"Oh my!" shouted Louise, "Come here, it's shooting sparks all over!"
And just as she said, the motor was emitting a series of flashes that flew around with absolute disregard of aim or purpose.
It took sometime for Cleo to get up courage enough to touch the black button, and when finally the machine stopped the little group looked about at the ruin of their hopes.
Then they laughed, and laughed, and roared and laughed, until Julia ran over to her cottage, fairly kidnapped her own faithful maid, who, to save further disaster, came to the log cabin and reluctantly finished the unfortunate wash.
As the girls hung the pretty white garments on the line, they each decided to make a note of the fact that handkerchiefs and napkins are never starched, and that starch must first be thoroughly dissolved in cold water before boiling water is added. Also, that it is very important to have a spoon in one's hand and begin stirring as the pouring is begun.
But Margaret-by-the-day proved an interesting game, if it did slip a cog or two in its development.