second, Percy."

"They're too big," said Percy, surveying them critically, and then
looking at his boat.

"Oh, that corner's coming off," cried Polly cheerfully, giving it a
sharp cut that sent it flying on the floor. "And they won't be too big
when they're done, Percy, all hemmed and everything. There," as she held
one up for inspection, "that's just the way I used to make Ben's and
mine, when we sailed boats."

"Is it?" asked Percy, looking with more respect at the piece of cloth
Polly was waving alluringly before him. "Just exactly like it, Polly?"

"Yes," said Polly, laying it down again for a pattern--"oh, how does
this go--oh--that's it, there--yes, this is just exactly like Bensie's
and mine--that was when I was ever so little; and then I used to make
Joel's and Davie's afterwards and--"

"And were theirs just like this?" asked Percy, laying his hand on the
sail she had finished cutting out.

"Pre-cisely," said Polly, with a pin in her mouth. "Just as like as two
peas, Percy Whitney."

"Then I like them," cried Percy, veering round and regarding them with
great satisfaction--as Van bounded in with a torrent of complaints, and
great disappointment in every line of his face.

"Oh now, that's too bad!" he cried, seeing Polly fold up the remaining
bits of cloth, and pick up the scraps on the floor. "And you've gone
and let her cut out every one of 'em, and never told me a word! You're a
mean, old hateful thing, Percy Whitney!"

"Oh don't!" said Polly, on her knees on the floor.

"I forgot--" began Percy, "and she cut 'em so quick--and--"

"And I've been waiting," said Van, in a loud wrathful key, "and
waiting--and waiting!"

"Never mind, Van," said Jasper consolingly, getting off from the sofa
and coming up to the table.

"They're done and done beautifully, aren't they?" he said, holding up
one.

But this only proved fresh fuel for the fire of Van's indignation.

"And you shan't have 'em, so!" he cried, making a lunge at the one on
the table, "for I made most of the boat, there!"

"Oh no, you didn't!" cried Percy in the greatest alarm, hanging on to
the boat in his hand. "I cut--all the keel--and the bow--and--"

"Oh dear!" said Polly, in extreme dismay, looking at Jasper. "Come, I'll
tell you what I'll do, boys."

"What?" said Van, cooling off a little, and allowing Percy to edge into
a corner with the beloved boat and one sail. "What will you, Polly?"

"I'll make you another pair of sails,"