CHAPTER IV.
MONICA'S MAJORITY In the drapery establishment where Monica Madden worked and lived it was not (as is sometimes the case) positively forbidden to the resident employees to remain at home on Sunday; but they were strongly recommended to make the utmost possible use of that weekly vacation.
Herein, no doubt, appeared a laudable regard for their health.

Young people, especially young women, who are laboriously engaged in a shop for thirteen hours and a half every weekday, and on Saturday for an average of sixteen, may be supposed to need a Sabbath of open air.
Messrs.

Scotcher and Co.

acted like conscientious men in driving them forth immediately after breakfast, and enjoining upon them not to return until bedtime.

By way of well-meaning constraint, it was directed that only the very scantiest meals (plain bread and cheese, in fact) should be supplied to those who did not take advantage of the holiday.
Messrs.