How did Mrs. Zacharias clean the kitchen floor?
Mrs. Zacharias swept on a regular basis, but when it came time for a thorough scrubbing, she did not mop or use a swifter as we might today. Instead she got on her hands and knees and used a scrub brush, dipping into one basin of soapy water and another for rinse water. The process was physically daunting and tedious. Did Mrs. Zacharias feel exhausted by the end of the day? Certainly she was tired. However, she viewed her cooking and housekeeping duties as part of the role of homemaking. Her part helped to make the home run smoothly, and so she prided herself on her many accomplishments. Her role in the kitchen was key to making a productive family, and in particular, the Stationmaster was able to complete his tasks due to her homemaking skills.
