Bridget's Nap

[bobarth]

Would it have been normal back then for a maid to take a nap after working for 4 hours?

[Kashesan]

Depends upon the household. Bridget and Abby seemed to have had a pretty good rapport. Considering the heat of the day and the heavy work of hauling water for the windows, I don't think would it would have been unusual for Bridget to take a breather.

[RayS]

Would it have been normal back then for a maid to take a nap after working for 4 hours?

Obviously yes, unless it was a cover story for Bridget's involvement.
I think Lizie and Andy wanted to get rid of Bridget because of the meeting with a Secret Visitor.
First it was a story about a sale, when that didn't work ("Miss Lizzie, I'm too tired to walk there." "Well, then go upstairs and rest for a while" - my speculation based on human events).

[Yooper]

In general, probably not, but if Bridget wasn't feeling well and her immediate task of washing windows was finished, it may not have seemed odd. If she had been a store clerk she may have left work early and gone home if she was ill.

[RayS]

In general, probably not, but if Bridget wasn't feeling well and her immediate task of washing windows was finished, it may not have seemed odd. If she had been a store clerk she may have left work early and gone home if she was ill.

As a teenager I worked in stores. After being outside in cold weather you were allowed to rest for a while in the back room near the stove.

[Harry]

Would it have been normal back then for a maid to take a nap after working for 4 hours?

I doubt if it was normal in most homes. Bridget is questioned on that very thing at the Preliminary (page 25+)

"Q. Why was you not at work getting your dinner at that time?
A. I thought I had time enough to start to get dinner at half past eleven, with the dinner I had to get.
Q. Was it your habit to go up stairs that way?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. When?
A. When I got through with my work down stairs, if I had not anythingelse to do, I always went up stairs, before I started to get dinner, if I had time."

[bobarth]

I am just finding it odd, that Abby would ask her to do those windows, especially if they were such close friends.
They were all violently ill and the temperature was so hot. Just does not seem right to me. But if someone needed someone for a look out, and then someone to have buckets of water ready to clean off then it would be the perfect disguise. Did anyone check to see if the windows had really been cleaned.

[RayS]

I am just finding it odd, that Abby would ask her to do those windows, especially if they were such close friends.
They were all violently ill and the temperature was so hot. Just does not seem right to me. But if someone needed someone for a look out, and then someone to have buckets of water ready to clean off then it would be the perfect disguise. Did anyone check to see if the windows had really been cleaned.

In the past, some have said that it was standard practice to wash the windows on Thursdays. I'll accept that, altho I don't know the source.

Brown mentions that it was the practice to open all the windows during the day, even on hot days. Nowadays we kept the windows closed, even w/o air conditioning. (I hope you are all as cool as I am right now.)

One solution to the washing is it gave a cover story for shutting all the windows at a time when people normally kept them open! This would allow a private conversation from being overheard by anyone close enough to hear an angry shout. Its like pulling down the shades at night for privacy. IMO

[theebmonique]

In the past, some have said that it was standard practice to wash the windows on Thursdays. I'll accept that, altho I don't know the source.

RayS...it's called testimoney...and it has been posted several times before. It's free, available to all...and you can look it up.


Tracy...

[RayS]

RayS...it's called testimoney...and it has been posted several times before. It's free, available to all...and you can look it up.
Tracy...

Thanks a lot for being so friendly. In turn, I would advise you to find a better costume to wear.
It makes you look witchy.

[Yooper]

The odd thing about Bridget's nap is that so much is made of Lizzie spending time in a "stiflingly hot" barn loft, but not much is made of Bridget napping in an attic room. How much cooler was Bridget's room than the barn loft?

[Airmid]

Thursday seems to have been the regular window washing day in Fall River, just as Monday was Washing day.
Bridget was washing the windows, Mrs. Kelly's girl was going to wash the windows (can't find the reference again, sorry), and I even read about a third person who was going to was the windows that day (now if I only could remember who that was).
Mrs. Churchil in the Inquest (p. 127):
Q Do you remember how long before that time she had been out washing the windows, whether that same week, or the week before?
A I dont think she washed windows but once a week, and Thursday was generally the day.

Bridget also seems to have been in the habit of going to her room when her work was done. There's Harry's quote to that, and Bridget said she went up to her room too on wednesday afternoon, after she had finished ironing (Trial p. 199). This doesn't have to mean Bridget was napping all the time; there's lots of other things Bridget might have enjoyed doing when her work was done.

