“No; we wont do that nuther,” replied George, “for I don’t want to have it clean.” He twisted the buttons of his jacket as he spoke, and pouted out his lips in a very unbecoming manner. Hesper was puzzled. She stopped to think one moment; then she laid her hand on his shoulder, and stooping down so that she could look into his eyes, she said with a pleasant smile--
“Please, George, wont you get us some water? We want to have it all clean here to-night when your mother comes home, and make her wonder how it was done. Then, too, I will give you and Benny some corn to parch this evening, and you can have a nice time.” George glanced up to Hesper’s face and half smiled; she put the pail into his hand and away they went. When they came back, they sat the pail down by the door, and stood without.
“Can’t we carry Tommy out to see the ducks?” asked George.
“Yes, if you please,” said Hesper. She put on the baby’s hood, and after wrapping him up in his cradle quilt, laid him into George’s arms, who carried him very carefully into the yard.
“There!” said Juliana, “I call that a complete victory! and I see how it was gained, but I am sure I never should have the patience to do so myself.”
“O, you would soon learn,” said Hesper, “and you would find that it saved a great deal of trouble in the end.” After this, the girls went on working and chatting together, till they became very social and friendly. Juliana opened her whole heart to Hesper; and Hesper, in return, wondered they had never been so well acquainted before. It was almost night before they finished, but then the work was not only done, but done well. The boys had been very obliging; they brought several pails of water, and took care of Tommy all the time. Moreover, they became gradually very much interested in the work, and when all was finished, they confessed that it looked a great deal better. Last of all, Juliana gave her own face and hands a good washing, which they greatly needed. Then Hesper combed out her long, beautiful black hair, and after braiding it, she tied it up behind with some bits of blue ribbon. When the boys saw this, they were determined not to be outdone. They carried a great basin of water and some soap out into the yard, and scrubbed their faces and hands with all their might. It was quite a novelty to the Grimsby family to be so clean, and they seemed to enjoy it highly.