`` I remember hearing Aunt Adella speak of it . When it became old-fashioned , Grandmother used it to line her quilt . I declare , it is as good as new . '' `` Well , let us go and have tea , '' said Penelope . `` I 'm decidedly hungry . Besides , I see the poverty pucker coming . Put the quilt in the spare room . It is something to possess an heirloom , after all . It gives one a nice , important-family feeling . '' After tea , when Penelope was patiently grinding away at her studies and thinking dolefully enough of the near-approaching examinations , which she dreaded , and of teaching , which she confidently expected to hate , Doris went up to the tiny spare room to look at the wrong side of the quilt again . `` It would make the loveliest party waist , '' she said under her breath . `` Creamy yellow is Penelope 's colour , and I could use that bit of old black lace and those knots of velvet ribbon that I have to trim it . I wonder if Grandmother Hunter 's reproachful spirit will forever haunt me if I do it . '' Doris knew very well that she would do it -- had known it ever since she had looked at that lovely lining and a vision of Penelope 's vivid face and red-brown hair rising above a waist of the quaint old silk had flashed before her mental sight . That night , after Penelope had gone to bed , Doris ripped the lining out of Grandmother Hunter 's silk quilt . `` If Aunt Adella saw me now ! '' she laughed softly to herself as she worked . In the three following evenings Doris made the waist . She thought it a wonderful bit of good luck that Penelope went out each of the evenings to study some especially difficult problems with a school chum . `` It will be such a nice surprise for her , '' the sister mused jubilantly .
Penelope was surprised as much as the tender , sisterly heart could wish when XXXXX flashed out upon her triumphantly on the evening of the party with the black skirt nicely pressed and re-hung , and the prettiest waist imaginable -- a waist that was a positive `` creation '' of dainty rose-besprinkled silk , with a girdle and knots of black velvet .
Adella Doris Hunter Penelope colour evenings heirloom night pucker quilt