"Them as sorts seeds don't need to wash, do they?" asked Fridoline.
"I choose to sort seeds!" came in a chorus from the smaller guests.
"Oh, yes, they do," responded Miss Billy decidedly. "Why not, Friddie?"
"Dirt makes seeds grow," argued Fridoline.
"Not till they're in the ground," returned the hostess. "We'll all go up to the back porch to wash. I've got some cool water up there."
A thorough and painstaking scrubbing took place on the back porch, for Jinny, who was appointed Inspector of Persons, performed her duties with impartial vigour and energy. Her delight in the toilet soap was extreme, and she modestly requested a bit of it "to take home for a sample."
Beatrice and Maggie watched the proceedings with disgust, and the children themselves did not look upon the occasion as one of unalloyed pleasure; but Miss Billy was resolute, and the entire throng were at least clean down to their necks and up to their wrists when they took their places on the grass.
Fridoline surveyed his hands gloomily. "If I'd 'a' known I had ter wash I wouldn't have came," he said.
"Friddie!" exclaimed Ginevra reproachfully.