First came Nan and Daisy with their small tubs and bits of soap , for now and then they were seized with a tidy fit , and washed up all their dolls ' clothes in the brook . Asia would not have them `` slopping round '' in her kitchen , and the bath-room was forbidden since Nan forgot to turn off the water till it overflowed and came gently dripping down through the ceiling . Daisy went systematically to work , washing first the white and then the colored things , rinsing them nicely , and hanging them to dry on a cord fastened from one barberry-bush to another , and pinning them up with a set of tiny clothes-pins Ned had turned for her . But Nan put all her little things to soak in the same tub , and then forgot them while she collected thistledown to stuff a pillow for Semiramis , Queen of Babylon , as one doll was named . This took some time , and when Mrs. Giddy-gaddy came to take out her clothes , deep green stains appeared on every thing , for she had forgotten the green silk lining of a certain cape , and its color had soaked nicely into the pink and blue gowns , the little chemises , and even the best ruffled petticoat . `` Oh me ! what a mess ! '' sighed Nan . `` Lay them on the grass to bleach , '' said Daisy , with an air of experience . `` So I will , and we can sit up in the nest and watch that they do n't blow away . '' The Queen of Babylon 's wardrobe was spread forth upon the bank , and , turning up their tubs to dry , the little washerwomen climbed into the nest , and fell to talking , as ladies are apt to do in the pauses of domestic labor . `` I 'm going to have a feather-bed to go with my new pillow , '' said Mrs. Giddy-gaddy , as she transferred the thistledown from her pocket to her handkerchief , losing about half in the process . `` I would n't ; Aunt Jo says feather-beds are n't healthy . I never let my children sleep on any thing but a mattress , '' returned Mrs. Shakespeare Smith , decidedly . `` I do n't care ; my children are so strong they often sleep on the floor , and do n't mind it , '' -LRB- which was quite true -RRB- . `` I ca n't afford nine mattresses , and I like to make beds myself . '' `` Wo n't Tommy charge for the feathers ? '' `` May be he will , but I sha n't pay him , and he wo n't care , '' returned Mrs. G. , taking a base advantage of the well-known good nature of T. Bangs . `` I think the pink will fade out of that dress sooner than the green mark will , '' observed Mrs. S. , looking down from her perch , and changing the subject , for she and her gossip differed on many points , and Mrs. Smith was a discreet lady . `` Never mind ; I 'm tired of dolls , and I guess I shall put them all away and attend to my farm ; I like it rather better than playing house , '' said Mrs. G. , unconsciously expressing the desire of many older ladies , who can not dispose of their families so easily however .
`` But you must n't leave them ; they will die without their mother , '' cried the tender Mrs. XXXXX .
Babylon Daisy Ned Semiramis Smith barberry-bush bleach labor mattress washerwomen