Idella Chapter 2

1. “Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Perfect Maid” Idella Chapter 2 By Riley DeLucas and Abigail Kneal

2. Work Begins • When Idella Parker first reaches Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings house, Martha introduces the daily schedule to her. • She wakes before 6 each morning and dresses in a grey uniform, apron and cap.

3. Breakfast • With the help from Martha and her children, Idella had chores that needed to be done for Mrs. Rawlings before she has breakfast. Such as, • Setting a fire • Making coffee • Cut and squeeze oranges for juice • Make up the breakfast tray with a fresh flower in a small, silver vase placed at the top right-hand corner of the tray. At the top center, sugar, creamer and a silver coffee pot. The egg cup and juice would go in the lower center of the tray. Mrs. Rawlings was very strict about her morning routine.

4. Daily Routine • Marjorie had a ringing bell to contact her servants. • After breakfast was cleaned up, Mrs. Rawlings would already be in the garden or at the front of the house. • Idella thought that “Miss Martha” was hardworking and had a 6th sense that could tell when Mrs. Rawlings needed her. • Martha did a lot of the work, including churning butter and tending to the milk from the cow, Dora. • Laundry was a hard job to handle, says Idella. They had to separate the laundry into piles, get the cold water, get the soap, scrub the laundry, put them in boiling water, and so on. They also ironed and cooked. Idella and Martha did all of the household jobs.

5. Other Facts: Marjorie allowed Idella to borrow books to read, even though many African-Americans often didn’t read.Idella didn’t know that Mrs. Rawlings was a writer when she was hired.After a few weeks, Idella and Mrs. Rawlings became closer and closer and she called Idella “the perfect maid”.Idella could drive and would sometimes run errands for Marjorie. After a few months, Idella was allowed on Sundays to drive herself to church.