When the nurse was not occupied with the child, she owed towards the household, duties which are specifically mentioned in Homer; but not so clearly defined in later authors. Thus the nurse of Eumaeus is engaged in washing when she is seduced by the pirates.[178] Eurycleia is the mainstay of the house in Ithaca, having complete charge of the domestic arrangements. In the morning, she gives her directions for the day’s work to the female slaves[179] over whom she has joint supervision with the mistress.[180] These, she taught how to perform the various works of the house—making beds, strewing couches, carding wool, setting tables and cleaning rooms. Besides, she is the stewardess of the household: ἐν δὲ γυνὴ ταμίη νύκτας τε καὶ ἦμαρ ἔσχ’, ἣ πάντ’ ἐφύλασσε νόου πολυιδρείῃσιν, Εὐρύκλει’, Ὦπος θυγάτηρ Πεισηνορίδαο.[181] and to her Telemachus applies for provisions for his journey.[182] It is characteristic of her to keep the best wine against the homecoming of Odysseus.[183] Demeter enumerates the duties incumbent on a nurse in addition to her nursing cares: οἷαί τε τροφοί εἰσι θεμιστοπόλων βασιλήων παίδων καὶ ταμίαι κατὰ δώματα ἠχήεντα. · · · · · ... καὶ δώματα τηρήσαιμι, καί κε λέχος στορέσαιμι μυχῷ θαλάμων εὐπήκτων δεσπόσυνον, καὶ κ’ ἔργα διδασκήσαιμι γυναῖκας.[184] They are substantially the same as those of Eurycleia. So far as we can see, the nurse of Tragedy is occupied almost exclusively with the mistress. The nurse of Medea, however, affects a superior tone in speaking to the παιδαγωγός,[185] and gives him directions concerning the children.[186] In a similar way the nurse of Comedy seems to have authority over some of the servants.[187] _General Characteristics of the Nurse_ Instances of the love and devotedness of nurses are not wanting in the literature. From Homer down, we see the nurse as a kind mother lavishing love and affection on the child that she nursed. In the Odyssey, Eurycleia is represented as loving Telemachus more than did the other women: καὶ ἔτρεφε τυτθὸν ἐόντα.[188] and Penelope bears witness that Eurycleia had diligently nursed and tended Odysseus: εὐ τρέφεν ἤδ’ ἀτίταλλε.[189] Right willingly did the old nurse give her services to one who reminded her of her master. She is the first to recognize him by the scar he had received in his youth. Then τὴν δ’ ἅμα χάρμα καὶ ἄλγος ἕλε φρένα, τὼ δέ οἱ ὄσσε δακρυόφι πλῆσθεν, θαλερὲ δέ οἱ ἔσχετο φωνή.[190] A picture of true devotedness is given by Herodotus,[191] where a nurse takes an ugly child every day to the temple of Helen to implore the gift of beauty for her charge.