"That's a jolly good idea of yours, Betty," cries Bob, enthusiastically. "And I tell you what, you've helped me ever so much lately, now I'll just turn round and help you. I'm off to get the small pincers from father's tool chest. Won't I have the carpets up in no time! If we all work together we shall soon get the job done."
Betty gives her brother a grateful look, but mother says:—
"I don't think your father will care a bit whether the house is tidy or not. He has never said a word to me about the place all the years we've lived here."
"Oh, but think! Coming straight from the hospital. We must make everything bright and cheerful. Poor father! Mother, do you feel well enough to wash and iron the curtains?"
"Yes, I'll do them; and Clara must clean the windows. But, really, I don't see the use of all this fuss and upset."
"I'll wash all the ornaments and clean the pictures," says quiet Lucy.
"O Betty, may we darn up the holes in the chair-covers?" cry Jennie and Pollie, mindful of their work as Dorcas and her neighbours.
"I'll black everybody's boots," volunteers Harry. There is a general laugh at this, but Bob calls out that he needs Harry's help with the stair-carpets immediately.
So Betty has a houseful of volunteer helpers, and pretty difficult she finds it to manage them all. But she is blessed with a clear head, and, as every one is working for love, and really tries to do his or her best, a great deal of work is got through in the course of the day.
Clara comes out splendidly. "Master coming home? O miss, that is news! Brighten up the house? I should think we would brighten it up, just as neat as a new pin all over."