what diantha did-第10章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


〃Any　time　you　feel　like　coming　back　you　will　be　welcome；　Dear。

〃Yours；　Ross。〃

Any　time　she　felt　like　coming　back？

Diantha　slipped　down　in　a　little　heap　by　the　bed；　her　face　on　the
letterher　arms　spread　wide。　　The　letter　grew　wetter　and　wetter；　and
her　shoulders　shook　from　time　to　time。

But　the　hands　were　tight…clenched；　and　if　you　had　been　near　enough　you
might　have　heard　a　dogged　repetition；　monotonous　as　a　Tibetan　prayer
mill：　〃It　is　right。　　It　is　right。　　It　is　right。〃　　And　then。　　〃Help
meplease！　　I　need　it。〃　　Diantha　was　not　〃gifted　in　prayer。〃


When　Mr。　Porne　came　home　that　night　he　found　the　wifely　smile　which　is
supposed　to　greet　all　returning　husbands　quite　genuinely　in　evidence。　
〃O　Edgar！〃　cried　she　in　a　triumphant　whisper；　〃I've　got　such　a　nice
girl！　　She's　just　as　neat　and　quick；　you've　no　idea　the　work　she's　done
todayit　looks　like　another　place　already。　　But　if　things　look　queer　at
dinner　don't　notice　itfor　I've　just　given　her　her　head。　　I　was　so
tired；　and　baby　bothered　so；　and　she　said　that　perhaps　she　could　manage
all　by　herself　if　I　was　willing　to　risk　it；　so　I　took　baby　for　a
car…ride　and　have　only　just　got　back。　　And　I　_think_　the　dinner's　going
to　be　lovely！〃

It　was　lovely。　　The　dining…room　was　cool　and　flyless。　　The　table　was　set
with　an　assured　touch。　　A　few　of　Orchardina's　ever　ready　roses　in　a
glass　bowl　gave　an　air　of　intended　beauty　Mrs。　Porne　had　had　no　time
for。

The　food　was　well…cooked　and　well…served；　and　the　attendance　showed　an
intelligent　appreciation　of　when　people　want　things　and　how　they　want
them。

Mrs。　Porne　quite　glowed　with　exultation；　but　her　husband　gently
suggested　that　the　newness　of　the　broom　was　visibly　uppermost；　and　that
such　palpable　perfections　were　probably　accompanied　by　some　drawbacks。　
But　he　liked　her　looks；　he　admitted；　and　the　cooking　would　cover　a
multitude　of　sins。

On　this　they　rested；　while　the　week　went　by。　　It　was　a　full　week；　and　a
short　one。　　Mrs。　Porne；　making　hay　while　the　sun　shone；　caught　up　a
little　in　her　sewing　and　made　some　conscience…tormenting　calls。

When　Thursday　night　came　around　she　was　simply　running　over　with
information　to　give　her　husband。

〃Such　a　talk　as　I　have　had　with　Miss　Bell！　　She　is　so　queer！　　But　she's
nice　too；　and　it's　all　reasonable　enough；　what　she　says。　　You　know　she's
studied　this　thing　all　out；　and　she　knows　about　itstatistics　and
things。　　I　was　astonished　till　I　found　she　used　to　teach　school。　　Just
think　of　it！　　And　to　be　willing　to　work　out！　　She　certainly　does　her
work　beautiful；　butit　doesn't　seem　like　having　a　servant　at　all。　　I
feel　as　if　Iboarded　with　her！〃

〃Why　she　seemed　to　me　very　modest　and　unpresuming；〃　put　in　Mr。　Porne。

〃O　yes；　she　never　presumes。　　But　I　mean　the　capable　way　she　managesI
don't　have　to　tell　her　one　thing；　nor　to　oversee；　nor　criticize。　　I
spoke　of　it　and　she　said；　'If　I　didn't　understand　the　business　I　should
have　no　right　to　undertake　it。〃

〃That's　a　new　point　of　view；　isn't　it？〃　asked　her　husband。　　〃Don't　they
usually　make　you　teach　them　their　trade　and　charge　for　the　privilege？〃

〃Yes；　of　course　they　do。　　But　then　she　does　have　her　disadvantagesas
you　said。〃

〃Does　she？　　What　are　they？〃

〃Why　she's　sorigid。　　I'll　read　you　herI　don't　know　what　to　call　it。　
She's　written　out　a　definite　proposition　as　to　her　staying　with　us；　and
I　want　you　to　study　it；　it's　the　queerest　thing　I　ever　saw。〃

The　document　was　somewhat　novel。　　A　clear　statement　of　the　hours　of
labor　required　in　the　position；　the　quality　and　amount　of　the　different
kinds　of　work；　the　terms　on　which　she　was　willing　to　undertake　it；　and
all　prefaced　by　a　few　remarks　on　the　status　of　household　labor　which
made　Mr。　Porne　open　his　eyes。

