two women were going about their duties much the same as usual, he
argued that the storm had blown over and brightened visibly.

The men had pushed back their chairs and were preparing to light their
after-dinner pipes.

"We'll be able to start on the ironing this afternoon," said Gertie,
addressing Nora for the first time since breakfast.

"Very well."

"I say," said Trotter, who rarely ventured on a remark while at the
table, "it was a rare big wash you done this morning by the look of it
on the line."

"When she's been out in this country a bit longer, Nora'll learn not to
wear more things than she can help," said Gertie.

As a matter of fact, she had no intention of criticising Nora at the
moment. She meant, merely, that she would be more economical with
experience. But Nora was in the mood to take fire at once.

"Was there more than my fair share?" she asked sharply.

"You use double the number of stockings than what I do. And everything
else is the same."

"I see. Clean but incompetent."

"There's many a true word spoken in jest," said Gertie with angry