CHAPTER VII.
THE PICKED-UP DINNER.
IT was "washing day;" that day of all days in the week most dreaded by housekeepers.

We had a poor breakfast, of course.

Cook had to help with the washing, and, as washing was the important thing for the day, every thing else was doomed to suffer.

The wash kettle was to her of greater moment than the tea kettle or coffee pot; and the boiling of wash water first in consideration, compared with broiling the steak.
The breakfast bell rung nearly half an hour later than usual.

As I entered the dining room, I saw that nearly every thing was in disorder, and that the table was little over half set.