Jane observed Mrs. Whittaker's movements with astonished interest as she proceeded to cast certain large fragments of a whitish substance after the washing powder. "Washin' soda's m' best friend, as I tell my 'usband frequent. I most always carry some with me. Most the women I work for can't abide it; but it takes the dirt out, an' it saves m' back. I don't ask 'em to buy it, an' 's long 's I furnish it m'self I say it's none o' their business. Mind, you don't say nothin' to _her_ 'bout my puttin' washin' soda in the boiler! But I guess you ain't that kind nohow, as I was sayin'----" Jane hurriedly fled, the woman's whining voice sounding in her ears. CHAPTER IX "Now, Jane," Mrs. Belknap observed pleasantly, "you may put the chambers and bathroom in nice order; and then you may sweep the stairs, the hall, and the front piazza. As a rule I should like to have all that attended to before breakfast. When Mary returns I will prepare a schedule of your work carefully arranged for the different days, so that there can be no possible misunderstanding with regard to it. Aren't you feeling well?" she added, with severe kindness, as she eyed Jane's proud little face which too plainly betrayed the wakeful hours of the previous night and the heavy, unrefreshing slumber of the early morning. "I hope you are not delicate." Jane straightened her slim figure. "Thank you, Mrs. Belknap, I am feeling quite well," she replied coldly. "Very well, then; you will find the brushes and dusters in this closet, and I should like you to be careful to keep them in their place.--Dear me! I wonder what that child can be doing?" The sound of running water and the tinkle of broken glass reached their ears from an adjoining room. "Oh, you _naughty_ boy! What _will_ mother do with you!" "I was dest cweanin' my teef, muzzer, an' I dwopped 'e' gwass, an' it _b-w-owke_!" explained the small boy earnestly. "An' all 'e' toof-powder 'pilled on 'e' floor! It's nice an' _s-w-e-et_, muzzer! I like toof-powder." "Oh, Buster Belknap, you haven't been _eating_ tooth-powder?" "I cweaned my teef, an I dwopped 'e' gwass, an' I----" Further explanations were rendered impossible by Mrs. Belknap's prompt and heroic measures. The naughty pink mouth was forced open and rapidly explored by maternal eyes and fingers, while Jane was required to fetch in rapid succession a glass of water, a clean towel, and a fresh pinafore. During the process the small boy screamed and struggled manfully if ineffectually; but once washed, dried, and freshly arrayed he pranced gayly away, his countenance composed and cheerful.