“Well,” said Hesper, “you put on some water to heat, while I run up and change my dress”. It was not many minutes before she was back again. While the water was heating, Juliana cleared away the table and made the beds, and Hesper swept the floor. She brushed the cobwebs from the windows and walls, and cleared out every nook and corner where the dust had not been started for months. Then Juliana began to wash the dishes, while Hesper took some water and cleaned the windows. It made a wonderful difference in the appearance of the room—a whole flood of sunshine seemed to come in at once. When this was done, they got a great tub of water, and both together began to scour the floor. It was really astonishing when one part was finished, to see how it contrasted with the other.
“I wouldn’t have believed it,” said Juliana. “It certainly looks enough better to pay us for the trouble!” Before they had finished, they heard a great noise in the entry.
“There are the boys!” exclaimed Juliana. “Isn’t it too bad! but they shan’t come in.” She sprang up, and pushing the door together quickly, turned the key. The boys commenced kicking and pounding with all their might, while Juliana scolded. This waked up Tommy and he began to cry.
“O dear!” whimpered Juliana, “I knew it would be so. I wish I hadn’t begun.”
“Don’t be discouraged,” said Hesper, “but let the boys in.”
“No, no,” sobbed Juliana, “they will spoil everything if I do. I know ‘em too well.”
“Let me,” said Hesper. She opened the door very gently, and the two boys were about to rush in, but when they saw Hesper, they stopped.
“Be very careful,” she said, “for we are washing up the floor, and want it to look nice. Little Tommy has just waked up, and if you will take care of him, it will help us very much.”
“I don’t want ter take care o’ Tommy,” said George, with a dogged look—“and what’s more, I wont.”