Charles lived with his Grandmother Fitzpatrick, his sister Babette, and his mother for twenty years. In all that time, the family would always clean the house with such fervor on Saturday in anticipation of the guests they were sure to have on Sunday. Charles details the ways in which each family member, even his elderly and fragile grandmother, would put elbow grease into cleaning the house anew. His mother would order the children around, telling them what especially needed cleaning, while also saying she didn't want to have to tell them every minute thing they needed to do, but rather that they should know. Grandmother Fitzpatrick would busy herself, peacefully shell peas, and make cookies for the guests. As the day was ending, the children would try to choose something pretty for the guests to look at, likes rocks or wax roses. When Sunday rolled around, Charles and Babette would tidy themselves up and make themselves look presentable, surrounded by the spotless house, and wait. The four of them would wait all day, until the grandmother would return to complaining about her humdrum life, about how her bed is too rough for an old woman like her. Every week would be like an act to get out of the monotony of everyday life, only to return to it when no guests would visit them.