don't seem to be able to hitch up together, without letting folks
already geared roam loose again. But what's the news, Sister
Mayberry?" There came times when only Judy Pike's uncompromising
veto could lay Mrs. Peavey on the table.

"Well, what do you think! Tom Mayberry have got this Providence
Meeting-house Sewing Circle a good big sewing order from the United
States Government. Night drawers and aprons and chimeses and all
sorts of things and--"

"Lands alive, Sister Mayberry, you must be outen your head!"
exclaimed Mrs. Peavey with her usual fear-the-worst manner. "What
earthly use can the United States Government have for night drawers
and chimeses?"

"Now, Hettie Ann, you didn't let me have my say out," remonstrated
Mother Mayberry as they all laughed merrily at Mrs. Peavey's
scandalized remonstrance. "They are for them poor misfortunates over
at Flat Rock what the Government have sent Tom down here to study
about, so he can find the bug that makes the disease and stop it
from spreading everywhere. While he's a-working with 'em he has to
see that they are provided for; and they condition are shameful. He
wants outfits for the women and children and Mr. Petway have the
order to buy the men's things down in the City for him. He's a-going
to pay us good prices for the work and it will mean a lot of money
for the carpet and the repair fund. A quarter apiece for the little
night drawers without feet to 'em is good money. He wanted to give
us fifty cents but I told him no, I wasn't a-going to cheat my own
country for no little child's night rigging. A quarter is fair to
liberal, I say."