She ran upstairs without explaining further, followed by the wondering girls; and then they saw her take down John's cardboard text very carefully, and wrap it in paper. "Now, Alice, as fast as you like there and back; and Minnie must go with you." "But you will do ever so much before we come," said Alice, looking disappointed. "No; I am going down to see about the dinner, and if you are not long will wait till you return." "But will the man understand what is to be done?" "Yes; I went about it yesterday, and I told him it was a secret, and so he would have to do it expeditiously." "I see. Well, come along Minnie, the sooner we are off the sooner we shall be home." In half an hour's time they were back, and met Agnes coming up from her confabulations with the cook. "Just in time," she said, smiling. "Should you have begun without us?" asked Minnie. "Not till ten." "That's all right. Now then, Agnes, what are we to do?" "Go down and ask Jane for some cloths, and brooms, and a tin basin." Minnie opened her eyes, but Alice ran off. They met Jane on the stairs with a pail and scrubbing-brush. "Are you going to help us?" asked Alice; and Jane nodded with a smile. Up they all went, and found a bright little fire burning in the already clean grate of John's little attic. "Oh!" exclaimed Alice; "whoever thought of that? What's it for?" "What are fires generally for?" asked Agnes. "To warm people," said Minnie. "And don't you think we should feel it rather cold to be up here for three hours, straight off, this bitter day?" "So we should. Well, Agnes, what first?" "Jane is to properly clean that smeary window; and we will wash the chest of drawers and the washstand and the crockery while she is doing it." "Whatever for?" "To get off the dirt," laughed Agnes. "I can't think why things get dirty!" "It's London smoke," remarked Alice sententiously. "And dust," said Agnes. While she spoke she handed two aprons to her sisters, and a clean piece of flannel each; and before they could ask any more questions she had lifted out the drawers, one by one, and was sweeping the ledges inside. Then she began washing and rubbing and drying in fine style, the little girls imitating her example as fast as they could. But Jane's window was done before their furniture, and she immediately began to clean the paint round the room. "This paper looks dirty, miss. I wish you would let me rub it with some bread." "I do not mind," answered Agnes, looking up from under the washstand, "if you think it will look better." "I'm sure it will, miss." "I'll run for the bread," exclaimed Minnie, starting up. "Mind you say a stale loaf, miss; and a knife!" called Jane, turning round, to see only the tip of one of Minnie's curls flying down the stairs. Then all was sober work for another half-hour, and after that came a pause. "This floor looks black; it wants doing, I think," remarked Minnie. Jane laughed.