MISTRESS AND MAID

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8343, 1 February 1913, Page 12

MISTRESS AND MAID

It is surprising how much time and what absorbing interest is devoted to conversation ou the ami misdoings of tho domestic servant! To hear these animated conversations one would imagine that every mistress was as patient as clever, and as clever as considerate. The following ironr an article on “Our Servants" which lately appeared in a well-known English journal goes to prove that New Zealand is not tho only place where tho domestic service problem wants solving: "I’ve come to inquire if you’re in want of a girl.” said a fat, untidy, lazy-looking young woman. "Sorry 1 i don’t keen a servant —I do all tho work myself,” returned the lady of the house. “Oh, please, mum.” put in the tousled and none-too-clean damsel, hurriedly, “that ’ud just suit mo! I’m locking lor a place like that!” “I daresay you’ll find a great difference when you get married, Sarah, and leave thus comfortable situation,” said a lady to her cook (who was about to enter the “holy state"), continuing, solemnly, “You must bear iu mind that marriage is a very serious thing.” “Yes, ma'am, I know it is sometimes," replied Sarah, with a long face; “but," hopefully, “mebbo I’ll have better luck than you did!” “And whore are you living now, Mary?” asked a kindly mistress who had happened to meet an old servant- “ Please, ma’am, I don’t live nowhere now. I’m married!” the young wife replied, proudly. That little story is an evergreen, and is good enough to live for ever, or, at any rate, for as long as there are servants to take their part —and a by no means unimportant one — in the social scheme. An old (and favourite) story deals with the application of a country girl for a situation in town. Tho mistress of the house was partial to .girls from the country, and tho Abigails she chose were usually more hard-working and honest than polished or refined. ‘"Ere's another gjil • come about tho place,” announced the handmaid who was about to bo replaced. “Has she references?" asked the mistress, who was most particular on this point. “Don’ know," said tho girl, sullenly. “Well, go and ask her!" said tho lady, with impatience. “No; she sez she ain’t got no references," Sairey-Jane declared, triumphantly,- on her return. “No references ! Goodness gracious! What can sho be thinking of? Has the girl her intellect?” asked the astonished uiislress. “Well, mum,” returned Sairey-Jane, diffidently; “she did have something tied up ia a bundle!” “With tho spread of education and the wider diffusion of intelligent self-respect there are fewer examples of ignorance and stupidity among the servant class with every year that passes, but it is an undeniable fact that tho smartest and most intelligent girls reject the thought of domestic service even under tho most favourable_ conditions, as they prefer to hold positions where they can have more liberty, and fuller independence in both action and conduct. The girl who springs from the lowest class of all may. if she has a grain of ambition, raise herself to almost any position', but it is tolerably certain that she cannot do so as long as sho remains in domestic service."