`` I always said Sister Dawes meant well ; but she 's getting into years , and the care of two children is a good deal for her , with her cooking and her rheumatiz . I do n't deny she did neglect 'em for a spell , but she does well by 'em now , and I would n't wish to see better-appearing children . '' `` You 've no idee how improved Molly is . She came in to see my girls , and brought her sewing-work , shirts for the boy , and done it as neat and capable as you 'd wish to see . She always was a smart child , but dreadful careless , '' said the other old lady , evidently much impressed by the change in harum-scarum Molly Loo . `` Being over to Mis Minot 's so much has been good for her , and up to Mis Grant 's . Girls catch neat ways as quick as they do untidy ones , and them wild little tykes often turn out smart women . '' `` Sister Dawes has done well by them children , and I hope Mr. Bemis sees it . He ought to give her something comfortable to live on when she ca n't do for him any longer . He can well afford it . '' `` I have n't a doubt he will . He 's a lavish man when he starts to do a thing , but dreadful unobserving , else he 'd have seen to matters long ago . Them children was town-talk last fall , and I used to feel as if it was my bounden duty to speak to Miss Dawes . But I never did , fearing I might speak too plain , and hurt her feelings . '' `` You 've spoken plain enough now , and I 'm beholden to you , though you 'll never know it , '' said Miss Bat to herself , as she slipped into her own gate , while the gossips trudged on quite unconscious of the listener behind them . Miss Bat was a worthy old soul in the main , only , like so many of us , she needed rousing up to her duty . She had got the rousing now , and it did her good , for she could not bear to be praised when she had not deserved it . She had watched Molly 's efforts with lazy interest , and when the girl gave up meddling with her affairs , as she called the housekeeping , Miss Bat ceased to oppose her , and let her scrub Boo , mend clothes , and brush her hair as much as she liked . So Molly had worked along without any help from her , running in to Mrs. Pecq for advice , to Merry for comfort , or Mrs. Minot for the higher kind of help one often needs so much . Now Miss Bat found that she was getting the credit and the praise belonging to other people , and it stirred her up to try and deserve a part at least .
`` Molly do n't want any help about her work or the boy : it 's too late for that ; but if this house do n't get a spring cleaning that will make it shine , my name ai n't Bathsheba Dawes , '' said the old lady , as she put away her bonnet that night , and laid energetic plans for a grand revolution , inspired thereto not only by shame , but by the hint that `` Mr. XXXXX was a lavish man , '' as no one knew better than she .
Bemis Dawes Grant Loo Pecq idee sewing-work tykes unobserving years