Thus　Miss　Bell；　〃The　ordinary　rate　for　labor　in　this　state；　unskilled
labor　of　the　ordinary　sort；　is　2。00　a　day。　　This　is　in　return　for　the
simplest　exertion　of　brute　force；　under　constant　supervision　and
direction；　and　involving　no　serious　risk　to　the　employer。〃

〃Household　labor　calls　for　the　practice　of　several　distinct　crafts；　and；
to　be　properly　done；　requires　thorough　training　and　experience。　　Its
performer　is　not　only　in　a　position　of　confidence；　as　necessarily
entrusted　with　the　care　of　the　employer's　goods　and　with　knowledge　of
the　most　intimate　family　relations；　but　the　work　itself；　in　maintaining
the　life　and　health　of　the　members　of　the　household；　is　of　most　vital
importance。

〃In　consideration　of　existing　economic　conditions；　however；　I　am　willing
to　undertake　these　intricate　and　responsible　duties　for　a　seven　day　week
at　less　wages　than　are　given　the　street…digger；　for　1。50　a　day。〃

〃Good　gracious；　my　dear！〃　said　Mr。　Porne；　laying　down　the　paper；　〃This
young　woman　does　appreciate　her　business！　　And　we're　to　be　let　off　easy
at　45。00　a　month；　are　we〃

〃And　feel　under　obligations　at　that！〃　answered　his　wife。　　〃But　you　read
ahead。　　It　is　most　instructive。　　We　shall　have　to　ask　her　to　read　a
paper　for　the　Club！〃

〃'In　further　consideration　of　the　conditions　of　the　time；　I　am　willing
to　accept　part　payment　in　board　and　lodging　instead　of　cash。　　Such
accommodations　as　are　usually　offered　with　this　position　may　be　rated　at
17。00　a　month。〃

〃O　come　now；　don't　we　board　her　any　better　than　that？〃

〃That's　what　I　thought；　and　I　asked　her　about　it；　and　she　explained　that
she　could　get　a　room　as　good　for　a　dollar　and　a…half　a　weekshe　had
actually　made　inquiries　in　this　very　town！　　And　she　could；　really　a
better　room；　better　furnished；　that　is；　and　service　with　it。　　You　know
I've　always　meant　to　get　the　girl's　room　fixed　more　prettily；　but
usually　they　don't　seem　to　mind。　　And　as　to　foodyou　see　she　knows　all
about　the　cost　of　things；　and　the　materials　she　consumes　are　really　not
more　than　two　dollars　and　a　half　a　week；　if　they　are　that。　　She　even
made　some　figures　for　me　to　prove　itsee。〃

Mr。　Porne　had　to　laugh。

〃Breakfast。　　Coffee　at　thirty…five　cents　per　pound；　one　cup；　one　cent。　
Oatmeal　at　fourteen　cents　per　package；　one　bowl；　one　cent。　　Bread　at
five　cents　per　loaf；　two　slices；　one…half　cent。　　Butter　at　forty　cents
per　pound；　one　piece；　one　and　a…half　cents。　　Oranges　at　thirty　cents　per
dozen；　one；　three　cents。　　Milk　at　eight　cents　per　quart；　on　oatmeal；　one
cent。　　Meat　or　fish　or　egg；　average　five　cents。　　Totalthirteen　cents。〃

〃There！　　And　she　showed　me　dinner　and　lunch　the　same　way。　　I　had　no　idea
food；　just　the　material；　cost　so　little。　　It's　the　labor；　she　says　that
makes　it　cost　even　in　the　cheapest　restaurant。〃

〃I　see；〃　said　Mr。　Porne。　　〃And　in　the　case　of　the　domestic　servant　we
furnish　the　materials　and　she　furnishes　the　labor。　　She　cooks　her　own
food　and　waits　on　herselfnaturally　it　wouldn't　come　high。　　What　does
she　make　it？〃

'Food；　average　per　day　。　。　。　0。35
Room；　1。50　per　w'k；　ave。　per　day　。　。　。　。22
…
　。57

Total；　per　month　。　。　。　17。10

1。50　per　day；　per　month　。　。　。　45。00

〃'Remaining　payable　in　cash；　28。00。'　　Do　I　still　live！　　But　my　dear
Ellie；　that's　only　what　an　ordinary　first…class　cook　charges；　out　here；
without　all　this　fuss！〃

〃I　know　it；　Ned；　but　you　know　we　think　it's　awful；　and　we're　always
telling　about　their　getting　their　board　and　lodging　clearas　if　we
gave'em　that　out　of　the　goodness　of　our　hearts！〃

〃Exactly；　my　dear。　　And　this　amazing　and　arithmetical　young　woman　makes
us　feel　as　if　we　were　giving　her　wampum　instead　of　moneymere　primitive
barter　of　ancient　days　in　return　for　her　twentieth　century　services！　
How　does　she　do　her　workthat's　the　main　question。〃

