeepers advertise in the daily papers or trades
journals, the advertisement being a concise statement of the location,
whether city or country, the kind of service expected, and the wages
paid. A third and usually most satisfactory way of obtaining help is
through some friend, who can back her recommendation with a guarantee.
Having entered your application, decide upon your plan of action in the
interview which will take place when Dame Maid presents herself for the
mutual inspection--mutual because, though 'tis not hers to "reason
why," she has a perfect right to know what awaits her. This
cross-examination is somewhat of an ordeal, especially to the novice in
the servant-hiring business. It is essential for the housekeeper to
know just what questions to put to the applicant, what questions to
look for in return, what to tell her of the household regime and of her
individual part in it; in short, she must know her ground and then
stand on it--it is hardly necessary to add, with decision and dignity.
The applicant's personal appearance tells something of what she is: if
slovenly, her work would be ditto; if flashy, with cheap finery and
gew-gaws--well, she may be honest and reliable, but she may also make
it difficult for you to be mistress in your own house. Be a little
wary of the middle-aged servant; if she is really desirable, she is not
apt to be casting about for a position, and besides, she is usually
"sot" in her ways. The fact of a girl's looking sullen or morose
should not militate against her--she may be only shy or embarrassed.
If she is impertinent--maybe her former mistress "talked back," or made
too great an equal of her. Anyway, be your own ladylike self and she
will probably fall in line. The quiet, steady-looking girl who evinces
a willingness to learn is apt to be a safe investment.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question her about her housework experience, her ability to do plain
cooking and baking, make beds, serve, wash, and iron. She cannot
possibly be an expert along each of these lines, perhaps not on one
even, but a general working knowledge of all is very desirable. Have a
complete understanding with her at the outset regarding her work,
wages, hours of work and of leisure, and breakages. Don't try to put
the best foot forward, though there is no particular harm in pointing
out the special advantages she would enjoy in your home, but give her a
frank and honest statement of what she may expect. If she asks you, as
she no doubt will, if you have much company, say so, if you have, but
add that you will relieve her as much as you can of the extra work
entailed. And don't resent her asking about the size of your family,
and about her room, for she would naturally be interested in both. A
complete understanding at every point may save considerable future
trouble. The question of a uniform may come up during your talk. Some
girls absolutely refuse to don anything which looks to them like a
badge of servitude; if this happens, let it go, because you know it is
not an absolute essential. At the close of the conference ask for
references. No mistress is obliged to give a reference to her
departing servant, but if she does so it ought, in all conscience, to
be an honest one. It is a deplorable fact that many housekeepers,
either in a desire to be magnanimous, or to avoid a scene or annoyance,
give utterly undeserved recommendations, thus opening the way for other
reigns of terror which a little personal application of
do-as-you-would-be-done-by could have prevented. Investigate these
references, either in person or by letter; otherwise you may discover
later on that they were forged by the girl herself or by some of her
accommodating friends.
AGREEMENTS
The term of service is determined by an agreement between mistress and
maid. The usual custom is to take the applicant for a week's trial;
if, at the expiration of that time, both are satisfied, the arrangement
continues from week to week, if the payments are weekly. In households
in which monthly payments are preferred the maid is hired by the month.
The agreement entered into is nothing more nor less than a legal
contract, and not to be lightly violated. When serving by the week the
maid is entitled to, and must also give, three days' notice; when by
the month a week's notice is required, or if for any reason her
mistress wishes her to leave at once, she may pay her one week's wages.
If the maid leaves suddenly and without giving notice, in the middle of
her term, she forfeits all claim to wages which have accrued since her
last payment. If discharged unjustly and without sufficient cause
before the expiration of her term, she is entitled to her wages in
full; but if discharged without notice because of intoxication,
immorality, dishonesty, arrant disobedience, or permanent incapacity
from illness, she can claim nothing. It is customary with some
housekeepers to start the new maid on a comparatively low salary, with
the promise of an increase of perhaps fifty cents per month, in case
she proves herself worthy, till the maximum is reached. This is often
an incentive to good service.
