"Do be careful, child," said she, pettishly. "You cover me with dust, but of course one can't expect learned ladies to be very skilful in housewifery. I am glad your superiors at last see the need of humbling your proud spirits by setting you at a menial office."
"But, methinks, a mortified and recollected demeanor would be more suitable than all this laughter!" added Sister Mary Paula. "One would think you were making holiday, instead of doing penance."
I would not trust my tongue to answer, but raised such a cloud of dust that they were glad to beat a retreat.
"Rosamond," said Amice, after they were gone, "do you really suppose this work was given us as a penance and humiliation?"
"No," I answered. "I suppose it was given us because we are the youngest in the house and have little to do, and because Mother Gertrude likes to have us about her. Besides, where is the mortification?"
"But it is menial work, you must allow that," she insisted.
"It is work that must needs be done, and what matters whether it be menial or not? Come, let us set aside these chairs and bring down the rest."
Amice complied, but there was no more sport for her. She was plunged at once into discomfort, and began looking at herself, as usual.
"I did not think I needed any such humiliation, but no doubt Mother knows best," said she, presently. "I don't think I put myself forward very much."
"Of course you don't, and I have no notion that Mother had any such matter in her head," said I. "Don't give it another thought. See how oddly the velvet of this chair is spotted, as with drops of water."