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 Patty , 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 . ' ' I must try and find something . We will put this white star , with the blue round it , in the middle , for it is the neatest and prettiest piece , in spite of the stains . I will sew in this part , and you may finish putting the long strips together , ' said Aunt Pen , rummaging her bags and bundles for something fine to end off with . ' I know ! I 've got something ! ' and away hurried Lizzie , who was there , and much interested in the work . She came hopping back again , presently , with a roll in her hand , which she proudly spread out , saying -- ` There ! mother gave me that ever so long ago , but I never had any quilt to use it for , and now it 's just what you want . You ca n't buy such chintz now-a-days , and I 'm so glad I had it for you . ' ` It 's regularly splendid ! '
cried XXXXX , in a rapture ; and so it was , for the pink and white was all covered with animals , and the blue was full of birds and butterflies and bees flying about as naturally as possible .
Bunches Lizzie Patty aunty bed-quilt first hour now-a-days puss quilt