{"id":63949,"date":"2005-07-25T18:09:29","date_gmt":"2005-07-25T22:09:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=63949"},"modified":"2026-03-25T18:13:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T22:13:43","slug":"spring-cleaning-by-joans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=63949","title":{"rendered":"Spring Cleaning (by JoanS.)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Ben insists that each of his sons help with Hop Sing\u2019s annual cleaning.
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 \u00a011,135 words<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Spring Cleaning<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t,\u201d said Joe casually from under his hat as he sat rocking on the chair near the kitchen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam stopped in their tracks on their way to the front door. \u201cWouldn\u2019t what?\u201d asked Adam in a puzzled tone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo in there,\u201d replied Joe, lifting up his hat to grin widely at his two brothers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d asked Adam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSpring cleaning,\u201d replied Joe, jerking his thumb towards the kitchen and giving his brothers a sad look. \u201cHop Sing started on the kitchen this morning.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam groaned and wiped his hand over his face. \u201cIs it that time already?\u201d he said sadly. \u201cThe year certainly goes quickly, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure does,\u201d agreed Joe. \u201cSeems no time at all since we was last helping out with all them heavy lifting chores.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s lunch time,\u201d said Hoss, looking confused. \u201cSpring cleaning or not, we gotta eat!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot in there we don\u2019t,\u201d said Joe. \u201cHop Sing\u2019s working on the kitchen and he already chased me out when I asked what was for lunch. He\u2019s in a right mood. Remember how he gets during spring cleaning?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both Adam and Hoss shook their heads sadly and sat down on the edge of the porch. \u201cBut I\u2019m darned hungry,\u201d complained Hoss. \u201cWe haveta eat!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s fixin some sandwiches,\u201d said Joe. \u201cHe said to wait here for em.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSandwiches!\u201d declared Hoss miserably. \u201cBut I\u2019ve been working hard all morning \u2026 I need more than sandwiches ta keep me going. I think I\u2019ll go and \u2026\u201d He made to stand up, but Adam dragged him down again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThink carefully Hoss,\u201d he said. \u201cSpring cleaning \u2026. Remember?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss visibly shuddered. \u201cYeah,\u201d he said. \u201cI reckon I\u2019ll just wait here fer Pa then.\u201d The three brothers sat in miserable silence for a few moments. \u201cDo ya reckon Pa will be able ta even get sandwiches?\u201d asked Hoss eventually.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded confidently. \u201cIf anyone can get sandwiches out of there, Pa will,\u201d he said. \u201cYou know that he manages Hop Sing better of any of us.\u201d At that moment the kitchen door opened and their father appeared carrying a tray piled high with sandwiches. \u201cSee?\u201d said Adam happily as he stood up. \u201cHe did it!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben came over to them and set the tray down on the edge of the porch while Hoss looked at it eagerly. \u201cWhat did ya get Pa?\u201d he asked hopefully.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben offered the sandwiches around. \u201cCheese,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was all I could manage to find. Hop Sing has everything all over the place in there and he\u2019s in a right mood.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCheese!\u201d said Hoss, miserably biting into one. \u201cYa know I don\u2019t like cheese.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet used to it brother,\u201d said Adam, taking a couple from the tray. \u201cI have a feeling that we\u2019ll be surviving on a lot of things we don\u2019t like in the next few days.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEat it and be grateful I even got that,\u201d said their father sternly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon that\u2019s why I don\u2019t like cheese none,\u201d said Hoss with a sigh as he bit into his sandwich. \u201cAll these times when Hop Sing spring cleans we usually end up with cheese cause it\u2019s the only thing we can find. I\u2019ve grown ta hate it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow come Hop Sing decided it were spring cleaning now?\u201d asked Joe as he munched. \u201cHe normally gives us more warning.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d sighed Ben. \u201cAll I know is that he\u2019s started on the kitchen today and says that he\u2019ll be working on the rest of the house all next week.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose that means the usual?\u201d asked Adam, lifting an eyebrow at his father.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cYes,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve told him that you boys will be available to help him with the heavy lifting and anything else he needs. Thank goodness the branding is over and I can spare you next week.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d muttered Joe sarcastically. \u201cThank goodness.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that young man?\u201d asked Ben quickly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm, nothing Pa,\u201d replied Joe, just as quickly as he swallowed a mouthful of sandwich. \u201cOnly I was wondering why we haveta help \u2026 that\u2019s all.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, it takes an awful lot of work to keep this house running as efficiently as it does,\u201d said Ben. \u201cHop Sing works very hard and the least we can do is to help him out once a year when he gives the house a thorough clean. After all, we live in it \u2026 so it\u2019s the least we can do.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that include all of us then?\u201d asked Adam sweetly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben gave his eldest son a dark look. \u201cI\u2019ve had many years of spring cleaning when you boys were children,\u201d he said. \u201cYou know very well that I\u2019ve handed over that particular task to the three of you now.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d said Adam in that infuriating way he had of speaking at times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBesides,\u201d added Ben. \u201cI usually get stuck doing some of the food preparation because Hop Sing is too busy to do it while he\u2019s cleaning.\u201d His three sons tried to hide their disappointment at his remark, for their father\u2019s cooking was known to be slightly adequate at best. Hoss touched his stomach briefly and sighed sadly at the thought of the miserable week that was ahead of him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell I don\u2019t see why the three of us should suffer,\u201d said Joe, winking at Adam behind Hoss\u2019 back. \u201cWhy don\u2019t just one of us help? We could draw matches for it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Hoss immediately. He could never figure out why, but every time they drew matches he seemed to lose. It was at the back of his mind that his brothers had some sort of trick to arrange it that way, but he could never quite figure out what it was. There was no way that he was prepared to trust the matches for something as important as this. None of them relished the thought of being under Hop Sing\u2019s thumb for the week, least of all him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour brother is right,\u201d said Ben firmly. \u201cYou\u2019ll all take a turn \u2026 it\u2019s fairer that way. Hop Sing estimates six days should do it, so you\u2019ll have two days each. I suggest that you all rest up tomorrow as its Sunday \u2026 because come Monday morning you won\u2019t have time to stop.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd who is the lucky one who begins this process?\u201d asked Adam dryly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben gave him another dark look. \u201cWell, actually I was thinking of you,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ll work our way down by age. You first for two days, then Hoss and then Joe.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss began to snigger at their brother, but Adam looked smug. \u201cSuits me,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll get mine over with first.\u201d His brothers considered his remark and stopped sniggering as he added, \u201cWe all know that Hop Sing gets testier as the week goes on.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat ain\u2019t fair!\u201d declared Joe indignantly. \u201cI\u2019ll get him after you two have finished with him and made him real cranky!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough,\u201d said Ben, getting up and brushing the crumbs off his lap. \u201cIt\u2019ll be as I\u2019ve arranged it. Come on boys, time to get back to work.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t we get nuthin ta drink?\u201d whined Joe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet a drink of water from the pump,\u201d replied his father. \u201cI\u2019m not going back into that kitchen for anyone!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

::::::::::::::::::::\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Day 1<\/b><\/h1>\n

