COOK AND COUNTESS,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14465, 3 September 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

COOK AND COUNTESS,

COMEDY OP A SARCASTIC "CHARACTER." The wife of the French Consul-General in Budapest, Viecountcss de Fontenay, and her cook figure in ar-. interesting servant comedy. The cook indulged in fits of bad temper/ and was much skilled in "below stairs" repartee and insolence. She gave notice once a fortnight with great regularity. Eventually, after three years' patience, the viscountess dismissed her. The cook departed and began the search for another place. To her surprise she did not succeed in obtaining one in spite of the " character"-, her mistress had given her. At last, suspecting that something was wrong, she had! the " character," which was written in French, translated. It ran: "I, Viscountess de Fontenay, hereby certify that I have been in M. N.'s excellent and genial service for three years, and that I have done my best to satisfy her demands. "I was much upset on recognising the impassibility of adapting myself to her peculiar character, but I unceasingly renewed my efforts to keep on, good terms with her on. account of her really excellent sauces, which greatly pleased my husband. " I should have liked to remain In her service, but my patience was too severely tried. lam quite willing to furnish further complimentary particulars." The cook is now bringing an action . against her former master and mistress.