Letter 13, Post 16

Monday 7 January 2013
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "We are very much disposed to like our new maid; she knows nothing of a dairy, to be sure, which, in our family, is rather against her, but she is to be taught it all. In short, we have felt the inconvenience of being without a maid so long, that we are determined to like her, and she will find it a hard matter to displease us. As yet, she seems to cook very well, is uncommonly stout, and says she can work well at her needle." - Jane Austen, Saturday 1-Sunday 2 December 1798

It seems the maid at Steventon would have multiple duties and be rather like a family member.

Jane Austen gave Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper of Pemberley House, the duty of introducing Mr. Darcy in a different light to Elizabeth Bennett as the person who knew him as a little boy into an adult.

I hope you enjoyed your day today.
Terrie