Trips away from the boarding house were uncommon; the Lowell girls worked and ate together. However, half-days and short paid vacations were possible due to the nature of the piece-work; one girl would work the machines of another in addition to her own such that no wages would be lost.
The girls in the boarding house rarely left; they worked and ate together. However, half-days and short paid vacations were possible due to the nature of piecework; one girl would work the machines of another in addition to her own so that no wages would be lost.