9.30.—Go to bed.
One week in every three the husband works at night, instead of the day. The wife finds this less convenient for her, and is certain that it over-strains him, as he cannot sleep properly in the day, though she tries to be as quiet as ever she can. But the baby is bound to disturb him, as the room is very small. During this week, dinner is whenever he gets up, and all the cleaning and washing has to be squeezed in afterwards.
The next case is that of Mrs. O., who has but two children alive, both very young. Two rooms have to be looked after, and extremely well looked after, for Mr. O. is the gentleman who keeps 5s. a week out of 25s., and expects 4s. 4d. a week spent on his own extra food. He likes the place nice, and cannot see that his wife need ever go out except for the purpose of buying the family food. He believes that women are prone to extravagance in dress, and does not encourage Mrs. O. in any such nonsense. When it was necessary that she should come once a fortnight to the weighing centre, to have the baby weighed, the price of a pair of boots had to be saved out of several weeks’ food, much to the annoyance of Mr. O., who could not understand why any of his family should ever leave the two rooms where they live.
Her day runs as follows:
7.0.—Get up and get husband’s breakfast; nurse baby while he has it.
7.30.—He goes to work. Get little girl dressed, get her breakfast, and have it with her.
8.0.—Wash up.
8.30.—Get baby’s bath and wash and dress him.
9.0.—Nurse him and put him to sleep.
9.30.—Do beds and sweep bedroom, and carry up water (first floor).