Posted by John Nichols on April 10, 2003 at 13:25:32 from 165.91.199.202 user Mcneacail.
In Reply to: Re: BECKFOOT layout - a thought about crockery posted by Peter H on April 10, 2003 at 12:28:14:
In PP cook is observed to be stoking the fire in kitchen in the very early hours around dawn as the children set out on the vogage of discovery. If she lived elsewhere she would have had to have been up very early and probably walked. A bit hard in winter on an old lady
I tend to think Cook slept in as that would be part of her package which was food and sleeping quarters and a small wage.
That is not uncommon with housekeepers. I think she was part of the family.
Also in PP Nancy talks of the stableyard which is between the house and the pigeon loft area. There is also talk of Dorothy getting Nails from CF's work bench while Dick was fixing the ringing bell and she was coming to where Dick was the writing appears to suggest.
The other interesting feature is the discussion of the passageway as distinct from the hall. And the ringing bell being in the passageway to be near the house bell batteries.
Anyway it is fun thinking about it.