Airmid.

[theebmonique]

From Mrs. Churchill's Inquest testimony:

Q. How long should you say she was out there, that you saw her washing windows?
A.. I cant tell. I stepped into my bed room for something, I saw her throwing water up on to the
parlor window.
Q. She was washing the parlor window then?
A. Yes Sir.
Q. Do you remember how long before that time she had been out washing the windows, whether
that same week, or the week before?
A. I dont think she washed windows but once a week, and Thursday was generally the day.
Q. It was the habit to wash the windows once a week?
A. She generally did.


Tracy...

[Harry]

The Kelly's maid, that fine Irish lass, Mary Doolan, was indeed also washing windows on the morning of the 4th. This is from DeMille's Dance of Death, page 32+

"... Bridget, after throwing up in the backyard, pulled herself together, cooked and served the unappetizing bulky breakfast, and then was set by
Mrs. Borden to washing all the downstairs windows inside and out. The Kelly's maid, Mary Doolan, was set to the same task that morning. ..."

In that same paragraph DeMille says Bridget was paid $2.50 a week. Lincoln has her making $4.00 a week.

[RayS]

The odd thing about Bridget's nap is that so much is made of Lizzie spending time in a "stiflingly hot" barn loft, but not much is made of Bridget napping in an attic room. How much cooler was Bridget's room than the barn loft?

Great Message! But Bridget was not a suspect so no notice taken.
David Kent's "Forty Whacks" explains the timing and says Lizzie did not have enough time to do all that she said she did. But he also says nobody was timing the events then.

[RayS]

...
In that same paragraph DeMille says Bridget was paid $2.50 a week. Lincoln has her making $4.00 a week.

So does anyone have any documentary proof?
Both can't be right unless they are from different times. Starting = $2.50, then $4.00 after raises.

[Kat]

Maybe you are thinking of 'Lil Abby Potter having the window fall on her fingers that day when they heard the news at her aunts' house?

I think that's in Sullivan, if you have that?

[Elizabelle]

I imagine that Bridget did lull around up in her bedroom for an hour or so before she had to get dinner started.

Perhaps that was considered her break?

Work from six o'clock to ten o'clock AM. Rest from ten o'clock to eleven o'clock AM. At eleven o'clock begin preparing dinner. Clean up after dinner; do some more of the household chores and any special cleaning that needs done. Take a rest between three o'clock to four o'clock and then begin preparing supper. Clean up after supper and then perhaps her day was done for the most part?

[Kat]

Do we have any knowledge of Bridget getting a rest again later in the day?

[andrea]

Was Thursday Bridget's half day? Seems I remember reading that somewhere (not sure if it was here or in recently reading the inquest testimony). If so, did she generally go out & about or stay up in her room?

That is an interesting point about whether Bridget's attic room would be any better or worse than the barn loft...

[lydiapinkham]

I agree about Yooper's remark. I've wondered about that too. Attics are much worse than barn lofts, in my opinion, and second floors are fairly comparable. Of course, Bridget wouldn't have much choice: the kitchen was heated up by the stove (those flats, you know), and I don't think she was welcome to flop down on the horsehair sofa.

I think Thursday was Bridget's half day, but not until she cleared dinner.
Kat? What about it?

Also, wasn't Li'l Abby's story that the window crashed down while she was washing it, because she so startled by her mother's reaction to news of Big Abby's demise? I was thinking that storywas in Victoria Lincoln, but I don't have access to a copy to consult.

--Lyddie

[Kat]

Sullivan, Goodbye Lizzie Borden:
"In the late afternoon while I was helping Aunt Lucy wash windows, Marshal Hilliard returned home, and, standing in the yard, informed Aunt Lucy of Aunt Abby's murder. The shock of the news was so great that Aunt Lucy dropped the window on my hand." --'Lil Abby

I don't know when Bridget had a scheduled day off or 1/2 day off. I know Bridget got out Wednesday evening after dinner and got home sometime around 10 pm.

[snokkums]

It might not have been normal, but with her not feeling well, and neither was Abby, maybe Abby let her lie down for alittle while as long as she finished her work. After all, Abby and Bridget were on good terms with each other. And Abby did have some compasion for Bridget, so she might have let her as long as her work got done.