Adam wiped his mouth on his napkin as he stood up from the breakfast table. \u201cWell I\u2019m all yours Hop Sing,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat do you want me to do first?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe made a face at Hoss and quickly got up from the table as well. \u201cI\u2019m outta here,\u201d he said. \u201cWork to do. Bye!\u201d He scuttled for the door as quickly as he could.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss took one last look around the table and sighed at the array of fruit and toast. \u201cI reckon there\u2019s no point eatin no more,\u201d he said sadly. \u201cNothin here kinda sits in my stomach fer long.\u201d He looked at Hop Sing hopefully, but the man simply glared at him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing got no time for cook hot breakfast!\u201d he declared angrily. \u201cMr Hoss be lucky get fruit and toast when spring cleaning.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe know Hop Sing,\u201d said Ben soothingly. \u201cHoss didn\u2019t mean anything by it. I\u2019ll get the sandwiches I made from the kitchen and we\u2019ll get out of way until sundown.\u201d He winked at Adam as he passed him. \u201cGood luck with the cleaning,\u201d he added softly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss gave a sigh as he followed his father to the kitchen. \u201cPlease don\u2019t tell em ya done made cheese again Pa,\u201d he pleaded.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam grinned at the miserable look of his neglected brother and strained to hear his father\u2019s reply, but instead all he heard was Hop Sing muttering to himself in Chinese as he cleared the plates from the table. It was going to be a long two days, Adam decided, but he was determined to make the best of them. \u201cWell,\u201d he said as he helped Hop Sing with the plates. \u201cWhere are we going to start?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn bedrooms,\u201d said Hop Sing. \u201cYou go up and I be there in quick time with equipment. Strip beds off while waiting.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing,\u201d said Adam, trying to sound bright and positive. He went straight to the bedrooms upstairs and began to strip off the beds, shaking his head at the state of his youngest brother\u2019s room as he did so. Adam was a very tidy man and could never understand how Joe could live with such a mess around him. \u201cAll done,\u201d he said as he dropped the sheets from the guest room bed onto the huge pile that was already on the hall floor. \u201cYou want me to make them up with clean sheets now?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Hop Sing, gathering up the sheets. \u201cYou take mattresses outside and hang over corral fence in sunshine for airing.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing,\u201d replied Adam, glad that now it was just the two of them that Hop Sing seemed to be more amenable. They worked alongside each other for the first few hours, taking down curtains for airing and restuffing the mattresses with fresh feathers. Then, while Hop Sing sat down and checked all the curtains for moth holes and sewed up the ends of the mattresses again, Adam collected a bucket of linseed oil and began to dust and polish the bedroom furniture. He began in his father\u2019s room noting how neat his father was as well. Probably from all his years of living as a sailor, he decided.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Hop Sing sat sewing, he watched Adam with a satisfied air. The eldest Cartwright son was to his mind a most methodical and conscientious young man and Hop Sing fully approved of the way in which he went about things. Watching him now he noted how Adam attended to every detail, making sure that each piece was fully dusted and the dresser and cupboards were liberally covered with the linseed oil and polished to perfection. As they worked they chatted together, both of them relishing the rare opportunity to spend time with each other. It made them both remember how it had been years before when Adam had been a young boy and Hop Sing had been new to The Ponderosa. The youngster had gone out of his way to help the man feel at ease in their family and had even helped him to improve his English. Hop Sing had a lot of respect for the eldest Cartwright son and would have trusted him with his life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou want me to clean out the drawers while I\u2019m here?\u201d asked Adam and Hop Sing nodded.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he said. \u201cWill need to check clothing for moth-holes and see if sewing needed in undershirts and socks.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam grinned at him and began to empty his father\u2019s drawers, putting his things carefully on the bed next to Hop Sing who was still sewing. He pulled out a couple of piles of letters that were bound up with string and looked at them curiously before placing them on the bed. \u201cThese are all the letters I sent while I was at college back East,\u201d he said in surprise. \u201cPa\u2019s kept them all these years. I wonder why?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing gave the young man a wise look. \u201cHe miss you a lot in that time,\u201d he said simply. \u201cIs way he can remember you back then.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose so,\u201d said Adam, continuing to work. \u201cStill, I would have thought he would have thrown them out by now.\u201d He smiled sadly as he remembered back. \u201cGee that was a hard time,\u201d he mused. \u201cI was so homesick at first.\u201d His eyes travelled to the pile of letters. \u201cIt would be really interesting to read them again,\u201d he said. \u201cDo you think Pa would mind?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing shook his head. \u201cThey your letters,\u201d he said. \u201cFather not mind.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam grabbed one of them eagerly and began to read as Hop Sing watched him, his own mind travelling back all those years \u2026\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCoffee Mr Cartwright?\u201d Hop Sing put the tray down on the coffee and looked at the man in the red leather chair hopefully.\u00a0 The last thing on his mind was coffee, however, and both he and Ben knew it. The pot had already been filled twice before and Ben never drank more coffee at this late stage of the evening after the two boys were in bed, but it was a good excuse for Hop Sing to come back out to the living room to try to get an idea of how their boy was going. He looked at the letter in Ben\u2019s hand hungrily, knowing that there was more to it than the part that he\u2019d read out loud to his two sons previously and Hop Sing longed to know what was in it.<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n

Ben smiled at him and held it out, but Hop Sing took a step backwards and shook his head. English reading not so good,\u201d he admitted, giving the man another hopeful look. Ben smiled again and motioned for Hop Sing to sit down, opening the letter and beginning to read \u2026 words from across the other side of the country from a young and lonely man who was missing his family. As Hop Sing listened to Ben reading his heart nearly burst with pride at the thought of Ben\u2019s boy \u2026 their boy \u2026. at college and doing so well. He sat back on the sofa and smiled as the words flowed around him, comforting him \u2026<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Adam looked up and grinned at Hop Sing. \u201cGee these letters take me back,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s like reliving those years all over again.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded. \u201cBusy time for you,\u201d he said. \u201cLonely time for father.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded, understanding. \u201cIt was a lonely time for all of us,\u201d he said, putting the letters back in a pile.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d said Hop Sing quietly. \u201cFor all of us.\u201d He looked at the young man with pride in his heart as Adam began to work again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

::::::::::::::::::::\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Day 2<\/b><\/h1>\n

