"Here," she said, indicating a point of brick-red calico which helped to
form a many-rayed figure, whose round centre was in bright yellow, "is
the first new dress ma had after she got merried, and here," indicating
a lilac muslin with white spots, "is her weddin' gown itself. Then
there's a bit of the dress 'at was found on thet gal 'twas cast ashore
ten year ago; and there's a piece o' thet one 't Zeba Osterhaus hed on
when she hed her pictur' took, an' these," blushing brightly, "are
scraps o' my own dresses thet I ain't wearin' yet. Then there's hunderds
more, but I guess you'll reco'nize most on 'em. I've pieced it 'star-
pattern', ye see,--an' do ye know?--there's one thousand an' ninety
pieces in thet thar very quilt!"

There was a universal cry of admiration and astonishment at this
triumphant announcement.

"How long did it take you?" asked Zeba, examining the pattern and
workmanship with renewed interest.

"Wall, I've been at it now this goin' on two year; kep' it fur ketch-up
work, ye know."

"Wall, we'd better set to," sniffed Mrs. Updyke, fitting on a huge steel
thimble open at the top; "they ain't much arternoons to these short
days, anyhow. I'll take this star, an' you, Sairay, may work on the
next, so't I kin kinder watch ye. 'Twon't do to hev any botch-work on
this quilt."

Sara obeyed, but not with alacrity. It only needed the added discomfort
of Mrs. Updyke's supervision to make her quite wretched; but Miss Prue,