"The girls are washing the dishes," Amy said with a smile, "and the lads helping or hindering, I don't know which."
"The dinner dishes?" asked Violet.
"Yes, Mary set them aside for the time, that she might enjoy the company of your friends while they stayed."
"Do you think I could be of any assistance out there?" queried Edward, with gravity.
"I have an idea that the place is quite full now," Amy said, with a merry glance up into his face. "I wish there was room for us all, for they seem to be having a great deal of sport. Just hark how they are laughing! Well, our turn will come. Don't you think we are going to have a jolly time here?"
The door opened and the two young men came in.
"You don't know what you've missed, Ed," said Charlie helping himself to a chair near Amy's couch; "housework's jolly good fun."
"When you don't have too much of it," remarked Amy.
"And do it in pleasant company," added Donald.
"And under a capable and kind instructress," supplemented Mary, speaking from the kitchen.