[Smudgeman]

I agree about Yooper's remark. I've wondered about that too. Attics are much worse than barn lofts, in my opinion, and second floors are fairly comparable. Of course, Bridget wouldn't have much choice: the kitchen was heated up by the stove (those flats, you know), and I don't think she was welcome to flop down on the horsehair sofa.

I think Thursday was Bridget's half day, but not until she cleared dinner.
Kat? What about it?

Also, wasn't Li'l Abby's story that the window crashed down while she was washing it, because she so startled by her mother's reaction to news of Big Abby's demise? I was thinking that storywas in Victoria Lincoln, but I don't have access to a copy to consult.


I also can assure that an attic or second floor is much hotter than a barn would be. I live in a 2 story house, and the upstairs and attic are much warmer than the downstairs in summer, and the downstairs is much cooler in the winter. My uncle has a barn with horses, and I can say in this heat we are having this year, its really hot everywhere! But heat does rise, hence the upstairs more difficult to keep cool. I have to shut all my blinds and turn on ceiling fans to keep my upstairs somewhat cool. It has been a very hot, dry, sultry summer here. We are in a drought. But enough of my weather commentary.

I perceive Li'l abby's story as heresay and gossip, just my opinion.
--Lyddie

[Smudgeman]

Sorry my quote and comments got all wrapped into one, don't know what i did, goofus me.......

[Kat]

Scott/Smudgeman's comment is:

"I also can assure that an attic or second floor is much hotter than a barn would be. I live in a 2 story house, and the upstairs and attic are much warmer than the downstairs in summer, and the downstairs is much cooler in the winter.

My uncle has a barn with horses, and I can say in this heat we are having this year, its really hot everywhere! But heat does rise, hence the upstairs more difficult to keep cool. I have to shut all my blinds and turn on ceiling fans to keep my upstairs somewhat cool.

It has been a very hot, dry, sultry summer here. We are in a drought. But enough of my weather commentary.

I perceive Li'l abby's story as heresay and gossip, just my opinion."

--just a little help from me...KK

[bobarth]

Wow, I had no idea that she would wash the windows once a week and had a regular day to do it on.

I bet her attic room was hotter than a firecracker, my bedroom is on an upper floor and when it is hot outside it is just too hot to sleep up there.

Since Uncle John had arrived, I figured she might have had to make a special lunch/dinner for him. Certainly doesnt sound like John was going to get anything special though.
You dont suppose she was going to serve more leftover mutton for lunch/dinner do you?

[RayS]

Yes, it would be hot by the afternoon. But if windows were open on the ground floor, and open on the top, the hot air would be drawn out.
Houses circa 1860 and later had a cupola (?) to accomplish this.
But the best test is to actually be in that house on an August day that is at the same temperature.
"Heat wave" today means 3 days w/ above 90F temperature. Was this also used in 1892?

[bobarth]

If Thursday was regular window washing day then I wonder why Mrs. Borden would specifically tell her to wash the windows if Bridget already did that on a weekly schedule?

[Kat]

And why did Morse say he heard the order given at breakfast (7:20?) and Bridget claimed it was much later around 9 am, the last she saw of Abby?

[bobarth]

Is rather strange that they all heard the order issued. Whether they were there or not. I guess I find it strange because they all agree on this particular conversation.

If Abby told her every week to clean the windows that would amount to hearing the same command for over a 100 times. Even I catch right on when you tell me something 50 or 60 times....

[RayS]

And why did Morse say he heard the order given at breakfast (7:20?) and Bridget claimed it was much later around 9 am, the last she saw of Abby?

Bridget, the dutiful servant, said what she told to say, but got the time twisted.
But don't ask me for documentary proof. Sometimes I use common sense.

[RayS]

Is rather strange that they all heard the order issued. Whether they were there or not. I guess I find it strange because they all agree on this particular conversation.

If Abby told her every week to clean the windows that would amount to hearing the same command for over a 100 times. Even I catch right on when you tell me something 50 or 60 times....

My explanantion is that this was just a reminder, or that Bridget had asked for a delay in doing this chore. Sound reasonable?

[bobarth]

You would think with all of them sick, if she had asked for a delay that Mrs. Borden would have let her do them the next day or the next week. Seems rather harsh to make her wash them when she was so sick. Of course they all worked and went about their own business, so maybe they were just a tough bunch back then.

[Kat]

Well, was Bridget sick and then told to do the windows- or was she told to do the windows and then was sick?
Both happened around 9 AM.

