ep, and left me with all this work, and supper to
get for half a dozen hands, beside."

"Now, that is really unfortunate," said Clemence, kindly. "Can't I help
you in some way?"

"_You_," said Mrs. Owen, stepping backwards, and surveying the dainty
figure in the utmost consternation, "I guess not, why, what in earth
could you do in the housework line?"

"Oh, a good deal, I dare say, if I were to try," said Clemence laughing.
"You know, 'where there's a will there's a way,' and if you will tell me
how, I am sure I will gladly assist you."

"No," was the reply. "You just sit still and I'll fly round and kinder
hoe out some of this dirt. You don't look as if you had been accustomed
to this sort of thing. Why, of the two, now I suppose, if the truth
should be known, you are more tired with your work than I am with mine,
cross baby and all; just think of it, when I was a girl, a day's work
like this was nothing at all to do, and I was always ready to go to a
dance, or something of that sort, to pass away time. There's a great
difference in folks about that."

"I believe you," said Clemence, watching her with interest, as she moved
around, bringing literally 'order out of chaos.' "It seems to me, that
no amount of practice could fit me for such work as this. I suppose, of
course, I could learn in time, by giving strict attention to it, to be a
fair housekeeper; but my experience in boarding round has proved that I
do not belong to the class of persons whom they denominate here as
'handy.' I have seen women enter a neighbor's house in time of trouble,
and move about as if accustomed to everything, and always know the very
place to go and find an article when wanted, without asking tiresome
questions, or put an article in its appropriate receptacle when not
needed, without being told. But, for myself, though always willing, I am
generally apt, like to-day, to sit still and wish I could be of use to
somebody, instead of being always in the way."

"That's because you were born to be waited on, and not to serve," said
the little woman, good-naturedly.

"Then I am sadly out of place," replied Clemence, with a sigh. "I am
inclined to think, however, that you are more liberal in your views than
the rest of our sex. Most of them would tell me that the reason of my
lack of capacity, was because I did not cultivate my faculties properly,
or, in plain terms, that I was lazy."

"I don't see that either," responded the other. "A m