They do not know what life is.

They drag out a subterbestial existence until mercifully released by death.
Before descending to the fouler depths, let the case of the telephone girls be cited.

Here are clean, fresh English maids, for whom a higher standard of living than that of the beasts is absolutely necessary.
Otherwise they cannot remain clean, fresh English maids.

On entering the service, a telephone girl receives a weekly wage of eleven shillings.

If she be quick and clever, she may, at the end of five years, attain a minimum wage of one pound.