“Now,” Maida announced at breakfast a week later, “we’ve had all the vacation we’re going to get--at least all that the Big Six get. To-morrow begins our work. Father said we could plan it ourselves how it was to be done and unless our plans were bad ones, we could keep right on with them. Now I propose that, right after breakfast, you boys go to the barn and make a program of your work. We girls will stay here and make a program for ourselves. You remember what it is you’re expected to do?” Notwithstanding protests that they remembered everything, she recited briefly again to the boys the list of their duties. After breakfast, as directed, the Big Six divided. The boys proceeded to the barn. The girls settled themselves in the big, comfortable living-room, began to discuss the work that they were to do. Rosie, in some inexplicable way, soon took control; was handling the situation in the practical, efficient way that was typical of her. “Do you know how to make a bed, Maida?” she asked. “No,” Maida answered dolefully, “I never made one in my life. It looks easy though.” “It’s easy to make a bed _badly_,” Rosie said with emphasis. “How about you Laura?” “Well,” Laura replied slowly, “I _have_ made one.” Rosie groaned. “I know what it will look like,” she commented. “Now I _can_ make a bed,” she boasted. “Right after we finish this, I’ll take you upstairs and show you both. Now, how about cooking?” Maida looked aghast. “I never cooked anything in my life.” “That’s what I thought,” Rosie remarked grimly. “How about cooking, Laura?” “I can make pop-overs, one-two-three-four cake and cup-custard,” Laura stated proudly. “And, oh yes, fudge!” “Is that all?” Rosie asked scornfully. “Yes,” Laura admitted. “Can either of you make a fire?” Rosie went on. Two meek _noes_ were the answer. “Well, as far as I can see,” Rosie decided, “we’ve got to begin at the very beginning. Now I’ve been thinking this matter over and it seems to me there’s only one fair way of doing it and that is for us to weed the flower garden _all together_ every morning; each one of us to take care of their own room--” “_Her_ own room,” Maida corrected. She added roguishly, “I thought you were beginning to feel too important, Rosie.” “All right, smarty-cat! _Her_ own room. Then when it comes to Floribel’s day out, we’ll take turns in planning the three meals. But every Thursday, one of us must have the day in charge. On that day the other two are only assistants.” “Rosie,” Maida exclaimed, “I think you are perfectly wonderful! That seems to me to be absolutely all right. Don’t you think so, Laura?” “Yes,” Laura answered equally enthusiastic, “I think it’s marvelous.” “Well, then,” Rosie began again, “let’s begin to plan meals for this Thursday.” They were deep in this interesting task when the boys returned from the barn. They compared plans.