Adam eased himself carefully onto his chair and began to pour himself a cup of coffee. \u201cSore back brother?\u201d teased Joe, grinning at him. \u201cNot as young as you used to be huh?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d said Adam shortly, determined not to let his younger brother rile him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh good,\u201d said Joe, still grinning. \u201cI thought maybe all that heavy lifting yesterday might have been too much for an old fellar like you.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m handling it quite well thank you,\u201d said Adam, sipping his coffee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo how much did ya get done Adam?\u201d asked Hoss, taking six pieces of toast from the pile and wishing there was more. \u201cPlenty I hope. Ya don\u2019t wanna leave too much for me tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d agreed Joe. \u201cYou two make sure you work real hard and maybe there\u2019ll be nuthin left for me to do when my turn comes.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019ll be plenty for you to do young man,\u201d said Ben sternly as he sat down. \u201cNow no more talk about getting out of work please.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing brought in a pile of flapjacks and placed them on the table. \u201cOh boy!\u201d said Hoss happily. \u201cI thought we wasn\u2019t getting any hot breakfast this week?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing gave him a hard look. \u201cFlapjack quick,\u201d he said shortly. \u201cTake no time.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss rubbed his hands together and then speared a pile of them onto his plate. \u201cAnd ain\u2019t I glad about that!\u201d he said happily.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, do you think we could all have some?\u201d asked his father.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss gave him an apologetic look and put some back. \u201cSorry Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cI was just excited is all. So,\u201d he continued with his mouth full. \u201cWhat are ya doing today Adam? More heavy lifting?\u201d He winked at Joe who winked back at him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a matter of fact yes,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cWe\u2019re moving the upstairs cupboards. I hate to think what we\u2019re going to find in yours and Joe\u2019s.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe swallowed his toast and looked furtively around the table. \u201cWell that\u2019s me all finished,\u201d he said quickly. \u201cI\u2019ll just go upstairs and \u2026.\u201d He searched his brain for an excuse to go back upstairs. \u201cCheck that my bed\u2019s made,\u201d he said, getting up quickly and scurrying to the stairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo need,\u201d shouted Hop Sing after him. \u201cWe turn mattress later!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam grinned at Hop Sing and winked at him. \u201cI have a feeling that his bed is not the thing he\u2019s worried about,\u201d he said. \u201cLittle brother might be getting rid of some evidence in his cupboard before we get to it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat sort of evidence?\u201d asked his father quickly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shrugged. \u201cOh I don\u2019t know,\u201d he said casually. \u201cWho would know with that kid?\u201d He stood up. \u201cWell, see you all later. I\u2019ve got work to do upstairs. See you up there soon Hop Sing.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam sure looks like he\u2019s enjoying this,\u201d said Hoss in wonderment. \u201cHe don\u2019t seem ta mind it at all. Sure wish I didn\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour brother has learned to put his mind to a job when it needs to be done and make the best of it,\u201d said Ben, standing up from the table. \u201cWhich is something you obviously haven\u2019t learnt yet.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cIt\u2019s like them cheese sandwiches Pa. I\u2019m trying ta make the best of em \u2026 but it sure ain\u2019t easy!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know son,\u201d said Ben. He eyed off Joe as he came bounding down the stairs three at a time. \u201cWhat exactly were you doing upstairs?\u201d he asked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe gave his father an innocent look. \u201cWho me?\u201d he said. \u201cHeck Pa, nuthin. Just straightening up for Hop Sing and Adam is all.\u201d He gave his father one of his famous grins and bounded over to the hatstand near the front door. \u201cCome on,\u201d he said. \u201cDaylight\u2019s wasting.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben gave his youngest son a suspicious look before following him. \u201cGet the sandwiches Hoss,\u201d he said over his shoulder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d replied Hoss with a sigh.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing shook his head as Hoss disappeared and then gathered up the breakfast things before taking them out to the kitchen and gathering his dust rags and other pieces of equipment. By the time he\u2019d made it upstairs, Adam had already begun emptying his own cupboard and was in the process of moving it so that they could get up the rug underneath. \u201cI was going to start in Joe\u2019s room so that I could figure out what he\u2019d been moving around in there,\u201d he said with a grin as Hop Sing entered the room. \u201cBut I thought better of it. Maybe it\u2019s best not to know eh?\u201d He gave Hop Sing a grin and the cook returned it. At rare moments like this Adam saw the real Hop Sing who enjoyed a joke as much as anyone, but the man had grown to be so guarded over the years that it wasn\u2019t often that he let his guard down in this way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll take the rugs and curtains down later,\u201d continued Adam as Hop Sing began to sort through the articles on the bed. \u201cI suppose you want the dust beaten out of them?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d said Hop Sing. \u201cAfter I check for moth holes.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam waited while Hop Sing inspected the curtains, his hand drifting as it often did to touch his mother\u2019s music box that was on his dresser where he always kept it. Without thinking, he opened the lid and listened to the soft lilting music that emanated from it, noticing as he did the frown that came over Hop Sing\u2019s face. He shut the lid quickly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he said. \u201cDon\u2019t you like it?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing shrugged. \u201cIs pretty,\u201d he said shortly. \u201cTake down curtains now and take downstairs for beating.\u201d He waited while Adam got up on a chair and obediently took down the curtains, swooping up a handful of them together with the rug and disappearing downstairs with them. Hop Sing stood looking out of the window for several moments until Adam appeared out in the front yard and began to drape all of the articles over the corral fence before beating them with a wire brush. Clouds of dust began to rise from them immediately.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing stared at the young man for a moment before turning back to the room and resting his hand onto the small music box. He lifted the lid again, his heart lurched for a moment as the sound flooded his mind with memories of the past \u2026\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing stood outside the back door as he often did late at night after everything was cleaned up and he was finally ready for bed. He drank in the scent of the pines and listened to the wind rustling through them as he drank in their sweet smell. He turned his head and listened as the soft music came drifting down from the upstairs window \u2026. Mr Cartwright\u2019s window \u2026. And he suddenly realised that it was May again. It was in May that she had died \u2026 so Adam had told him. Elizabeth, Mr Cartwright\u2019s first wife and Adam\u2019s mother. So many years ago and yet the man still obviously cherished her memory so dearly.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Hop Sing often heard the music box playing softly at this time of night when everything was still and quiet and knew that his employer was up there listening to it and thinking of his first wife. Hop Sing had never met the woman of course, but he knew that if she was anything like her son that she had been a very special lady.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Mr Cartwright always became nostalgic when the anniversaries of all three wives\u2019 deaths came around and May was Elizabeth\u2019s month. It was as if he put all his energies into remembering each of the special women that they had been and used the small reminders that he had of them to bring them back to him. Elizabeth\u2019s music box, Inger\u2019s hand-knitted rug and Marie\u2019s music box. Although Hop Sing had only ever know the last of the Cartwright mothers, be knew without doubt that they had all been special \u2026 as their sons were special.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

He would never have said it out loud \u2026 and rarely showed even an inkling of his feelings \u2026 but he cherished each of the Cartwright sons as if they were his own. He knew their strengths and their failings. He knew their minds and their hearts. He knew them inside and out and even though he never showed it \u2026 he loved them.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing shut the lid of the box and the soft music faded. He sighed. \u201cYou want these back up?\u201d asked Adam, coming into the room with his armful of curtains and the rug. \u201cThey\u2019re as clean as I can get them.\u201d Hop Sing nodded and didn\u2019t say anything. \u201cWell I guess I\u2019ll get onto Joe\u2019s room next,\u201d said Adam. \u201cLet me know when you want that cupboard moved back Hop Sing.\u201d Hop Sing nodded again and still didn\u2019t say anything. Adam gave him a strange look. \u201cYou OK?\u201d he asked. \u201cYou look sort of strange.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI fine,\u201d snapped Hop Sing, unwilling to let his true emotions show as always. He picked up a cloth. \u201cNot know why you have so many books! Too many books! Too much dusting for Hop Sing!\u201d He began to fling the dust-cloth around with great energy and Adam made a face and disappeared quickly from the room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

::::::::::::::::::::\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Day 3<\/b><\/h1>\n

