e second stage."

"The what?" asked Helen, tugging at the handle, which she turned with
difficulty. Her hands, unaccustomed to work of any kind, held it
awkwardly; while May, with her hands in the dough, which she worked
vigorously, laughed outright at her fruitless efforts.

"It's no use, May," at last she broke out, "I can't do it; and I've a
mind to throw the thing out of the window and run away."

"Where, dear Helen?"

"I don't know. I will hire out as lady's-maid, companion,
governess--any thing is preferable to this sort of life!" she
exclaimed, flushing up.

"You would find greater difficulties than a harmless coffee-mill to
contend with, I imagine!" said May, quietly, while she shaped her
rolls, and placed them in a pan.

"What _shall_ I do?" cried Helen, in a tone of despair, after another
fruitless effort.

"Grind the coffee. Come, you are quite strong enough; put it on the
table, here--steady it with one hand, and turn with the other--so; now
it goes," said May, pleasantly.

"How ridiculous! what now?" said Helen, laughing.

"The second stage!" replied May, looking mysterious; "pull out that
little drawer, and empty the powder you will find in it into the
coffee-pot, which I have just scalded--that is it; now pour on a little
_cold_ water; put in this fish-sound; fill up with boiling
water--there, that is enough. Now comes the third, and last stage.
Set the pot on the stove, and watch it; when it boils up the third
time, throw in a small cup full of cold water, and take it off to
settle. It is ready then for immediate use."

"Gracious! what an indefatigable, old-fashioned little thing you are,
May," said Helen, obeying her directions, and, after all, rather
enjoying the novelty of the thing, than otherwise. May's cheerful face
flitting about; the bright sunshine gushing in; the warmth of the room,
and the feeling that she had really done something useful, inspired her
with a healthful sentiment of enjoyment which she had never experienced
before. Breakfast was ready; the rolls were light, and nicely browned;
the coffee was clear and fragrant, and the idea of a good breakfast was
no mean consideration with Helen.

"My uncle has not yet returned from market, and we can run in and
arrange the sitting-room," said May.

And they flitted round, dusting, brushing, and polishing up, until they
were both as merry as crickets. The morning paper was opened, and
spread on the back of a chair to ai