Mystery: The Returner of the Stars

Chapter 20 The Housekeeper, the Cook, and the Maid
Hastur didn't know Professor Wayne's little thoughts, even if he knew, he wouldn't care.

On the road of life, it is a very lucky thing to have such a teacher who teaches so carefully.

In the following half an hour, Professor Wayne raised some additional points and resolved Hastur's confusion, which made the lawyer's potion in his body digest a little faster.

But if you want to really digest the potion, you still have to really play the role of a lawyer.

Bavat Bank can't count on it for the time being, and I don't have enough ability to open a law firm.

Perhaps being a free legal aid provider is more suitable for me now.

Thinking of this, Hastur began to look forward to the short trip to the dock area with Professor Wayne this Friday.

Before leaving, Professor Wayne gave Hastur a book. This book has no title and is more like a portable diary.

Hastur only read two pages, and knew that this was Professor Wayne's own perception and thinking about the law.

Its value cannot be described in terms of money.

"Study hard, your future is still very long."

Professor Wayne left with a smile.

……

The next day, Hasta went out early in the morning to buy three small gifts, which cost him 8 pounds 6 soli, for the convenience of gift giving.

Because he was going to interview the three housekeepers today, no matter what the result was, an exquisite and small gift was indispensable.

In addition to the three gifts, he also bought two cans of marquise black tea and some desserts to go with the tea.

Compared with coffee, black tea is more in line with his preferences.

At around [-]:[-], the three housekeepers who came for the interview came to Hasta's big house one after another.

This is a very suitable time. If it comes too early, the host will be unprepared, and it will be embarrassing to sit dry at the same time.

If it is past nine o'clock, then there is no need to come for an interview. A person who does not respect time will naturally not be respected by others.

After a brief introduction and a few pleasantries, Hastur asked two of the interviewees to wait in the living room on the first floor, and led one interviewer to another study room on the second floor that is not very commonly used.

Bud Lewis, the first interviewee, is a middle-aged man with slightly gray temples, who looks about 45.

Before starting the interview, Hastur had already established a rule in the room with spiritual power in advance: "No lies are allowed in this room!"

Choose the right steward, the fortuneteller has his way, and he has his own way.

For today's interview, he thought about a lot of questions last night, covering all aspects, enough for him to judge which person is more suitable to be his housekeeper.

"Mr. Bard, my interview is very simple, as long as you can answer my few questions briefly and honestly."

Bud said respectfully: "It is my honor to answer your question."

Hastur nodded and said, "Why were you fired from your previous employer?"

"Baron Hill doesn't want to live in Backlund anymore, and plans to move to a seaside city, but I can't bear to leave beautiful Backlund."

"How do you think you should be a qualified housekeeper?"

"Honest, careful, serious, not greedy, talk less..."

"Will you work for me wholeheartedly?"

Bud said naturally: "This is the duty a housekeeper should have."

Hearing this, Hastur laughed. This Mr. Budd lied about it, and he wouldn't work for himself wholeheartedly.

But that one question wasn't enough to prove he had other ideas.

Hastur went on to ask, "What do you think of the workers who work in the factories?"

The sudden transfer of the question made Bud stunned for a moment, but he still maintained his usual calmness and replied: "That is the lucky one who deserves to be pitied. Compared with the workers who have jobs, there are more people living a more miserable life." life."

There was pity in the calm tone, and the whole face was covered with a touch of sadness because of this question.

Tsk tsk, Mr. Bard, why are you lying again?
This is not your original intention at all, your heart is not as compassionate and kind as you have shown.

At this time, Hastur had already excluded this Mr. Bard from the selection of housekeepers, and asked a few more questions casually.

In the few remaining questions, he lied again.

Hastur told him to go downstairs and wait while the next interviewer came up.

The second interviewer, Mr. Mike, is obviously more honest than the first interviewer, Mr. Bard, and his character is worthy of recognition.

The third interviewer, Mr. Neil, was the oldest of the three interviewers. He was already 52 years old, but he had the best mental outlook.

He doesn't seem to like words very much, his eyes seem to have an indifference that rejects others, but whenever Hastur asks him a question, the indifference in his eyes will dissipate, but he doesn't seem very happy, and his tone is calm Gentle and gentle, he answered every question calmly.

His work history is also very good. He used to be the housekeeper of an old earl. He didn't leave until the old earl passed away and a new earl took over.

This is an old housekeeper who is used to many big scenes.

Very fond of Hastur.

In order to get to know this Mr. Neil better, he asked several more questions.

Neil is still very honest, and the content of the answers to the questions is also in line with Hastur's value orientation.

Even on some deliberately difficult issues, he still sticks to his honest character, and he doesn't deal with perfunctory and beautiful words.

