"MA."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 49, 27 February 1937, Page 3 (Supplement)

"MA."

THE WEEKLY WASH. A GREAT OLD CHARACTER. (By E.M.C.) EVERY Monday morning, wet or fine, she arrived, walking briskly around the house, head forward as though it tried to be ahead of her wiry little body, her face like a walnut surmounted by a faded velvet toque with a feather that somehow gave her an air of defiance. All the resolutions 1 had made during the past week to tell her that her services would no longer be required seemed to fall to pieces when I heard her purposeful, slightly truculent footsteps, and I found myself meekly following her into the waslihouse and almost apologising for the size of the weekly wash!

We called her "Ma" behind her back, but took care to give her her full title to her face. Carefully she hung the faded toque and her old brown mackintosh on a nail and donned her badge of oflice, her bag apron, and took command. Try as I might te explain to "Ma" that I liked to separate the "sheep from the goats" in the washing world it was wasted, and with one strategic movement she could intertwine that little body of hers between me and the copper. Probably my hair would have risen on my head could I have seen what was bubbling together there. "Ma" had great faith in a good boil! It pleased me to do myself what I always called the "fine things," but not so "Ma." who took great care to tell me that Mrs. Brown, whom she "did for," had much finer linen and lace than mine, and "Ma" was always allowed to do it. On that one thing I remained adamant.

The Expressive Sniff. I always knew the state of "Ma's" domestic affaire by the energy she put into the rubbing of my clothes and the loudness of a most expressive sniff that she used with great effect. As the wearing qualities of my clothes depended on the state of her feelings towards her various "in-laws" I always fervently hoped for peace among them. "Ma" possessed a most acquisitive nature, not in a dishonest way; oh. no; but let her get her eye on any garment or household article that she thought you ought to be finished with, then she seemed to cast- a spell on it and try as you might to let her know you were not quite finished with it it seemed to become "Ma's" and you were never sure how it happened. The only things that were safe from her clutches were Bill's gardening clothes, and 1 have never been quite sure whether even "Ma"' disdained those clothes, () r that she was afraid of Bill. I have seen hrr disappearing out the front gate carrying a discarded kapok mattress, and I have wondered if the sight of that defiant feather in her toque and her purposeful "I dare you to" manner made even the tram conductor quail before her. Taking a long holiday once gave me my chance to get rid of her. and by the time I returned she was well established with another family. I never saw "Ma" again for years rntil one unlucky evenin" I entered a tram during the rush hours. Taking the only vacant seat I was dimly aware of someone beside me with a huge, untidy paper parcel and a very loud and familiar sniff. Here was "Ma" greeting me as one washer-lady to another, reminding me of "them there 'appv days" when we washed together. In a loud voice she inquired after the members of my family, calling each by their Christian name. I am quite convinced that when "Ma" arrives in the next world she will be carrying a bulky parcel!