"All right," said Molly, "what shall we do?"
"Let's make paper dresses. Here's a stack of newspapers Grandma was going to throw away, and I saved them."
"Goody! What fun! Shall we pin or sew?"
"We'll pin till the pins give out, and then we'll sew."
"Paper dresses" was a favorite pastime with the children. Usually Stella was with them, and they depended a good deal on her taste and skill. But to-day they had to manage without her, and so the dresses, though fairly well made, were not the fashionable garments Stella turned out.
A whole double sheet of newspaper was long enough for a skirt, which, in a paper dress, was always down to the floor, like grown-up gowns, and usually had a long train. Sometimes they pasted the papers together, and sometimes pinned or sewed them, as the mood served.
The waists were often quite elaborate with surplice folds, and puffy sleeves, and wide, crushed belts.
So absorbed did they grow in their costumes that the time passed rapidly. At last they stood, admiring each other, in their finished paper gowns, with paper accessories of fans, hats, and even parasols, which were considered great works of art.
"Let's play we're going riding in an automobile," said Molly.
"All right; what shall be the automobile—the bed?"