A simultaneous "Aye!" from all present, Mary excepted.
"Who are to be my assistants?" she asked.
"All of us, I suppose," said Charles. "No, not Amy: she's the invalid, and must be taken care of by the heartiest and strongest, which is probably your humble servant, ladies and gentlemen."
"Doubtful that!" said Edward, with a downward glance at his own stout limbs.
"I think we should all help in that and with the housework," remarked Vi modestly. "Cousin Mary, I can make beds, sweep and dust very nicely, mamma says. It was her wish that I should learn, and I did."
"So can I," said Ella, "and we'll undertake that part of the work together, if you like, Miss—"
"Call me Violet or Vi."
"Yes," said Charlie. "I move that everybody be called by the Christian name—or some abbreviation thereof—as a saving of trouble, and showing a friendly disposition toward each other."
"Agreed," said Donald, "but let it be understood that there's no objection to the prefix of cousin."
"At what hours shall we take our meals?" asked Mary.