“How we all sat and sewed!” exclaimed Fan. “It did not seem the least bit awkward. At all events, I cut and Rose crocheted. All that trimming is ready. Oh, Rose, it is mean for me to take all the good things of life.”
I thought my head would go off in that rapturous hug. And I was glad that I was not a bit jealous.
Mamma gave a pinch here, and a pull there, and, behold Fan’s dress fitted after the similitude of a glove.
“It is just lovely!” was Fan’s ecstatic comment. “Kate Fairlie and Sue Barstow will die of envy when they see it. Now I shall have just time enough to run up the seams. Of course, mamma, you wouldn’t think of taking it?” and Fan gave an inquiring glance.
“No, indeed, though it was kind in Miss Churchill to say it, since your time was more precious than hers.”
We began to pick up the pieces and restore order. Just then papa came in, and baby Edith woke and cried. Fan rushed at papa and kissed him rapturously, telling over the whole story in an instant. She had such a remarkable way of going to the point of anything without loss of time.
“Really!” he exclaimed; “I am glad she asked you. You can do a little work for the good cause to-morrow, Fanny.”
“O, papa, it is to be a whole long holiday!”
“You lazy little girl!”
“Papa, if you do not treat me real handsomely, I will go over to the strong-minded ‘sisteren,’ and write a book, or lecture, or something.”