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griefs。 Of all the delightful inconsistencies that grace the female mind； this
latter point of view always strikes me as being the most complete。 I
artfully lead my fair friend on to tell me all about her woes； and she is sure
to be exquisitely one…sided and quite unconscious of her position。 〃They
are so extravagant； take so little interest in my things； and leave me at a
moment's notice； if they get an idea I am going to break up。 Horrid things！
I wish I could do without them！ They cause me endless worry and
annoyance。〃 My friend is very nearly right； … but with whom lies the fault？
The conditions were bad enough years ago； when servants were kept
for decades in the same family； descending like heirlooms from father to
son； often （abroad） being the foster sisters or brothers of their masters； and
bound to the household by an hundred ties of sympathy and tradition。 But
in our day； and in America； where there is rarely even a common language
or nationality to form a bond； and where households are broken up with
such facility； the relation between master and servant is often so strained
and so unpleasant that we risk becoming （what foreigners reproach us with
being）； a nation of hotel…dwellers。 Nor is this class…feeling greatly to be
wondered at。 The contrary would be astonishing。 From the primitive
household； where a poor neighbor comes in as 〃help；〃 to the 〃great〃
establishment where the butler and housekeeper eat apart； and a group of
plush…clad flunkies imported from England adorn the entrance…hall；
nothing could be better contrived to set one class against another than
domestic service。
Proverbs have grown out of it in every language。 〃No man is a hero to
his valet；〃 and 〃familiarity breeds contempt；〃 are clear enough。 Our comic
papers are full of the misunderstandings and absurdities of the situation；
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while one rarely sees a joke made about the other ways that the poor earn
their living。 Think of it for a moment！ To be obliged to attend people at the
times of day when they are least attractive； when from fatigue or temper
they drop the mask that society glues to their faces so many hours in the
twenty…four； to see always the seamy side of life； the small expedients； the
aids to nature； to stand behind a chair and hear an acquaintance of your
master's ridiculed； who has just been warmly praised to his face； to see a
hostess who has been graciously urging her guests 〃not to go so soon；〃
blurt out all her boredom and thankfulness 〃that those tiresome So…and…
So's〃 are 〃paid off at last；〃 as soon as the door is closed behind them； must
needs give a curious bent to a servant's mind。 They see their employers
insincere； and copy them。 Many a mistress who has been smilingly
assured by her maid how much her dress becomes her； and how young she
is looking； would be thunderstruck to hear herself laughed at and criticised
（none too delicately） five minutes later in that servant's talk。
Servants are trained from their youth up to conceal their true feelings。
A domestic who said what she thought would quickly lose her place。
Frankly； is it not asking a good deal to expect a maid to be very fond of a
lady who makes her sit up night after night until the small hours to unlace
her bodice or take down her hair； or imagine a valet can be devoted to a
master he has to get into bed as best he can because he is too tipsy to get
there unaided？ Immortal 〃Figaro〃 is the type！ Supple； liar； corrupt；
intelligent； … he aids his master and laughs at him； feathering his own nest
the while。 There is a saying that 〃horses corrupt whoever lives with them。〃
It would be more correct to say that domestic service demoralizes alike
both master and man。
Already we are obliged to depend on immigration for our servants
because an American revolts from the false position； though he willingly
accepts longer hours or harder work where he has no one around him but
his equals。 It is the old story of the free； hungry wolf； and the well…fed； but
chained； house…dog。 The foreigners that immigration now brings us； from
countries where great class distinctions exist； find it natural to 〃serve。〃
With the increase in education and consequent self…respect； the difficulty
of getting efficient and contented servants will increase with us。 It has
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already become a great social problem in England。 The trouble lies
beneath the surface。 If a superior class accept service at all； it is with the
intention of quickly getting money enough to do something better。 With
them service is merely the means to an end。 A first step on the ladder！
Bad masters are the cause of so much suffering； that to protect
themselves； the great brother…hood of servants have imagined a system of
keeping run of 〃places；〃 and giving them a 〃character〃 which an aspirant
can find out with little trouble。 This organization is so complete； and so
well carried out； that a household where the lady has a 〃temper；〃 where the
food is poor； or which breaks up often； can rarely get a first…class domestic。
The 〃place〃 has been boycotted； a good servant will sooner remain idle
than enter it。 If circumstances are too much for him and he accepts the
situation； it is with his eyes open； knowing infinitely more about his new
employers and their failings than they dream of； or than they could
possibly find out about him。
One thing never can be sufficiently impressed on people； viz。： that we
are forced to live with detectives； always behind us in caps or dress…suits；
ready to note every careless word； every incautious criticism of friend or
acquaintance … their money matters or their love affairs … and who have
nothing more interesting to do than to repeat what they have heard； with
embroideries and additions of their own。 Considering this； and that nine
people out of ten talk quite oblivious of their servants' presence； it is to be
wondered at that so little （and not that so much） trouble is made。
It always amuses me when I ask a friend if she is going abroad in the
spring； to have her say 〃Hush！〃 with a frightened glance towards the door。
〃I am； but I do not want the servants to know； or the horrid things
would leave me！〃
Poor； simple lady！ They knew it before you did； and had discussed the
whole matter over their 〃tea〃 while it was an almost unuttered thought in
your mind。 If they have not already given you notice； it is because； on the
whole your house suits them well enough for the present； while they look
about。 Do not worry your simple soul； trying to keep anything from them。
They know the amount of your last dressmaker's bill； and the row your
husband made over it。 They know how much you would have liked young
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〃Croesus〃 for your daughter； and the little tricks you played to bring that
marriage about。 They know why you are no longer asked to dine at Mrs。
Swell's； which is more than you know yourself。 Mrs。 Swell explained the
matter to a few friends over her lunch…table recently； and the butler told
your maid that same evening； who was laughing at the story as she put on
your slippers！
Before we blame them too much； however； let us remember that they
have it in their power to make great trouble if they choose。 And
considering the little that is made in this way； we must conclude that； on
the whole； they are better than we give them credit for being； and fill a
trying situation with much good humor and kindliness。 The lady who is
astonished that they take so little interest in her； will perhaps feel
differently if she reflects how little trouble she has given herself to find
out their anxieties and griefs； their temptations and heart…burnings； their
material situation； whom they support with their slowly earned wages；
what claims they h