"I wonder what I had better do next," for Mrs.Lang had not returned.

"I s'pose I'd better sweep out the passage and brush down the steps.

Oh, I do want some breakfast!" she added, with a sigh.
While she was sweeping down the steps before the front door, her stepmother came into the kitchen again.

The semblance of a smile crossed her face as she looked at the neatly-arranged chairs, and heard the broom going in the distance.
"We're to be kept tidy, now, I s'pose," she muttered, with a laugh.
"I wonder how long it'll last.

She won't get much encouragement here." Jessie came into the kitchen with her broom, and found her stepmother frying bacon.