The day flew by quickly in putting their new home in order. Both Mrs. March and Mrs. Plummer worked very hard, and Rob and Nelly helped them. They swept and washed floors; they washed windows; they washed even the chairs and tables,—which sadly needed it, it must be owned. Rob and Nelly enjoyed it all as a frolic.
"This is like last Christmas, when Sarah was drunk: isn't it, mamma?" said Rob. "It's real fun."
"Don't you wish Sarah was here to help you, mamma?" said Nelly.
"No, dear," replied Mrs. March, "I do not. I would rather do all the work ourselves, and save the money."
"Are we very, very, very poor, mamma?" said Nelly, with a distressed face.
"Oh, no, dear! not so bad as that," laughed Mrs. March; "but papa's salary has all stopped now, as I explained to you; and that was the greater part of our income: and, till we have more money coming in regularly from something out here, we must spend just as little as possible."
Just before dinner, Rob came in with a big armful of kindling-wood, and on the top of the wood he carried a long piece of a beautiful green vine.
"Oh, Rob, Rob, let me see that! Where did you find it?" said his mother.
"Upon the hills, mamma, back of the saw-mill. There's oceans of it up there."
"There is oceans, Rob?" said his mother.