While she was doing this her eye fell on a piece of soap.
At last she managed to draw a dipperful of clean fresh water, and glad enough she was; it felt so delicious, in fact, and she enjoyed it so much, she could not bear to tear herself away from it, until her mother's sharp voice brought her back to her duties again, and the rest of her toilet was finished more hurriedly.
"What shall I do first ?" she asked timidly, when she was ready.
In her clean pinafore, with her hair well brushed, and her cheeks still glowing from the cold water, she looked so fresh and such a pleasant sight to see, that a ray of something like pleased surprise showed itself for a moment even on Mrs.Lang's tired face.
"Can you wash up two or three of the cups and things without smashing them ?" she asked.
"Oh yes," said Jessie, almost reproachfully, "I always do at home." But the mere mention of that name brought the tears to her eyes, and prevented her saying more.
"Well, do that first.

You needn't wash more than two cups and plates.

I'd better lend you something to put on over your clean apron, or you'll be wanting another before the day is out." "I've got my overalls here," said Jessie, with pride.

"Granny made me two," and she stepped to the old bag and lifted out a dark-blue galateen pinafore which covered her all up to the hem of her frock.
When she came back from washing the dishes she brought the sweeping-brush with her, and, as a matter of course, began to sweep up the littered floor.

Mrs.Lang opened her mouth to tell her to stop, then apparently thought better of it, and let her go on.
The kitchen swept, Jessie asked for a duster to dust the chairs and other things, which needed it badly enough! "A duster! Don't bother me about such things.