So I want to take lessons in sewing of her . She works so beautifully , and it is a useful thing , you know , and I ought to be a good needlewoman as well as housekeeper , ought n't I ? '' `` Bless your kind little heart , that is what I was thinking of the other day when Aunt Peace said she saw you very seldom now , you were so busy I wanted to speak of it , but fancied you had as much on your hands as you could manage . It would delight the dear woman to teach you all her delicate handicraft , especially button-holes , for I believe that is where young ladies fail ; at least , I 've heard them say so . So , do you devote your mind to button-holes ; make 'em all over my clothes if you want something to practice on . I 'll wear any quantity . '' Rose laughed at this reckless offer , but promised to attend to that important branch , though she confessed that darning was her weak point . Whereupon Uncle Alec engaged to supply her with socks in all stages of dilapidation , and to have a new set at once , so that she could run the heels for him as a pleasant beginning . Then they went up to make their request in due form , to the great delight of gentle Aunt Peace , who got quite excited with the fun that went on while they would yarn , looked up darning needles , and fitted out a nice little mending basket for her pupil . Very busy and very happy were Rose 's days now , for in the morning she went about the house with Aunt Plenty attending to linen-closets and store-rooms , pickling and preserving , exploring garret and cellar to see that all was right , and learning , in the good old-fashioned manner , to look well after the ways of the household . In the afternoon , after her walk or drive , she sat with Aunt Peace plying her needle , while Aunt Plenty , whose eyes were failing , knitted and chatted briskly , telling many a pleasant story of old times , till the three were moved to laugh and cry together , for the busy needles were embroidering all sorts of bright patterns on the lives of the workers , though they seemed to be only stitching cotton and darning hose . It was a pretty sight to see the rosy-faced little maid sitting between the two old ladies , listening dutifully to their instructions , and cheering the lessons with her lively chatter and blithe laugh . If the kitchen had proved attractive to Dr. Alec when Rose was there at work , the sewing-room was quite irresistible , and he made himself so agreeable that no one had the heart to drive him away , especially when he read aloud or spun yarns . `` There ! I 've made you a new set of warm night-gowns with four button-holes in each . See if they are not neatly done , '' said Rose , one day , some weeks after the new lessons began . `` Even to a thread , and nice little bars across the end so I ca n't tear them when I twitch the buttons out . Most superior work , ma'am , and I 'm deeply grateful ; so much so , that I 'll sew on these buttons myself , and save those tired fingers from another prick . '' `` You sew them on ? '' cried Rose , with her eyes wide open in amazement .
`` Wait a bit till I get my sewing tackle , and then you shall XXXXX what I can do . ''
Bless believe cried fitted read see sitting twitch wear went