"She is past sixteen; but she has been so long confined to her room by
the illness of which I wrote, that you may probably find her behind
in some respects, which reminds me" (this was very adroit of papa!)
"I am anxious that she should keep up the system to which she has
been accustomed at home,--among other things, sponge-baths of cold
water every morning; and, as I see that the bedrooms are not furnished
with wash-stands, I will ask your permission to provide one for the
use of my little girls. Perhaps you will kindly tell me where I would
look for it?"

Mrs. Florence was not pleased, but she could not object; so she
mentioned a shop. Katy's heart gave a bound of relief. She thought
No. 6, with a wash-stand, might be very comfortable. Its bareness
and simplicity had the charm of novelty. Then there was something
very interesting to her in the idea of a whole house full of girls.

They did not stay long, after seeing the room, but went off on a
shopping excursion. Shops were few and far between at Hillsover; but
they found a neat little maple wash-stand and rocking-chair, and papa
also bought a comfortable low chair, with a slatted back and a cushion.
This was for Katy.

"Never study till your back aches," he told her: "when you are tired,
lie flat on the bed for half an hour, and tell Mrs. Florence that it
was by my direction."

"Or Mrs. Nipson," said Katy, laughing rather ruefully. She had taken
no fancy to Mrs. Nipson, and did not enjoy the idea of a divided
authority.