"Go down and ask Jane for some cloths, and brooms, and a tin basin."
Minnie opened her eyes, but Alice ran off.
They met Jane on the stairs with a pail and scrubbing-brush. "Are you going to help us?" asked Alice; and Jane nodded with a smile.
Up they all went, and found a bright little fire burning in the already clean grate of John's little attic.
"Oh!" exclaimed Alice; "whoever thought of that? What's it for?"
"What are fires generally for?" asked Agnes.
"To warm people," said Minnie.
"And don't you think we should feel it rather cold to be up here for three hours, straight off, this bitter day?"
"So we should. Well, Agnes, what first?"
"Jane is to properly clean that smeary window; and we will wash the chest of drawers and the washstand and the crockery while she is doing it."