OUR SERVANTS, 191 



again remind her of each dish, and of the proper order 

 in which it is to make its entrance, or it is quite certain 

 to be brought in at the wrong stage of the repast — if 

 brought at all. But perhaps you have become absorbed 

 in the conversation at table, and so are unobservant of 

 the non-appearance of the greens or other vegetables, 

 till next morning you find them, still in the saucepan, 

 and in a cold and sodden condition. 



Thus every detail of each day's " trivial round " has 

 to pass throucfh the mind of the mistress, who is com- 

 pelled to neglect her work in looking after that of a 

 servant who will not use her own head. One cfoes to 

 bed at night footsore with running alter this terrible 

 servant; and with a head still more wearied by the 

 constant strain of doing all the thinking for every de- 

 partment of the housekeeping. Of course it amounts 

 to much the same as doing the work yourself; and 

 but for " the honour of the thing " — like the Irishman 

 strutting along proudly inside the bottomless sedan- 

 chair, though complaining that he "might as well have 

 walked " — you might as well be without a servant. 

 Witli South African domestics one realizes indeed the 

 meaning of the word " eye-service"; for not one of them, 

 even the best, knows what it is to be conscientious. 

 They never do a thing right because it is right ; what- 

 ever they think will not be seen is neglected ; and they 

 are placidly indifferent as to whether their work is 

 done well or badly, and whether you are pleased or not. 

 One gets so tired of the apathetic yellow or black faces ; 

 which never brighten but into a childish laugh, gener- 



