Polly Flinders' Apron

P OLLY FLINDERS wanted a new white apron with ruffles on it.

She thought it would be very beautiful, and while she was sitting in the doorway thinking,—guess what?  She fell asleep.

And while she was asleep,—guess what?  A very old cottonstalk, with long, soft white hair, walked up to the steps and spoke to her!

"Good-morning, Polly Flinders," said Mr. Cottonstalk, bowing low. "It is very warm; let me fan you with one of my leaf fans. And so you want a new white apron, do you?"

"Yes," said Polly, stretching her eyes very wide; "how did you know?"

"Never mind about that," said Mr. Cottonstalk; "get a bag and follow me. I will show you a place where white aprons grow."

So Polly got the bag and away they went, down the pathway, across the meadows, to a field where ever so much cotton was growing.

"Now," said Mr. Cottonstalk, "get to work. This is my field aid you may fill your bag full of cotton. When you have finished, pick out all the seeds and bring them to me, to be planted for other aprons, you know."

Polly thought that was very queer, but went quietly to work as he had told her.

She picked and picked and picked, until by and by the bag was full.

Then she picked out all the seeds,—picked and picked and picked,—which was a very hard task indeed, and gave them to Mr. Cottonstalk.

"What now?" asked Polly Flinders, feeling very warm. "This isn't any apron!"

"Not yet, of course," replied Mr. Cotton-stalk. "It is only the beginning of a white apron. You have been a smart little girl, though, and have worked bravely. Now do what I tell you and the white apron shall be yours. Put the bag of cotton on your back and carry it to London Town, where there is a large factory. Then the factory man will tell you what next to do."

Polly Flinders was very tired, but thanked Mr. Cottonstalk, and off she went, over the field, across the stile to London Town.

At last she came to the factory, where she put down her bag. Such a hum and buzz of wheels she had never heard before! Round and round they whirled, singing merrily:

"Well!" said Polly Flinders. "How strange! That is just what I wanted you to do for me."

So she untied her bag, and the factory man said: "To be sure. Just bring your cotton this way and empty it into the bin. Now wait a minute; it won't be long before these wheels have your cloth ready. Watch!"

Polly Flinders could hardly believe her own eyes when she saw her cotton drawn ou t into a long, long thread. It grew finer and finer, crossing and recrossing like this:

Then with a spinning whir the wheels stopped, and the factory man said: "Your cloth is finished, Polly Flinders. Take it to your mother and have her make you a new white apron. But wait, I'll just blow you back to the village. Puff-f! puff-f! puff-f! and away  you go!" My! Polly Flinders opened her eyes very wide and,—guess what?  She was sitting on her own doorstep!

Just then her mother called: "Run here, Polly, and see what I have made for you."

And there was a new white apron, with ruffles on it!