OUR HELP 171 



Portly One was enjoying nights unbroken, 

 except by her own snores. 



Once more : One day, having been pre- 

 vented from cleaning the silver myself, I 

 took up two spoons, the bowls of which were 

 in short, indescribable. 



' Oh,' I exclaimed, involuntarily, * what 

 dirty spoons ! Indeed, they will have to be 

 washed before being put on the dinner-table !' 



* Let's see !' They were snatched from 

 my hand and critically examined. Then, in 

 a tone w r hose scorn no efforts of mine can 

 convey : ' That ain't dirt !' 



' What is it, then ?' 

 4 Only pm^piration off of my hands !' 

 There was a time when I exclaimed : 

 ' There are plenty of women in the world 

 who like housework, and don't like anything 

 else ; let them do it, if only as a matter of 

 principle !' I waxed hot and indignant on 

 the subject not because I personally have 

 any special aversion to housework, but because 

 it does not like me. Gradually, as month 

 after month rolled by, though principle re- 

 mained unaltered, words were quenched. 



* First catch your hare ; then cook him.' 



