Introduction

In our late Victorian, suburban family of London, at 38, Julia Evelyn Bush is a little younger than her husband, Sidney.

Women generally led a protected life - at least in middle class households; as a lower middle class woman, Julia is comfortably off. She does not need to work but is considering taking employment in a local company as a book-keeper.

Her main role is as a housewife and hostess, as well as mother. She has therefore to be sensible, efficient, and hard working. Through her connections with the local church, she has taken on some charitable works, visiting the homes of sick people in the local area.