"Well, I must run down, don't hinder me."
"You might just stop one minute to hear me these rules."
"I really can't, Lisa."
"Ill-natured thing," began Lisa fretfully, but Agnes could not stay to hear her.
Downstairs was chaos. The washtubs and wet clothes were everywhere; the two boys clamouring for their evening meal, and stumping about in their dirty boots; Miss Mason was ringing for coals; Mrs. Denham had sent Maria up to dress, and was trying to prepare the fowl with the baby in her lap.
"Jack," cried Agnes, "you might just take up some coals to Miss Mason, to help us."
"I'm not a footboy," said Jack ill-naturedly. "Where's Maria?"
"We are particularly busy; do help," pleaded Agnes.
"Help yourself," said Jack rudely.
"I am helping all I can," replied Agnes.