We were all glad to see mother, and she had enjoyed her visit, which had improved her much.
"Hope you haint done any work?" said Aunt Hildy.
Mother said nothing, but when her trunk was unpacked she brought forth, in triumph, a specimen of her handiwork.
"Aunt Hildy," I called, "come and give her a scolding."
She came, and with Clara and myself, was soon busy in trying to find out how the mat—for this was the name of the article—was made.
"How on airth did you do it, and what with?"
"Why don't you find out?" said mother.
"For only one reason, I can't," said Aunt Hildy.
"It is made of pieces of old flannel and carpet that Phebe got hold of somehow. We cut them bias and sewed them on through the middle, the foundation being a canvas bag, leaving the edges turned up."
"Well, I declare," said Aunt Hildy; "but you had no right to work."