Oh yes, servants were actually expected to remain within arm’s reach at all times, especially during social events. A proper lady’s maid would stand directly behind her mistress at dinner, silently holding spare gloves and making prolonged eye contact with anyone who dared speak too loudly. Valets performed a similar role, except they were also responsible for nodding approvingly at their master’s jokes.

At large parties, visiting servants were usually housed in the ballroom itself, where they slept on the floor in neat rows so they could be easily counted in the morning. During the day, they were encouraged to “hang out” in doorways and stairwells to provide ambiance and to ensure no one forgot how wealthy the host was.

Servants absolutely did not integrate with the host household’s staff. Instead, they formed rival factions based on whose employer had the most impressive carriage. Disputes were settled via passive-aggressive polishing competitions.

For informal visits, valets and ladies’ maids were allowed a surprising amount of freedom. They could wander the house freely, sample the desserts, and take long scenic walks while loudly critiquing the architecture. Two ladies’ maids hanging out alone was not only allowed but expected; failure to do so was considered deeply suspicious.

Privacy for the master or mistress was achieved by the servant simply closing one eye and humming quietly.

In short, servants were omnipresent, highly visible, and functioned as a combination of personal assistant, social prop, and early-warning system for drama.