His mother followed him, telling John she had a large steel thimble somewhere, and would try to find it for him.

Rachel began filling the huswife with needles, and John went on with his packing.
"Hollo!" he presently exclaimed.

And Rachel looked up.
"What's the matter, sir ?" "I have pulled one of the strings off this green case.

You must sew it on again, Rachel." He brought a piece of green baize to her and a broken string.

It looked something like the cover of a pocket-book or of a small case of instruments.
Rachel's nimble fingers soon repaired the damage.