The cleaners made very little noise, so little that the sleeping Molly and Mildred were not at all disturbed.
“I wish she knew it was almost done,” said Thelma, perched in the window sill and rubbing vigorously on a shining pane. “She would be so glad. I know she is worrying about it in her sleep. Hark! There is the baby!”
Then began the business of the day upstairs. Katy was called, for water must be heated as Katy, according to her habit, had let the fire go out before the boiler was hot.
“Katy, we must hurry up with Mildred this morning and get to the library. It is filthy,” said Molly, as she slipped the little French flannel petticoat over Mildred’s bald head.
“Yes, mum!” grinned Katy.
“We have luncheon almost ready, with the cold lamb to start with.”
“Yes, mum.”
“Don’t you think you could get the dining room cleaned while I am attending to the baby?”
“Yes, mum, if yez can schpare me.”
“Oh, I think I can. But, Katy, before you go hand me that basket. And, Katy, perhaps you had better wash out this flannel skirt. I am so afraid she might run short of them. You can empty the water now—and, Katy, please hold the baby’s hand while I tie this ribbon, she is such a wiggler—and, Katy—a little boiled water now for her morning tipple. She must drink lots of water to keep in good health.”