My sister understanding what she was, began to inquire what wages she
expected? She modestly asked but eight pounds a year. The next question
was, what work she could do to deserve such wages? to which she answered,
she could clean a house, or dress a common family dinner. But cannot you
wash, replied my sister, or get up linen? she answered in the negative,
and said, she would undertake neither, nor would she go into a family
that did not put out their linen to wash, and hire a charwoman to scour.
She desired to see the house, and having carefully surveyed it, said, the
work was too hard for her, nor could she undertake it. This put my
sister beyond all patience, and me into the greatest admiration. Young
woman, said she, you have made a mistake, I want a housemaid, and you are
a chambermaid. No, madam, replied she, I am not needlewoman enough for
that. And yet you ask eight pounds a year, replied my sister. Yes,
madam, said she, nor shall I bate a farthing. Then get you gone for a
lazy impudent baggage, said I, you want to be a boarder not a servant;
have you a fortune or estate that you dress at that rate? No, sir, said
she, but I hope I may wear what I work for without offence.
Pages:
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29