ded to be darned, and whoever did it would have to turn each one back
to see if there were any holes in it; but she made them into pairs,
folding each once, and hung them on the little clothes-horse standing
before the fire.

The flannel skirts she slipped over the skirt-board, and ironed them by
beginning at the hem and working toward the belt, pulling each one
around the board to bring the unironed part up. These, too, she hung
near the fire, because flannels take so long to grow perfectly dry.

The table napkins were a real pleasure to do. Her grandmother taught her
why they needed no starch--because if they were ironed over and over,
with a good hot iron, first on one side and then on the other, they
grew a little stiff, and became very glossy and beautiful, like satin,
while if starch was used they easily got too stiff. These were folded
very carefully indeed, so the edges exactly matched, and laid in a pile
by themselves.

By the time these were done the iron was again cool and had to be
changed for the second time for a hot one. Linen, the grandmother
explained, needed hot irons, but one should always be very careful not
to have them so hot that there is any danger of scorching, because linen
is very expensive, and easily ruined.

The towels were ironed exactly as the napkins had been, on both sides,
and again and again, till they were dry and shining. Then they were
folded carefully, not in four narrow folds, but in three parts, so they
would "look generous," grandmother said. The side edges had to match
exactly, and the lower edge had to be a tiny bit longer than the rest,
so that when hung on the towel-rack it would be perfect. This took time,
but when once Margaret learned how they should look, she said it was no
trouble.

The white apron also took some time to do because it had to be polished,
and the gatherings and ruffles were bothersome, but still it was done
presently, and also the gingham apron, which was easier. The
handkerchiefs were only play, but they had to be carefully folded, so
the edges would be even. At last everything was done, and there was a
whole clothes-horse full of beautiful clothes. It looked like a
blossoming tree, all white and fragrant, and Margaret felt very proud
and happy as she ran to call the family to come and admire.

"I knew she could learn!" said her grandmother, nodding to her mother,
as they all came in to look and praise the little laundress.

CHAPTER X