"Oh, I will," said Gerty. "But can I?" added she, hesitating; "do you think I can? I don't know how to do anything."
"You never have been taught to do anything, my child; but a girl eight years old can do many things if she is patient and tries to learn. I could teach you to do a great deal that would be useful, and that would help your Uncle True very much."
"What could I do?"
"You could sweep the room every day, you could make the beds, with a little help in turning them; you could set the table, toast the bread, and wash the dishes. Perhaps you would not do these things so well at first; but you would keep improving, and get to be a nice little housekeeper."
"Oh, I wish I could do something for Uncle True!" said Gerty; "but how could I ever begin?"
"In the first place, you must have things cleaned up for you. If I thought Mr. Flint would like it, I'd get Kate M'Carty to come in some day and help us; and I think we could greatly improve his home."
"Oh, I know he'd like it," said Gerty; "'twould be grand! May I help?"
"Yes, you may do what you can; but Kate'll be the best hand; she's strong, and knows how to do cleaning very well."
"Who's she?" said Gerty.
"Kate?—She's Mrs. M'Carty's daughter in the next house. Mr. Flint does them many a good turn—saws wood, and so on. They do most of his washing; but they can't half pay him all the kindness he's done that family. Kate's a clever girl; she'll be glad to come and work for him any day. I'll ask her."