Nancy threaded the loom. Deborah wound the shuttle full of new yarn, and the weaving of the cloth began.
Back and forth the shuttle flew, Deborah and Nancy taking turns. Late at night the cloth was woven, and Abner's new trousers were cut out. All night long the sewing went on, every stitch by hand.
The next day at noon Silas sat on the gatepost watching. Rub-a-dub-dub, rub-a-dub-dub, came the sound of drums.
"Here they come! Here they come! tell mother," he shouted.
They all hurried to the fence to see the soldiers march by.
Abner held his musket proudly as he passed. He glanced at his mother and then down at his new trousers.
"No one looks finer than our Abner," said Deborah, as the soldier boys marched by on their way to the war.