"I FALL AT ONCE INTO A CHRONIC STATE UP WASHING UP THINGS."
"But really, cousin—pardon me if I am inquisitive, for I am greatly interested in this life here in Virginia, it is so new to me—how is it that you must wash up things at all?"
"Why, I carry the keys, you know. I'm housekeeper."
"Well, but you have servants enough, certainly, and to spare."
"O yes! but every lady washes up the things at least once a day. It would never do to trust it altogether to the servants, you know."
"None of them are sufficiently careful and trustworthy, do you mean?"
"Well, not exactly that; but it's our way here, and if a lady were to neglect it people would think her a poor housekeeper."
"Are there any other duties devolving upon Virginian housekeepers besides 'washing up things?' You see I am trying to learn all I can of a life which is as charmingly strange to me as that of Turkey or China would be if I were to go to either country."
"Any other duties? Indeed there are, and you shall learn what they are, if you won't find it stupid to go my rounds with me. I'm going now."