"But 'tain't everybody that winds em as good and solid as you do, Claudina," said another girl significantly; "windin' loose can make a ball grow fast, I tell you!"
"'All is not gold that glitters,'" quoted Mildred.
"I'd begin to wind if I were you," said Claudina, "you have quite a pile there and it might get into a tangle."
"Thank you. I'm new to the business," said Mildred laughing, "and shall take the advice of an older hand."
"Supper's ready," announced Minerva, opening the kitchen door.
"Put down your rags and walk right out, ladies," said Rhoda Jane.
"It seems to me that I, for one, need some preparation," said Mildred, dropping hers and looking at her hands.
"Oh yes, we'll wash out here," said Rhoda Jane, leading the way.
A tin bucket full of water, a dipper and washbasin, all bright from a recent scouring, stood on a bench in the shed at the outer kitchen door; a piece of brown soap lay there also, and a clean crash towel hung on a nail in the wall close by.
The girls used these in turn, laughing and chatting merrily the while, then gathered about the table, which was bountifully spread with good plain country fare—chicken, ham, dried beef, pickles, tomatoes, cucumbers and radishes, cheese, eggs, pie, cake and preserves, in several varieties, hot cakes and cold bread, tea and coffee.