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Mrs. Seely's Cook Book: A Manual of French and American Cookery : with ..

1902

Page 9

Presented as published in 1902. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
A respectf ul manner is necessary in a lady's maid. She is not to keep her seat while her mistress is speaking to her, unless she is asked to, and she is to rise when her «nistress enters the room. BIQHT8 AND DUTIB8 OF 8ERVANT8 18 A good deal of sittìng up at night is sometimes required from a lady's maid. She must strive to get what rest she can, and good-temperedly support any ineyìtable fatigue. A cheerf ni, kindly performance of her duties, and def erence, obe- dience, induatry, and strict honesty wiU be apt to secure f or her a friend in her mistress and a happy home under ali ordinary circumstances. A sewìng room should be set aside for the use of the lady's maid. Daties of Valet The yalet's duty is to wait upon his master. In the morn- ing he attends to the lighting of the fire and warming of his master's bedroom. He then cleans his boots and shoes, and brushes his clothing, which he arranges on a table or chair. He prepares the master's bath, and if it is wished, hands gar- ments to him as he dresses. He is sometimes expected to shave his master. Later he puts the dressing room in order, brushes clothes before putting them away, cleans combs and brushes, and is at his master's orders whenever required. Yaleting is often done by the butler and f ootmen or second men. The latter take tums in valeting guests. There should be a room set aside for the valet in which to press, brush, and care for his master's clothes. If a specific room for this use is impossible, he must do the best he can in the laundry or the front basement. Daties of Butler The butler has entire charge of the dining room and of the under menservants or footmen. Both he and his men should be at work by seven in the moming. The butler puts the din- ing room in order, sets the table, and then has his own break- fast at seven-thirty in the servants' hall. When three or more men aie kept, he serves his master's breakfast and takes his orders for the day. He sees to setting of trays for any break- 14 MB8. SEELY'S COOK BOOK fasta going to bedrooms. He alone waits at breakfast unless guests are in the house, when he is assisted by the second man. After breakfast he sees that ali china and glass are caref ully washed and put away, and then cleans the smaller pieces of Sil- ver in daily use. He prepares salads required at luncheon — a meal in many houses almost as elaborate as a dinner. In some families the butler and footman are on duty alternate after- noons — attending the beli, seeing to the parlor fires, lighting gas and lamps, serving af ternoon tea, which is in special charge of the butler, and setting the dinner table.