Hoss clapped his hands together in anticipation as Hop Sing put a platter on the table. \u201cFruit!\u201d he said in dismay. \u201cBut \u2026. What happened to the flapjacks?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing gave him a cranky look. \u201cNo time for cooking this morning,\u201d he said. \u201cToo much spring cleaning!\u201d He slammed the coffeepot down on the table and disappeared again into the kitchen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss sighed. \u201cI knew it was too good ta last,\u201d he said sadly. \u201cOh well, I guess I\u2019ll jest havta make up fer it during the day.\u201d He grinned in anticipation. \u201cAt least now that I\u2019m home for the next two days I\u2019ll get ta eat.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u201cDon\u2019t count on it,\u201d he said knowingly. \u201cWe just grabbed what we could during the past two days. You won\u2019t have much time to eat.\u201d Hoss looked crestfallen and heaped up his plate with toast and Joe sniggered.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you good brother,\u201d he said. \u201cTake some of that lard off of you.\u201d Hoss gave him a dark look as he munched his toast.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow that\u2019s enough from you,\u201d said their father. \u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll get enough to eat son.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d said Joe, giggling. \u201cThere\u2019s plenty of cheese in the kitchen for some of them cheese sandwiches that you love so much brother.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss flung down his toast. \u201cI\u2019m gonna pound ya Joe iffen ya don\u2019t shut up!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat will do!\u201d said Ben sternly. \u201cEnough!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d said Adam smugly. \u201cYou two need to just stop all this constant bickering.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou should talk,\u201d said Joe defensively. \u201cAfter that stunt you pulled on us yesterday afternoon!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked aggrieved. \u201cWell I couldn\u2019t help it if you two just happened to be standing there when I was beating those rugs,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019ve always got your mouth open little brother, so it\u2019s no wonder you swallowed a mouthful of dust the way you did.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t help fighting,\u201d said Hoss miserably. \u201cI\u2019m right ornery when I\u2019m hungry \u2026. And I\u2019m hungry all the time lately.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell get used to it,\u201d said Adam as he stood up and stretched. \u201cI must say I\u2019m happy that my spring cleaning is done and I can get back outside again.\u201d He reached over and patted Hoss on the shoulder. \u201cHave fun brother.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stood up and giggled as he grabbed a piece of toast and followed his brother from the room. \u201cYeah, have fun brother,\u201d he said over his shoulder. \u201cRemember to get lots done!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss gave his father a miserable look. \u201cPa \u2026\u201d he began.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben put his hand up as he stood up from the table. \u201cI\u2019m not listening Hoss,\u201d he said. \u201cHave a good day.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave a good day,\u201d mumbled Hoss as his father left as well. \u201cHow can I have a good day when I\u2019m so hungry?\u201d His eyes lit up and he got up from the table and tiptoed into the kitchen where Hop Sing was busy filling a bucket of hot water.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you do in here?\u201d Hop Sing demanded.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss looked around at the sparse kitchen. \u201cI was kinda thinking I could start in here fer ya Hop Sing,\u201d he said hopefully. \u201cMaybe clean out them kitchen cupboards fer ya?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing flung the bucket at him and waved him away. \u201cKitchen already done!\u201d he shouted. \u201cBad boy want food! Bad boy not get food until work done! Window to be washed!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss looked at the bucket in his hand in dismay. \u201cWindows?\u201d he said sadly. \u201cHow many windows?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll!\u201d said Hop Sing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll?\u201d said Hoss, swallowing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded. \u201cAll,\u201d he said firmly. \u201cStart upstairs.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss muttered to himself as he walked up the stairs with his bucket of hot water and an armful of cloths. \u201cAll the windows!\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s gonna take me all day!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHope not,\u201d said Hop Sing behind him, also with a bucket and cloths. \u201cWe got all wall to scrub too.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss stopped. \u201cYou\u2019re kidding ain\u2019t ya?\u201d he asked and swallowed again as Hop Sing shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m gonna have sore shoulders by this afternoon sure enough.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By the afternoon though, sore shoulders was the least of Hoss\u2019 worries. It seemed that every time he turned around there was one more window to wash and one more wall to scrub and it seemed like he was forever totting bucketful after bucketful of hot water up the stairs. It was well into the afternoon once they\u2019d finished the upstairs bedrooms and were ready to start on downstairs and Hoss had to content himself with a hurried sandwich before Hop Sing was urging him to get everything pulled off the walls ready for scrubbing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember when I was a kid and Pa was building this house,\u201d he said conversationally as they worked. \u201cHe let me mix up the whitewash ta paint it with.\u201d He chuckled as he remembered getting more of the whitewash on himself than Adam and his father were getting on the walls. \u201cThat was right before you came weren\u2019t it Hop Sing?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded. \u201cMr Ben had downstairs of house just finished when Hop Sing come,\u201d he said. \u201cUpstairs later.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI remember,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cAdam and me thought you was real interesting when ya first come.\u201d He gave the man a sideways glance. \u201cNo offence or nothing, but we\u2019d never seen a Chinaman afore then.\u201d Hop Sing nodded in brief acknowledgement of his words. Hoss carefully took down his father\u2019s gun display from the wall of his study and then looked at the large picture of The Ponderosa ranch on the wall that had been there for more years than he could remember. \u201cRemember when me and Adam and Joe gave this ta Pa fer his birthday that time?\u201d he said as he took it down. \u201cAdam had drawn it so careful and the Joe went and put the compass pointing the wrong way. Dadburnit but Adam was mad!\u201d He chuckled at the memory. \u201cYou want all these books down too Hop Sing?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded as he watched Hoss working. The middle Cartwright son had always been a steady person in his mind and he well remember the quiet and thoughtful boy who had greeted the strange Chinese man when he\u2019d arrived at the ranch for the first time. They\u2019d quickly found a common interest in food \u2026 Hop Sing to cook it and Hoss to eat it \u2026 and had not looked back from there. Hoss was probably the one Cartwright more than any other that Hop Sing spent a lot of time with, for he was always popping in and out of the kitchen looking for something to eat and talking while he ate it, and consequently he was the one that Hop Sing had grown to know better than the others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He knew that Hoss had a simple and uncomplicated heart \u2026. full of love for the land and his family \u2026 and he knew that the young man had a sense within him of what was right that he\u2019d inherited from his father.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get these pictures down,\u201d said Hoss, moving towards the murky daub near the front door. Hop; Sing shook his head, for he never could understand how Mr Cartwright had found that picture attractive enough to keep hanging there. He had decided long ago that there was no accounting for another man\u2019s taste after all. Hoss went systematically around the large living are taking down everything from the walls so that they could be cleaned, even the large deer horns that hung above the fireplace \u2026 another reason for Hop Sing to shake his head. He never could understand the American love of hunting and to have the remains of a dead animal looking down on you from above was something quite abhorrent to him. However, the Cartwrights didn\u2019t seem to mind it and as it was their house he had learned to live with it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss removed all the guns from their rack and went to work on cleaning and polishing it with linseed oil. \u201cI remember when Pa done first let me use one of these,\u201d he said as he polished. \u201cI was thirteen and real proud too.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFather proud of young boy then too,\u201d said Hop Sing, remembering as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon so,\u201d said Hoss, putting the finishing touches on the rack. \u201cYou want this Indian rug down too Hop Sing?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded. \u201cTake outside and beat,\u201d he said. \u201cGet plenty dirt from Little Joe\u2019s boots.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss nodded, thinking of his little brother\u2019s inclination to slide down the banisters that he still was known to do on occasion, even though he insisted to them all that he was now grown up and never did it any more. His boots usually came to rest on the Indian rug each time he did it and it showed the imprints of hundreds of boot marks if you looked closely enough. He dragged the rug from it\u2019s customary position on the banisters, thinking how his father insisted had always insisted that they keep it there at the first landing to break Joe\u2019s fall in case he one day went too far and broke through the wood slats on his way down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing grinned as he remembered it too. There were lots of things from those days that were so much a part of his heart. Things like the first time Mr Cartwright had brought that rug home \u2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Where\u2019d ya get it from Pa?\u201d asked Hoss excitedly. \u201cIs it really from the Indians?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cSure is,\u201d replied his father, spreading the red and white rug on the floor so that they could all see it. The Paiutes gave it to me in exchange for that tobacco I gave them.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cIts real nice, ain\u2019t it?\u201d said Hoss, bending down to examine it closely. \u201cDon\u2019t ya think so Ma?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n