At the end of the talk, Hastur smiled and asked, "Mr. Neil, what is your desired salary?"

Neil said calmly: "The annual salary is 150 gold pounds. I think my ability should be worth such a salary."

"Your honesty and kindness are what got you this job."

At this point, Neil naturally understood that he had won the three interviewers, but he was not too excited. It is quite normal for an excellent housekeeper to meet a discerning employer.

Neil stood up and saluted respectfully, "Your character will be the banner of my actions in the future."

"Well, here are three gifts, one is yours, and you will bring them the other two."

"Thank you for your generosity."

Neil walked out of the study with three small gifts and went down the stairs.

After about 5 minutes, he returned to Hastur.

Hastur smiled and stood up and said, "Hasta Campbell, your new employer."

Neil also bowed and said, "It is my pride to serve you."

"You can start working now." Hastur smiled, "I don't like being served by too many people, so the staff in the house must be streamlined."

"Do you have any more specific requirements?" Neil immediately went to work.

"I like to enjoy food. Desserts and snacks from all over the world, such as the Intis cuisine left by Emperor Roselle, Dixi pies are also good, and it would be even better if I could eat food from the Southern Continent."

Except for food, Hasta doesn’t have too many requirements in other aspects, as long as it can satisfy daily life. As for maintaining the ostentation that nobles should have, let’s talk about it later.

Neil considered Hastur's request and said: "I think you need a pastry chef who specializes in desserts, a top chef who is good at cooking delicacies from all over the world, a family property manager, and a personal servant. One first-class maid in charge of the bedroom, two second-class maids in charge of the drawing room and sitting room, two male servants in charge of receiving guests, one pantry maid, one kitchen maid, two washing maids, and two menial servants."

"I also need chef's assistant, coachman, gardener, attendant, laborer..."

Hastur listened silently, and after Neil had finished speaking, he considered and said: "I don't need a personal servant, a gardener, or a servant. I can let other people do the job as a small worker, and then give them a little more salary. The number of maids is small. It takes that much."

This Lord Baron is more thrifty than he thought!
In addition to paying more attention to food, other aspects seem to be dispensable.

Neil was taken aback for a moment, then nodded and said, "I will follow your wishes."

Soon, Neil listed the number of people to be hired, including three chefs and dessert chefs plus assistants, one family property manager, one coachman, three people responsible for cleaning all living rooms, bedrooms, living rooms and other simple tasks, and a man who received guests. The two servants also work as servants, the other three housemaids, and the two male servants who do rough work also work as gardeners and handymen.

A total of fifteen people, not including him.

Hastur originally wanted to reduce the number of people, but seeing Neil's distressed face, he did not reduce the number of people. After all, his house is really big.

"Whoever is willing to do more work, pay them more."

"Thank you for your generosity."

"You choose people first, and then let them come to the study to meet me."

Although it was just some unimportant positions, Hastur also felt that it was necessary to ask a few questions to see if they would concentrate on staying here to work.

He didn't want something unpleasant to happen every few days.

The two discussed the order and rules of working at home, which was mainly proposed by Hasta, and Neil was responsible for writing it down.

As a lawyer, order and rules should be integrated into life all the time.

Simply playing the profession of a lawyer is just a similarity in appearance, but not a true understanding of its connotation. Acting in a similar manner cannot truly digest the potion.

The two talked about around twelve o'clock, and Neil originally wanted to take his leave and leave, and stay here after hiring enough servants in the afternoon.

Hasta asked him to stay for a work meal, and spent some money to have two meals delivered from a nearby restaurant.

After enjoying lunch, Neil went out to do errands. The Metropolitan Help Household Servant Association has prepared a group of maids and servants who can go to work at any time.

At 01:30 in the afternoon, Neil led thirty people to the interview.

Hastur spent two hours meeting each of them separately and asking them questions.

For example: if you see an ownerless wallet, will you stay where it is and wait for the owner to claim it?
Do you think about stealing and act on it when no one in the house is watching?
Do you like chewing people's tongues behind their backs?
Will it be bought by other nobles?

There are about a dozen questions in total, covering almost all aspects.

With the exception of a few duplicity, the overall performance is pretty good, which shows that Neil has a strong vision in selecting candidates.

In the end, Hastur left fifteen people behind, and then first handed over 500 gold pounds to the housekeeper who managed the finances, letting her look at the arrangement and pay a week's salary in advance.

There are many things in this house, there are few places that really need a lot of money, and there are even two carriages.

One is a carriage that belonged to Voltaire Campbell before, and the other is used by the original owner in daily life.

500 gold pounds is enough for a long time, as long as there is no banquet, at least no more money will be given for two or three months.

After finishing these trivial matters, Hastur asked Neil to watch and deal with them, and stayed in the study to read quietly.

(End of this chapter)