Mistress and Maid: A Household Story

Mistress and Maid: A Household Story, published in 1862 by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik, is a novel set in mid-19th century England that examines the dynamics of a household led by three elderly sisters and their new servant, Elizabeth Hand. The narrative focuses on the interactions and struggles among the characters, highlighting themes of kindness, education, and personal growth within the domestic sphere. Through Elizabeth's awkward beginnings and the sisters' varying responses to her presence, the story explores social class differences and the potential for personal development in a modest setting.