“I think Auntie has. I’ll go see,” and Margaret ran off to inquire. Sure enough, Auntie had something in her scrap-bag that would do very well. Margaret ran back eager to begin patching. [Illustration: Wrong side First bastings] [Illustration: Right side Third basting] “Cut a square piece, an inch and a half larger all around than the hole. Baste this to the wrong side of the garment. Be sure the patch runs the same way of the goods as the overalls,” said Sir Bodkin beckoning to Baster, who was sticking his head out of the bag. While he and Margaret were working Sir Bodkin sang: “When the piece you attach In making a patch, Be sure you baste it firm. Or while you sew, Slipping ’round it will go And all over the garment squirm.” Margaret laughed at this song. “Now on the wrong side turn in the four sides of the patch and baste them down,” said the King. They soon had this done. “Snip the cloth all around the edge of the hole, turn it under and baste it down to the patch. Do this on the right side,” said Sir Bodkin. “Hemmer,” he called. She came and was harnessed with strong thread. After that she neatly sewed down the edge of the hole to the patch on the right side. Then she sewed the four edges of the patch to the overalls on the wrong side. “Be sure your steps are tiny and firm so the patch will stand wear,” the King cautioned. Then as they worked he sang this song: “The hemming must catch The hole firm to the patch So the edges will never rip out. When patch edges you do Hem them firmly, too, And the patching will hold good and stout.” When the patching was done, Margaret held up the mended overalls so Sir Bodkin and his helpers could see. “Good work,” said he proudly. “Looks as fine as a patch can. We don’t use patches where they will show if we can help, for they aren’t very pretty, but anything useful is not to be despised. They are very useful on underwear, aprons, table-linen and bed-linen and many other things.” [Illustration: Right side Sewing edge of hole] [Illustration: Wrong side Sewing around patch] Margaret was sorry to have to shut the King and his fairies away again in her sewing-bag. “It seems a shame to pull the string so tight but as Sir Bodkin says, ‘In summer we One-Eyes have to keep away from the damp or we’ll lose our charming brightness.’” Jim was delighted when he came back from his swim and saw his mended overalls ready to put on. “Some day I’ll do something for you,” he said, “for ‘One good turn deserves another.’” [Illustration] CHAPTER XIV SEWING ON BUTTONS Margaret was home again from the country. Vacation was nearly over and in another week school would begin.