I was making my bed, having received strict orders from Bessie to get it arranged before she returned (for Bessie now frequently employed me as a sort of under- nurserymaid, to tidy the room, dust the chairs, &c.).
Io intanto rifacevo il letto, avendo avuto ordine espresso da Bessie di sbrigarmi prima che tornasse, perché Bessie m'impiegava spesso a pulir la camera come se fossi stata una donna di faccende.