Factory," promising to call for the girls on his return. 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. Are they anything like braided mats?"

"Yes, they are somewhat similar to them, but I crochet mine and think
them prettier. I have made several, with Aunt Sarah's assistance. I'll
come over and teach you to make them one of these days, should you
care to learn, and I'm positive you will find ready sale for them. In
fact, I've several friends in the city who have admired the ones I
have, and would like to buy rugs for the Colonial rooms they are
furnishing. Sadie, can you crochet?"