"Why are you doing this?" she said to Patty, as she took the hat from the girl's hands. Patty sat up, all at once, conscious of great pain in the back of her neck, from her continued cramped position at work. "Because I want to earn money," replied Patty, not pertly, but in a tone of obstinate intent. "Is it done right?" Miss O'Flynn looked at Patty, with an air of kindliness and willingness to help her. "Tell me all about it," she said. But Patty was in no mood for confidences, and with a shade of hauteur in her manner, she said again: "Is it done right? Does it suit you?" At Patty's rejection of her advances, Miss O'Flynn also became reserved again, and said, simply: "I cannot use it." "Why not?" demanded Patty. "It is covered smoothly and neatly. It shows no crease nor fold." "It is not right," said Miss O'Flynn. "It is not done right, because you do not know how to do it. You have never been taught how to cover hats or how to line them; consequently you cannot do them right." The other girls had gone to luncheon, so the two were alone in the room. Patty knew that Miss O'Flynn was telling her the truth, and yet she resented it. A red spot burned in each cheek as she answered: "But the hat is covered perfectly. What matter, then, whether I have been taught or not?" "Excuse me, it is _not_ covered perfectly. The stitches are too small----" "Too small!" exclaimed Patty. "Why, I didn't know stitches could be too _small_!" The other smiled. "That is my argument," she said. "You _don't know_. Of course stitches should be small for ordinary sewing, and for many sorts of work. But not for millinery. Here long stitches are wanted, but they must be rightly set,--not careless long stitches." "Why?" said Patty, somewhat subdued now. "Because a better effect can be produced with long stitches. You see, your stitches are small and true, but every one shows. With a skilful long stitch, no stitch is seen at all. It is what we call a blind stitch, and can only be successfully done by skilled workers, who have been taught, and who have also had practice." Patty was silent a moment, then she said: "Miss O'Flynn, we agreed that I was to have a day's trial." "Yes, Miss Fairfield; I will stand by my word." "Then may I select my own work for the afternoon?" "Yes," said Miss O'Flynn, wondering whether, after all, this pretty, young girl could be a harmless lunatic. "Then I want to trim hats. Make bows, you know; sew on flowers or feathers; or adjust lace. May I do such things as that?" Miss O'Flynn hesitated. "Yes," she said, finally; "if you will be careful not to injure the materials. You see, if your work should have to be done over, I don't want the materials spoiled." "I promise," said Patty, slowly. "But, first, will you not go out for your lunch?" "No, thank you; I'm not hungry. Please bring me my work at once." CHAPTER XII THREE HATS