Then they went up to make their request in due form , to the great delight of gentle Aunt Peace , who got quite excited with the fun that went on while they would yarn , looked up darning needles , and fitted out a nice little mending basket for her pupil . Very busy and very happy were Rose 's days now , for in the morning she went about the house with Aunt Plenty attending to linen-closets and store-rooms , pickling and preserving , exploring garret and cellar to see that all was right , and learning , in the good old-fashioned manner , to look well after the ways of the household . In the afternoon , after her walk or drive , she sat with Aunt Peace plying her needle , while Aunt Plenty , whose eyes were failing , knitted and chatted briskly , telling many a pleasant story of old times , till the three were moved to laugh and cry together , for the busy needles were embroidering all sorts of bright patterns on the lives of the workers , though they seemed to be only stitching cotton and darning hose . It was a pretty sight to see the rosy-faced little maid sitting between the two old ladies , listening dutifully to their instructions , and cheering the lessons with her lively chatter and blithe laugh . If the kitchen had proved attractive to Dr. Alec when Rose was there at work , the sewing-room was quite irresistible , and he made himself so agreeable that no one had the heart to drive him away , especially when he read aloud or spun yarns . `` There ! I 've made you a new set of warm night-gowns with four button-holes in each . See if they are not neatly done , '' said Rose , one day , some weeks after the new lessons began . `` Even to a thread , and nice little bars across the end so I ca n't tear them when I twitch the buttons out . Most superior work , ma'am , and I 'm deeply grateful ; so much so , that I 'll sew on these buttons myself , and save those tired fingers from another prick . '' `` You sew them on ? '' cried Rose , with her eyes wide open in amazement . `` Wait a bit till I get my sewing tackle , and then you shall see what I can do . '' `` Can he , really ? '' asked Rose of Aunt Peace , as Uncle Alec marched off with a comical air of importance . `` Oh , yes , I taught him years ago , before he went to sea ; and I suppose he has had to do things for himself , more or less , ever since ; so he has kept his hand in . '' He evidently had , for he was soon back with a funny little work-bag , out of which he produced a thimble without a top ; and , having threaded his needle , he proceeded to sew on the buttons so handily that Rose was much impressed and amused . `` I wonder if there is anything in the world that you can not do , '' she said , in a tone of respectful admiration . `` There are one or two things that I am not up to yet , '' he answered , with a laugh in the corner of his eye , as he waxed his thread with a flourish . `` I should like to know what ? ''
`` Bread and XXXXX , ma'am . ''
Alec afternoon button-holes darning days linen-closets morning night-gowns sewing-room work-bag