〃I　never　saw　anyone　do　it　better；　or　quicker；　or　easier。　　That　is；　I
thought　it　was　easy　till　she　brought　me　this　paper。　　Just　read　about　her
work；　and　you'll　feel　as　if　we　ought　to　pay　her　all　your　salary。〃

Mr。　Porne　read：

〃Labor　performed；　average　ten　hours　a　day；　as　follows：　Preparation　of
food　materials；　care　of　fires；　cooking；　table　service；　and　cleaning　of
dishes；　utensils；　towels；　stove；　etc。；　per　mealbreakfast　two　hours；
dinner　three　hours；　supper　or　lunch　one　hoursix　hours　per　day　for　food
service。　　Daily　chamber　work　and　dusting；　etc。；　one　and　one…half　hours
per　day。　　Weekly　cleaning　for　house　of　nine　rooms；　with　halls；　stairs；
closets；　porches；　steps；　walks；　etc。；　sweeping；　dusting；　washing
windows；　mopping；　scouring；　etc。；　averaging　two　hours　per　day。　　Door
service；　waiting　on　tradesmen；　and　extras　one…half　hour　per　day。　　Total
ten　hours　per　day。〃

〃That　sounds　well。　　Does　it　take　that　much　time　every　day？〃

〃Yes；　indeed！　　It　would　take　me　twenty！〃　she　answered。　　〃You　know　the
week　I　was　here　alone　I　never　did　half　she　does。　　Of　course　I　had　Baby；
but　then　I　didn't　do　the　things。　　I　guess　when　it　doesn't　take　so　long
they　just　don't　do　what　ought　to　be　done。　　For　she　is　quick；　awfully
quick　about　her　work。　　And　she's　thorough。　　I　suppose　it　ought　to　be
done　that　waybut　I　never　had　one　before。〃

〃She　keeps　mighty　fresh　and　bright…looking　after　these　herculean
labors。〃

〃Yes；　but　then　she　rests！　　Her　ten　hours　are　from　six…thirty　a。m。；　when
she　goes　into　the　kitchen　as　regularly　as　a　cuckoo　clock；　to
eight…thirty　p。m。　when　she　is　all　through　and　her　kitchen　looks　like
awell　it's　as　clean　and　orderly　as　if　no　one　was　ever　in　it。〃

〃Ten　hoursthat's　fourteen。〃

〃I　know　it；　but　she　takes　out　four。　　She　claims　time　to　eat　her　meals。〃

〃Preposterous！〃

〃Half　an　hour　apiece；　and　half　an　hour　in　the　morning　to　restand　two
in　the　afternoon。　　Anyway　she　is　out；　two　hours　every　afternoon；　riding
in　the　electric　cars！〃

〃That　don't　look　like　a　very　hard　job。　　Her　day　laborer　doesn't　get　two
hours　off　every　afternoon　to　take　excursions　into　the　country！〃

〃No；　I　know　that；　but　he　doesn't　begin　so　early；　nor　stop　so　late。　　She
does　her　square　ten　hours　work；　and　I　suppose　one　has　a　right　to　time
off。〃

〃You　seem　dubious　about　that；　my　dear。〃

〃Yes；　that's　just　where　it's　awkward。　　I'm　used　to　girls　being　in　all
the　time；　excepting　their　day　out。　　You　see　I　can't　leave　baby；　nor
always　take　himand　it　interferes　with　my　freedom　afternoons。〃

〃Wellcan't　you　arrange　with　her　somehow？〃

〃See　if　you　can。　　She　says　she　will　only　give　ten　hours　of　time　for　a
dollar　and　a　half　a　daytisn't　but　fifteen　cents　an　hourI　have　to　pay
a　woman　twenty　that　comes　in。　　And　if　she　is　to　give　up　her　chance　of
sunlight　and　fresh　air　she　wants　me　to　pay　her　extraby　the　hour。　　Or
she　says；　if　I　prefer；　she　would　take　four　hours　every　other　dayand　so
be　at　home　half　the　time。　　I　said　it　was　difficult　to　arrangewith
baby；　and　she　was　very　sympathetic　and　nice；　but　she　won't　alter　her
plans。〃

〃Let　her　go；　and　get　a　less　exacting　servant。〃

〃Butshe　does　her　work　so　well！　　And　it　saves　a　lot；　really。　　She　knows
all　about　marketing　and　things；　and　plans　the　meals　so　as　to　have　things
lap；　and　it's　a　comfort　to　have　her　in　the　house　and　feel　so　safe　and
sure　everything　will　be　done　right。〃

〃Well；　it's　your　province；　my　dear。　　I　don't　profess　to　advise。　　But　I
assure　you　I　appreciate　the　table；　and　the　cleanness　of　everything；　and
the　rested　look　in　your　eyes；　dear　girl！〃

She　slipped　her　hand　into　his　affectionately。　　〃It　does　make　a
difference；〃　she　said。　　〃I　_could_　get　a　girl　for　20。00　and　save　nearly
2。60　a