night-gown, but Polly hurried her into bed, where she curled
herself up under the clothes, watching her make a big knot. But the
knot didn't stay; for when Polly drew up the long thread
triumphantly to the end--out it flew, and away the button hopped
again as if glad to be released. And then the thread kinked
horribly, and got all twisted up in disagreeable little snarls that
took all Polly's patience to unravel.

"It's because you're in such a hurry," said Mrs. Pepper, who was
getting Phionsie's clothes. And coming over across the room she
got down on one knee, and looked over Polly's shoulder. "There
now, let mother see what's the matter."

"Oh dear," said Polly, resigning the needle with a big sigh, and
leaning back to take a good stretch, followed by Phronsie's
sympathizing eyes; "they never'll be on! And there goes the first
bell!" as the loud sounds under Jane's vigorous ringing pealed up
over the stairs. "There won't be time anyway, now! I wish there
wasn't such a thing as shoes in the world!" And she gave a flounce
and sat up straight in front of her mother.

"Polly!" said Mrs. Pepper sternly, deftly fastening the little buttons
tightly into place with quick, firm stitches, "better be glad you've
got them to sew at all. There now, here they are. Those won't come
off in a hurry!"

"Oh, mamsie!" cried Polly, ignoring for a moment the delights of
the finished shoe to fling her arms around her mother's neck and
give her a good hug. "You're just the splendidest, goodest mamsie
in all the world. And I'm a hateful, cross old bear, so I am!" she