THE “NEW MISTRESS.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16749, 2 June 1922, Page 11

THE “NEW MISTRESS.”

By ALICE A. CROWN, in the “ New York Sun.”) “ A refined and experienced housekeeper is desired by a family of three consisting of a professional man and his wife, who arc occupied all day, and a child of eight, at school. A definite sum will bo allotted for household expenses. to be spent at the discretion of the housekeeper.” This advertisement in a Sunday paper led to my discovery of the “ new mistress.” The position looked as if it might Ik? made for me. Such a household offers one of the few modern, available opportunities for the expression of the craitswornan's spirit. After performing the daily tasks in a household where tlie family was absent all day. 1 could have leisure to write if I so desired I would rather concoct an omelette there than type a dictated letter in an office. I like quiet, privacy, space, pretty room?, in. which to work, everything that feeds my sense of individuality, rather than conditions that merge me into ao uninterested and meaningless crowd. Tf I kept four people in health through judicious feeding and created an atmosphere of restfulness and absence from worry over household matters for an economically independent woman my work would nave social value. I answered the advertisement, stating my qualifications and adding with much glee “it is mmaterial to mo whether l am treated as an equal or not.” T could not forbear surmises concerning the interpretation of that clause, but it was my safeguard if the professional many and his wife should prove commonplace and uninteresting and I should not desire any more intimacy than iho daily work involved. I drew the line distinctly between work and personal relations as any distraught mistress who does not wish her Bridget to dine with her. Only I rejoiced in turning the tables, smiling as J[ alleged myself with the employees instead of the employer. THE NEW MTSTRESS. In due time Mrs Olmsted's answer arrived and J went to see her, finding her as charming and attractive as any •of iny friends. Glorious condescension ! I was willing to iadmit that whatever personal relations should result. probably would be pleasant. Mrs Olmsted disliked the idea of housework being “a servant’s job” and was unwilling to consider an uneducated woman as a member of her household arid associating with her little son. The first month i was intent on doing the work that I had undertaken efficiently and T hoped to the satisfaction of Dr and Mrs Olmsted. Our constant discussions were calories, food properties, vita mines, family budgets and or matters relating to scientific* housekeeping. T soon systematized the work so that seven hours was a high daily average; my morning's work being usually finished before 10.30. when I was free to write while'l was fresh instead of at the fag end of n worker's day if T had chosen another Ibe dinner was prepared in on hour and a half to two hours, the dishes being out. of the way by 8 o’clock: but any evening 1 wished to go out earlier. Dr and Airs Olmsted would help or even volunteer to wash the dishes, including pot- and pans. They realised that 1 had the. -;ime cultural needs as themselves and were always willing to aid and abet me in satisfying them. It was *ome time before I could free myself from the recollection of tlie way iu which I was accustomed to have my maids do their work : in bow manv thingg T lia-d had standards of conspicu- , ous service rather than human ones. Mrs Olmsted bad successfully substitntI ed human for traditional demands. | Gradually I became established as a co-operating member of the home* with no question of equality or difference. It | had only been my own preconceptions that bad delayed tlie relationship of perfect co-operation. I had chosen to do housev ork to free Mrs Olmsted for her professional duties. My free choice was regarded by her as giving housework the same dignity ns her profession. It. was my own proper attitude for a housekeeper to hold that died hard. The hurt of the bargain has fallen to me. First, although my room is small it is much mere comfortable than tho one for which I paid 8 dollars a week last'winter, and l have t-be unlimited use of the house all day, which the family has the opportunity to enjoy for only a. few hours in the evening? s. Every part of it- is mine to use freely. Secondly. T have better remuneration. Airs Olmsted .- monthly cheque probably quadruples mine, but after she has paid for her daily lunches and streetcar fares and the expenses incident to her work', her share of the household expenses and my wages, I doubt if she lias as much remaining for personal satisfactions as I have.