In smaller households, such as the Dashwoods have in Barton Cottage, servants would perform a greater variety of functions than those employed in a large estate. For example, a female servant would probably perform duties as a combination cook-housekeeper: ordering food and supplies, keeping accounts, supervising other female staff, preparing the meals, making sure the house is kept cleaned and aired. Some housekeeper/cooks in small households also performed the functions of a personal maid (in addition to their other duties).