House Elfs? A question about money..

[a_reader2003]

No: HPFGUIDX 82175

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "zihav" <lynch at a...> wrote:
> Greetings:
> 
> I've been wondering, we know how to dismiss a house elf, but how 
does 
> a wizarding family go about getting a house elf? We know that Ron 
> states in CoS that it's an old wizarding family with lots of gold, 
> but is that the only requirement? 
(snip)>  zihav

A further question from Carolyn:

Why do you have to be a wizarding family with a lot of gold in order 
to have a house elf, since they refuse to be paid ? Are house elves 
really just as elitist as their masters ? I am reminded of that 
famous Edward Lear limerick 'I am his Highness's dog at Kew, pray 
tell me sir, whose dog are you ? 

(note to non-UK readers - Kew is a large and beautiful London park, 
formerly the private grounds of a Royal palace).