Marie hesitated for a moment before replying. \u201cYes,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s \u2026. very nice.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t like it,\u201d observed Ben. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I had no intention of putting it down here on the floor. I know it doesn\u2019t go with your d\u00e9cor my darling.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Marie breathed a sigh of relief. \u201cGood,\u201d she said. \u201cOnly \u2026 if you wanted to, then of course \u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Ben put up his hand. \u201cWe\u2019ll put it up in one of the guest bedrooms where you don\u2019t have to look at it so often,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Marie smiled at him. \u201cYou know me well,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Ben kissed her on the top of the head. \u201cVery well,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing smiled as he remembered how short a time it had remained in the guest bedroom. As soon as Little Joe was old enough to climb on that banister his father had placed in on the first landing and there it had stayed ever since. It was so much a part of the d\u00e9cor now, that none of them even noticed it half the time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing?\u201d asked Hoss again. \u201cI said do ya want me ta put the rug back or keep it down here?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing gave Hoss a startled look and blinked a couple of times. \u201cI done near beat it ta death,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cIt\u2019s right clean now.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded as he realised that he\u2019d been standing daydreaming since Hoss had left the room. \u201cLeave down,\u201d he said. \u201cNeed polish banisters first.\u201d When Hoss gave him an aggrieved look, he added. \u201cTomorrow\u2019s chore. We finish now and I get supper ready.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHot diggety!\u201d said Hoss, licking his lips. \u201cSupper,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m so hungry I could eat a bear.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo bear,\u201d said Hop Sing sternly. \u201cOnly cold beef.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged. \u201cI\u2019m so hungry I\u2019ll take whatever I can get,\u201d he said as he put down the rug and followed Hop Sing into the kitchen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

::::::::::::::::::::\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Day 4<\/b><\/h1>\n

Hoss sneezed and then wiped his eyes with his handkerchief. \u201cDo you mind?\u201d said Adam testily. \u201cDo you have to do that all over the breakfast?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d said Hoss, putting away his handkerchief. \u201cIt\u2019s these darned allergies of mine. All that dust Hop Sing and me has been stirring up has brought em all back.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell just so long as you get rid of it before I take over tomorrow,\u201d said Joe, reaching for some toast. \u201cI hate dusting.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou and me both little brother,\u201d said Hoss miserably. \u201cI discovered yesterday that I hate lotsa things. Like window fer a start.\u201d He glanced quickly to check that Hop Sing was nowhere in sight before adding, \u201cIf I haveta clean me one more window then I\u2019m likely ta break it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have no such nonsense around here,\u201d said his father firmly. \u201cI had enough of broken windows when Joseph put his boot through one last month.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell it was Hoss\u2019 fault,\u201d declared Joe. \u201cHe shouldn\u2019t have thrown that glass of water over me.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYow else was I ta get ya woken up?\u201d said Hoss defensively.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s not start this again,\u201d cut in their father. \u201cJust get on with breakfast so that we can get to work.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d said Joe. \u201cSome of us get ta ride out for the day \u2026. Whereas others get ta stay here.\u201d He gave Hoss a smug look and Hoss returned it with one of his own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour day will come little brother,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d added Adam. \u201cLike tomorrow.\u201d Joe gave his brothers a dark look and said nothing as Hop Sing entered the room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo what have ya got fer me today Hop Sing?\u201d asked Hoss, eyeing off the egg with pleasure. \u201cEggs! Hot diggety!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNeed all strength today,\u201d said Hop Sing, spooning eggs onto Hoss plate, much to his delight. \u201cCleaning fireplace.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 face fell. \u201cThe fireplace?\u201d he said miserably. \u201cI don\u2019t know if my allergies are gonna hold up ta that!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing glared at him. \u201cYou not allergic to soot!\u201d he declared. \u201cFireplace need cleaning and Mr Hoss clean it!\u201d He stomped off into the kitchen, leaving Hoss staring in dismay at his eggs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell I\u2019m glad it ain\u2019t me,\u201d said Joe happily. \u201cCleaning out the fireplace is just about the worst chore you can get.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh I don\u2019t know,\u201d said Adam casually. \u201cI think there are still worse ones to go. I\u2019m sure that Hop Sing has saved some real good ones for you tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked worried. \u201cYou think?\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded as he stood up. \u201cI do,\u201d he said, enjoying the look of despair on his brother\u2019s face. \u201cCome on then. You\u2019d better make the most of it while you\u2019re still a free man.\u201d Joe jumped up quickly form the table and followed Adam from the room without saying another word while their father tried to hide his grin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll do fine today son,\u201d he said to the dejected Hoss. \u201cThe fireplace isn\u2019t that bad.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno Pa,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cHave ya ever cleaned it?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded as he stood up. \u201cMany times son, many times,\u201d he said. \u201cGood luck with it.\u201d Hoss gave his father a doleful look as the man left the house, before finishing off his eggs and the rest of those on the platter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly Hop Sing came into the room again carrying a large shovel and bucket. \u201cChop chop!\u201d he said, fluttering his hand at Hoss. \u201cEnough breakfast! Time for cleaning now!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss sighed again and got up from the table. \u201cI guess I\u2019ll be a mite dirty before the morning\u2019s out,\u201d he said. \u201c\u201dWhat do you want me to do with the ashes Hop Sing?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPut out back,\u201d said Hop Sing. \u201cUse later.\u201d He disappeared again before Hoss could ask him what he was going to use them for, soon returning with several large sheets which he spread all over the floors and the furniture. \u201cNo make mess,\u201d he warned Hoss before disappearing again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By the end of the morning, Hoss had definitely made a mess. Try as he would, the soot seemed to settle on everything and he was soon on the end of Hop Sing\u2019s sharp tongue. \u201cYou want clean walls again?\u201d the housekeeper shouted. \u201cNo soot on walls!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d said Hoss as he scrubbed the grate. \u201cI\u2019m doing the best I can Hop Sing.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo better,\u201d said Hop Sing angrily. He went over to the staircase and began to pull things out from behind the space behind it. He never could understand why the space was there in the first place and when he\u2019d asked Mr Cartwright once Ben had acted sort of embarrassed as if he didn\u2019t know either. Hop Sing suspected that it was a mistake in the plans of the house, but instead of his employer admitting to that he had simply used the excuse that it was for storage. Not that they needed it with such a large attic upstairs though.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He pulled out several items such a snowshoes that should have been up in the attic, but that Joe had left there when he couldn\u2019t be bothered to go upstairs and put them away. Now that the winter was over they needed to be stored away. Hop Sing put them to one side and soon had a large pile of things ready to go to the attic with them. Hoss came over to see what he was doing. \u201cHey,\u201d he said. \u201cI remember this! I\u2019ve been wondering where it got to.\u201d He picked up the rifle with the misshapen barrel and aimed it at the fireplace. \u201cSee Hop Sing?\u201d he said. \u201cIt shoots around corners.\u201d He put it down again. \u201cOr it\u2019s sposed ta,\u201d he admitted sadly. \u201cGuess I never did get it ta work.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFinished grate!\u201d snapped Hop Sing, trying desperately not to laugh at the sight of Hoss pretending to fire the strange weapon. Hoss slumped back to the fireplace and began to scrub the grate again as Hop Sing stared at the rifle which he\u2019d placed back on the floor, remembering well the day that he had brought it home and how angry his father had been with him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss I really don\u2019t understand you at times,\u201d said his father. \u201cWhy on earth would you waste all your money on something like this?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa,\u201d said Hoss, sounding aggrieved. \u201cIt\u2019ll be right useful.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat on earth for?\u201d asked Adam, staring at the gun with the bent rifle.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cShootin round corners,\u201d explained Hoss patiently. \u201cFer when ya don\u2019t want no one ta know you\u2019re there.\u201d He looked from his brother to his father and then back again. \u201cAnd it\u2019ll come in right useful fer hinting too,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cSon, it\u2019ll never work,\u201d argued his father. \u201cThe bullet will never make it out of the barrel when it\u2019s bent that way.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cSure enuff it will,\u201d said Hoss confidently. \u201cThe fellar what sold it to me said it would.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you believed him,\u201d said Adam patiently. \u201cHoss, he was having you on. It won\u2019t work. Come on outside and I\u2019ll prove it to you.\u201d He grabbed the gun and took it outside, followed by Hoss.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Ben shook his head and sighed as he looked at Hop Sing. \u201cThe boy has wasted all his money again,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019ll ever learn.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cHim not want to learn,\u201d retorted Hop Sing. \u201cHim like rifle, him buy. Simple!\u201d Ben shook his head as the cook flounced out of the room as well.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Cartwright had always been so proud of his boys, even when he knew that they made mistakes. He\u2019d often said how it was the only way they could learn, but Hop Sing knew that the man\u2019s heart went out to them every time they did something silly \u2026 like buying the rifle. The problem was that Hoss was just too trusting and his father knew it. Trust like that could easily be replaced and the rifle was proof of it. Perhaps that was why his father had allowed him to keep it all these years? As a reminder to be careful in his dealings with people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing glanced over at Hoss who was putting the grate back in place. The young man was black from head to foot and looked quite peculiar. \u201cI get hot water ready,\u201d he said shortly. \u201cYou need bath.\u201d Hoss grinned at him and he winked back at him in an uncharacteristic expression of his feelings for the young man.<\/span><\/p>\n

