Chapter VI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading I’m afraid we shall get to be just like the heathen, for we can’t get to meeting but once or twice in the winter, and not a great deal in the summer.

in addition

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading PARSON GOODHUE AND THE WILD GANDER.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

a mountain or tall hill

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

-ing form of “bleach” — remove color from

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

in a busy manner

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I’m afraid we shall get to be just like the heathen, for we can’t get to meeting but once or twice in the winter, and not a great deal in the summer.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading It was not the fashion to paint in those days--everything was scoured.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading I’m afraid we shall get to be just like the heathen, for we can’t get to meeting but once or twice in the winter, and not a great deal in the summer.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading It was not the fashion to paint in those days--everything was scoured.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was not the fashion to paint in those days--everything was scoured.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

mature male goose

From this reading PARSON GOODHUE AND THE WILD GANDER.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading I’m afraid we shall get to be just like the heathen, for we can’t get to meeting but once or twice in the winter, and not a great deal in the summer.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PARSON GOODHUE AND THE WILD GANDER.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading I’m afraid we shall get to be just like the heathen, for we can’t get to meeting but once or twice in the winter, and not a great deal in the summer.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

a person who does not acknowledge your god

From this reading I’m afraid we shall get to be just like the heathen, for we can’t get to meeting but once or twice in the winter, and not a great deal in the summer.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I’m afraid we shall get to be just like the heathen, for we can’t get to meeting but once or twice in the winter, and not a great deal in the summer.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not the fashion to paint in those days--everything was scoured.

and nothing more

From this reading I’m afraid we shall get to be just like the heathen, for we can’t get to meeting but once or twice in the winter, and not a great deal in the summer.

immediately past

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading I’m afraid we shall get to be just like the heathen, for we can’t get to meeting but once or twice in the winter, and not a great deal in the summer.

a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not the fashion to paint in those days--everything was scoured.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

on one occasion

From this reading I’m afraid we shall get to be just like the heathen, for we can’t get to meeting but once or twice in the winter, and not a great deal in the summer.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

make a painting

From this reading It was not the fashion to paint in those days--everything was scoured.

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading PARSON GOODHUE AND THE WILD GANDER.

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

past form of “reveal” — make visible

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

witty remark

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

worn away as by water or ice or wind

From this reading It was not the fashion to paint in those days--everything was scoured.

moving over territory to search for something

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading I’m afraid we shall get to be just like the heathen, for we can’t get to meeting but once or twice in the winter, and not a great deal in the summer.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading I’m afraid we shall get to be just like the heathen, for we can’t get to meeting but once or twice in the winter, and not a great deal in the summer.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading PARSON GOODHUE AND THE WILD GANDER.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading It was not the fashion to paint in those days--everything was scoured.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

two times

From this reading I’m afraid we shall get to be just like the heathen, for we can’t get to meeting but once or twice in the winter, and not a great deal in the summer.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

precisely as stated

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was not the fashion to paint in those days--everything was scoured.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

at the time that

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

which person or people

From this reading The cause of this extraordinary industry was at length revealed by Sally herself, who said to Ben, “Now that the house is done, I’ve got good help, the baby is well, and mother is here, I think we ought to have a meeting.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading PARSON GOODHUE AND THE WILD GANDER.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading I’m afraid we shall get to be just like the heathen, for we can’t get to meeting but once or twice in the winter, and not a great deal in the summer.

work made of wood; especially moldings or stairways or furniture

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

made or constructed by interlacing threads or strips of material or other elements into a whole

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading DURING the last year Sally had woven cloth for curtains to her best bed, and also for the windows of the rooms, when they should be finished; but for the last two or three weeks she and Sally Merrithew had been very busily employed bleaching the linen, making the curtains, and scouring the woodwork, which had been soiled in the putting up.