The Dona Pondillo and her daughters, together with the female relatives of several noted men among the insurgents, were cutting and stitching most industriously.

Iris Yorke's advice, perhaps her assistance, was evidently in demand.

Assuming that the young man who rode thither so rapidly had gone to see her, she could not have been absent from the sewing party more than five minutes, yet half a dozen ladies were clamoring for her already.

The truth was that many of them had never plied a needle before in their lives.

They had to be taught everything.