human
I just hate to sew carpet-rags!
gpt
Couldn't I help you?
human
Why, to be sure you _could_, if you would, and knew how to sew.
gpt
Of course I know how to sew,
human
Oh, I was only in fun! I'll find you a thimble. It's in my work-box that was given me on Christmas. It's real silver, too. Mother's going to change it when she goes to New York, only she never remembers. My fingers are so fat. Oh, Hanny, what a little mite of a hand! It'll never be good for anything.
gpt
I have made a whole shirt myself, and I have hemstitched, and done embroidery, and I wipe dishes when I haven't too many lessons,
human
You can't make your own frocks,
gpt
No. Miss Cynthia Blackfan comes and does it. Can you?
human
No, she can't, said Janey, while Polly threw her head back and laughed, showing her strong white teeth.
gpt
And she could no more make a shirt than she could fly. You're real smart, Hanny. I'm two years older, and I've never made a whole one. I'm going to try though, and father's promised me a dollar when I do it all by myself.
human
Now you can just sew hit or miss; and then you can put in a long strip of black, 'cause there's more black than anything else. Oh, dear, I do hate to sew rags!
gpt
What kind of sewing do you like?
human
I just don't like any kind. Hanny, do _you_ know that some one has invented a sewing-machine?
gpt
Oh, yes, I saw it at the Institute Fair. And there's a place on Broadway where a woman sits in the window and sews. It's very queer; but we think it doesn't sew real nice.
human
Does it do really and truly sewing?
gpt
Why, yes. When you come down, I'll ask Joe to take us over to see it.
human
Carpet-rags?
gpt
Well--I don't know. Long straight seams, and hems and stitching.
human
Well, I'm going to have one when I'm married. I wonder if they cost very much!
gpt
There'll be lots of things for you to do before you are married. And some girls don't have any chance. You'll want to know how to keep house--
human
I like housekeeping. You just go from one thing to another. I'll have some one to cook and peel potatoes and all that. And we'll keep a horse and waggon, and I shall go to ride every day.
gpt
Just now, you had better sew carpet-rags.
human
And I'll never have any rag carpets. I will give away all the old clothes.
gpt
I'm afraid you'll never have much of anything, nor a husband either, Polly Odell, said her mother.
human
You talk, and leave the rags for Hanny to sew.
gpt
I'd like to see a sewing-machine, began Janey, presently.
human
How does it go?
gpt
There is a strap around a wheel that is fast to a frame. You put your feet on, so, and just make them go up and down after you have started the wheel with your hand. The needle goes through, and something catches the thread, then it goes through again, and that makes the stitch. It is very curious.
human
You know a good many things, don't you, Hanny?
gpt
I can beat her all out running, I know; and I'll bet a penny she can't jump over the creek.
human
And don't you dare her to, Polly. Remember how you fell in. Oh, Hanny, she was a sight to behold!
gpt
Well--it had been raining, and the ground was soft, so I slipped a little on the start. But I've done it time and again.
human
And you're a regular tomboy. Girls don't train around that way in the city.
gpt
Hanny sews a great deal faster than you, she said to Polly.
human
See what a pile she has. I will wind them up.