Peggy in Her Blue Frock

e some time to make them, with all the other work she had to do. She went up into the large store-closet, which was all they had in the way of an attic, and she unpacked the trunk that

resses, a pink one, and a plaid dress. She tried on one of the white dresses first and pranced about

ke a mushroom, Pe

ot," said Peggy ruefully, "but you can let

ny tucks. I let tho

o have that dress,"

er that she liked Peggy's c

ecause it's smocked. But I hope I can wear t

alf an inch longer than the cotton rep,

he tried to persuade her mother that it w

t is rather short,

ng around with skirts

down, or put in insertion

for you, and the dress wil

o, so Alice became the proud possessor of Peggy's frocks, whi

nd four white ones and two pla

thing at all

id Alice, "but you

o the village she said she would buy t

ng for working dresses f

Peggy as if the whole world were smiling. The sun seemed positively to laugh, and the blue sky and the white clouds seemed almost as glad as he. Alice walked qu

ry-bird," said Peggy, as they passed a small

l never get our shopping done if we

front of the Thorntons' large place, Peggy climbed u

e said, helping h

r mother in despair, "we

low collie dog. The shop seemed very dark after the brightness of the spring sunshine outdoors. The saleswomen seemed sleepy and not at all interested in what they

And the black pussy was a darling, not half so beautiful, of course, as

did not ask him how many children there were in the family. She had discovered, however, that his name was Christopher. They had kept Pussy in the house since then, hoping in this way to get her used to

ind the counter who seemed more alive than the girls. Peggy followed he

erviceable for frocks for my little girl, who

d that. The man did not look as if he ever could have

a great favor

as too high. "Why, it is double wha

ought some white materials for best dresses for Peggy, but th

l later in the season," said Mrs. Owen

will be more ex

having so little money. She had turned to l

suit you. It's strong as nails, and it's cheap. It's alm

Mrs. Owen was attracted to it because it was dark enough not to soil easily. But Peggy did not think of this; she just thought what a pleasure

he prices went up," said he. "It is entir

ut the fashion; and indeed they seemed

. Owen asked. He told her and she made a rap

e. "We only sell seven yards for a gr

much cheaper and stronger than any of the other wash materials that I shall make all h

it; it's

er, do make me on

ready have," said her mother. "For, as I will have six dresses to mak

can have a dress out of i

can teach you to make that so you can be sew

t the blue material and she cut out a dress for Peggy, and then a small one for Belle. Alice was learning to hem and she took as careful stitches as a grown-up person. Peggy was div

," her mother said later in the aftern

u can take such long spidery stitches. But I just h

he time you'll have

ng to be a w

ust as many frocks as ot

me. I'll get such a lot

e to make clothes for your

ees with them and climb over the roofs of houses, and nobody could say, 'Peggy, you'll

mother. "Pull out those last few stitches and do them over again, and t

Alice. "Some will be dress

and some in green," added Peggy, "and you'll be called

n't seem to make any two sti

er work. "There's somebody

n go and get the things, only

r open and, while she was debating whether it would not be possible for her and the cat to take a walk together, Lady Jane slipped out. Something gray and fluffy seemed to fly along the grass and disap

ng at such speed cross-lots, through back yards, and climbing over fences. Suddenly Peggy was caught, as she was scrambling over a fenc

as she crept home. "Only, everybody will know I am not a beggar-maid," tho

uch like it when she came in. "Peggy, w

she said breathlessly. "She s

r mother. Then, as she noticed the confusion o

ing perhaps it would be nice for us to

ew clothes," said her mother, as

e stronger than this