The Down and Out King - 15

EMILY

Thus groan the old, till, by disease opprest,

They taste a final woe, and then they rest.

Theirs is yon House that holds the parish poor,

Whose walls of mud scarce bear the broken door;

There, where the putrid vapours, flagging, play,

And the dull wheel hums doleful through the day;

There children dwell who know no parents' care;

Parents, who know no children's love, dwell there!

Today was our Guardians’ meeting - the second since we took over. And I had been dreading it - worrying about how they were going to deal with my experiment with using half milk with the porridge.

The beginning of the meeting was an usual, with the various problems listed, and new possible inmates being discussed. But after about an hour of non-controversial subjects, Mr. Henly turned to me, and said, “Well, Mrs. Stanley, we should now like to hear from you about how much better a place you are running as a result of your  investigations.” He said it with a smirk, and most of the others were smiling in complicit agreement with him - that the whole thing was just a joke.

Although I had been prepared before the meeting to give up my plan, or to put in its place a less expensive change, I was so incensed by his attitude that I stood my ground.

“Yes, Mr. Henley. I am pleased that you asked me that. It has been a wonderful success. The regulars are much happier, and healthier, and as a result they work much harder. The casuals are all mentioning how much better they are fed here than at the other workhouses they have visited.”

He looked slightly taken aback at my assertive tone. “But at what cost, Mrs. Stanley? I expect you have worked out the costs and are prepared to tell us exactly how much more we are expected to pay to reach the result of your happier paupers. You do realise, I hope, that this institution is not meant for their amusement - but is a way of maintaining their lives - and the diets that have been used in the past have managed that job perfectly well.”

“I disagree with you. I think the lack of quality food in their diets has most likely shortened their lives and made them less productive.” And then I produced the figures showing that we were in fact spending about a pound more each week for the enhanced diet. And bringing that down to individual numbers, that makes about 1.5 pence per person per week. Surely you cannot consider that an impossibly high sum.”

“You realise, of course, that although £1 a week doesn't sound exceptional, it adds up to £52 a year. And your combined salaries are £100 a year. If we say no to it, are you prepared to finance this little project out of your own pockets?”

We looked and felt aghast and John was about to reply.

“And speaking of productivity,” he butted in. “Can you prove that your paupers are now more productive?”

“I have not yet made a study of it, but I shall do. I will keep a record of how much more oakum is picked by the casuals who have a good diet as opposed to those who have the old one. I will do this for the next two weeks, and if, as I am sure I will find, that my theory proves true, than I consider that justification for the extra amount spent on the milk. If it does not prove true, I will alter my plans, but not, if I can help it, back to the levels of deficiency of before. That would be cruel.”

“I hope you don’t have any other little experiments up your sleeve, Mrs. Stanley?” asked Mr. Henley with a grin

“Well, since we have Doctor Campbell here with us today, and he is a Guardian and our medical officer, I must mention how moved I was by his lecture on the importance of food in preventing and curing mental problems. I know that I saw several of you last Sunday at his lecture, so you will know what I am referring to. I would very much like to alter the diet of those classified as imbeciles and idiots. I don’t expect that it will make a huge difference to their mental state, but I would like to try.”

“I really don’t feel that your role as Matron extends to trying to play psychiatrist,” said Mr. Henley.

“I think my role is to see that each and every one of the people under my care get the best food that we can afford - and as long as we don’t go over the listed budget, I really don’t see why you should want to stop me.”

“Well let us leave it there for the moment. We will eagerly await the results of how much more oakum your well fed casuals can pick - but I think I already know the result. They are a lazy bunch and will do the minimum possible to get by with, no matter what inducement you give them. But I will wait until your do your experiment, and if you prove me wrong, well, then I will perhaps allow that there might be some reason behind your plan. However, I want it all documented, and if I find that you have falsified any records to make your case, that would be a reason for your dismissal.”

“I would not do that, I assure you.”

The doctor then kindly interjected. “I am very curious as to the results of this experiment, and as I visit the establishment at least once each week, I will undertake to watch the progress of the plan,
and be witness to the way it was carried out.”

He didn’t exactly support me, but he did at least sound less censorious than the others, so I thanked him.

Nothing much else was discussed at the meeting after that - not that I could take much in as I was so stirred up that my brain was busy planning my next course of action.

After the meeting John and I discussed how I was to make the comparison without making it obvious to the casuals. But since they undertake not to return for a month from their previous stay, none of the people we encounter in the next fortnight will be ones that have had the improved diet. So if for the first week we go back to the old regime for the casuals - and carefully measure their oakum picking output - and then for the second week, give the newcomers the improved diet - that should give a fair basis for comparison. We cannot be sure that the regulars might not tell the casuals that
their fare was different from before - but I must tell the cooks, as they will need to know that the porridge for casuals is to be altered from that for our regulars. I will go and discuss it with cook now,
so that we can start with the evening meal tonight with the old recipe.