THE MAID'S LEISURE TIME
Her times of leisure vary somewhat, according to circumstances; but one
week-day afternoon and evening, and Sunday afternoon and evening of
each week are usually allowed her, though she may be given only every
other Sunday. If an extra evening can be given her, all well and good.
The maid should be able to count on getting away at a certain hour so
she can arrange to meet her friends; and she must also understand that
ten o'clock is to see her in the house, that hour being as late as any
girl ought to be out. In homes which employ two maids equal privileges
are granted each, one assuming the work of the other during her
absence. It is a simple matter to arrange for light meals on the
cook's day out, and to minimize the serving when the waitress is to be
away. When night dinner is the custom and but one maid employed, she
either goes from ten until four, leaving her mistress to prepare
luncheon, or else, if she is away over the dinner hour, the meals are
shifted, with dinner at noon and tea at night. She leaves on Sunday
immediately after the dinner work is done and does not return to
prepare tea. If she prefers to spend her leisure time quietly at home
reading or sewing, she should be encouraged to do so and not be forced
to go out in self-defense to escape calls for extra work at that time.
The mistress has no claim on her maid's "off" hours.
DRESS AND PERSONAL NEATNESS
The maid's uniform consists of three print gowns, with a gingham apron
for morning wear, and for afternoons a white apron with white collar or
kerchief and cuffs, cap, or whatever additional touches her mistress
may prefer. The maid usually buys her own gowns, while her mistress
provides the accessories, which remain her property when the maid
leaves. The afternoon dress of one week becomes the morning dress of
the following. Black is frequently adopted for afternoon wear, but
whatever the dress, insist upon its being washable; woolens absorb
odors and perspiration and in time make not only her person but her
room offensive. Issue an edict against frowzy pompadours and
"frizzes," pointing out the necessity for having smooth, neat hair,
particularly in the kitchen. Require her to bathe regularly. The
question of allowing the maid to use the bathroom must be settled
individually. If she is careful about cleaning the tub and leaving
things in good order, there seems to be no reason why she, who so needs
them, should be deprived of advantages for cleanliness which the rest
of us enjoy. "Standing on one foot in a slippery washbowl," footbath,
or even larger tub, is a poor substitute. Instruct her about arranging
her clothing at night so it will air. You may even find, if she is a
just-over foreigner, that you will have to introduce her to the
nightdress--such things have happened--explaining to her the
undesirability of sleeping in underclothing which she has worn all day.
CARELESSNESS
If a girl is habitually careless about handling the dishes, and breaks,
nicks, and cracks result, hold her responsible and deduct from her
wages what you consider a fair equivalent for the loss. Such a course
is astonishingly curative sometimes. The painstaking, careful girl
seldom injures anything, and the occasional accident may be overlooked.
Before your new maid arrives write out an itemized list of all
crockery, silver, glass, and table linen which are to be in constant
use, designating those which are defaced in any way, and go over it
with her every week, holding her responsible for any damaged or missing
articles.
THE MAID'S ROOM
Remove from the servant's room all traces of its last occupant, and put
it in order for the new maid, with the bed freshly made up with clean
blankets, linen, and spread. The room should be comfortably furnished
with a single enameled bed--the plainer the better and more easily
cleaned--an inexpensive dresser and washstand, the bowl, pitcher, etc.,
for the latter preferably of the white porcelain enamel ware, a
comfortable high-backed rocker, and one common cane-seated chair. A
pair of plain white muslin or scrim curtains draped back with a band of
the same, and plain white covers on washstand and dresser impart a
certain air of dainty hominess. A cheap set of hanging shelves for
books and clock would be a welcome addition. Walls and floor should be
painted, and a colonial rug placed before the bed. Don't give the
servant's room the look of a perpetual rummage sale by making it a
dumping ground for old defaced pictures, furniture, and bric-a-brac.
Remember that it is her only haven of rest, and have it restful, if
only for selfish reasons, for renewed bodily vigor means well-done work
and a made-over disposition. When we think of the average servant's
room, small, stuffy, poorly ventilated, hot in summer, cold in winter,
and unattractive to a degree, it ought to bring a blush of shame.