::::::::::::::::::::\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Day 5<\/b><\/h1>\n

\u201cSo little brother,\u201d said Hoss with the relief evident in his voice. \u201cIt\u2019s all yours from now on. I\u2019m all done with spring cleaning until next year.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe both have,\u201d said Adam. \u201cI wonder what Hop Sing has in mind for you today Joe?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell whatever it is, I can handle it,\u201d replied Joe confidently. \u201cI still think that Hoss had the worst chore yesterday with that fireplace.\u201d He gave Hop Sing one of his dazzling smiles as the man entered the room with the coffeepot. \u201cWhat are we gonna be doing today Hop Sing?\u201d he asked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFloors,\u201d said Hop Sing. He plonked the pot down on the table and glared at Joe. \u201cAnd you not complain!\u201d he said, hitting him on the side of the head. \u201cI have enough complaints yesterday from Mr Hoss about windows and walls.\u201d He flounced out of the room again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d said Joe indignantly. \u201cI never said nothing!\u201d He rubbed his head ruefully. \u201cHow come I\u2019m always the one what gets hit on the head?\u2019 he pouted. \u201cHe\u2019s gonna damage my brain one day if he keeps doing that.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMight?\u201d asked Adam sarcastically.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat brain?\u201d said Hoss just as quickly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe gave them both dark looks. \u201cWell anyway,\u201d he said. \u201cFloors don\u2019t sound too bad. I reckon it\u2019ll be nice and easy.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded at Hoss who winked back at him. \u201cTell us that tomorrow morning,\u201d said Adam wisely as he stood up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so hard about floors?\u201d asked Joe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll find out little brother,\u201d said Hoss, patting him on the head as he followed his older brother out of the room. \u201cYou\u2019ll find out.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shrugged and grinned at his father. \u201cI reckon they\u2019re just jealous cause I got the easy chore,\u201d he said confidently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you say so son,\u201d replied his father, raising an eyebrow. \u201cWell I must be off now. Good luck.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need luck,\u201d said Joe happily. \u201cIt\u2019ll be easy.\u201d He grinned at Hop Sing as the man came into the room again. \u201cWell I\u2019m ready to start Hop Sing,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat do I do?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMove furniture,\u201d said Hop Sing as he collected the breakfast plates. \u201cI get what you need.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe swaggered over to the sofa and began to move it towards the side of the room, then returned and moved first the coffee table, his father\u2019s red leather chair and Adam\u2019s favourite blue one. \u201cThat do?\u201d he asked as Hop Sing came into the room with several cloths and a bucket of something.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing frowned. \u201cI say move furniture,\u201d he said sternly. \u201cAll furniture, not just some!\u201d He motioned to the dining room table and chairs and Joe sighed as he moved over to them. By the time all the furniture had been neatly stacked in a corner of the room, he was ready for a rest. He had no sooner sat down on the upturned sofa, however, than Hop Sing was shoving a broom in his hand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this for?\u201d he asked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing pointed to the floor as he gave Joe two buckets. \u201cSlaked lime and soda,\u201d he said. \u201cWill clean floorboards. Use with sand in other bucket to scrub off stains.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOK,\u201d said Joe, smelling the liquid in the bucket. \u201cEw \u2026 that smells awful!\u201d Still, it don\u2019t sound too bad,\u201d he said. \u201cOK \u2026 I\u2019ll start over here by the door.\u201d He set to work dipping the broom into the lime mixture and scrubbing it, spreading sand over the floor at various intervals to keep it abrasive. He worked off and on for several hours, feeling quite proud of himself for the way the floors were looking by the time he\u2019d finished. \u201cWell I guess that\u2019s about it,\u201d he said happily as Hop Sing came into the room to see how he was going. \u201cAll done!\u201d He sat down ready to have a rest, but was dismayed when Hop Sing thrust a bucket and some cloths into his hands. \u201cWhat\u2019s this for?\u201d he asked. \u201cI\u2019ve finished!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing shook his head. \u201cYou finish easy part,\u201d he said wisely. \u201cNow time for polishing.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe glanced into the bucket. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d he asked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLinseed oil,\u201d replied Hop Sing. \u201cGet floorboards good shine.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe made a face and then sighed. \u201cOK,\u201d he said. \u201cWhere\u2019s the mop for me to put it on with then?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing shook his head again. \u201cNo mop,\u201d he said. \u201cOnly way do good job is on knees. Use cloths and much rub.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe gave the man an appalled look. \u201cOn my knees?\u201d he asked. Hop Sing nodded. \u201cThe whole floor?\u201d he asked. \u201cHop Sing nodded again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStart now,\u201d instructed Hop Sing pointing to the floor. \u201cNeed finished by supper time.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sighed again and got down on his knees, muttering to himself. After an hour of steadily working his way across the floor and not quite reaching halfway, he began to understand why his brothers and his father had acted as they had that morning. No doubt they had had their turn at polishing the floors in the past and had put up with the aching knees, shoulders and back. He sat up and stretched as he looked miserably at the large expanse of floor still ahead of him to do. \u201cThere has to be an easier way,\u201d he muttered to himself and then grinned as an idea hit him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Quickly, he sat up and pulled off his boots before tying the cloths onto his feet and pouring the linseed oil liberally onto them. Then, tentatively, he stood up and took a couple of steps, sliding his feet as he did so. With a whoop of delight, he began to slide around the floor, smearing the linseed oil onto the floorboards as he did so. Soon he was gliding from one end of the room to the other, enjoying himself no end as he smeared the oil onto the floors behind him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you do?!?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe slid to an abrupt stop as he saw Hop Sing glaring at him. \u201cI \u2026 um \u2026 I found a better way to do it,\u201d he said feebly, looking down at the criss-cross lines of oil on the floor. Now that he stopped and actually looked at it, the floor didn\u2019t seem to be evenly covered with the stuff at all. Hop Sing reached over and hit him sharply on the side of the head, beginning to shout at him in Chinese while he waved his arms around.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe ducked for cover as Hop Sing berated him. \u201cI thought it\u2019d work,\u201d he protested feebly as he sat down and pulled off the cloths. \u201cI\u2019ll go and do it the other way then if you don\u2019t like it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing reached down and hit him on the side of the head again. \u201cNo like!\u201d he shouted. \u201cBad boy! Always bad boy do much foolishment!\u201d He glared at Joe\u2019s sodden white socks as the cloths came off them. \u201cSocks ruined!\u201d he shouted. \u201cMore work for Hop Sing! Bad boy!\u201d He hit him on the head again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d said Joe, ducking away again as he pulled off his socks. \u201cI\u2019ll go back to doing it on my knees \u2026 see?\u201d He got down on his knees again and began to methodically apply the oil onto the gaps on the floor, grinning at Hop Sing as he did so. However, the man wasn\u2019t to be mollified so quickly and he simply glared at Joe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, Hop Sing pointed to the large grandfather clock next to the front door. \u201cYou no move clock!\u201d he shouted. \u201cI say all furniture move!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe gave him an appalled look as he sat back on his knees to look up at the large clock. \u201cBut it\u2019s so big,\u201d he protested. \u201cI thought I\u2019d just work around it.\u201d Hop Sing shook his head as he continued to glare at him and Joe sighed as he stood up and began to heave the clock to one side. \u201cDon\u2019t know why we\u2019ve got such a big clock anyways,\u201d he muttered. \u201cIt\u2019s ain\u2019t good fer nothing.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing looked at the young man and tried not to laugh as he remembered back to a time when that very clock had proved useful for him when he was a little boy \u2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph please!\u201d said Ben, putting down his newspaper and giving the little boy a frustrated look. \u201cDon\u2019t kick my chair!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Joe grinned at his father. \u201cOK,\u201d he said, unabashed. He continued to swing on the arm of his father\u2019s red leather chair as he watched the man reading. \u201cWhatcha reading Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cThe newspaper,\u201d replied his father absently as he began to read again.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen can I learn ta read?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you go to school \u2026 stop kicking the chair!\u201d Ben pushed the small boy off the arm of the chair. \u201cEither come up here and sit on my lap or move somewhere else,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Joe grinned at his father again and got off the arm of the chair, wandering over to look at the chess game between Adam and Hoss. \u201cDon\u2019t touch that,\u201d snapped Adam, as his little brother picked up a piece.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Joe immediately put it back again and sighed. He stood and watched the game for a moment and then turned back to his father. \u201cI got nuthin ta do,\u201d he whined.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cPlay with your soldiers,\u201d said his father without putting down his paper.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t feel like it.\u201d Joe sighed and then wandered away from the fireplace, ambling around the room looking at things. \u201cDon\u2019t touch that,\u201d said his father as the child\u2019s hand strayed to the papers on his father\u2019s desk. Joe sighed again and wandered over to the large grandfather clock, looking up at it as the pendulum swung back and forth.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Hop Sing came into the room with a tray. \u201cCoffee Mr Cartwright?\u201d He said as he set it down on the coffee table.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you Hop Sing,\u201d replied Ben, putting down his newspaper. \u201cAdam?\u201d Adam poured himself a cup of coffee as Ben poured out two glasses of milk and handed one to Hoss. He looked around. \u201cWhere\u2019s Little Joe?\u201d he said, not seeing the child. \u201cJoseph!\u201d There was no response. \u201cWhere has that child got to?\u201d he said in frustration. \u201cJoseph! Come here please! Where have you got to?\u201d There was still no response and he frowned as he realised that his son was nowhere in the room. \u201cDid either of you see where your brother went?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam shook their heads. \u201cNo Pa,\u201d they said in unison.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d shouted Ben angrily. \u201cCome here please!\u201d There was a scuffling noise near the front door and he looked over at it, hoping to see his son there, but there was nothing. \u201cDid you boys hear that?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d said Adam, pointing to the clock, which had stopped ticking. \u201cThe clock.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Ben got up and strode over to the large clock, opening the front of it to reveal Little Joe sitting inside. He pulled the boy out and gave him two swift swats on the backside. \u201cWhat were you doing in there?\u201d he asked sternly.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cJust seeing if I could fit,\u201d whimpered Joe, rubbing his small backside.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWell don\u2019t!\u201d said his father angrily.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Hop Sing helped Joe to steady the clock as they pushed it towards the study. \u201cNow you clean underneath!\u201d he instructed as he hit him on the side of the head again. \u201cNo be lazy boy!\u201d Joe rubbed his head and did as he was instructed while Hop Sing watched him. \u201cYou mischief maker,\u201d he admonished the young man as he waggled his finger at him. \u201cYou always mischief maker ever since little boy.\u201d He smiled to himself as he glared outwardly.<\/span><\/p>\n

