The Man in Possession — page 210: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

| THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 205 down in the easy-chair and leaving the more arduous work of folding, shaking, and fixing things into the smallest possible compass to Kate herself. ‘‘T’m used to it,” she explained. ‘‘ You see, I’ve never possessed the doubtful luxury of a maid.” ‘¢]’m not sure that I wasn’t happier when I didn’t possess one,” said Mrs. Lafaye. ‘‘ They are some- what of a burden. I must say you do manage your servants here better than we do in our country. Weve really no servants worth speaking of, except niggers. The white folk appear to be ladies in re- duced circumstances, and they all seem to think work is an injustice, and the acceptance of wages a condescension. Even when Americans come to Europe and take servants out with them, they can’t keep them. In three months they’re as bad as those of the country, more so perhaps. As for wages... you know Vanderbilt pays £2,000 a year to his cook, and I know heaps of rich Americans who give £500 a year fora man chef, with a French name and little else to recommend him.” ‘‘So even a free country has its disadvantages?” said Kate, smiling. She was folding up the daffodil satin, and Mrs. Lafaye watched her admiringly. ‘‘You don’t really mean to say you make your own dresses?” she asked. ‘‘Indeed I do,” said Kate. ‘‘It’s a case of ‘needs must.’ I’m afraid they’ve rather an amateur look about them, haven't they ?” ‘They're on a figure that makes one forget the dress,” said Mrs. Lafaye. ‘‘I do envy you your ECOMNCE OOO SS) (SO