"Rats. They are chewing on something," said Precious. "I'm going to see what it is." She turned the door handle and poked her head into the dark room. The scratching stopped. "Get a flashlight," she whispered to her brother.

"Rosalie," said her father.... "Come along!" So Rosalie had to leave her poor mother. And instead of singing the soothing words of the hymn, she had to repeat again and again the foolish and senseless words which had fallen to her share in the new play.

Rosie felt a small smile creep onto her face. Maybe this would be fun after all! She quickly picked up a jar and looked at its dusty bottom. "And we must remember," she said, as most grown-up as she could, "that the king doesn't like one speck of dirt!"