Above all, see that the bed is comfortable; for who can blame a tired
girl for getting out on the "wrong side" of a bed so hard and lumpy
that it surely must rise and smite her! Place on the woven wire spring
a good mattress either all cotton, or of straw with cotton top and
bottom. Over this spread one of the washable pads which come for the
purpose, then the sheets--unbleached if one prefers--the inexpensive
colored blankets, and a honeycomb spread. One feather pillow of
average size will be sufficient. When two servants occupy a room two
single beds should be provided. If there is no closet, make a
temporary one by means of a shelf and curtain. An attractive room
carries with it a subtle and refining influence.
HOW TO TRAIN A MAID
"Set thine house in order," and have everything--pantry and kitchen in
particular--as you expect your maid to keep it. First impressions are
truly the most lasting, and if she comes into a littered, soiled,
untidy kingdom, you may expect her reign to be proportionally lax and
her respect for your housekeeping abilities conspicuously absent. This
is a bad beginning, and then it is not exactly fair to set her to work
the very first thing to bring order from chaos. See that she has all
the tools necessary to her work, replacing broken or useless utensils
and assuring yourself that the cutlery and crockery for her individual
table use are whole and inviting. Show the maid to her room as soon as
she arrives, with instructions to don her working garb; and then begins
the induction into office, a trying experience to you both, and one
which should be sufficiently prolonged to enable her to get a good grip
of each new duty as it presents itself. Avoid confusing her at the
start with a jumble of instructions, but make haste slowly, giving
directions in a way which she can understand. Introduce her into her
workroom, explain the range and show her how to operate it, point out
the different utensils and their uses and where foods are kept. If she
comes in the morning, her first duty will be the preparation of
luncheon; give her instructions for that meal, what to have, and how to
set the table, this being the proper time to go over the list of table
furnishings with her. Don't embarrass her by being continually at her
heels, but give what directions you think necessary and then let her
apply her judgment and previous experience to carrying them out. If
you find that she has neither, don't be discouraged, for you may be
entertaining an angel unawares, but adopt the line upon line, precept
upon precept plan, and the situation will slowly but surely brighten.
If she is overstupid in one direction, she may be bright enough in some
other to establish a balance. Luncheon and its dishes disposed of,
arrange with her about dinner, and after its completion speak about her
hour of rising, the preparation of breakfast, etc. And the morning and
the evening were the first day!
THE DAILY ROUTINE
The day's routine of work varies in different households and makes it
impossible for one to offer an infallible system. The keeping of but
one servant does not admit of an elaborate mode of living, and on the
days on which the heaviest work--washing and ironing--falls, madam
would do well to assume considerable of the regular work herself, the
care of bedrooms, dusting and putting to rights of living and dining
rooms, preparation of lunch, and whatever else seems best. All of the
hardest work should be done in the morning, before the first freshness
of maid and day is worn away. After you have established a
satisfactory schedule abide by it and oblige your maid to do the same.
It soon becomes automatic and is, therefore, accomplished with less
exhaustion of mind and body. The regular day's work is about as
follows: The maid rises an hour or an hour and a half before the
breakfast hour, throws open her bed and window, and goes to the
kitchen, where she starts the fire (if a coal range is used), fills and
puts on the teakettle, and puts the cereal on to cook. Then she airs
out dining and living rooms and hall, brushes up any litter, wipes off
bare floors, dusts, closes windows, opens furnace drafts or looks after
stoves, and, leaving tidiness in her wake, sets the table and completes
the preparations for breakfast. The amount of work she can accomplish
before it is served depends upon herself and upon how elaborate the
meal may be. After the main part of the breakfast has been served she
may be excused from the dining room, and takes this time to open
bedroom windows and empty slops, after which she has her own breakfast.
