The washing being done on Monday, it naturally follows that Mrs. Grundy
irons on Tuesday, after the regular routine work has been dispatched.
The first thought is the fire, if the ironing is done by a coal range.
After breakfast is prepared the fire box should be filled with coal to
the top of the lining, and draughts opened, to be closed as soon as the
surface coal begins to burn red, the top of the stove brushed off, and
the irons set on to heat. This is a good place to sandwich in a little
baking, before the fire becomes too hot for cakes or delicate pastry.
If the maid feels that she must devote this time to the preparation of
vegetables, or to other work which is liable to interfere with her work
later on, madam may choose to step into the breach and try her hand at
sundry delectables for the ironing-day luncheon or dinner, both meals
being as simple as consistent with comfort and health. The ironing,
once commenced, should continue uninterruptedly until time to prepare
luncheon, when the irons are pushed back and the fire shaken or raked
and replenished. By this time the clothes bars should begin to take on
a comfortable look of fullness. It is well to keep them covered with
cheesecloth as a protection from dust and soot and, in summer, fly
specks. If any frying is to be done, set the bars in another room
until it is over and the kitchen thoroughly aired, otherwise the odor
will cling to the clothes. After luncheon the range is cleaned and the
irons drawn forward to heat for the afternoon session; and by the time
the table is cleared, dishes washed, and kitchen brushed up, both they
and the maid are ready for the renewed onslaught. Though it may
occasionally run over into the next day, the average ironing ought to
be completed during the afternoon and remain well spread out on the
bars overnight to dry and air. Tuesday, though a full day, is so clean
and neat that there is no reason why the maid should not keep herself
equally so and be ready to serve the table and attend the door without
further preparation than slipping on her white apron--and cap, if she
wears one.
WEDNESDAY
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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