LEARNING TO SEW
"I like to do lady things," said Mary Jane the next morning. "Isn't there something we can do to-day?"
"Something that's a 'lady' thing?" asked Mrs. Merrill.
"Yes, a really truly lady thing," explained Mary Jane; "something that I don't know how to do 'cause I like to learn things."
"Yes, there are lots of things we might do, but I haven't much time I fear," replied her mother, "because I promised Alice I would finish her dress."
"Then you'll have to sew," said Mary Jane and though she tried not to mind, she couldn't help being disappointed.
"Yes," agreed Mrs. Merrill, "I'll have to sew. But I'll tell you, Mary Jane, what you might do" (and Mary Jane's disappointment vanished as soon as she saw her mother had a plan) "you might sew too."
"Oh, goody, goody, goody!" exclaimed Mary Jane and she clapped her hands gayly, "and that's a grown-up lady thing for true!"
"I should say it was," said Mrs. Merrill.
"Shall I make me a dress?" asked Mary Jane.