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This piece of elegance gave the last touch to her room； she
thought； and she was very proud of it； setting forth all her small
store of trinkets in a large shell； with an empty scent bottle； and a
clean tidy over the pincushion。 On the walls she hung three
old…fashioned pictures； which she ventured to borrow from the
garret till better could be found。 One a mourning piece； with a
very tall lady weeping on an urn in a grove of willows； and two
small boys in knee breeches and funny little square tails to their
coats； looking like cherubs in large frills。 The other was as good as
a bonfire； being an eruption of Vesuvius； and very lurid indeed； for
the Bay of Naples was boiling like a pot； the red sky raining rocks；
and a few distracted people lying flat upon the shore。 The third
was a really pretty scene of children dancing round a May…pole； for
though nearly a hundred years old； the little maids smiled and the
boys pranced as gayly as if the flowers they carried were still alive
and sweet。
〃Now I'll call them all to see； and say that it is pretty。 Then I'll
enjoy it； and come here when things look dismal and bare
everywhere else；〃 said Merry； when at last it was done。 She had
worked all the afternoon； and only finished at supper time； so the
candles had to be lighted that the toilette might look its best； and
impress the beholders with an idea of true elegance。 Unfortunately；
the fire smoked a little； and a window was set ajar to clear the
room； an evil disposed gust blew in； wafting the thin drapery
within reach of the light； and when Merry threw open the door
proudly thinking to display her success； she was horrified to find
the room in a blaze； and half her labor all in vain。
The conflagration was over in a minute； however； for the boys tore
down the muslin and stamped out the fire with much laughter；
while Mrs。 Grant bewailed the damage to her carpet； and poor
Merry took refuge in her father's arms； refusing to be comforted in
spite of his kind commendation of 〃Grandma's fixins。〃
The third little missionary had the hardest time of all； and her first
efforts were not much more satisfactory nor successful than the
others。 Her father was away from morning till night； and then had
his paper to read； books to keep； or 〃a man to see down town；〃 so
that； after a hasty word at tea； he saw no more of the children till
another evening； as they were seldom up at his early breakfast。 He
thought they were well taken care of； for Miss Bathsheba Dawes
was an energetic； middle…aged spinster when she came into the
family； and had been there fifteen years； so he did not observe；
what a woman would have seen at once； that Miss Bat was getting
old and careless； and everything about the house was at sixes and
sevens。 She took good care of him； and thought she had done her
duty if she got three comfortable meals； nursed the children when
they were ill； and saw that the house did not burn up。 So Maria
Louisa and Napoleon Bonaparte got on as they could； without the
tender cares of a mother。 Molly had been a happy…go…lucky child；
contented with her pets； her freedom； and little Boo to love； but
now she was just beginning to see that they were not like other
children； and to feel ashamed of it。
〃Papa is busy； but Miss Bat ought to see to us； she is paid for it；
and goodness knows she has an easy time now； for if I ask her to
do anything； she groans over her bones； and tells me young folks
should wait on themselves。 I take all the care of Boo off her hands；
but I can't wash my own things； and he hasn't a decent trouser to
his blessed little legs。 I'd tell papa； but it wouldn't do any good；
he'd only say； 'Yes； child； yes； I'll attend to it；' and never do a
thing。〃
This used to be Molly's lament； when some especially trying event
occurred； and if the girls were not there to condole with her； she
would retire to the shed…chamber； call her nine cats about her； and；
sitting in the old bushel basket； pull her hair about her ears； and
scold all alone。 The cats learned to understand this habit； and
nobly did their best to dispel the gloom which now and then
obscured the sunshine of their little mistress。 Some of them would
creep into her lap and purr till the comfortable sound soothed her
irritation； the sedate elders sat at her feet blinking with such wise
and sympathetic faces； that she felt as if half a dozen Solomons
were giving her the sagest advice； while the kittens frisked about；
cutting up their drollest capers till she laughed in spite of herself。
When the laugh came； the worst of the fit was over； and she soon
cheered up； dismissing the consolers with a pat all round； a feast of
good things from Miss Bat's larder； and the usual speech：
〃Well； dears； it's of no use to worry。 I guess we shall get along
somehow； if we don't fret。〃
With which wise resolution； Molly would leave her retreat and
freshen up her spirits by a row on the river or a romp with Boo；
which always finished the case。 Now； however； she was bound to
try the new plan and do something toward reforming not only the
boy's condition； but the disorder and discomfort of home。
〃I'll play it is Siam； and this the house of a native； and I'm come to
show the folks how to live nicely。 Miss Bat won't know what to
make of it； and I can't tell her； so I shall get some fun out of it；
anyway；〃 thought Molly； as she surveyed the dining…room the day
her mission began。
The prospect was not cheering； and； if the natives of Siam live in
such confusion； it is high time they were attended to。 The
breakfast…table still stood as it was left； with slops of coffee on the
cloth； bits of bread； egg…shells； and potato…skins lay about； and one
lonely sausage was cast away in the middle of a large platter。 The
furniture was dusty； stove untidy； and the carpet looked as if
crumbs had been scattered to chickens who declined their
breakfast。 Boo was sitting on the sofa； with his arm through a hole
in the cover； hunting for some lost treasure put away there for safe
keeping； like a little magpie as he was。 Molly fancied she washed
and dressed him well enough； but to…day she seemed to see more
dearly； and sighed as she thought of the hard job in store for her if
she gave him the thorough washing he needed； and combed out
that curly mop of hair。
〃I'll clear up first and do that by and by。 I ought to have a nice little
tub and good towels； like Mrs。 Minot； and I will； too； if I buy them
myself；〃 she said； piling up cups with an energy that threatened
destruction to handles。
Miss Bat； who was trailing about the kitchen； with her head pinned
up in a little plaid shawl； was so surprised by the demand for a pan
of hot water and four clean towels； that she nearly dropped her
snuff…box； chief comfort of her lazy soul。
〃What new whimsey now？ Generally； the dishes stand round till I
have time to pick 'em up； and you are off coasting or careering
somewhere。 Well