Precisely at ten o'clock the procession formed and solemnly ascended the attic stairs. Miss Priscilla went first, then Miss Dorinda, then Martha, with dusters, hammer and tacks, camphor-balls and moth-powders. Then Mrs. Dolan, with big broom, little broom, and dust-pans. Then Mrs. Dolan's granddaughter, with soap, pail, scrub-brush, and floor-cloths, and sedately following all walked Tabby, the cat. Having arrived at the scene of action, Miss Priscilla and Miss Dorinda set themselves to work, and at the same time gave orders to their assistants, which were vigorously carried out, and soon the attic seemed to be in the path of a well-trained cyclone. Quilts and feather beds were shaken and beaten; trunks and chests were emptied of contents which were unrolled, inspected, rolled up again, patted and punched, and returned to their places. Discarded garments were critically examined to see what should be given away and what should be packed in tar-balls for the summer. "This gray barege always makes me think of chicken-pie," said Miss Dorinda, unfolding an old-fashioned skirt. "Why?" said Miss Priscilla, in muffled tones, by reason of her head and shoulders being deep in a huge trunk. "Because I wore it the day Ann Haskell came to see us. Do you remember? She came in the morning to spend the day, and she stayed a full-fledged week. I thought she never would clear herself off. And she wanted chicken-pie made for her." "Yes," said Miss Priscilla; "and then when she got it she wouldn't eat it." "No; and we couldn't eat it, because she _would_ have onions in it. And the cats wouldn't eat it: nothing would eat it, and at last we had to throw it away." "I suppose we're not very hospitable," said Miss Priscilla; "but I just hate to have company, they upset things so." "But sometimes it seems a duty," said her sister. "Not at all; that's where you're silly, Dorinda. I believe in charity, and giving of our worldly goods to help our less fortunate neighbors; but that doesn't mean we're to open our doors and let them all come in and make themselves at home. Do you remember when Ann Haskell came again, and rode up in a hack from the station, bringing a big bag with her?" "Yes; and you told the driver to come for her again directly after dinner." "I did, or she would have stayed another week. My, but she was surprised!" "I know it; _I_ couldn't do anything like that!" "Then you're a coward, Dorinda. It is certainly cowardly to have company because you're afraid to tell them they can't stay. Now here's another matter. The Dorcas Circle wants to make up a box of clothing for those fire-sufferers; so what do you think of giving them some of Lavinia's things?" "Oh!" gasped Miss Dorinda, in a startled tone.