“Turn a tiny hem all around, one-eighth inch both turns, and baste it,” said the King. When this was done, Sir Bodkin told Margaret of two ways to finish this hem. “You can hem it with tiny invisible stitches or you can blanket-stitch it in pink,” he said. “Nothing is more dainty or charming than a plain white linen handkerchief finely hemmed by hand, but for a Christmas present, the pink blanket-stitching would be more festive,” he advised. “And I know how to do that, too. I think these handkerchiefs will all look sweet when they are finished,” said Margaret. “Wash them in the bowl with lukewarm water and white soap, rinse them, blue them, and then press them when damp and you’ll have three first-class presents. Remember to take your time, make your stitches even, keep your work clean as you do it, and you’ll come out all right,” Sir Bodkin said. Margaret was very busy after school for several days after this working to finish carefully and daintily the edges of the three handkerchiefs. At last all three were done. “Thank you very much, Sir Bodkin, for showing me how to make such lovely gifts. I know those who get them will like them very much. Thank you all, and a very Merry Christmas to every one,” she said smiling as she put each one away carefully in the needle-book. [Illustration: Wrapping up her Christmas gifts] “Don’t eat too much turkey or candy and don’t forget your little friends,” laughed Sir Bodkin as he bowed to Margaret from the table. “No, I’ll try to be wise and I’ll never forget you!” said she and then she ran away and was soon busy wrapping up her Christmas gifts. Outside the Christmas snow was falling, inside the little One-Eyed Fairies all prepared to take a long rest until after the holidays. CHAPTER XXIII LAZY-DAISIES AND FRENCH KNOTS Christmas was over and Margaret’s little pink fingers were busy again with a One-Eyed Fairy, sewing on a pretty square tea-cloth for Mother. [Illustration] Sir Bodkin saw his little mistress hard at work and quietly crept up on the table beside her to find out what she was sewing. He was very curious and jealous of what she did without asking him. You see, when a Bodkin and his subjects come to live in any one’s work-basket they belong heart and soul to that person. Especially so if they have been bought from a store and given for a present. People sometimes become so fond of their One-Eyed Fairies, they use them for years and they become great pets. They miss certain ones very much when they become lost or broken. “It’s because we’re made of such finely tempered steel,” Sir Bodkin once explained to Margaret. “Now those are done!” at last exclaimed Margaret to herself holding up the tea-cloth stamped with a design of flowers. She had just finished outlining the leaves and stems in green embroidery cotton. “What is it, My Lady?” asked Sir Bodkin unable to control his curiosity any longer.