“Not even one on the skirt?”
“No. I should cut a bias piece in points, and bind them; or you could have two narrow ones.”
“And I will bind them, as you cannot do that on the machine very well,” I said.
“You are a good girl, Rose of the World.—Mamma, I think I’ll have a polonaise.”
“A sensible conclusion. It will make a nice outside garment for all summer.”
“And I will just point the sleeves and the skirt. There is cheap trimming for you. Give me credit for another bright idea. And a bias-band pointed on both sides for the underskirt. So there is the whole garment provided for. Then I shall have another errand to the store, to get some pique braid;” and Fan gave a droll little smile.
Mamma began to cut. Fan opened the machine, and sewed the skirt breadths together. The trimming was measured, and she shaped the points to her fancy. Then mamma fitted the waist with fingers as deft as any modiste.
“Mamma, if you were reduced to absolute penury, you could set up dress-making,” Fanny said.
“I have found it very useful without the absolute penury,” returned mamma, with a wise smile. “When one has seven girls, a good many dresses are needed.”
“Are you sorry there are so many of us?”