Now the word "girl" sounds rude and even insulting. But in tsarist Russia there was no negative meaning in it. Girls were called girls from the people who had already left childhood, but had not yet married. At the same time, their peers of noble origin were called girls. Historian Yuri Fedosyuk gives a more precise definition of the word "girl". According to him, this was the name given to unmarried serfs who worked in the house. This concept was not pejorative and was used in everyday life. Hay wench is a special category of servant girls. They did not work in the fields, but were constantly at the landlord's house. Senya in Russia was called the room at the entrance to the house. Something like a modern veranda. The canopy could be "cold" or heated, and sometimes consisted of two parts. An important purpose of this room was to keep the heat in the house. The air heated by the stoves did not leave the doors to the street, but lingered in the passage. The origin of this word is taken from the Old Slavonic "canopy", that is, shelter, canopy, canopy. The hay girls were the inhabitants of the canopy. It was a servant of a wide profile, which the owners of the house tried to keep to themselves. Such servants had to be ready to serve the mistress, master or their guests day or night. They slept in the passage on benches or even just on the floor, spreading hay. Often hay girls were even closer to the landowners. They could live right in the master's chambers or at their doors. Some landowners demanded that the girl sleep right on the floor next to their bed. So the maids could quickly respond to orders, and the lady or master did not need to call them from the hallway. At the same time, the traditional name hay girls for this type of servant was preserved. The duties of hay girls were very extensive. It all depended on the whims of the landowner. They did the cleaning, cleaned clothes, helped to dress and comb, brought water for washing and bathing. Carried out hay girls and countless orders in the spirit of "bring-give". Many nobles were spoiled and lazy, so they preferred not to get up from the sofa or chair once again. Hay girls were also attracted to work in the kitchen. When there were guests in the house and there was a lot of work, haymen were used as waitresses at the table, helping the kitchen servants. So that the servants would not dishonor their masters, they were often taught good manners. In some cases, the girls even knew French ! Such a servant often turned out to be among the most close. From the hay girls, even companions of the ladies were obtained, to whom they trusted the most intimate. But, despite the high degree of trust, such servants still remained bonded serfs. The landowners could sell the hay wench, donate it or exchange it for hunting dogs. They were often forced into marriage and, of course, often harassed. At the whim of the owners, the girl could remain single all her life and not start a family. For disobedience, the serf servant was threatened with corporal punishment and even torture. Once in the hands of sadists and sadists, the girls could even die. The authorities treated such murders quite tolerantly and punished only especially “distinguished” nobles who killed dozens of serfs. If a hay girl got married, then she was moved to a human one. It was a separate building or an extension to the master's house, like a hostel for servants. At the same time, even a married girl often retained “intimate duties”. They warmed the master's bed and even gave birth to children from him. If the landlord was decent, then such illegitimate offspring received an education and even became free people. Among the serfs, hay girls were considered a kind of elite. They were often disliked for being close to the landowner's family. During peasant riots, hay girls could "get into under a hot hand" and dealt with them along with the slave owners. But it must be said that often this was the most unfortunate and disenfranchised category of people. They were constantly in sight, received slaps, pokes and insults. For any action, the girl had to ask permission from the owners. Often, servants who were especially close to the masters became unwitting participants in family conflicts. The girl could not drain either the master or the lady. Because of this, reprisals could lie in wait from either side. In relation to hay girls, the old wisdom is more relevant than ever . She says that it is better to be away from the authorities and closer to the kitchen. Serfs working in the fields or workshops felt more free than well-fed and well-dressed servants living in the vestibule and at the bedchambers.