[RayS]

Well, was Bridget sick and then told to do the windows- or was she told to do the windows and then was sick?
Both happened around 9 AM.

"Sick" in English usage means to throw up. That is what she did.
Radin interpreted this as a sign she just killed Abby!
I know a person who can't do tasks after a meal that requires bending over because of the sensation in the stomach (after 60+ years).

[SallyG]

What always amazed me was that if Lizzie really did do it, why not just sneak quietly out of the house and go downtown shopping. She had already apparently told Bridget she might go out. She could leave the front doors unlocked and it would appear as though Mr. Borden had let someone in who had killed them and then left by way of the front door. Bridget was upstairs, so she would not have known when Lizzie left and would have no idea if an intruder came in, murdered everyone, and then left, not knowing she was up on the third floor taking a nap.

[Kat]

It sounds like Lizzie had to be there for a reason, doesn't it?
She could not leave.
Authors try to slant it that Andrew came home early, but we have no proof of that. It's just as likely he was home about his usual time.

[SallyG]

I suppose it's possible that Lizzie realized that if she left the house, that would make Bridget the most likely suspect. And while she could dispatch both her father and stepmother, she could not in good conscience leave Bridget to take the blame. I believe she also made the statement that it was not Bridget nor anyone who worked for her father who committed the murders.

[Kat]

We once looked that up.
We should find that reference again.
Witness Statements?

[Harry]

I could not find those exact words ("It was not Bridget nor anyone who worked for father") anywhere. Not even in Brown's book. In fact he repeats, almost word for word, Doherty's testimony below.

Officer Doherty's trial testimony (page 595)

"Q. Did you have any talk with her at that time?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Will you be kind enough to state what it was?
A. Yes, sir. I said, "Miss Borden, where were you when this was done?" She said, "It must have been done while I was in the barn." "Was there a Portuguese working for your father over the river?" She said, "No, sir, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Eddy worked for my father." "Were they here this morning?" "No, sir, Mr. Eddy is sick. They would not hurt my father anyhow." I asked her if she had heard any noise or outcries, or screams and she said, "No, sir. I heard a peculiar noise." "What kind of a noise, Miss Borden?" "I think it was something like scraping, scraping noise."
Q. Did you have any further talk with her?
A. I don't think I did."

No mention of Bridget in that answer.

Assistant Marshal Fleet at the trial, page 463:

"... . I asked her if she thought that Bridget could have done this, and she said she didn't think that she could or did; that Bridget, (I would say here that I did not use the word "Bridget" at that time, because she had given me the name as Maggie: I should say Maggie): I asked her if she thought Maggie had anything to do with the killing of these. She said no, that Maggie had gone up stairs previous to her father's lying down on the lounge, and when she came from the barn she called Maggie down stairs."

You could cut and paste the two statements together to get the same conclusion but the exact words are not there. But I'll keep on looking.

In any case it's just Lizzie's opinion and I doubt the police stopped (or never started) their investigation of Mr. Borden's employees based on Lizzie's opinion.

[SallyG]

I am wondering if I might have read that statement in Lincoln's book. I don't have the book anymore to reference, so I can't go digging. And I know I've read it numerous times on here. It would be interesting to know if those were Lizzie's exact words. IF Lizzie was innocent, and Bridget was the only other person in the house that day when Abby was killed, and then Andrew, Lizzie saying "It wasn't Bridget or anyone who worked for Father" would not make much sense, because if she DIDN'T do it, that would leave only Bridget as the guilty party.

[SallyG]

