"Well, I'm glad you're in good spirits," said Nan, half annoyed, half laughing, as she saw the pile of white work on the bed. "Run along, Nan, there's a good lady," said Patty, jumping up, and urging Nan out the door. "Skippy-skip, before father comes up to learn the latest news from the seat of war. Tell him everything is all right, and I'm earning my living with neatness and despatch, only working girls simply can't get into chiffons and dine with the 'quality.'" Reassured by Patty's gay air, Nan went downstairs, laughing, and told her husband that she believed Patty would yet accomplish her project. "These experiences will do her no harm," said Mr. Fairfield, after hearing Nan's story. "So long as she doesn't get nervous or mentally upset, we'll let her go on with her experiment. She's a peculiar nature, and has a wonderful amount of will-power for one so young." "I've always heard you were called stubborn," said Nan, smiling, "though I've never seen it specially exemplified in your case." "One doesn't need to be stubborn with such an angelic disposition as yours in the house," he returned, and Nan smiled happily, for she knew the words were lovingly in earnest. Meantime, Patty was sitting luxuriously in a big easy-chair, eating her dinner from the tray Jane had brought her. "This is rather fun," she thought; "and my, but running a sewing-machine does give one an appetite! I could eat two trays-full, I verily believe. Thank goodness, I've no more stitching to do." Having despatched her dinner, perhaps a trifle hastily, Patty reluctantly left her big easy-chair for a small rocker by the drop-light. She wearily picked up a little gown, cut a buttonhole at the throat, and proceeded to work it. As she was so skilful at embroidery, of course this was easy work; but Patty was tired, and her fingers almost refused to push the needle through the cloth. About ten o'clock Nan came upstairs. Patty was just sewing on the last button, the buttonholes being all done. This fact made her jubilant. "Nan!" she cried; "what _do_ you think! I've made a whole dozen of these baby-slips to-day!" "Patty! You don't mean it! Why, my dear child, how could you?" "On the machine. And they're done neatly, aren't they?" "Yes, they are, indeed. But Patty----" "What?" "I hate to tell you,--but----" "Oh, what is it, Nan? Is the material wrong side out?" "No, you goosie, there's no right or wrong side to cotton cloth, but----" "Well, tell me!" "Every one of these little sleeves is made upside down!" "Oh, Nan! It can't be!" "Yes, they are, dearie. See, this wider part should have been at the top." "Oh, Nan, what shall I do? I thought they were sort of flowing sleeves, you know. Kimono-shaped ones, I mean." "No; they're set wrong. Oh, Patty, why didn't you let me help you? But you told me to keep away." "Yes, I know I did. Now, I've spoiled the whole dozen! I like them just as well that way, myself, but I know they'll 'deduct' for it."