Needle and Thread Read Online Free PDF Page A

and Flora burst through the door of Needle and Thread that afternoon. “Our school is going to put on a play and I’m going to star in it!”
    â€œLand sakes,” said Min. “Hold on a minute, Ruby.” Min finished cutting three yards off a bolt of pinwale corduroy, folded the fabric neatly, placed it in a customer’s basket, and handed the customer a receipt. “There you go,” she said. “Take this to the register whenever you’re ready.” Then Min turned to her granddaughters, who had shrugged off their backpacks and flung them onto one of the couches at the front of the store. “Now, what’s all this?” she asked. “And how was the first day of school?”
    â€œIt was fine,” said Flora. “How come you didn’t tell me that Mrs. Mandel taught Mom in fourth grade?”
    Min smiled. “I thought I’d let Mrs. Mandel do that. Was it a nice surprise?”
    â€œIt was great. She taught Mom and Olivia’s mom together.”
    â€œI remember,” replied Min. “They had a very good year.”
    â€œThis is going to be Mrs. Mandel’s last year of teaching,” Flora added. “She’s retiring over the summer.”
    â€œAhem,” said Ruby loudly.
    Min turned to her younger granddaughter. “Now, what is this about a play?”
    â€œOur school is going to put on a play for the birthday party next year, and I’m going to be in it!” said Ruby in a rush.
    Min turned to Flora. “My stars. What is she talking about?”
    Flora told Min about the activities that would be part of Camden Falls’s birthday festivities. “One of them is going to be a play about witchcraft in colonial New England,” Flora added.
    â€œAnd you’re going to be in the play?” Min asked Ruby.
    â€œI’m going to star in it.”
    Min frowned. “Ruby,” she said.
    â€œAll right. I don’t know that yet. Mr. Lundy said the auditions are going to be in a few weeks. But I’m sure I’ll get the starring role.”
    â€œWhat is the starring role?” asked Flora. “Isn’t it the part of an adult? And don’t you think they’ll give that to a sixth-grader?”
    Ruby squirmed slightly. “Yes,” she said. “I mean, no. I mean, the biggest part is one of the witches, and she
was
a grown-up. But no, they won’t give that part to a sixth-grader. Not if I’m the best one who auditions.”
    â€œRuby, I believe we need to have a little chat about modesty,” said Min.
    â€œAnd reality,” Flora added under her breath.
    Min glanced at Flora, then turned back to Ruby. “Another thing — do you know what the phrase ‘Don’t count your chickens before they hatch’ means?”
    â€œDon’t think you’re a beautiful chicken if you aren’t?” Ruby guessed.
    â€œNot exactly,” replied Min. She looked up as the bell over the door jangled and Mary Woolsey entered Needle and Thread. “Good afternoon, Mary,” said Min.
    â€œâ€™Afternoon, Min.” Mary nodded to Ruby and Flora before heading for her table at the back of the store. She was dressed in way too many clothes as usual, including a scarf and a jacket over what appeared to be two sweaters.
    The bell jangled again as a customer entered. Min said, “Ruby, we’ll continue this discussion tonight. I have to get back to work.”
    â€œAm I in trouble?” asked Ruby.
    â€œNo. I just want you to think about a few things.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œMin?” said Flora. “Can Ruby and I go to Olivia’s, please? Her parents are home. And we want to play outside with the kids.”
    â€œAll right,” said Min. “Have fun. Do you have any homework?”
    â€œJust a little,” said Ruby.
    â€œHalf an hour’s worth,” said Flora. “I can do it after supper.”
    With that, the Northrop