“To be sure,” said his little mistress, “and I’m so happy because soon I’m going to know how to sew and make lots of pretty things.” “Indeed you are, My Lady,” said Sir Bodkin; “just call on us and you’ll always find us ready. But don’t forget that: “Every little housewife should be a seamstress, too, Call the One-Eyed Fairies, when there’s needle-work to do. Clean white fingers guide us, helped by thimble trusty, Slip us through an emery-bag, if you find us rusty.” [Illustration] “I’ll remember that,” Margaret promised. “Oh! Sir Bodkin, look at all your subjects!” she said laughing. The King turned around and saw all the shining, glinting little One-Eyed Fairies peeping out curiously from the work-basket. “Stick to us, stick to us, Then you’ll never, never fuss,” they were singing in a happy chorus. “To your places!” ordered their King and they all disappeared. Then he made a low bow to Margaret and slipped away into the work-basket. Margaret laughed happily and ran off to show her mother what Sir Bodkin had helped her to do. [Illustration] CHAPTER III THE STITCHERS, BASTER AND RUNNER [Illustration] Margaret held up the little doll’s dress her mother had cut out for her to make. “I wish that the One-Eyed Fairies would come and help me sew it together,” she said to her doll. She then took her work-basket and sat down by the table. “Sir Bodkin,” she softly called. “Here I am, My Lady,” she heard Sir Bodkin’s tiny voice answer from the needle-book in the work-basket. In a second the King of the One-Eyed Fairies hopped out of the basket and right up on the table beside her. “What can we do for you to-day, My Lady?” he asked bowing low. “I would like to sew my doll’s dress. Will you show me how?” replied Margaret. “That I will. Come all you Stitchers!” he cried as loud as he could. Out of the work-basket came a line of One-Eyed Fairies; some tall and thin, some short and fat. They danced on Margaret’s table, holding hands and singing this song in their comical way: “Oh, we can baste and we can run, And we can overcast. We hem and gather, fell and tuck, We all work very fast. Please have the thread the proper length, And just the proper number, Then if you keep us shining bright, We’ll work and never slumber.” “Well done, my hearties!” cried Sir Bodkin proudly. “Now, Baster, you jolly rogue, show her how to baste the seams.” From the line a large One-Eyed Fairy stepped out. “Some thread in my eye and we’ll start,” he said. [Illustration: From the tip of her nose to the end of her arm] “Remember the proper length,” said Baster, as Margaret took up the spool of basting-thread.