ed by the United States," answered Mrs.
Pike decidedly. "They are too many people in the world that 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."

"That it is, Mis' Mayberry, and thank Doctor Tom, too, for giving us
the order," answered Widow Pratt heartily. "When can we begin? I'll cut
'em all out at home, so as to save time, if you'll give me the goods. I
can cut children's clothes out with my eyes shut and sew 'em with my
left hand if needs be."

"Well, if all we hear be true, Bettie Pratt, it's a good thing it comes
easy to you. The sewing for seventeen might be a set-back to any kind
of co'ting, but seeing as you likes it so, why, maybe--" Mrs. Peavey
paused and peered at the blushing widow with goading curiosity in her
keen eyes.

"Well, it hasn't been a bit to me and Mr. Hoover, Mis' Peavey," she
answered with dancing eyes and a lovely rose color mounting her cheeks.