machine for several years.“Can I sew on the

machine?” she asked.

“If you’re careful.” Mrs. Quimby demon-

strated the use of the machine. Even though

Ramona had to stand up to stitch, she found

the machine easier to use than she had

expected. She followed her mother’s instruc-

tions carefully and watched the needle move

up and down, leaving behind a trail of tiny, even stitches. Ramona was filled with pleasure at the sight. The sewing machine was much

more satisfactory than the stapler, which often stuck or ran out of staples. All sorts of uses for the sewing machine began to fly through

Ramona’s imagination. Maybe she could even

sew paper and make a book. Quickly, but

still carefully, she finished the seams of Ella Funt’s slacks.

35

“See? I can use the sewing machine, too,”

Ramona bragged to Beezus.

Beezus did not bother to answer. She was

busy pulling on her skirt while Mrs. Quimby

stood by to see how it fit.

Ramona picked up her gray-flannel ele-

phant and shoved its hind legs into the legs of the slacks.

Mrs. Quimby pinned the waistband for

Beezus and stood back to look at the skirt.

“It fits nicely,” she said. “You can go ahead and stitch it.” Pleased, Beezus went off to the bedroom to admire her work in the mirror.

Ramona tugged and tugged at Ella Funt’s

slacks, but no matter how hard she tugged

she could not make them come up to the

elephant’s waist, or to what she guessed was the elephant’s waist. Ella Funt’s bottom was

too big, or the slacks were too small. At the same time, the front of the slacks seemed

way too big. They bunched under Ella Funt’s

paunch. Ramona scowled.

Beezus twirled into the living room to

make her skirt stand out. Anyone could see

she was pleased with what she had accom-

plished.

Ramona scowled harder, but no one

noticed. No one even cared. The sewing

machine hummed. Beezus slipped out of

her skirt. Ramona heaved a gusty sigh. The

sewing machine stopped humming.

“Having problems, Ramona?” inquired

Mrs. Quimby.

“These slacks look terrible.” Ramona

glowered. “They look awful!”

Mrs. Quimby considered Ella Funt and

her slacks. “Well,” she said after a moment,

“maybe you could find something easier to

sew. Slacks for an elephant are very hard to 38

make. I’m sure I couldn’t do it.”

Ramona could not scowl any harder. “I

like to do hard things.”

“I know you do, and I admire you for it,”

answered Ramona’s mother,“but sometimes

it’s better to start with something easy and work up.”

“Why don’t you make a skirt?” suggested

Beezus. “Ella Funt is a girl elephant.”

“I don’t want to make a skirt!” Ramona’s

voice was rising.“I want to make pants!” She looked at her mother and sister, so calm and happy with their sewing. Why couldn’t her