DOMESTIC SERVANTS AND THE DOLE
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sia,—After reading Miss Gertrude Kingston's interesting article on "The Problem of Domestic Service," I feel tempted to give the experience I have had this week of the working of the dole in connexion with it, as it is new to me. I had a housemaid for about six months who gave every satisfaction, and appeared quite well and happy while with me. She had leave to go to her home for the day, promising she would return that night. She intimated to another servant that she did not intend to return ; nor has she done so. I now find she has been living on the dole ever since, as she considered that her weekly fourpence contribution had earned her the right to do so.
She has now applied to me to certify that she left me through ill-health. As this is the first I have heard of it, I refuse to give my name to what is untrue. Last year, a girl who had given me contented and happy service for three years left me in the same way, and I have never heard of her since. She may also have gone on the dole, but of this I have no know- ledge. To show that I am not an unreasonable mistress, I mention that last year I parted with a dear servant, pensioning her, after twenty-five years' faithful service. She pays us long visits, because she has the tact to get on with those who
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