Final answer:
The lines suggest that the boys were diligent, resourceful, and committed to keeping things clean and presentable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lines "the bowls never wanted washing. the boys polished them with their spoons till they shone again" suggest that the boys were very diligent in taking care of their bowls. Rather than washing them, they polished the bowls with their spoons, which implies that the boys were resourceful and made the most of what they had. The fact that they were able to make the bowls shine again highlights their attention to detail and their commitment to keeping things clean and presentable.