July Excerpt of "Violets Are Blue"

Methinks you all will like this month's excerpt. :)

“You’ll never guess what I…” I started to say as I opened the apartment door.

“Violet!” I heard Anna say in annoyance. “I just scrubbed the floor! Look where you’re going!”

“Oops! Sorry, Anna,” I apologized. 

“Where’s Mum?” Emma asked curiously, entering the room.

“She decided to stay an extra shift at the factory,” I answered. “She was hoping to make more money to bring home to Father.”

“All the better,” Emma said.

I turned towards her, confused. “Why did you say “all the better” like that?”

“We’re trying to get the fall cleaning done before Mum comes home,” she whispered. 

“It’ll be a grand surprise!” Anna said, joining in.

“I sure hope it’s grand,” Helen commented sourly, coming through the door. She was heaving a heavy mattress outside to air. “Emma’s making me do all the hard work! It’s not fair.”

“Where are the boys?” I questioned Emma.

“They went to help Father with one of his carpentry jobs. He said he might put them to work.” She winked at me.

“Ah…” I said, understanding.

“Well, I don’t see how it’s right for them to leave us with all the work!” Helen complained.

“Oh Helen,” I said. “You shouldn’t whine like that.”

“I don’t care!” she said in a contrary tone. “If I want to whine, I will!”

Anna stopped the argument midway.

“Violet,” she said. “What’s that in your hand?”