Agnes Shay had the true spirit of a maid. Moistened with dishwater and mild eau de cologne, reared in narrow and sunless bedrooms, in back passages, back stairs, laundries, linen closets, and in those servants' halls that remind one of a prison, her soul had grown docile and bleak...Agnes loved the ceremonies of a big house. She drew the curtains in the living room at dark, lighted the candles on the table, and struck the dinner chimes like an eager altar boy. On fine evenings, when she sat on the back porch between the garbage pails and the woodbins, she liked to recall the faces of all the cooks she had known. It made her life seem rich.
Agnes Shay embodies the essence of service, shaped by her experiences in a life surrounded by domestic duties and confined spaces. Her upbringing in the shadows of a grand house instilled in her a submissive and bleak outlook, reflecting the struggles of her maid identity. Despite this, she finds joy in the rituals of household management, taking pleasure in tasks that give her a sense of purpose and contribution to the home.
Agnes enjoys the quiet moments of her life, especially when she can engage in the small ceremonies that mark the passage of the evening. Lighting candles and drawing curtains, she cherishes the simplicity of her routine. Her memories of the cooks she has encountered over the years provide her with a sense of richness and connection, offering a glimpse into her longing for more than her restrictive existence.
