BY MY FIRESIDE (PART 3)

Ina roused herself from her reverie. Had she nodded off? She picked up the magazine and continued to read the article, “Christmas Eve by my Fireside”:

“I always plan to have plenty of small tables conveniently at hand for setting down plates or cups and saucers. The only thing that Sylvia is called upon to do is to remove these, and to see that there are always plates and cups and saucers ready for the newcomers, that the chafing dish is replenished, that there are sandwiches ready for toasting, and that there is a supply of waffle batter, if waffles are on the menu. The joyous Sylvia enters into the spirit of it as enthusiastically as I do, for the guests all have a greeting for her, too. It is a festival of human friendliness.”

“Hmmm,” thought Ina. She wondered if this Sylvia, obviously the maid, was really all that thrilled to be serving on Christmas Eve. She observed that the writer felt obliged to explain that Sylvia was happy to be involved in the festivities and that she wasn’t required to do all that much. It seemed to Ina that Sylvia was really expected to do quite a lot. Ina wondered if there was more help in the kitchen or if the happy Sylvia would be washing the dishes at 3:00 a.m. Ina decided not to feel sorry for Sylvia, though, since she was likely well-paid and perhaps also well-remembered with gifts by those who were acquainted with her. KW