`` What a miserable place for a human being to live in ! '' groaned Nancy . `` Look at the ashes on that stove ! And that table ! Is it any wonder that Peter has got gray ? He 'll work hard haymaking all the afternoon -- and then come home to THIS ! '' An idea suddenly darted into Nancy 's brain . At first she looked aghast . Then she laughed and glanced at her watch . `` I 'll do it -- just for fun and a little pity . It 's half-past two , and Peter wo n't be home till four at the earliest . I 'll have a good hour to do it in , and still make my escape in good time . Nobody will ever know ; nobody can see me here . '' Nancy went in , threw off her hat , and seized a broom . The first thing she did was to give the kitchen a thorough sweeping . Then she kindled a fire , put a kettle full of water on to heat , and attacked the dishes . From the number of them she rightly concluded that Peter had n't washed any for at least a week . `` I suppose he just uses the clean ones as long as they hold out , and then has a grand wash-up , '' she laughed . `` I wonder where he keeps his dish-towels , if he has any . '' Evidently Peter had n't any .
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