The Wool Gatherers

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 308, 28 December 1940, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Wool Gatherers

fjOfiMAXAY was drawing near **to the little cabin on the banks of the iburn, and it was bringing worry to Elspeth Ann. What could she give father for Hogmanay? She knew what to do ab««it mother. When she was in the city on her holiday two years l>efore (Grandmother' Margaret had given her all sorts of pretty handkerchiefs. One was of finely embroidered linen, just the thing for mother. There were shops in the village, but what good were shojis when you had no money ? To-day mother was sitting by the window, bent dose over" her darning. It was hard to see. for the short days had come and the windows were small atfcl few. Elspeth Ann sat by the fireplace] but all the snapping and crackling of the logs could not cheer her. "I know what father need* most." sighed mother, trying to darn a hole as big as her hand. "Socks! But yarn is as scarce as hen's teeth!" Klspeth Ann knew what that meant, having pried open a hen's beak to find out. A hen had no teeth at all! How could she »et lather new socks when she had no yarn? Besides, she was verv poor at knitting and dropped stitches as fast as she cbUia set the*!]! on. "But maybe I could learn, if we could just get some vstrnj" she thought hopefully, looking over at the big spinning wheel. "Could we shear Kelpie and get some wool?" she asked: "We can't shear her in winter time. She would freeze! I declare. I don't know what to do."' Elspeth Aim worried about it all th« time she was washing rip. When she carried the water"outside to empty it. the rain clouds were rolling away, and the sun was coming out. It niade her want to go for a walk. "Please, may I go to see Xancv this afternoon?" "It's a little past one, now. If you will start home by three you may. Remember, darkness comes early these days."' As soon as she. reached Nancy's house, Elspeth JBnn began to talk about her need for wool. "Mr. Watt has a great manv sheep." said Nancy's mother. "He probably has wool left from the shearing and would sell von some." "But I haven't anv monev," said Elspeth Ann. "He has lots of sheep." said Xancy. "He drove a big flock of them up the "burn path just a few days ago. You know that path through all the bushes? Why, what's the matter?"

El«peth Ann enabehsd her ehawl and hoed. '\Let's go down to the path now!" 'Must we?"' asked Nancy in dismay. "Those btishes will be sopping wet. and, besides, I wanted to make a new drest? for my doll this afternoon." Brit Elspeth Ann had ho time for dolls, nor did she care howwet the bushes we're. She sped down the river path, with Nanefr following slowly.

"There! See?" Elspeth Ann pointed to the bitehes. "Tliere'B some wool on every twig. On! I'm glad Mr. Watt took his gbee'p down this path!" And her swift fingers began to gather ttlftfe of wool. Xancy begatt to look interested. "I'll run back to the hbuse and get a sack." "All right," said Elspeth Ann; ami she scrambled into the hushes after an extra large tuft of wool. Her dress and siloes were wet. But she was too happy to pttre. All afternoon they worked fast. Their fingers grew greasy and black, for Mr. Watts' sheep we're not combed and cleaned as was Kelpie, the pet lamb. At last Xancy looked tip Ai tm> Bky. "My gotidhesS, Elspeth ' Ann! It is going tc» thullder!" "Anyway, t have a large sack!" said Klsrieth Ann. and olddijig Her friend good-bye; she fcped off. Her mother was standing .in the door, looking for her. '"Where have you been so lons. child? I was growing uneasy. And what are you carrying in that big bag?" "Wool." cried Elspeth Ann. , "And it hasn't cost lis a penny. Let'* keep it a secret and give father new socks for Hogniftnay," "I'll put it to soak in gbhie suds." said Elspeth Ann's mdther as soon as she heard the etbry.

"You get into dry clothes —and we won't say a word to father." After that they were very busy. washing and drying the wool. It was good that father was working in the village these days. She and mother could sit by the hour and *si:n and card tl ■> woo! without: fiMiing tlict. he would discover their secret. "I'm glad you brought that IfltligO dye with you frrihi t"he city,"' flrtitl niother. "now vre can dye tile yarn a pretty bide." "Anil I am going to knit those socks my«elf." said Elspeth Ann deterriiinettly. "Are yrttl sure you wouldn't like me to do them for yotl ?" asked mother. "Xo. rib!" cried Elspeth Ann. "I know I'm awkward, but if other girls can learn to knit, so can I." She tried again and again, and at last the stitclies. stayed on the needle*. Before long she was knitting f(riite smoothly. Fast, tob. for Hdgmahay was coming! Hogmanay Eve came at last. The tottdge, wrts gav with evergreen wreaths, aliif the white woodt'ii wassail bow! wa'k on the table. "Now T shall put the gifts oti tile table beside ericli place." said riibther. and father turn rtttthd, arid dbh't you dare peep! Riln aldrig!" i Klsji'etli Ann went tip the loft Irtflder dnd listened in breathless eagerness to the whispered words find riistlirig down below. How could she wait till the morrow? When dawn canie? Elspeth , Aiin serdirihied rto'wti the ladder. There, iieatiy folded by her place at table, was a Hew dress. With frilling! AVith bright ribbon! Ihsirie another parcel was a little Jtj)foh atid a nag of sweets from fttther. Mother was delighted witjt her new handkerchief, and flit 11 Sf was admiring the lovely warm, blue socks. When lie

fotiiid how lie had coine to have theiii, lib' ebiild iiiit li% Elspeth" Ann close chough. '•Our first Hogmanay in the Highlands." the little girl cried. "And that makes this our home." smiled mdther. "For no house i* reallV home until t-Mt'tfe had a happy New Year in il!"