Re the concept of hired help. Living in Asia I really had to adapt my personal views re live in maids (I do not have a maid). The economies of countries like Hong Kong or Singapore are built on their adult populations working. Maternity leave is 3 months. The Phillipines greatest export is its female maid population. Indonesia also high in export maids. They send funds home, which support their own families and children. Very regulated industry - 1000 local dollars a month, plus board, medical insurance, 2 weeks paid leave and flight home every year. Many maids have a small room - the bomb shelter, or attached to laundry with their own toilet, shower facilities. For these maids this is luxury. Many maids are multi lingual, learn to cook food not of their culture, and work to strict timetables (ie 7 to 7 with breaks) and havechuge friendship or church groups. For local population their maids are with them for years, and become part of the family, often travelling with them, included in events, etc. There are exceptions, however maids are protected by law. So for Beatrice we don't know the local norms - this situation may be luxury for her, in her world.