“Now, I will make My little speech, Then you can follow One and each―”
“Except,” interrupted Silver Thimble, “the tiny Tom Thumb Thimble Folks,” drawing himself up to his full height.
“Speech! Speech!” cried the Thimble People.
“Our Mistress dear, Your heart to cheer, We’re going to give a party; And we will evermore be true, And everyone of us to you Will pledge allegiance hearty.”
[Illustration: 13. Drawers 14. Rompers 15. Bloomers]
This pattern plate should remain permanently in book so that tracings on tissue paper can be made from it as required.
Then came Silver Thimble, bowing before Sewing Bird,
“I’m Scissors Shears, With rather long ears.”
“I’m Tomato Pin Cushion― (Silv, stop your pushin’!)”
“I’m Needle Book, Please take a look, And do not look awry; I hold within Without a pin, The Needle-of-Don’t-Have-to-Try.”
“That’s no rhyme!” exclaimed Scissors Shears.
“The little Tom Thumb Folks Will all together bow―”
“Bow, wow, wow!” finished Tommy Pin Cushion, and all the Thimble People laughed. Their laughing sounded as if the button box had been upset.
Then the needles and pins and buttons began to bow and dance, making such a funny sight that Mary Frances nearly laughed aloud.
“Won’t our mistress be pleased with all of us!” exclaimed Tommy Pin Cushion. “Come, pets!” and the needles and pins flew to him.
“Come, pets!” mimicked Emery Bag, and a few needles left Tommy Pin Cushion to go to him.
“Piggy!” exclaimed Emery Bag, looking crossly at Tommy Pin Cushion.
“Oh, no,” said Tommy. “I’m just softer-hearted than you,―so they cling to me.”
“Tee-hee,” laughed Silver Thimble; “but―our little Miss will be pleased with this party, for―
“We’re all here, We’re all here; Ready to see Our Mistress dear.”
“Zee-zee-zee-zee Zumm, zumm, zumm, Zumm, zumm, zumm, Zee-zumm, zee-zumm, Zee-zumm, zee-zumm-m-m”
and Mary Frances noticed the Sewing Machine wheels going around.
“Oh, my! Oh, my!” exclaimed Sewing Bird, fluttering her wings and tugging to get away from the table,
“What an awful mistake, No song I can make― We forgot Ma!”
“Forgot me,” zummed Sewing Machine. “All theze dayz, my little onez, I’ve been hearing theze lovely lezzons―but not one of you, no, not one, remembered your Ma Chine! Zum! Zum!”