side like a bird. It would be so hard then to get on one's feet again,
wouldn't it? Oh, I wish you knew what fun it is to be out in the wind
to-day."

"I think I would rather not know," said Martha, shaking the child's
hand. "It seems to me that the wind has pulled you about quite a little.
Come, we'll straighten you up again."

The child's thick dark hair was in a terrible state. What belonged on
the left side of the parting had been blown to the right, and what
belonged on the right side was thrown to the left. The little apron,
instead of being in front, hung down on the side, and from the bottom
of her skirt the braid hung loose, carrying upon it brambles and forest
leaves. First Martha combed the little girl's hair, then she pulled
the apron into place. Finally she got a thread and needle and began
to mend the braid on the dress.

"Stop, Martha, stop, please!" Cornelli called out suddenly, pulling
her skirt away. "You must not sew, for your finger is all pricked to
pieces. There is only half of it left with those horrible marks."

"That does not matter; just give me your little skirt," replied Martha,
continuing her sewing. "This kind of work does not hurt me; but when
I sew heavy shirts for the farmers and the workmen in the iron works
the material is so rough that, as I push the needle in, I often prick
off little pieces of my finger."

"Why should you have to do that, Martha? They could make their own
shirts and prick their own fingers," cried Cornelli indignantly.