Q: CHAPTER XXVIII

DREAMS AND DRESS-MAKING

Tato was now one of the family. They left Taormina the next day, and Frascatti drove all the girls in his victoria to the station.

"You must come again, signorini," said he, looking regretful at their departure. "Next year the fountain of the ice cream soda will be in operation, like those you have in Chicago, which is America. Our culture increases with our civilization. It is even hinted that Il Duca is to abandon our island forever. He has been interesting to us, but not popular, and you will not miss him when you come again to find he is not here. If this time he has caused you an inconvenience, I am sorry. It is regrettable, but,--"

"But it is so!" said Patsy, laughing.

Tato was again transformed. Patricia, who was the smallest of the three nieces, though not especially slim, had quickly altered one of her own pretty white gowns to fit the child, and as she was deft with her needle and the others had enthusiastically assisted her, Tato now looked more like a fairy than ever.

It was really wonderful what a suitable dress could do for the tiny Sicilian maid. She had lost her free and boyish manner and become shy and retiring with strangers, although when in the society of the three nieces she was as sweet and frank as ever. She wore her new gown gracefully, too, as if well accustomed to feminine attire all her life. The only thing now needed, as Patsy said, was time in which to grow her hair, which had always been cut short, in boyish fashion.

Answer the following questions:
1. Where did they leave?
2. Where to?
3. Who was driving?
4. Who did he drive?
5. Did anyone laugh?
6. Who?
7. About what?
8. What did Tato look like?
9. Why?
10. Did she wear it well?
11. What did she still had to do to complete the transformation?
12. What would it take to do that?
13. Was style was it now?
A: 1. Taormina
2. to the station
3. Frascatti
4. all the girls
5. Yes
6. Patsy
7. unknown
8. like a fairy
9. she was wearing a pretty white gown
10. Yes
11. grow her hair
12. time
13. cut short, in boyish fashion

Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

LINCH-PINS.

"And leave them laughing, Ho! Ho Ho!"--_Robin Goodfellow_.

Notice was sent from the Bishop of the diocese that he was about to hold a Confirmation at Poppleby in six weeks' time. This was matter of rejoicing to Mr Harford, who had mourned over the very few communicants. Before he came the Celebrations had been only three times a year, and were attended by most of the aged paupers. To the joy of the Carbonels, the feast was monthly after his coming; but the first time the aged people were there, and all lingered, George Hewlett, the clerk, said, when the curate looked to him for information--

"The alms, sir. They be waiting for the money in the plate."

"Why, that is to be reserved for sick and distressed."

"Mr Selby, he always give it out to them, and so did Mr Jones afore him, sir. They be all expecting of it."

Mr Harford thought that it might be best not to disappoint the old people suddenly, so he stood at the vestry door counting heads, and numbering among them two whom he had already been somewhat startled to see present themselves, namely, Dame Spurrell, whom he had heard abusing her neighbour with a torrent of foul words, and who pretended to be a witch, and Tom Jarrold, whom Hewlett had described to him as the wickedest old chap in the parish.

He took counsel with the churchwardens, Farmers Goodenough and Rawson, who both agreed that they were a bad lot, who didn't deserve nothing, but it helped to keep down the rates. Then he talked to Captain Carbonel, who, being a reverent man, was dismayed at what he heard.

1. Who sent the message?
2. What he was going to do?
3. Is ther any timframe?
4. When?
5. Who felt happy about that?
6. What he did beforehand?
7. How many times he went there?
8. Who accompanied him?
9. How often was the feast?
10. Anyone happy about that?
11. Who was that?
12. Were some folks very new to all these?
13. Were there any beggers?
14. Who did not want to upset the folks?
15. Where was he?
16. Did he recognize someone?
17. How many of them he recognize by name?
18. Did he consult anyone?
19. Who were they?
20. Were they in the same page in this issue?

Numbered answers:

A:
1. the Bishop of the diocese
2. hold a Confirmation
3. yes
4. in six weeks
5. Mr Harford
6. he had mourned over the very few communicants.
7. three times a year
8. most of the aged paupers
9. monthly
10. yes
11. the Carbonels
12. yes
13. yes
14. Mr Harford
15. at the vestry door
16. yes
17. two
18. yes
19. the churchwardens, Farmers Goodenough and Rawson
20. yes