REGULATION OF TIME OFF. 369 



treated. " An evening off " once each week on a stated 

 night should be allowed. The evening may be a certain one 

 of each week or one set from time to time, but the servant 

 should not be merely told that he can have " a night off " 

 each week, resulting in every night being the one on which 

 this privilege is enjoyed. When convenient, the servant 

 should also be allowed a Sunday morning, afternoon or even- 

 ing off. If only one man be employed, he should leave the 

 key of the stable in some fixed place so that in case it is nec- 

 essary to enter the stable it will not be found impossible 

 to do so. The owner should also have a pass key, with 

 which he can gain admittance at any time of the day or night. 

 Unless your coachman is a very steady, reliable man the 

 chances are he will arrange for an evening out whenever 

 an opportunity occurs, and although this may not in every 

 instance be of inconvenience to you, yet an occasion may 

 arise when you require his services and he will be found 

 wanting. It is therefore advisable to try your man before 

 sickness, fire or accident makes it imperative for him to be 

 on hand. 



Then again, a man who debauches cannot be trusted ; 

 he will get up late, and when up he is not fit to perform his 

 work. A fault that is common to many grooms is to assure 

 their employer that they are at their work at five in the 

 morning, whereas the work in reality begins at seven o'clock 

 or later. If the servant is a self-described " early bird," tell 

 the man that five is too soon to begin work and that six is a 

 much better hour, then occasionally make sure that the work 

 begins at that time. It is surprising to discover how impos- 

 sible it is for these early risers to appear regularly at six 

 o'clock. 