::::::::::::::::::::\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Day 6<\/b><\/h1>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d asked Adam as Joe gently eased himself onto his chair. \u201cSore back?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe gave him a dark look. \u201cSore back, sore knees, sore shoulders, sore everything,\u201d he admitted. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell me how hard them floors was?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut I did,\u201d said Adam sweetly. \u201cOnly you wouldn\u2019t listen \u2026. Remember? <\/span>Easy chore<\/span><\/i>!\u201d He scoffed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah little brother,\u201d chuckled Hoss in delight. \u201cLearned something about them floors now, ain\u2019t ya?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cI\u2019m never gonna walk on em again with muddy boots, I can tell you that!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll believe that when I see it,\u201d said his father drolly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell today\u2019s the last day and I\u2019m mighty grateful about that,\u201d declared Joe. \u201cI\u2019m darned sick of spring cleaning!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou sick of spring cleaning!\u201d shouted Hop Sing as he dumped the coffeepot on the table. \u201cYou only have two days! Hop Sing have all week! Am sick of spring cleaning and am sick on complaining Cartwrights!\u201d He flounced out of the room again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow see what you\u2019ve done little brother,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cYou\u2019ve gone and put him in a bad mood.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou two did that before I got to him,\u201d declared Joe. \u201cAnd I have to put up with it!\u201d He ducked as Hop Sing came up behind his chair and hit him on the side of the head. \u201cAw gee Hop Sing! Quit it!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou no complain!\u201d Hop Sing shouted. \u201cYou put up with Hop Sing bad temper! Hop Sing put up with boy\u2019s foolishment!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat foolishment?\u201d asked Ben quickly. \u201cWhat did you do yesterday Joseph?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAw, gee Pa,\u201d said Joe quickly, before Hop sing could say any more. \u201cI never done nothing cept work hard all day.\u201d He grinned at Hop Sing. \u201cWhat are we doing today?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRest of downstairs,\u201d said Hop Sing huffily. \u201cClean furniture.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Well that don\u2019t sound too bad,\u201d said Joe happily, helping himself to some coffee. \u201cAt least I won\u2019t be on my knees no more.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever Hop Sing asks you to do, you make sure you do it properly young man,\u201d said his father sternly. \u201cUnderstood?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d replied Joe dutifully. \u201cYou can count on me Pa.\u201d He grinned at his father, but Ben merely shook his head at him as he got up from the table.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on boys,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got work to do.\u201d Adam and Hoss both gave Joe a smile before getting up from the table and following their father to the front door. Joe sat back on his chair and sipped his cup of coffee, relishing it as he put his feet up on his father\u2019s chair next to him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly his feet were thrust from the chair and he looked up to see Hop Sing glaring at him. \u201cWhat you do?\u201d asked the cook.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust finishing my breakfast,\u201d said Joe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou lazy boy!\u201d shouted the cook. \u201cFinish breakfast and get to work!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sighed as sipped the last of his coffee before getting up. \u201cAll right,\u201d he said. \u201cWhere do you want me to start?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing pointed t the banisters. \u201cPolish handrail,\u201d he said. \u201cI take runner outside and clean it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing,\u201d said Joe, happy that the chore wouldn\u2019t involve getting down on his knees. \u201cLinseed oil again?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded as he handed it to him with some cloths. \u201cLinseed oil,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGee we use a lot of this stuff,\u201d mused Joe as he began to work. Hop Sing took the stair runner outside and Joe began to whistle as he worked his way up the banister, taking care to polish both sides as he went. As he got to the top of the stairs, he hesitated for a moment, looking back down the shiny railing that he\u2019d just polished. After a quick look over his shoulder he put one leg over the edge and slid down it, feeling the joy that he\u2019d always felt when he\u2019d done that so many times before. His feet landed on the Indian rug with a thud, just in time for him to hear Hop Sing\u2019s voice down below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you do?\u201d Hop Sing shouted. \u201cJust clean rug yesterday and bad boy make it dirty again!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe got off the banister quickly and gave the man a shameful look. \u201cI was just seeing if it was polished enough,\u201d he said, his excuse sounding lame even to himself. \u201cI mean \u2026 you know \u2026 if it was slippery.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing frowned at him. \u201cBring oil down here if finished,\u201d he said. \u201cPolish coffee table and leather chairs while I clean sofa.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d replied Joe, glad to have gotten off so easily. He bounded down the remainder of the stairs and began work on the coffee table. \u201cThis is really marked,\u201d he said presently. \u201cI wonder why it has so many scratches on it?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing gave him a scathing look. \u201cYou not know?\u201d he said. \u201cThink!\u201d He hit Joe lightly on the side of the head.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe made a face. \u201cOh yeah,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI guess when Adam puts his boots up here eh?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing snorted. \u201cNot number one son who is problem,\u201d he said. \u201cNumber three son most have boots on there.\u201d He kept sponging the red and white striped sofa with his wet cloth as he talked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell sometimes,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cBut Adam does it too!\u201d He made a face when he realised that Hop Sing wasn\u2019t going to comment and moved over to start on his father\u2019s favourite red leather chair. \u201cThis chair sure has seen some wear,\u201d he commented presently. \u201cIt\u2019s real comfy too. I can see why Pa like it. Better than that old sofa.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet out of chair and keep working,\u201d said Hop Sing shortly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut really Hop Sing,\u201d replied Joe, getting out of the chair and beginning to wipe it down. \u201cWhy does Pa keep that sofa anyway? It\u2019s so uncomfortable. We could have a real comfy one there if he\u2019d let us put that on in the attic.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr Cartwright like sofa,\u201d said Hop Sing softly as his mind drifted back to the day when Little Joe\u2019s mother had her husband bring it home \u2026..\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Marie watched in satisfaction as Ben moved the sofa into place in front of the fire. \u201cThat\u2019s perfect,\u201d she said, clapping her hands in delight. \u201cDoesn\u2019t it look beautiful there?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Ben looked at the sofa appraisingly. \u201cIt looks different than I thought it would,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

