Captions Sunday!

An excellent entry from a new contributor, Jennifer Eccles. This picture begged to be captioned of course.

Well I must say, you don't look too happy or grateful. I think you're very lucky to be able to keep a roof over your heads. You should be thankful that the court ordered you to remain in the house to work off some of the debt.

The new owner is very wealthy and has paid cash for the property, with all fixtures and fittings, but this still leaves an appreciable amount still owing. Therefore, as your food, clothing and other daily needs will be provided, your weekly wage will be paid directly to the court. But you have, very generously, been permitted to keep two shillings per week to cover any sundry expenses you might have. Unfortunately, as menial staff are only paid a pittance, the debt reduction will be a very slow process for you, so the court order is for a minimum period of two years, when they will reconsider your positions.

A just outcome, I think. Your Father's gambling wasn't the only reason he went bankrupt. As your former housekeeper, I am well aware of the extravagant amounts that you, his daughters, spent on fine clothes, jewellery, lavish socialising and many other things.

But there has been some misunderstanding, I fear. I don't know who gave you those uniforms, but they are quite unsuitable and would very quickly be ruined with the work you'll be doing: Like all new girls in service, you start as scullery maids.

As a consequence the rest of the female staff will be promoted to make way for you. They're all delighted, naturally. I know that Betsy and Dora, who you'll be replacing, are particularly happy. They are thrilled that they will no longer be the lowest members of the household, and can't wait to exchange their ghastly, grey sweat stained dresses and aprons with yours.

I'm sure you remember them; the girls that you instructed me to reduce to half pay for two weeks when they were five minutes late for work. They had been seeing their boyfriends in the village on their afternoon off.

Obviously, you'll be under them now. They'll be assigning your work load, along with any extra duties or punishments they see fit for any failures on your part.

But don't worry too much, I'm sure they're not at all vindictive.

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