Fairy Lady smilingly continued, “Now, with the red working cotton and a canvas piece you may learn
1. Begin at the left hand end of a piece of canvas. Put needle in from under side. Pull thread through.
2. Two threads over, put needle in downward and up through the hole next to the left, holding work over forefinger of left hand. Pull through.
3. Work from you, and always drop the thread on the same side of the needle.
“Now, try it on muslin. You’ll need an embroidery needle, because the large eye makes way for the heavy cotton.”
“Oh, I have one here in my basket, and some quite-a-bit finer working cotton, in pink,―isn’t it pretty?”
“Hush!” said Fairy Lady, holding up a finger. “Now, little Miss, see if you can make that stitch on muslin.”
“Mary Frances! Mary Frances! Mary Frances!” came Grandma’s voice from the hall.
With one leap, Fairy Lady changed to Sewing Bird, and all the other Thimble People, who had been standing on the sewing table, tumbled head-over-tin-cups into the sewing basket.
“Yes, Grandma,” called Mary Frances, running out.
“Why, my dear,” puffed the old lady, climbing the last of the stairs, “I am home very early, you see. There was no regular meeting to-day because almost all the members of the Ladies’ Guild went to Daisy’s wedding. I’m home for some games with my little girl.”
“Oh, Nanny-dear, will you play ‛Piddy-Pinny-Plump?’” asked Mary Frances.
“Goody!” exclaimed Mary Frances. “I’ll be ready soon as ever I tidy up the sewing room.”
“I’m sorry, dear Thimble People,” she began. Then she heard the sweet bird voice of Sewing Bird, singing very softly,
“With outline stitch, So pretty and neat, Outline the kitties, From head to feet;
And have them done When next we meet, And they will look, Sweet, sweet! Sweet, sweet!”
[Illustration: “This way,” she smiled, “come Pen Cil.”]
[Illustration: “A telegram for Miss Mary Frances”]
“A telegram for Miss Mary Frances,” said Katie coming into the dining-room.
“A telegram! And for you, Mary Frances. What can it be!” exclaimed Grandma.
“Shall I sign for it, ma’am?” asked Katie.
“No,” said Grandma. “Mary Frances better learn to sign for herself.”
There was a little look of excitement in Grandma’s face, and a little pink spot in each cheek.