Then she decided to go into the kitchen and see how Dinah was getting along with the dinner. She tripped down-stairs and the minute she opened the kitchen door there was a strong odor of something burning. But worse than that, there stood her tin soldier with his arm around Dinah’s waist. Dorothy ran for the tin soldier, but he dodged her and jumped out of the window. Dinah threw back her head and began to swing a soup ladle, while her indignant little mistress exclaimed, “I’m ashamed of you, Dinah, and you can go to your room at once.” Dinah sulked out of the kitchen and Dorothy took up the burned potatoes.
“Now I’m going to give Dinah a good whipping,” said Dorothy; but the minute she opened the kitchen door she heard loud voices on the stairs. Hurrying to the spot, there stood Kathleen (her quiet, gentle Kathleen) brandishing a feather duster in the most threatening manner at Jessop.
Dorothy was astonished. “Why, Kathleen,” she cried, “what is the matter?”
“Well, he isn’t going to call me doll-faced,” said Kathleen, looking very angry at Jessop.
“She said I was a clown,” shouted Jessop, “and I won’t stand it.”
“Go to your room both of you; not another word,” exclaimed Dorothy shaking her finger at Kathleen, who walked off with her head in the air.
“Well, I declare,” sighed the mistress, “I wonder what will happen next!” She started for the laundry to see how Susan Ida was getting along, and found her crying bitterly and no work done.
“Why, Susan Ida, what have you been doing all this time?”
“Nothing, ma’am,” was the answer. “It’s all his fault. Boo-hoo-o!” and she pointed to Dorothy’s toy rooster, who was calmly standing on the table watching them.
“What are you doing here, Dick?” asked Dorothy, turning to the rooster; “the idea of coming into the laundry!”