they live. They sometimes serve in one a life-time, and when no longer able to do so, are succeeded by their children, in the same capacity.
In case of a death in the family where they are employed, they at once don the somber luto (black), and never appear outside the house without it for six months.
This faithful attachment is especially and frequently shown by the pilmama. She will tenderly and patiently nurse each child in rotation, and to the last one her devotion is unimpaired. She also takes charge of baby's clothes, and herself washes the dainty fabrics, rather than intrust them to a lavandera. Children have their own pet name for the pilmama, abbreviating it into nana, Quiero mi nana" ("I want my nana") being frequently heard. The chichi (wet-nurse) does nothing but give sustenance to the babe, and is never permitted to leave the house except under the surveillance of the ama de llaves.
This latter functionary has entire charge of the household linen. She directs the army of servants under her, and is a kind of queen-bee in the hive. She holds herself far above the servants, will carry no household packages, and is very tenacious of the dignity attaching to her position. Indeed, it not infrequently happens that she is a relative or connection of the family. She has frequently three or four assistants.
Mexican servants as a whole are tractable, kind, faithful, and humble. They shrink instinctively from harshness or scolding, but yield a willing obedience to kindly given orders. They are accused of being universal thieves, in which accusation I do not concur, although, indeed, the extremely low wages for which they work might seem to warrant, or at least excuse, small peculations. But they have this redeeming trait, that they generally appreciate the trust placed in them, and this sometimes to a remarkable degree. Instances were not uncommon during the days of revolution when porteros, mozos, and other servants voluntarily sacrificed their lives in defense of the life or property of their employers. But they have their peculiarities,
