board if I put you in the dairy and let you help there?" she said.
"Yes," answered Meg unflinchingly. "I know I could. I'm strong for my age, and I've watched them doing things there. I can wash pans and bowls and cloths, and carry things about, and go anywhere I'm told. I know how clean things have to be kept."
"Well," said Aunt Matilda, looking her over sharply, "they have been complaining about the work being too much for them lately. You go in there this morning and see what you can do. You shall have fifty cents a week, if you're worth it. You're right about its being time that you should begin earning something."
"Thank you, ma'am," said Meg, and she turned round and walked away in the direction of the dairy, with two deep red spots on her cheeks, and her heart thumping again—though this time it thumped quickly.
She reached the scene of action in the midst of a rush of work, and after their first rather exasperated surprise at so immature and inexperienced a creature being supposed to be able to help them, the women found plenty for her to do. She said so few words and looked so little afraid that she made a sort of impression on them.
