` Pretty , ' thinks I ; ` so far so good . ' The way she whacked the pillers , shook the blankets , and pitched into the beds was a caution ; specially one blunderin ' old feather-bed that would n't do nothin ' but sag round in a pigheaded sort of way , that would have made most girls get mad and give up . Kitty did n't , but just wrastled with it like a good one , till she got it turned , banged , and spread to suit her ; then she plumped down in the middle of it , with a sarcy little nod and chuckle to herself , that tickled me mightily . ` Plucky , ' thinks I , ` better 'n' better . ' Jest then an old woman came flyin ' out the back-door , callin ' , ` Kitty ! Kitty ! Squire Partridge 's son 's here , ` long with a friend ; been gunnin ' , want luncheon , and I 'm all in the suds ; do come down and see to 'em . ' '' ` Where are they ? ' says Kitty , scrambling up her hair and settlin ' her gown in a jiffy , as women have a knack of doin ' , you know . '' ` Mr. Joe 's in the front entry ; the other man 's somewheres round , Billy says , waitin ' till I send word whether they can stop . I dars n't till I 'd seen you , for I ca n't do nothin ' , I 'm in such a mess , ' says the old lady . '' ` So am I , for I ca n't get in except by the entry window , and he 'll see me , ' says Kitty , gigglin ' at the thoughts of Joe . '' ` Come down the ladder , there 's a dear . I 'll pull it round and keep it stiddy , ' says the mother . '' ` Oh , ma , do n't ask me ! ' says Kitty , with a shiver . ` I 'm dreadfully scared of ladders since I broke my arm off this very one . It 's so high , it makes me dizzy jest to think of . ' '' ` Well , then , I 'll do the best I can ; but I wish them boys was to Jericho ! ' says the old lady , with a groan , for she was fat and hot , had her gown pinned up , and was in a fluster generally .
She was goin ' off rather huffy , when XXXXX called out , -- '' ` Stop , ma !
Jericho Kitty Partridge Plucky callin fluster flyin ladders sarcy settlin