maid of all work

— So in living out, there is the maid of all work who scrubs the stove and scours the floor and rubs the knives and blacks the boots upon occasion, and in short, does any menial office required of her, and there is the housekeeper, presiding with all dignity over the household, who would perhaps scorn the idea that she was "living out." Yet is she not also at service? Somewhere between these two grades I find myself. I will only say I am some degrees above maid of all work, and yet I "live out."

— If we may regard auratum as the queen of Lillies, it will be none the less fair to regard Specienum as the maid of all work, and a very pretty maid of all work it will perhaps be said.