a ban on pleasure driving because of the shortage of gas. They are allowed to use the car if they are going to buy food, so they may plan a food shopping trip around picking up a friend at the station. They are also allowed to use the car if they are going clamming.
Later in the summer, the ban on pleasure driving will be lifted and they will immediately drive to the ocean for a swim.
Drafts of a Letter to an Agency, Written From the Seaside
My dear Miss McAllister,
I find it impossible to keep Ann Carberry whom you sent me through Gertrude Hockaday last week. She has tried, and in many ways she is quite satisfactory. She keeps the kitchen in fine condition and enjoys figuring out ways to use the available food to make tasty meals. But this about uses up all her time and energy; she does not step out of the kitchen on some days except to take her afternoon rest.
Â
Which leaves, of course, the main need unsatisfied: the care of the baby.
Â
It has been necessary for me to do all the washing, and all of his care except for giving him his meals. And she is seventy years old.
Â
Her age, her feebleness, and her deafness combine to make her quite unsuitable for this job
Â
nor did she ever notice a full wastebasket standing at the head of the stairs.
Â
She is a very sweet person, very eager to please. She seems to enjoy cooking. She likes to cook her specialties, such as Parker House rolls, and I think she would suit an elderly family who could afford to pay a high wage for the light work of which she and in a place where there were no other more pressing duties
Â
would be very welcome in a house where other pressing duties need not be neglected to make these treats, such as Parker House rolls. Because of these weaknesses which made her obviously very fluttery and apprehensive, I had not the heart to break the news to her suddenly. I thank you for your kind cooperation with Gertrude in finding me any maid at all.
Two Weeks
Ann works for one week and is then given a weekâs notice.
Some Other Annoying things about Ann
She became dizzy-headed if she kept going all day.
She snored.
She panted when serving at the table.
Annâs Parting Wisdom
Ann comes in with a very small tray and remarks: âThey say an ounce of help is worth a pound of pity.â
The Brava
Mrs. D writes:
We now have a little Brava girl aged fourteen. She is colored, but not regarded as Negroâshe must be treated as Portuguese.
She is wonderful with the baby and can do dishes and other simple things. So far, however, she has been very irregular in her comings.
But After the Brava
Mrs. D is distressed. She has no help. She cannot write. Her family requires a great deal of work, and she is with them too much. She confides to a friend:
I am without a smitch of hired help. I cannot even behave myself like a civilized being, much less do any writing. The main reason of course is over-work on my part.
Â
And to another:
I am in a complete state of jitters, due to the search for a maid.
Â
And to another:
We have been intending to get in touch with your friend but havenât had company for quite a while because of our maid crisis. I should improve greatly this next year if I can only get some help. I am not too sanguine about that.
Family Finances
Mr. and Mrs. D, always short of money, have debts they must pay. One of their debts is to a friend named Bill. Bill himself is now in straitened circumstances and politely tells them that he must have the money back.
The two children are now enrolled in the same private school, one in fifth grade and the other in nursery school. Mrs. D asks the director for a tuition reduction, and he grants the children half scholarships.
Mrs. D Tries a High School Girl
Mrs. D writes:
We got a little High School girl but she was worse than nothing.
Mr. D Does Not Have Time to Write
Mr. D teaches three days a week, and on each day he teaches three classes. He has 150
Later in the summer, the ban on pleasure driving will be lifted and they will immediately drive to the ocean for a swim.
Drafts of a Letter to an Agency, Written From the Seaside
My dear Miss McAllister,
I find it impossible to keep Ann Carberry whom you sent me through Gertrude Hockaday last week. She has tried, and in many ways she is quite satisfactory. She keeps the kitchen in fine condition and enjoys figuring out ways to use the available food to make tasty meals. But this about uses up all her time and energy; she does not step out of the kitchen on some days except to take her afternoon rest.
Â
Which leaves, of course, the main need unsatisfied: the care of the baby.
Â
It has been necessary for me to do all the washing, and all of his care except for giving him his meals. And she is seventy years old.
Â
Her age, her feebleness, and her deafness combine to make her quite unsuitable for this job
Â
nor did she ever notice a full wastebasket standing at the head of the stairs.
Â
She is a very sweet person, very eager to please. She seems to enjoy cooking. She likes to cook her specialties, such as Parker House rolls, and I think she would suit an elderly family who could afford to pay a high wage for the light work of which she and in a place where there were no other more pressing duties
Â
would be very welcome in a house where other pressing duties need not be neglected to make these treats, such as Parker House rolls. Because of these weaknesses which made her obviously very fluttery and apprehensive, I had not the heart to break the news to her suddenly. I thank you for your kind cooperation with Gertrude in finding me any maid at all.
Two Weeks
Ann works for one week and is then given a weekâs notice.
Some Other Annoying things about Ann
She became dizzy-headed if she kept going all day.
She snored.
She panted when serving at the table.
Annâs Parting Wisdom
Ann comes in with a very small tray and remarks: âThey say an ounce of help is worth a pound of pity.â
The Brava
Mrs. D writes:
We now have a little Brava girl aged fourteen. She is colored, but not regarded as Negroâshe must be treated as Portuguese.
She is wonderful with the baby and can do dishes and other simple things. So far, however, she has been very irregular in her comings.
But After the Brava
Mrs. D is distressed. She has no help. She cannot write. Her family requires a great deal of work, and she is with them too much. She confides to a friend:
I am without a smitch of hired help. I cannot even behave myself like a civilized being, much less do any writing. The main reason of course is over-work on my part.
Â
And to another:
I am in a complete state of jitters, due to the search for a maid.
Â
And to another:
We have been intending to get in touch with your friend but havenât had company for quite a while because of our maid crisis. I should improve greatly this next year if I can only get some help. I am not too sanguine about that.
Family Finances
Mr. and Mrs. D, always short of money, have debts they must pay. One of their debts is to a friend named Bill. Bill himself is now in straitened circumstances and politely tells them that he must have the money back.
The two children are now enrolled in the same private school, one in fifth grade and the other in nursery school. Mrs. D asks the director for a tuition reduction, and he grants the children half scholarships.
Mrs. D Tries a High School Girl
Mrs. D writes:
We got a little High School girl but she was worse than nothing.
Mr. D Does Not Have Time to Write
Mr. D teaches three days a week, and on each day he teaches three classes. He has 150
Similar Books
