38 MILLICENT.

There were no boys in this family, and in thinking over the
washing to be done Millicent did not have to count shirt-
waists.

“Tet me see,” thought Millicent, as she lay there cuddled
under the covers, “I must wash a dress for each of them, their
white dresses get soiled so soon; then their skirts and under-
clothes, and the little blanket I put over the carriage. Per-
haps I had better put in the sheets and pillow-cases from
Hildegarde’s bed; that will make quite as much as I can
get through.”

Having settled the matter in her mind, Millicent put her
rosy toes out of bed, and was soon ready for breakfast.

Saturday mornings she had the play-room to herself: the
boys were always off playing ball, or nutting, or somewhere or
other, and the baby was out most of the time, or else she was:
asleep; so Millicent quite enjoyed having a busy time. After
breakfast she put on an old apron and made her way to the |
play-room. She went to work with all the system of a real.
washerwoman, and had her tubs ready and her clothes sorted
before very long; then she put up her line, fastening it to the
chairs. ‘The family sat around looking at her, so as to “keep
me company,” Millicent said. With sleeves tucked up and
soapy arms, Millicent rubbed away till even her young little
back began to feel tired. She had just hung up the last piece
when the two boys came into the room with arush. Harry
was chasing Philip, trying to get a ball from him; over went