The sad, brown eyes of Sadie, too large for her pinched, sallow face, shone with pleasure at sight of the two young girls so near her own age, and she smiled her delight on examining the numerous bright-colored patches brought by them.

Thinking the pleasure she so plainly showed might appear childish to the two girls, she explained: "I do get so dreadfully tired sewing together so many dull homely rags.

I shall enjoy making balls of these pretty, bright colors." "Sadie," Mary inquired, "will you think me inquisitive should I ask what the carpet weaver pays you for the rags when you have sewed and wound them into balls ?" "Certainly not," replied Sadie.

"Four cents a pound is what he pays me.

It takes two of these balls to make a pound," and she held up a ball she had just finished winding.
"Is _that all_ you get ?" exclaimed Elizabeth.
"Have you ever made rag rugs ?" inquired Mary.
"No, I have never even seen one.