shall expect you here in
half an hour.'
He backed out of the room, longing to say something (what it was I
don't care) but completely at sea. As he passed under my window,
(though I have not sworn for many years,) I am pretty sure I heard
several full sized oaths. At the appointed time the bell rang and I went
out and got into the carriage. The horses looked very warm, and,
though the night was cold, one was covered with foam. I said nothing,
but told him to drive to Susan's sister's.
On arriving at the door, I heard sounds of very lively music for a dying
child, and saw the house all lighted up.
'Oh, I understand, it is one of those Hibernian wakes. Poor thing!' and I
began to pardon Susan, feel sorry for the coachman, and made up my
mind to give $10 towards the sepulchral expenses. As I entered the
house, surcharged with benevolence and overcome by a repentant
feeling, I caught sight of Susan and a strapping man whirling round the
floor to the tune of the Irish Washwoman. I approached her and said, 'I
hope he is better.' She uttered a scream and ran out of the room.
The next morning after having gone over everything in the house, I sent
for each servant and told them quietly but firmly that my sister's health
was not very good, and that I was housekeeper--that as they had
engaged to fill certain positions, I should take it for granted they
understood their business; that I had neither the time nor would I take
the trouble to overlook their work, but that as soon as I saw anything
wrong they would hear from me. If they wanted anything I was the
person. My housekeeping hours were from 9 till 10 a. m., no more. If
they could not take the trouble to ask for what they wanted at that time,
they could go without till the next day. I should not tell them what to do
or when to do it, but if it wasn't done, they would certainly leave. That I
allowed no company and gave them certain nights to go out, but if
anything special and true was the matter I was ready to assist, 'and
now,' said I, 'no quarreling down stairs; each one to their work and no
complaining.--The moment you are discontented come to me and you
can go at once if you choose. I do not want any notice ever, except
where a baby is concerned.' This done I then advertised for a cook. The
next day my cook, down stair, came up to me quite flushed, and wanted
to know if I intended to turn her away. I said no, I had no idea of it, but
thought it was a very good plan to have two in the house; that I
intended making the new one a waiter, and then if anything happened,
such as the sudden departure, 'of my cook,' I said, looking right at her,
'for you know they are quick tempered, why then I have one on hand.'
She colored up and retired. After going through a great deal of
nonsense about the words 'help' and 'servants,' I at length got what I
wanted and all went on smoothly for a time.
My plan for detecting neglect in the cleaning of a room, was to stick
half a dozen pins in different places about it--some on the walls, in the
window and other places that ought to be wiped. If I found them there
after the cleaning, I became suddenly very disagreeable.
During my sister's administration, I had been obliged to wait sometimes
three weeks before she could find time, for her servants, to put a button
on my waistcoat. Now, when I wanted anything done, the first person
that passed my library door was stopped, no matter what her work
might be at the time, sent for a clothes brush, needle or hammar, and
the thing was done at once. It acted like a charm, and all went on well.
At first they objected, (only silently), but I told them plainly that I hired
them for my benefit, not theirs, which generally followed; and that
though their work was specified to a certain degree, they must on all
occasions answer any calls and pay always for breakage. This last
saved twenty dollars a month, for hardly anything under those
expensive circumstances, fell of their hands; and I noticed the plea of
'sudden change of weather,' or 'some one must have disturbed it,' or
'that horrid cat has been among those dishes and upset them,' or 'twas
cracked before,' became as worn out as aphorisms of the past. I was
always very attentive to them
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