` Oh , dear me ! there 's the pretty quilt I was going to make for baby , and now it is n't any use , and I ca n't bear to finish it ; ' and Patty broke out afresh at the thought of so much love 's labour lost . ` Mamma will love to see it , so I would n't give it up . Work is the best cure for sorrow ; and I think you never will be sorry you tried it . Let us put a bright bit of submission with this dark trouble , and work both into your little life as patiently as we can , deary . ' Patty put up her trembling lips , and kissed Aunt Pen , grateful for the tender sympathy and the helpful words . ` I 'll try , ' was all she said ; and then they sat talking quietly together about the dear , dead baby , who only stayed long enough to make a place in every one 's heart , and leave them aching when she went . Patty did try to bear her first trouble bravely , and got on very well after the first day or two , except when the sewing-hour came . Then the sight of the pretty patchwork recalled the memory of the cradle it was meant to cover , and reminded her that it was empty now . Many quiet tears dropped on Patty 's work ; and sometimes she had to put it down and sob , for she had longed so for a little sister , it was very hard to give her up , and put away all the loving plans she had made for the happy time when baby came . A great many tender little thoughts and feelings got sewed into the gay squares ; and if a small stain showed here and there , I think they only added to its beauty in the eyes of those who knew what made them . Aunt Pen never suggested picking out certain puckered bits and grimy stitches , for she knew that just there the little fingers trembled , and the blue eyes got dim as they touched and saw the delicate , flowery bits left from baby 's gowns . Lizzie was full of sympathy , and came hopping over on her crutches with her only treasure , a black rabbit , to console her friend . But of all the comfort given , Mother Bunch 's share was the greatest and best ; for that very first sad day , as Patty wandered about the house disconsolately , puss came hurrying to meet her , and in her dumb way begged her mistress to follow and see the fine surprise prepared for her -- four plump kits as white as snow , with four gray tails all wagging in a row , as they laid on their proud mamma 's downy breast , while she purred over them , with her yellow eyes full of supreme content . It was in the barn , and Patty lay for an hour with her head close to Mother Bunch , and her hands softly touching the charming little Bunches , who squeaked and tumbled and sprawled about with their dim eyes blinking , their tiny pink paws fumbling , and their dear gray tails waggling in the sweetest way . Such a comfort as they were to Patty no words could tell , and nothing will ever convince me that Mrs. Bunch did not know all about baby , and so lay herself out to cheer up her little mistress like a motherly loving old puss , as she was . As Patty lay on the rug that evening while Aunt Pen sung softly in the twilight , a small , white figure came pattering over the straw carpet , and dropped a soft , warm ball down by Patty 's cheek , saying , as plainly as a loud , confiding purr could say it -- ` There , my dear , this is a lonely time for you , I know , so I 've brought my best and prettiest darling to comfort you ; ' and with that Mother Bunch sat down and washed her face , while Patty cuddled little Snowdrop , and forgot to cry about baby . Soon after this came a great happiness to Patty in the shape of a letter from mamma , saying she must have her little girl back a week earlier than they had planned . ` I 'm sorry to leave you , aunty , but it is so nice to be wanted , and I 'm all mamma has now , you know , so I must hurry and finish my work to surprise her with . How shall we finish it off ?
There ought to be something regularly splendid to go all round , ' said XXXXX , in a great bustle , as she laid out her pieces , and found that only a few more were needed to complete the ` moral bed-quilt . ' '
Bunch Bunches Patty Pen aunty day pattering purr quilt sewing-hour