"It would be better for them if they did, then," returned Aunt Jane severely. "It is a much more useful way of spending one's time, than embroidering nonsensical red wheels and flowers and birds on your aprons, as you have been doing. Your grandmother used to make us sew patchwork; and before I was your age, I had pieced up three bedquilts,--one rising-sun, one fox-chase, and the other just plain boxes." "I don't care," Polly interrupted saucily; "I never could see the use of cutting up yards and yards of calico, just for the sake of sewing it together again. Wouldn't you rather have me make you a pretty apron, Jerusalem?" And she leaned over to pat her mother's cheek affectionately, as she added, "And besides, Molly's gone home." "Has she?" asked Mrs. Adams, in some surprise. "I thought she was going to spend the day." Polly blushed a little. "So she was," she admitted at length; "but she changed her mind." Mrs. Adams looked at her little daughter inquiringly for a moment, and seemed about to speak, but catching the eye of Aunt Jane, who was watching them sharply, she only said,-- "I am sorry; for I wanted to send a pattern to Mrs. Hapgood, when she went home, and now I shall have to wait." "I'll take it over now, mamma; I'd just as soon." And Polly jumped up and caught her sailor hat from the table where she had tossed it. "I should like to have you, if you will, Polly. It is in my room, and I'll get it for you." She put down her work and went out into the hall, followed by Polly. "Have you and Molly been quarrelling again?" she asked, when the door had closed between them and Aunt Jane. "Only a little bit, mamma," confessed Polly. "Molly was teasing me all the time, and at last I was mad, so I said I wished she'd go home, and she went right straight off." "I am sorry my daughter should be so rude to her company," began Mrs. Adams soberly. "So'm I," interrupted Polly; "I don't mean to; but she makes me cross, and before I know it I flare up. I wish she hadn't gone, too; for we promised to go over to see Florence this afternoon, and she'll think it is queer if we don't." "I wish you would try to be a little more patient, Polly," said her mother. "You mustn't be cross every time that Molly laughs at you; and you answered Aunt Jane very rudely just now. You need to watch that tongue of yours, my dear, and not let it run away with you. And now take this to Mrs. Hapgood, and tell her she will need to allow a good large seam when she cuts it, for Molly is taller than you." "Yes'm," said Polly meekly, as she held up her face for the kiss, without which she never left the house.