“No; they’re set wrong. Oh, Patty, why didn’t you let me help you? But you told me to keep away.”
“Yes, I know I did. Now, I’ve spoiled the whole dozen! I like them just as well that way, myself, but I know they’ll ‘deduct’ for it.”
“Patty, I don’t think you ought to do ‘white work’ anyway. How much are they going to pay you?”
“A dollar a dozen.”
“And you’ve done a dozen in a day. That won’t bring you fifteen dollars in a week.”
“Well, I thought the second dozen would go faster, and it probably will. And, of course, I shan’t make that mistake with the sleeves again. Truly, Nan, it’s a heap easier than embroidery.”
“Well, don’t worry over it to-night,” said Nan, kissing her. “Take a hot bath and hop into bed. Perhaps you have found the right work after all.”
Nan didn’t really think she had, but Patty had begun to look worried, and Nan feared she wouldn’t be able to sleep.
But sleep she did, from sheer physical exhaustion.
And woke next morning, almost unable to move! Every muscle in her body was lame from her strenuous machine work. She couldn’t rise from her bed, and could scarcely raise her head from the pillow.