When she had finished, she drew a trestle towards her and hung across it all the different articles; the drippings from which made bluish puddles on the floor; and she commenced rinsing.

Behind her, the cold water tap was set running into a vast tub fixed to the ground, and across which were two wooden bars whereon to lay the clothes.

High up in the air were two other bars for the things to finish dripping on.
"We're almost finished, and not a bad job," said Madame Boche.

"I'll wait and help you wring all that." "Oh! it's not worth while; I'm much obliged though," replied the young woman, who was kneading with her hands and sousing the colored things in some clean water.

"If I'd any sheets, it would be another thing." But she had, however, to accept the concierge's assistance.