As far as Bridget taking a nap, there really was no PROOF that she was indeed upstairs taking a nap. In fact, after Uncle John left, the events of the day up until Mrs. Churchill was alerted are described by Lizzie and Bridget...the only 2 people in the house when the murders were committed. I know that Bridget was seen outside washing windows, so that testimony can be corroborated. But what went on inside is anyone's guess. If Lizzie did indeed kill both Abby and Andrew, then we can pretty much discount any of her testimony of the chain of events. She stated Bridget was upstairs taking a nap. Bridget stated she was upstairs taking a nap. But was she? Was she in fact an accessory to all of this, even after the fact? Maybe Bridget did GO upstairs to take a nap, but came down and discovered Lizzie with Andrew's body. Maybe she heard something suspicious and came down. For all we know, Bridget may have discovered the crime scene with Lizzie in attendance, and assisted her in cleaning herself up. Once Lizzie was squeaky clean, the murder weapon disposed of, and Bridget instructed in what to say, she was then sent out to raise the alarm. Of course, Bridget could have hotfooted it straight to the police station, but her loyalty to Lizzie may have prevented her from doing that. She just did as she was told. Once everyone was gathered and Abby's whereabouts were questioned, Bridget may have surmised that Abby had met with the same fate and was probably upstairs. That may have been why she was so reluctant to go to the guest room alone.
As far as Bridget not wanting to spend another night in the house; if she knew Lizzie was the killer, and Lizzie knew that she knew, Bridget may have been afraid for her safety! I know I would be.
I know there have been speculations that Bridget might have been the killer, but that seems a little difficult to believe. Bridget was a young Irish girl in America trying to make her way. She had, in actuality, a fairly comfortable position with the Bordens. Her pay was decent, her duties were fairly light for the most part, and she had job security. She may have, from time to time, been desirous of a better paying position, or perhaps more congenial surroundings, but she seems for the most part to have been content. She really had no reason at all to kill Abby and Andrew. If she didn't like it there, she was totally free to leave and find something else.
Bridget may have been more than willing to cover for Lizzie, both out of loyalty, and fear that Lizzie could, in fact, have claimed that Bridget committed the murders. As long as Bridget played along and said what she was told to say, she was safe. Lizzie may have also promised her a nice reward for her silence. But if she talked....well....Lizzie would just admit that Bridget was most likely the murderer. Lizzie was the dutiful and loving daughter...Bridget was just the servant. Who would the police and the citizens of Fall River believe? Bridget just needed to keep her trap shut and play along.
Fortunately for Bridget, the police suspected Lizzie. For the time being, Bridget was safe. She could testify to what Lizzie told her to say, and hope for the best. Lizzie was acquitted, Bridget received her reward, and quickly got the H**l out of Dodge and back to Ireland.
As far as the story of Bridget wanting to "confess" something to a friend on her supposed deathbed, that could very well be true. Bridget was Irish, possibly a Catholic, and probably carried the knowledge all her life that she had helped Lizzie get away with murder. Interestingly, I wonder if Bridget WAS a Catholic? If she was, I wonder if, before she did die, she made any confession to a priest if last rites were administered. Or if she died too quickly for that to happen. I have always thought that, all in all, Bridget was the one that held the key to what happened that day. I believe she KNEW what really happened.
I think Emma pretty much knew that Lizzie did it. Uncle John probably knew as well. Alice was probably clueless for awhile, but seems to have put 2 and 2 together eventually. That's probably when she vacated the premises.
The police suspected Lizzie probably very early on. I wonder how diligently they questioned Bridget on the events of that morning. I wonder if they suspected that Bridget KNEW what happened, but was just not talking. Without some testimony from Bridget on what really happened, the prosecution didn't have a whole lot to convict Lizzie with. Bridget was the key to the whole case.
Again, sorry for the long post, but once I start writing, my brain goes into high gear and the ideas just flood in.

[Shelley]

Some good points Sally. I wonder if Bridget suspected that Lizzie was maybe just a little "wanting" in the top storey-and maybe thought she could not help herself-sort of like protecting a child or some adult of diminished capability?

What is also interesting is that as soon as Bridget is out the door washing windows and safely upstairs for the rest, both the victims get slaughtered right away! I sometimes wonder if the reason Abby insisted Bridget wash the windows was to get her out of the way and not eavesdropping on some altercation she and Lizzie may have been having in the house that morning? Sure wish we knew what Bridget's secret was. Maybe because she did the laundry, she knew the dress Lizzie had on that morning was not the dress given police.

[Kat]

How often would those big dresses get washed? Were they mostly *dry cleaned,* and not washed much?

[Shelley]

Cotton calicoes would have been washed at home and pinned out to dry, then ironed. Lee's Chinese laundry was right on the street, so silks and woolens may have been taken to the cleanser. I would bet dresses were worn far more than we do now before washing them, and few people submerged themselves in a hot bath very often either. Angela Carter got the smelly part right! I think Lizzie wore a basque or waist and gored skirt made up of the same fabric. This had the effect of looking like a dress.
She mentioned she had washed out her black stockings. I imagine Bridget washed the petticoats, drawers and corset covers, although these personal items may have been done by Lizzie and Emma themselves. I wonder if they would have been hung on the outside line so publicly- or hung up in the cellar more modestly! Hard to visualize Lizzie's knickers blowing merrily beneath the pear tree!

