ow they would have described their
long fit of silence one Saturday afternoon. They were alone in the room
which did duty for dining-room, schoolroom, and everything else; but
they were quite used to being left to themselves. Mother and Jane had
always lots to do, and the little girls were often troubled about this,
and talked of the time when they would be able to help.

'May, I have thought,' cried Ada, suddenly.

'Have you?' said May, slowly. 'I haven't. But you're always quicker than
I am, Ada.'

'Well, I have thought. I am sure Grannie and Grandfather would come and
live with us always if Mother had more money.'

'Oh! I know that part,' cried her sister. 'That's what we started to
think about.'

'Don't be in such a hurry,' said Ada, reprovingly. 'We want to get the
money. Well, you know the dear little pincushions we made for Aunt
Ellen's bazaar, and how she said they were sold directly?'

'Of course I do, but---- '

'Well, let's make lots of them, and go out and sell them. I know we
shall have to make lots and lots, but they won't take long to sell, and
then we shall have plenty of money for Mother. Perhaps she would get
another Jane, too, then she wouldn't have so much to do. Well?' and Ada
stopped, a little breathlessly, and waited for her sister to say
something.

'It sounds quite splendid,' said May; 'but do you think that Mother
would like us to sell for ourselves? The bazaar seems different.'

'But we mustn't tell her,' cried Ada. 'The surprise will be the best
part. Think how pleased she will be! She's always glad when we do
something for her when she doesn't expect it. I am sure it is the very
thing. I was thinking hard for ever such a long time, but nothing else
would do. We are too small to go out and work to get money---- '

'And Mother couldn't spare us,' cried May. 'Besides, you forget our
lessons.'

'And we do not knit very well yet. At least we could never finish a sock
unless Mother helped us, and then she would know. But, May, hadn't you
thought at all?'

'I am afraid I hadn't, and I did try so hard. But that doesn't matter,'
said May, who was accustomed to follow her younger sister's lead. 'Let's
start making directly, Ada. Have we any bits of silk left?'

'Plenty; and I've got some cards cut. We can get one or two done before
tea.' And the two little girls were soon as silent over their work as
they had been over their 'thinking.'

For the next few weeks they were continually t