"Ah," said Miss Matilda, a little dryly, "I was not aware of that. Thank
you for the information. I am sorry you did not tell me before."

One bright December afternoon, when school was about to be dismissed,
Miss Matilda arose and said:

"Girls, I have decided that this class is to receive a Christmas
present--something which will be useful and agreeable to you all. As
this article (which I will not at present name) requires some very neat
sewing, I have further decided that Miss Anna Maria Spilkins, whom I
heard mentioned as an excellent needle-woman, shall have the honor of
making it."

The girls applauded, and Anna Maria looked very proud.

"Anna Maria," continued Miss Matilda, "do you think your grandmother has
a nice piece of calico at home, about a yard and a half long, which she
could let us have?"

"Oh dear yes," replied Anna Maria. "Why, she has lots. Last winter she
made a patchwork quilt, and she went down to New York and bought
everything new for it. Aunt Jemima thought she could have used some
things that were in the house, but she thought she couldn't--and you
never saw the like! One yard of this, and two yards of that, and three
yards of the other--enough to make half a dozen quilts--and every bit of
it perfectly lovely. Oh, there is one piece that is just splendid! It
is pink, with flowers of every color you can think of all over it. It
is so bright you can hardly look at it."

"That would be the very thing. Do you think she will let us have it?"

"Oh, I guess so. I'll _talk_ her into it; you depend on me for that."

"Very well. And to-morrow you will bring with you the calico, a yard and
a half of alpaca braid to match, and your sewing materials."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Also, a large brass-headed nail and a hammer."

"Why, what is that for?"

"You will see when the time comes. And you will be excused from your
lessons in the last hour on Thursday and Friday, so that you can do this
piece of sewing in school."

"Thank you, ma'am."

Anna Maria was delighted. She felt herself a very important personage:
besides, she had something new about which to chatter. Some of the other
girls, however, were quite sulky over the affair. "I don't see why one
of us couldn't do it," said one. "Miss Matilda is dreadfully partial,"
said another. "Yes, she lets Anna Maria Spilkins do anything she likes,"
said a third. But all were equally curious about it. "I do wonder what
it can be," was heard on all sides.