Читать книгу The One-Eyed Fairies онлайн

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We all work very fast.

Please have the thread the proper length,

And just the proper number,

Then if you keep us shining bright,

We’ll work and never slumber.”

“Well done, my hearties!” cried Sir Bodkin proudly. “Now, Baster, you jolly rogue, show her how to baste the seams.”

From the line a large One-Eyed Fairy stepped out.

“Some thread in my eye and we’ll start,” he said.

“Remember the proper length,” said Baster, as Margaret took up the spool of basting-thread.

From the tip of her nose to the end of her arm, Sir Bodkin said was the proper length. When Margaret had measured the basting-thread she cut it from the spool with her scissors.

“Thread with the end that leaves the spool last,” the King told her, “then it will not snarl and knot so.”

Margaret held the cut end between her left forefinger and thumb and twisted it into a point with her right forefinger and thumb. Then she took Baster in her right fingers and put the thread through his big eye. Pulling it through about one-third she made a knot in the other end by twisting it around her left thumb and forefinger.