Laura complied, and the two sisters, their noses all but touching,
the bedclothes up to their ears, put their arms about each other to
keep the warmer.

Amused at the foolishness, they "counted" to decide as to who should
get up to light the oil stove, Page beginning:

"Eeny--meeny--myny--mo--"

But before the "count" was decided Aunt Wess' came in, already
dressed, and in a breath the two girls implored her to light the
stove. While she did so, Aunt Wess' remarked, with the alacrity of a
woman who observes the difficulties of a proceeding in which she has
no faith:

"I don't believe that hired girl knows her business. She says now
she can't light a fire in that stove. My word, Laura, I do believe
you'll have enough of all this before you're done. You know I
advised you from the very first to take a flat."

"Nonsense, Aunt Wess'," answered Laura, good-naturedly. "We'll work
it out all right. I know what's the matter with that range. I'll be
right down and see to it so soon as I'm dressed."

It was nearly ten o'clock before breakfast, such as it was, was
over. They ate it on the kitchen table, with the kitchen knives and
forks, and over the meal, Page having remarked: "Well, what will we
do first?" discussed the plan of campaign.

"Landry Court does not have to work to-day--he told me why, but I've