"Why, the way you tell me about it, I think I do. But the way I meant it, seems so different." "Well, I've thought it over, and I've decided on this. You dislike to sew; don't you?" "Yes, I do!" said Marjorie, emphatically. "I know you do. But I think you ought to learn to sew, and, moreover, I think this would be an appropriate thing to do. I want you to make a little dress for Totty. I will do the more difficult parts, such as putting it together, but you must run the tucks, and hem it, and overhand the seams. And it must be done very neatly, as all babies' dresses should be dainty and fine. You may work half an hour on it every day, and, when it is finished, it will be a pretty little gift for Mrs. Harrison, and it will also teach you something of an old-fashioned but useful art." Marjorie drew a deep sigh. "All right, Mother. I'll try to do it nicely; but oh, how I hate a thimble! I never again will mix up people's babies. But I didn't think it was such an awful, dreadful thing to do." "You're a strange child, Midget," said her mother, looking at her thoughtfully. "I never know what you're going to do next." "I never know myself," said Marjorie, cheerfully, "but you can always punish me, you know." "But I don't want to. I want you to behave so you won't need punishment." "I'll try real hard," said Midge, as she kissed her mother, again and again. CHAPTER XIV A NOBLE SOCIETY The Jinks Club was having its weekly meeting, and all of the members were present. "I think," the President was saying, "that we ought to do something that's of some use. It's all very well to cut up jinks to have fun, and we did have a lot of fun on the straw ride last week; but I mean we ought to do some real good in the world." "But how could we, King?" said Marjorie, looking at her brother in awe. "There are lots of ways!" declared King. "We might do something public-spirited or charitable." "I think so, too," said Dick Fulton. "My father was talking last night about the selfishness of citizens." "Goodness, Dick," said his sister, "we're not citizens!" "Yes, we are, Gladys. Why aren't we? Everybody born in America is a citizen, whether old or young." "I never dreamed I was a citizen," said Gladys, giggling. "Did you, Kit?" "No," said Kitty; "but I'd just as lieve be. Wouldn't you, Dorothy?" "Yes, indeed. It's nice to be citizens. Sort of patriotic, you know." "Well," said Midget, "if we're citizens, let's do citizens' work. What do they do, King?" "Oh, they vote, and----" "But we can't vote. Of course we girls never can, but you boys can't for years yet. Don't be silly." "Well, there are other things besides voting," said Dick. "Some citizens have big meetings and make speeches." "Now _you're_ silly," said Kingdon. "We can't make speeches any more than we can vote. But there must be things that young folks can do." "We could have a fair and make money for the heathen," volunteered Gladys.