She barely spoke to any of her clients; some never bothered to learn her name. Still, she got to know them intimately
Telegraph
‘I was a housekeeper for a wealthy family… I was shocked by what I learnt about the super-elite’ / Twitter
What’s really remarkable is how invisible the staff were and maybe still are.
- Never let your voice be heard by the ladies and gentlemen of the house, except when necessary, and then as little as possible.
- Always “give room” if you meet one of your employers or betters on the stairs.
- Always stand still and keep your hands quiet when speaking to a lady or being spoken to and look at the person speaking to you.
- Never begin to talk to ladies and gentlemen unless it be to deliver a message or ask a necessary question.
- Servants should never offer any opinion to their employers, nor even to say good night or good morning except in reply to salutation.
Never talk to another servant, or a person of your own rank, or to a child in the presence of your mistress, unless for necessity then do it as shortly as possible, and in a low voice.
Never call from one room to another.
Always answer when you have received an order or reproof.
Outer doors are to be kept constantly fastened, and their bells to be answered by the Butler only, except when he is otherwise indispensably engaged, when the assistant by his authority will take his place.