A Domestic Problem | Page 3

the baby frequently implies carrying the child on one
arm while working with the other, and this often after nights made
sleepless by its "worrying." "I've done many a baking with a child on
my hip," said a farmer's wife in my hearing.
But try now the humblest of household duties, one that passes for just
nothing at all; try dusting. "Take a cloth, and brush the dust
off,"--stated in this general way, how easy a process it seems! The
particular interpretation, is that you move, wipe, and replace every
article in the room, from the piano down to the tiniest ornament; that
you "take a cloth," and go over every inch of accessible surface,
including panelling, mop-boards, window frames and sashes,
looking-glass-frames, picture-frames and cords, gas or lamp fixtures;
reaching up, tiptoeing, climbing, stooping, kneeling, taking care that
not even in the remotest corner shall appear one inch of undusted
surface which any slippered individual, leaning back in his arm-chair,
can spy out.
These are only a few examples; but a little observation and an
exceedingly little experience will show the curious inquirer that there is
scarcely one of the apparently simple household operations which
cannot be resolved and re-resolved into minute component parts. Thus
dusting, which seems at first to consist of simply a few brushes with a

cloth or bunch of feathers, when analyzed once, is found to imply the
careful wiping of every article in the room, and of all the woodwork;
analyzed again, it implies following the marks of the cabinet-maker's
tools in every bit of carving and grooving; analyzed again, introducing
a pointed stick under the cloth in turning corners. In fact, the
investigator of household duties must do as does a distinguished
scientist in analyzing matter,--"continue the process of dividing as long
as the parts can be discerned," and then "prolong the vision backward
across the boundary of experimental evidence." And, if brave enough to
attempt to count them, he must bear in mind that what appear to be
blank intervals, or blurred, nebulous spaces, are, in reality, filled in
with innumerable little duties which, through the glass of observation,
may be discerned quite plainly. Let him also bear in mind, that these
household duties must be done over and over, and over and over, and as
well, each time, as if done to last forever; and, above all, that they
every one require mind.
Many a common saying proves this last point. "Put your mind on your
work." "Your mind must be where your work is." "She's a good hand to
take hold, but she hasn't any calculation." "She doesn't know how to
forecast her work." "She doesn't know how to forelay." "Nancy's gittin'
past carryin' her mind inter her work. Wal, I remember when I begun to
git past carryin' my mind inter my work," said an old woman of ninety,
speaking of her sixty-years-old daughter. The old couplet,
"Man works from rise till set of sun, But woman's work is never
done,"--
tells the truth. "Woman's work," as now arranged, is so varied, so
all-embracing, that it cannot be "done." For every odd moment some
duty lies in wait. And it is generally the case, that these multi-form
duties press for performance, crowds of them at once. "So many things
to be done right off, that I don't know which to take hold of first." "'Tis
just as much as I can do to keep my head above water." "Oh, dear! I
can't see through!" "My work drives me." "I never know what 'tis not to
feel hurried." "The things I can't get done tire me more than the things I
do." Such remarks have a meaning.

And those who keep "a girl" have almost equal difficulty in always
presenting the smooth, agreeable surface just now spoken of. With the
greater ability to hire help comes usually the desire to live in more
expensive houses, and to furnish the same with more costly furniture.
Every article added is a care added, and the nicer the article the nicer
the care required. More, also, is demanded of these in the way of
appearance, style, and social civilities; and the wear and tear of
superintending "a girl" should by no means be forgotten. At any rate,
the complaint, "no time to read," is frequent among women, and is not
confined to any one class.
We see, then, that in the present state of things it is impossible for
woman--that is, the family woman, the house-mother--to enjoy the
delights of culture. External activities, especially the two insatiable,
all-devouring ones which know neither end nor beginning,--housework
and sewing-work,--these demand her time, her energies, in short,
demand herself,--the whole of her. Yes, the whole, and more too; there
is not enough of her to go round. There