"Well, just wait till I can wipe my hands, and I'll do it. There, that'll do; the girls ain't agoin' to look partickler hard at that bit o' black ribbing." "Maybe not, but I'm obleeged to you all the same for fixin' it right. Is it time to go in?" "Of course, if you want to." He passed out at the back door and through the yard into the street. He was bashful and did not like to face such a bevy of girls alone; at the thought of addressing one of their number in especial--Mildred Keith--he felt himself grow hot and uncomfortable. He had been admiring her from a distance all these weeks, but had never met her, and much as he desired an acquaintance, his courage seemed hardly equal to seeking it now. How rough and boorish, how awkward and ill-bred he would appear to one so delicate and refined. He waited about a little, till joined by a fellow mechanic, Nicholas Ransquattle, when they went in together. This was a wiser step than Gotobed knew; for his well-made, stalwart figure showed to good advantage beside that of Nicholas, who was short and thick-set, had scarcely any neck, moved like a wooden man, and carried his head thrown back on his shoulders; he had a wooden face, too; large featured and stolid in expression. But he was not troubled with bashfulness or any fear that his society would be other than most acceptable to any one upon whom he might see fit to bestow it. "Good evening, ladies; I'm happy to meet you all," he said, making a sweeping bow to the company as he entered, hat in hand. "And I hope I see you well." "Good evening," responded several voices. "Good-evening, Mr. Lightcap." "Find yourselves seats and we'll give you employment, threading our needles for us." Rhoda Jane was snuffing the candles. Hastily laying down her snuffers, she introduced the young men to Mildred, and dexterously managed to seat Ransquattle on the farther side of the room, leaving the field clear for her brother; for an empty chair stood invitingly at Miss Keith's side. Gotobed took it, and, almost wondering at his own audacity, addressed his divinity with a remark upon the weather--that never-failing resource when all other topics elude us. She answered with gracious sweetness, "Yes it has been a lovely day, Mr. Lightcap." What should he say next. "I--I guess you never sewed carpet rags afore?" "Is it my awkwardness at the business that makes you think so?" she returned, with a quizzical look and smile, as she lifted her fine eyes to his face. "No, no, no sirree! ma'am, I mean," he stammered growing red and hot; "you do it beautiful!" "Let me give you some work," she said, taking pity on his embarrassment; "will you thread this needle for me?" "And then mine, please," put in Claudina, who was again seated near her friend; then to his further relief she launched out into a reminiscence of a candy pulling they had both attended the year before.