As the mother of 4 children, 3 of them either teenagers or very close, there have been many times they have returned from a week at grandpa's house (where they don't have to do anything) and I have to remind them of their 'jobs' around the house. I will use that line next time: "I am afraid you are growing quite a fine lady/gentleman. I do not know when the floor would get vacuumed if it had no friend but you...you have had a long run of amusement, and now you must try to be useful."
LOL!!
I like Mrs. Morland very much. She has a good perspective on things. I only have 4 and I can hardly keep up with everything the older ones are up to. The younger one takes all my time. Thank goodness I don't have 10!