[Allen]

We know from testimony, and from the customs of the time, that the laundry was only washed once a week on Monday anyway. This was a very time consuming and tedious task which usually took the better part of the day to complete. Lizzie only had one or two dresses that she just wore around the house if I remember correctly from testimony. I think I remember Emma testifying that Lizzie would alternate between the two house dresses, the bedford cord and the pink wrapper, when she was just around the house. The other dresses were for going out. When one dress got too soiled to wear she would switch to the other dress. Then they would both be washed on wash day, Monday, and I guess the cycle would start again. I am going to go back and check the testimony to make sure I'm remembering correctly. In my opinion I don't think Andrew would shell out any money to have anything dry cleaned when he could just have poor Bridget do it. I think he was too frugal with his money for that.

[Shelley]

Skirts were brushed down at the hem after wearing and washed less often, and waists, being in contact with the underarms and neck, would of necessity need more frequent washing. 1892 ladies' magazines show dress shields for the underarms for "heavy sweaters". Of course ladies did not sweat- they "glowed".

Yes indeed- heating water in that cauldron over a woodfire, then soaking and scrubbing garments on a washboard, rinsing and putting through a hand mangle, then hefting willow baskets of wet clothing up those back stairs would have given Bridget some biceps to be sure. I lifted that black cauldron Saturday down the cellar- empty -and imagined how she must have had to empty it with a pail after washing the clothes because it would have been far too heavy to lift full of dirty water.

I still recall handwashing my own silk stockings and fine undies back in the early 60's- I wonder if anyone still does that? My Maytag does it now!

[Kat]

Yes that is what I mean by dry cleaning. You let the mud or soil dry and brush it out. I suppose people would be used to seeing slightly stained clothing. Even the Bengaline that was turned in had a *smooch* at the pocket.

Mary Livermore once explained that is how one gets blood out of their hair. They have to wait until it dries and brush it out. Washing hair that is bloody does not work she said- she learned this while working with wounded soldiers.

It took us (or some of us ) a while to figure out that some of these *dresses* came in 2 pieces.

I believe when Lizzie was asked if her stocking were washed out she said she didn't know. That might indicate she did not wash out her own stocking?

[I certainly do a lot of hand washing, still. Clothes last longer that way.]

[Airmid]

Back to the original topic: Let's also consider what exactly Bridgets job was in the house.
Bridget herself gives the following job description (Trial p. 195): "Washing, ironing and cooking, with sweeping". So Bridget was not a "general" maid. My interpretation of the quote is, that Bridget had two main tasks, laundry and cooking (and cleaning up after the meals), and did some odd jobs besides. The odd jobs would be the heavier work, that Abby herself couldn't manage any more, like sweeping and window washing.

Bridget had been employed as a cook in an earlier position. (I read that somewhere in a newspaper article from the Sourcebook, but can't find it at the moment. I'll add the quote as soon as I find it!) She also was employed as a cook after the murders, in the household of the New Bedford sheriff and jailkeeper (Trial 294).
She seemed to have been quite conscientious about her cooking, and also took considerable initiative in carrying out that task. She tells that on tuesday, when she noticed there wouldn't be enough bread left for supper, she went out and bought some baker's bread, of her own accord. (Something must be wrong with me today! I can't find the quote again! Please help?)
With cooking as one of Bridgets main tasks, Abby's phrasing of the question (at least in Bridgets words) isn't that odd (Trial p. 226):
A Mrs. Borden was in the dining room as I was fixing the dining-room table, and she asked me if I had anything to do this morning. No, not particular, if she had anything to do for me. She said she wanted the windows washed.
If Abby indeed asked her "if she had anything to do this morning", then I think that Bridget could pretty much run her own schedule in the household, as long as her main tasks were done. So she could have answered things like "I still have some ironing to do", or "There's bread that needs to be baked", or even "I am feeling sick today". She didn't asnwer any of those, but I still feel she had the choice to do so if she had wanted.

So, taking a nap when her schedule allowed for it doesn't seem to be odd to me. Also, I think that if Bridget had felt unable to do any heavy household tasks, she would have said so. Maybe she simply was suffering from a hangover .

Airmid.

P.S.: Just thought of it now, but do you think Bridget managed to bake some bread tuesday evening or wednesday while ironing?