His wife glanced at him. \u201cWhat do you mean different?\u201d she asked.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWell \u2026\u201d Ben thought for a moment. \u201cWhen you picked out that material during our trip there I thought it was perfect, but now that I see it here \u2026\u201d He hesitated. \u201cWell, it doesn\u2019t really suit the house as I thought it would.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense,\u201d said Marie happily. \u201cI think it\u2019s perfect. Why it goes so well with your red leather chair.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t feel too comfortable to sit on,\u201d said Adam, testing it out.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cBut it looks very fashionable,\u201d insisted Marie.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWell it would want to for all the money it cost to have it made and transported here,\u201d muttered Ben. \u201cNo matter what we think of it, we\u2019re stuck with it now.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Stuck with it indeed!\u201d said Marie, putting her hands on her hips. \u201cYou men are all the same \u2026 you can\u2019t tell quality when you see it.\u201d She reached over and pulled Little Joe off the sofa as he was about to bounce on it. \u201cBelieve me Ben, you\u2019re going to grow to love this sofa \u2026 we all will!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Hop Sing doubted that Mr Cartwright had ever really liked the sofa at all, but since his wife had died so soon after that he had kept it there in memory of her. In spite of all the boys\u2019 protests, he never would hear a word against it, and so it remained there year after year \u2026 very fashionably uncomfortable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing?\u201d asked Joe again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing\u2019s mind drifted back to the present. \u201cWhat you say?\u201d he asked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI said it that OK now?\u201d asked Joe, standing back to survey the leather chair. \u201cIt looks good to me.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded. \u201cIs good,\u201d he said. \u201cYou do good job.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe flushed and smiled at the unusual praise from the man. \u201cThanks,\u201d he said, puffing up. \u201cWhat next?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou polish glass on hanging lamp,\u201d said Hop Sing, pointing to the crystal lamp that stood next to the fireplace. He pointed his finger at Joe. \u201cAnd you do properly!\u201d he said sternly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing,\u201d replied Joe, giving him one of his dazzling smiles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0*****<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cBoy am I glad it\u2019s finally Sunday!\u201d said Joe with relief as he slid into his chair. \u201cNo more spring cleaning for another whole year!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure has been a long week,\u201d said his father dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe gave the man a puzzled look. \u201cBut Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cYou ain\u2019t been doing the work \u2026 we have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben raised an eyebrow as he stared at Joe. \u201cBut I\u2019ve had to listen to all the complaints from the three of you all week,\u201d he said. \u201cBelieve me Joseph, it\u2019s been a long week.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grinned at his father. \u201cWell it\u2019s all over now,\u201d he said. \u201cBack to normal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss chuckled and smacked his hands together. \u201cNo more cheese sandwiches fer lunch,\u201d he said happily. \u201cNo more of Pa\u2019s cooking fer supper either.\u201d He gave his father an apologetic look. \u201cNo offence Pa,\u201d he added. \u201cAnd hot breakfasts agen!\u201d he declared as Hop Sing brought in a platter of steaming eggs and bacon. \u201cHot diggety!\u201d Hoss began to help himself to a generous serving from the platter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe house looks wonderful Hop Sing,\u201d said Ben. \u201cYou\u2019ve done a good job.\u201d He looked around at his three sons. \u201cYou all have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing snorted. \u201cIt stay that way if family bother to keep it clean,\u201d he said. \u201cDirty feet all time mess up house! Dirty clothes make much work for Hop Sing!\u201d He stomped off into the kitchen again, mumbling to himself in Chinese.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy ain\u2019t he ever happy?\u201d mused Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

His father gave him a smile. \u201cHe\u2019s very happy right now Joe,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s his way of showing it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes little brother,\u201d added Adam. \u201cYou just know how to read him properly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe gave them both a puzzled look. \u201cWell he don\u2019t sound happy to me,\u201d he said. \u201cDo you know what they mean Hoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss looked up from his breakfast. \u201cSorta,\u201d he said. \u201cAll I know is that we\u2019re lucky ta have him. He cooks a right fine meal. He appreciates us Cartwrights just like we appreciate him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked even more confused. \u201cWell ya coulda fooled me,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben pointed to his plate. \u201cEat your breakfast and be quiet Joseph,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Ben insists that each of his sons help with Hop Sing\u2019s annual cleaning.
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