When the breakfast table has been cleared, the dining room set to
rights, food taken care of, and utensils put to soak, the mistress
inspects pantry and refrigerator, offers suggestions for the disposal
of left-overs, arranges with the maid for the day's meals, and makes
out the list for grocer and butcher, adding whatever she thinks best to
the list of needed staples already prepared by the maid--tea, sugar,
soap, etc. Never leave the entire ordering of supplies to the maid,
her part being simply to jot down on a pad hung in the kitchen for that
purpose a memorandum of such things as need replenishing. When the
conference is ended the maid washes the dishes, puts kitchen and pantry
in order, fills and cleans lamps, prepares dishes which require slow
cooking, makes the beds--unless her mistress prefers to do this
herself--and tidies up bed- and bathrooms. If the living rooms were
not dusted before breakfast, she attends to it now, perhaps sweeping
front porch and steps, and is then ready for the extra work of the day,
the cleaning of silver, washing of windows, etc. When the after-lunch
work is disposed of she will probably have an hour or two to herself
before it is time to begin preparations for dinner. She should not be
interrupted in her work for this, that, or the other, but allowed to go
on with it according to schedule.
She usually attends the door except on wash day or during extra stress
of work. She will, perhaps, object to doing so when her mistress is at
home, and may need instruction about slipping on a clean white apron,
greeting a caller with civility, presenting a small tray for her card,
etc. Initiating her into the mysteries of setting and serving the
table may be a long operation, for the good waitress is usually born,
not made. But don't be too exacting; remember that she is not a
specialist and arrange the flowers and add other nice touches yourself,
and dispense with elaborateness of serving. Teach her to economize
time by washing dishes between courses when her presence is not
required in the dining room, and insist upon having meals served at
stated hours, being careful that your family respond to the summons to
the table with corresponding punctuality.
DUTIES OF COOK AND NURSE
Each additional servant complicates the planning of the work. When
there are two they are usually cook and waitress, the former having
entire charge of her own special domain, the kitchen, with all that
pertains to it, except, perhaps, the preparation of salads and the
washing of glass, silver, and fine dishes. She does the heavier part
of the laundry work and some part of the sweeping, washes windows,
takes charge of cellar and pantry, or does such other work as her
mistress designates, each duty being plainly specified at the time she
is hired. The tasks of the waitress are more varied. The airing,
brushing up, and dusting of the living rooms falls to her share, with
the entire charge of the dining room, serving the table, and washing
the dishes, glass, and silver. She also has charge of the bedrooms, a
part of her duties in that connection being to prepare them for the
night, removing spreads and shams, turning down covers, closing blinds,
and carrying to each room iced water the last thing before retiring,
and hot water the first thing in the morning. She attends the door,
cleans silver, wipes off woodwork, and even helps with the mending when
the family is small. She usually does her own washing, and assists
with the ironing if her mistress so decree. The division of labor
between cook and waitress is sometimes a delicate matter, and here more
than ever is adherence to rule and routine imperative. The tendency
for one servant to override the other and more yielding, must be
guarded against. When a nurse is to be hired she should be questioned
as to her experience in caring for children, and her cleanliness,
honesty, truthfulness, morals, and general character carefully
investigated. She ought to be fond of children, and young-hearted
enough to enter into their little games and joys and sorrows. No maid
whose example is demoralizing to the little ones should have any place
in the home. The nurse probably will do the baby's washing, and may
help a little here and there about the house, but as a rule she has
nothing to do with the general work.
SERVANT'S COMPANY
The vexed question of the "lady help's gentleman company" usually has
to be faced by the housekeeper. Since yours is your maid's only home
it is better to allow her to receive her friends there than for her to
seek them elsewhere, taking it for granted, of course, that any girl
whom you would be willing to have in your family would have no
objectionable friends. And besides, she is somebody's daughter, you
know. It is to be hoped that the time will come when every maid can be
provided with a sitting room of her own, but until then her friends
will have to be received in your kitchen. Let her feel that they are
welcome out of working hours. A servant of the right kind will
appreciate and not abuse this privilege.
And so on--and so on! After all is said and done one can only give a
few hints and suggestions on the servant question, with the wistful
hope that they may help some one to "start right," for maids may come
and maids may go, but the problem goes marching on. The only way to do
when it overtakes one is to grapple with it womanfully, for it _will_
happen, even in the best regulated families.
THE END