"Why, nothing," replied the clerk. "They're all good. How much do you need? How many yards?" "Well, just about three-quarters as much and a little over what it'd take for you. No need o' bein' stingy, an' we got to allow some for mistakes in cuttin' out." "If you bought a pattern," advised the clerk, "there wouldn't be any waste." "But," said Old Captain, earnestly, "she needs a waist and a skirt, too." "I mean, you wouldn't waste any cloth. See, here's our pattern book." Old Captain turned the pages, doubtfully. Suddenly his broad face broke into smiles. "Well, I swan! Here she is. This is _her_--the girl them things is for. Same eyes, same hair, same shape--" "But," queried the smiling clerk, "do you like the way that dress is made?" "No, I don't," returned Captain Blossom. "It's got too many flub-dubs. I wouldn't know how to make _them_. You see, I'm a teachin' her to sew." Finally, by dint of much questioning, the girl arrived at the size of the pattern required and the number of yards. Then Old Captain selected the goods. "Gimme a _bluer_ blue than that," he objected. "You got to allow a whole lot for to fade. Same way with the pink. Now that there purple's just right. And what's the matter with them red stripes? And that there white with big black spots. No, don't gimme no plain black--I'll keep _that_ spool to mend with. Now, how about buttons? The young lady's had one lesson already on buttonholes." "We're having a sale on those, too. Right this way. About how many?" "About a pint, I guess," said Old Captain. "And for Pete's sake mix 'em up as to sizes so they'll fit all kinds of holes." This time the clerk giggled outright. "They're on cards," said she. "Here are three sizes of white pearl buttons--a dozen on each card. Five cents a card." "Make it three cards of each size," returned the Captain, promptly. "She might lose a few. And not bein' flower seeds, they wouldn't sprout and grow _more_. Now, what's the damage for all that?" The Captain's money smelled dreadfully fishy, like all the rest of his belongings; but the good old man didn't know that. He was greatly pleased with himself and with his purchases. But when he reached the open air, he paused on the doorstep to draw a deep breath. "'Twould a taken less time to bought the riggin' fer a hull boat," said he, mopping his pink countenance. "But I made a rare good job of it." CHAPTER VI MOLLIE When Jeannette, according to her promise, arrived the next afternoon, the impatient Captain, who wished he had said _morning_, escorted her inside the old box-car. Sammy and Annie were at her heels; but Patsy was having a nap. The rough table was nicely decorated with folded squares of gorgeous calico. The cards of buttons, spools of thread, and glittering thimbles formed a sort of fancy border along the edge. The packets of needles were placed for safety in the exact center of the table.