She put the clothes down. There was a huge basin on the table which used to be placed on the floor. There was no way she could have bent down in her current condition so it was placed on the table instead. She had painstakingly gathered a few pails of water which she poured into the basin. There was no hot water as she was saving every cent she could for her child, no matter how tough it was for her.
After soaking the clothes, she reached into the basin with her swollen hand ridden with blisters. She scrubbed the clothes with one hand; her left hand had no strength at all.
Her left hand was almost crippled.
The cold from the icy water pierced her heart; her face turned paler. However, she continued to wash the clothes in the basin with the same posture. She knew they were sincerely helping her which was why she should do a better job to repay them. She knew very well who had treated her kindly and who hadn't.
