"So they'll look nice."
"Yes, but that's not the main reason. If we try to do everything we have to do perfectly, we'll always do well and it doesn't matter if anyone else sees it or not. We have to have standards for ourselves. It has to be important to us to do things well. Otherwise, we will become lazy and sloppy and we'll do poorly when we have to do things for others. What will happen to us then? Jordan?"
"We won't be liked?"
"Not just liked. We won't get jobs. We won't get appreciated. So what do we want to do always? Jordan?"
"Do everything perfectly."
"Very good. Now get up and do the bed again," she said.
I did it as best I could, making sure every little thing was as perfect as I could make it. She stood hovering over me.
"Well," she said when I was finished. "It's not absolutely perfect, but it's much better than it was the first time you did it, isn't it?"
I nodded.
"Isn't it?!' she repeated. I had forgotten. Don't nod, speak.
"Yes."
"I think it's time you said, 'Yes, Miss Harper, no, Miss Harper.' That, too, is polite."
"Yes, Miss Harper."
"Good. We will get along after all," she said. "Now to your clothes."
I picked up my dress from the chair and she watched me fit it on the hanger. I did that well enough because she didn't ask me to do it again. In the bathroom. I folded the wet towel and put it with my undergarments into the hamper.
"There," she said. "Your first chores of the day are finished. Now, every day we'll then go to your medicine and you take it after the chores are done."
"Mama wanted me to take it right away, as soon as I woke up, so I wouldn't forget,"
"Well, you won't have to worry about forgetting anymore, will you? I'll be right here to remind you."
I shook my head. "Mama said to take it right away, as soon as I wake up."
Her eyes widened for a second and then she smiled. "You are a precious little piece of work," she said. "You remind me of a wild horse that has to be trained or a puppy that has to be housebroken."
She went to the cabinet where my medicine was kept and took it out. "What I'll do for you is keep it and bring it in when I come in to inspect your room in the morning,'" she said.
I shook my head, but she pretended not to see it.
"What we will do now is work on your school material. I'll be right back. I have books and workbooks for you," she said, smiled, and left my room with my medicine in her hands.
I heard Ian coming up the stairs and hurried to my doorway to call to him. He paused and looked my way. I had forgotten Grandmother Emma had forbidden him from entering this side of the upstairs. I hurried down the hallway toward him.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"She made me make my bed, hang up my clothes, and clean my bathroom. I have to do it every morning before I can have my medicine.' I told him. "She's going to tell you to do it, too."
He thought a moment and nodded. "Good," he said. "I prefer that to having Nancy, as you know."
"I don't. I want Nancy to do it."
"Don't act spoiled. That's just what she'll tell Grandmother Emma. Where is she?" he asked, looking past me.
"She went to get my schoolwork. She's going t