All animals try to be clean if we
give them the chance. Take that largest tin basin, Fritz, fill it with
water, dip this dust brush in it, and wash him. It will answer almost as
well as if he were put in a tub. See, he seems to understand what I am
saying and wags his tail as if to say, 'yes, little mother, all animals
love a bath, and would be clean if given the chance.'"

The boys hurried away and gave Pixy his bath which he certainly enjoyed,
and had just finished when Mrs. Steiner called them to breakfast. They
were about to take their places when Mrs. Steiner asked Fritz if he had
not forgotten something.

"No, Aunt Steiner, I cannot think of anything that I have forgotten," he
said.

"Go back to the kitchen, dear, and you will see Pixy's dish with bits of
bread in it, softened and made richer by having some of the sausage
gravy upon it. He smelled it, as did you while it was cooking, and we
must not disappoint him. Go set his breakfast on the porch for him, and
then we will have ours."

This was done, and all took seats, the blessing was asked, and then Mrs.
Steiner in her pleasant way called attention to the pure white linen
tablecloth.

"You see, boys," she said, "that it is white and spotless; and you
perhaps do not know how much labor there is in placing even one piece of
washing in this fine condition. Now, I wish one of you to pour the
coffee, and pass the cups around without spilling any."

"Let me pour it, Aunt Fanny," said Fritz, and he poured a cupful for
each person and passed it without spilling a drop, while Aunt Steiner
served the sausage.

Then Fritz poured his own coffee, and in passing it to his place he
noticed a tiny stain at Paul's plate. Immediately a discussion arose
between them as to who was to blame in the matter.

"Never mind," said Mrs. Steiner soothingly, "I am satisfied that the
whole cup of coffee has not flowed over the cloth. We will cover the
stain with the mantle of love and charity in the shape of a clean
napkin."

It was such a satisfaction to Fritz to see it hidden that he was ready
to ask a question.

"Aunt Fanny," he said, "where are we to go to-day?"

"Every place is new to you, and you can go where you prefer, but on
horses that do not eat oats."

The boys understood that she meant that they must go on foot; and were
well satisfied.

"Our horse at home eats oats," remarked Franz, "and loves sugar. Every
morning, when papa is ready to ride to the forest mam