“I can do lots of things,” said Patty, laughing, “but I can’t do anything very well. I’m a Jack-of-all-trades. The only thing I really understand is housekeeping; and here, of course, I’ve no opportunity for that.”
“Housekeeping!” exclaimed Adelaide, “do you really know how to do that? Wherever did you learn?”
“I used to keep house in my home in New Jersey,” said Patty, quite ignoring the fact that Lorraine had warned her against mentioning her country home.
But Adelaide apparently did not share Lorraine’s views on this subject.
“How lovely!” she cried. “Did you have a whole house of your own, where you could drive tacks in the wall and do whatever you pleased?”
“Yes,” said Patty, “and I had entire charge of it. I always ordered everything; and I can cook, too.”
“Then you’re cleverer than we are,” said Editha, with an air of decision; “cooking is much more difficult than embroidering centre-pieces or nailing boards together.”
“Speak for yourself,” cried Adelaide; “of course anybody can do embroidery, but it isn’t so awful easy to nail boards together properly!”
“Why do you do it then?” retorted her sister; “I’m sure nobody wants the ridiculous things you make.”
“All right then,” said Adelaide, “give me back that book-rack I gave you yesterday. I’ll be glad to have it for myself.”