“Yes,” said Sewing Bird, pretending to look wise, “they have them in Thimble Land.”
“Why, Boy Scouts, of course―in Thimble Land!”
“Thimble Land!” said Mary Frances; “my, that must be where the Thimble People come from! Where is it?”
“A long way there― Perhaps you’ll go Some day, if you will Learn to know That what we teach Is sew! sew! sew!”
“So! So! _So!?_” asked Mary Frances, looking puzzled, “What’s so?”
“Sew! Sew! Sew!” sang Sewing Bird, looking sharply at her with bright little eyes.
“Yes,” said Mary Frances wondering at her excitement, “of course it’s so.”
“I mean sew With a thimble; I mean sew And be nimble,”
[Illustration: Mary Frances, looking puzzled]
“Oh, ho,” laughed Mary Frances. “You mean _sew_! How lovely! If I only knew how to really, truly sew! I do, just a little.”
“If you’d like to learn to sew; To baste and bind; tie a bow; Dress a dolly, head to toe, We can teach you how―”
[Illustration: “Dress a dolly, head to toe.”]
“Can you, really? Really and truly?” cried Mary Frances. “How perfectly dear! Oh, please do, please begin! Angie, poor child, needs so many clothes. When she went to the Tea Party, she spilled cocoa all over herself, and it spoiled all her lovely, lovely dress. It has always grieved me since. She’s so tattered and forlorn. Will you teach me how to sew?”
“I will most gladly; and quite true, I’ll tell you what you’d better do― Get your Grandma every day To let you have this room for play.”
“Oh, yes, we’ll have the sewing-room for a play-room, Sewing Bird; and you give me lessons! Must they be secret―like the Kitchen People’s lessons? And can you teach me? Oh, how happy I am! I wonder if I can surprise my dear mother. Can I learn to sew for my dolly this vacation?”
“Why, certainly, dear little Miss, You can learn to make all this: A pin-a-fore, some under-clothes, A little ’kerchief for her nose; Kimono, bloomers, little cap, A nightie for her little nap; A dress for morn, for afternoon, A dress for parties, not too soon; A little cape, a little bonnet― Perhaps with roses fastened on it;― A nice warm coat to keep from chill, A dainty sack, in case she’s ill: All this and more we’ll gladly teach, If you will do and follow each―
“I will,” laughed Mary Frances, “but each what?”