"I'm going to," her sister replied, and sat right down, there and then, carefully ripped the hem at the bottom of each trouser-leg, cut off two inches and stitched a new hem very carefully, putting back the stiffening and sewing on the "heel-strap" in a very workmanlike manner.
Agnes ran to the kitchen for an iron and pressed the bottom of the trouser-legs to conform with the tailor's creases. "There! that's done," she said, "and done right."
It most certainly was done, whether right or not, the sequel was to show. After supper Neale started for home and Agnes gave him the new trousers.
"I suppose you'll want to wear that fancy suit of yours to church to-morrow morning," she said.
"Bet you!" he replied cheerfully. "Did you cut 'em down?"
"Ruthie did," said Agnes.
"Good for her! Tell her 'Thanks'!"
As he went through the front hall Aunt Sarah put her head over the balustrade and asked:
"Did you get them pants, boy?"
She never by any possibility called Neale by his right name, and her voice now was just as sharp as ever.