Is this indeed the assertion? Is it now bad mother-hood to hire handymen, plumbers, electricians, landscapers....?This guy was no handyman.
He was a bum. He was begging on the street when the Mom picked him up and brought him back to the house.
And yes, it was a very poor choice on the mothers part.
Mothers by definition have a responsibility first and foremost to their children!
Bringing these people into your home shows incredibly poor judgement.
If she was indeed ignorant of the evil that lives on the streets, then Mrs. Smart and her daughter should be pitied for this. If she was aware of the danger (as I think she should have been) then only Elizabeth deservesthe pity and her mother contempt.