CROW SHAY TALKS
“OH, dear,” sighed Mary Frances. “Oh, dear, how I wish there were
crocheting and knitting people like the Kitchen People and the Thimble
People—only that would be too good to be true.”
[Illustration: “Oh, dear!”]
“Not at all,
Not at all;
Untie the bag
And see us all,”
came a voice from the knitting bag which was beside Mary Frances in the
swing just where Aunt Maria had laid it. She picked it up and untied
the drawing-strings and up popped Crow Shay.
[Illustration: Up popped Crow Shay.]
The bright sunlight made him blink as he looked around.
“Good day, good day,
To you we say—
Yarn Baby, Wooley Ball
And I, Crow Shay,”
sang the little fellow, as Mary Frances lifted them out.
[Illustration: Sang the little fellow.]
“Oh, can you all talk?” she asked in delight. “Can they, Crow Shay?”
“‘Can they crochet?’” repeated Crow Shay, “‘Can they crochet?’ Why, I
don’t think they can. They can only help. Crow Shay Hooks are the only
ones who really can crochet!”
“Oh, I see,” said Mary Frances, even though she did not understand
exactly what he meant.
By this time the Yarn Baby’s hair was standing on end. She looked so
wild that Mary Frances pretended to be frightened and began to move
away.
[Illustration: “Do not be alarmed”]
“Do not be alarmed, Miss Mary Frances,” said the Yarn Baby, trying to
smooth down her hair. “My hair always stands out that way when I get
excited. I was afraid some one might overhear Crow Shay talking, and
then all our lovely plans would be spoiled. Crow Shay always talks too
much, anyhow. You might think that he was appointed to take charge of
the lessons instead of me!”
[Illustration: “Crow Shay always talks too much”]
“Oh,” said Mary Frances, “I know what you wish to do! You want to give
me secret lessons in crocheting and knitting just as the Kitchen People
gave me lessons in cooking, and the Thimble People gave me lessons in
sewing! I’ll put you all back in the bag and carry you upstairs this
minute, and I do hope that you will begin the lessons right away!”
[Illustration: “I know what you wish to do”]
[Illustration: “Hush!” warned Wooley Ball.]