But then the washerwoman generally came on the Thursday.

We all voted the washerwoman a nuisance.

We must either take her a prisoner and keep her in the house, or run the risk of her finding out that something was wrong and going back to the village and telling of us.
"If we could only keep it up a week," said Smith, "I think we could bring them to terms." "Suppose we drop a line to the washerwoman the day before not to call," suggested I.
The motion met with universal applause, and I was deputed to carry it out at the proper time.

The good lady's address I knew was on a slate in Miss Henniker's pantry.
"And I tell you what," said Smith, starting up with the brilliancy of the suggestion; "let's hide away all the bread we can find, except just what will last over to-morrow.

Then most likely she'll tell the baker to call on Monday, and we can begin then!" It was a brilliant suggestion.