That is the way things looked as Mary Frances peeped in the door to see what the Thimble People might be doing.
She was just about to enter, when she saw a little fluttering in the work basket.
“Oh, I do hope they’ll have some fun,” she thought.
Over the edge of the basket peeped the bright little eyes of Silver Thimble. Then he tumbled out on the sewing table.
“Why didn’t you step over, Silv?” asked Scissors Shears, stepping over the side of the basket.
“I’ll take steps to find out why,” said Tommy Pin Cushion, rolling over the side.
“You’ll take steps! Impossible!” exclaimed Emery Bag. “Why, Fatty, I could get out of the basket as easily as that myself!” And out he jumped.
[Illustration: Over the edge of the basket]
[Illustration: “Ah, I’ve always been lead!”]
Then out came Pen Cil, carrying a little piece of paper.
“What’s that for?” asked Silver Thimble, pointing to the paper.
“What do you ’spose, Tinkle?” he asked, loftily looking down upon the little fellow―“to write on.”
“Oh, I ought to have known,” snickered Silver Thimble. “You always do write!”
“I am the only one of you who does, though,” and Pen Cil hopped on his one leg to the other end of the table. Jumping up and down, he began:
“All ready for the grand presentation? Let’s practice!”
“Not so fast! Not so fast! Mr. Pen Cil,” exclaimed Needle Book. “I lead!”
“Oh, beg your pardon,” said Pen Cil. “I forgot! I’m lead―ah, I’ve always been lead,” sighing.
“Ha! Ha!” laughed Tommy Pin Cushion, “tied to his miss’s apron-strings!”
“But where are the rest of us?” called out Scissors Shears.
With that, out sprang all the needles and pins―even a few safety pins Mary Frances had put in one corner of her work box; all the buttons, and all the other little findings; so many, Mary Frances couldn’t see where they came from.
Then Sewing Bird, who had been looking on with interest, began to sing:
“Now, listen here, This must be clear: This Presentation Party Is for our little Mistress dear― Look out, there, Mr. Smarty!”
as Scissors Shears nearly tumbled off the table.
“I will take The lady’s place, And you will pass Before my face As when she’s here, Our Mistress dear, At our Presentation Party
[Illustration: Out sprang all the small findings]