I begged of her to allow me to assist her, although I feared
that I should appear very awkward in the performance of duties to which
I was so little accustomed. My aunt at first refused, saying I was not
accustomed to kitchen-work. But when I begged to be allowed to try my
hand in assisting her, she brought me one of her large, checked aprons,
which she advised me to put on. Thus attired, I washed and wiped the
breakfast dishes, and arranged them in her spotless cupboard, saying to
her that, while I remained an inmate of her house, she must allow me to
assist her to the best of my ability, adding that I should be much
happier if allowed to assist in her labors, than otherwise. Seeing me so
anxious, my aunt allowed me to take my own way in the matter. I
succeeded much better than I had feared; and when the morning's work was
finished, my aunt laughingly said that, with a little practice, she
thought I should make a very useful kitchen-maid.
In the afternoon she invited me to accompany her to the room which had
been her daughter's. The room was tastefully, though not richly
furnished.
"This," said my aunt, "was Caroline's room from her childhood. I have
never allowed anything to be disturbed in the room since her death,
except that I occasionally air and dust it.
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