` Can you truly ? just try and see , ' and Patty looked interested at once . Pointing with the yard-measure , Aunt Pen said , tapping a certain dingy , puckered , brown and purple square -- ` That is a bad day ; do n't it look so ? ' ` Well , it was , I do declare ! for that was the Monday piece , when everything went wrong and I did n't care how my work looked , ' cried Patty , surprised at Aunt Pen 's skill in reading the calico diary . ` This pretty pink and white one so neatly sewed is a good day ; this funny mixture of red , blue , and yellow with the big stitches is a merry day ; that one with spots on it is one that got cried over ; this with the gay flowers is a day full of good little plans and resolutions ; and that one made of dainty bits , all stars and dots and tiny leaves , is the one you made when you were thinking about the dear new baby there at home . ' ` Why , Aunt Pen , you are a fairy ! How did you know ? they truly are just as you say , as near as I can remember . I rather like that sort of patchwork , ' and Patty sat down upon the floor to collect , examine , and arrange her discarded work with a new interest in it . ' I see what is going on , and I have queer plays in my mind just as you little folks do . Suppose you make this a moral bed-quilt , as some people make album quilts . See how much patience , perseverance , good nature , and industry you can put into it . Every bit will have a lesson or a story , and when you lie under it you will find it a real comforter , ' said Aunt Pen , who wanted to amuse the child and teach her something better even than the good old-fashioned accomplishment of needlework . ' I do n't see how I can put that sort of thing into it , ' answered Patty , as she gently lifted puss into her lap , instead of twitching the red bit roughly from under her . ` There goes a nice little piece of kindness this very minute , ' laughed Aunt Pen , pointing to the cat and the red square . Patty laughed also , and looked pleased as she stroked Mother Bunch , while she said thoughtfully -- ' I see what you mean now . I am making two kinds of patchwork at the same time ; and this that I see is to remind me of the other kind that I do n't see . ' ` Every task , no matter how small or homely , that gets well and cheerfully done , is a fine thing ; and the sooner we learn to use up the dark and bright bits -LRB- the pleasures and pains , the cares and duties -RRB- into a cheerful , useful life , the sooner we become real comforters , and every one likes to cuddle about us . Do n't you see , deary ? '
` That 's what you are , Aunt XXXXX ; ' and Patty put up her hand to hold fast by that other strong , kind , helpful hand that did so much , yet never was tired , cold , or empty .
Bunch Patty Pen bed-quilt comforter comforters day minute quilts yard-measure