CONTENTS
FirstChronicleJackO’LanternSecondChronicleDaughtersofZionThirdChronicleRebecca’sThoughtBookFourthChronicleATragedyinMillineryFifthChronicleTheSavingoftheColorsSixthChronicleTheStateofMaineGirlSeventhChronicleTheLittleProphetEighthChronicleAbnerSimpson’sNewLeafNinthChronicleTheGreenIsleTenthChronicleRebecca’sReminiscencesEleventhChronicleAbijahtheBraveandtheFairEmmaJaneFirstChronicleJACKO’LANTERN
I
MissMirandaSawyer’sold-fashionedgardenwasthepleasantestspotinRiverboroonasunnyJulymorning。Therichcolorofthebrickhousegleamedandglowedthroughtheshadeoftheelmsandmaples。Luxurianthop-vinesclamberedupthelightningrodsandwaterspouts，hangingtheirdelicateclustershereandthereingracefulprofusion。Woodbinetransformedtheoldshedandtoolhousetothingsofbeauty，andtheflowerbedsthemselvesweretheprettiestandmostfragrantinallthecountryside。Arowofdahliasrandirectlyaroundthegardenspot，——dahliasscarlet，gold，andvariegated。Intheverycentrewasaroundplotwheretheupturnedfacesofathousandpansiessmiledamidtheirleaves，andinthefourcornersweretriangularblocksofsweetphloxoverwhichthebutterfliesflutteredunceasingly。Inthespacesbetweenranariotofportulacaandnasturtiums，whileinthemoreregular，shell-borderedbedsgrewspireaandgillyflowers，mignonette，marigolds，andclovepinks。
Backofthebarnandencroachingontheedgeofthehayfieldwasagroveofsweetcloverwhosewhitefeatherytipsfairlybentundertheassaultsofthebees，whilebanksofaromaticmintandthymedrankinthesunshineandsentitoutagainintothesummerair，warm，anddeliciouslyodorous。
ThehollyhockswereMissSawyer’spride，andtheygrewinastatelylinebeneaththefourkitchenwindows，theirtaperingtipssetthicklywithgaysatincircletsofpinkorlavenderorcrimson。
\"Theygrowsomethinglikesteeples，\"thoughtlittleRebeccaRandall，whowasweedingthebed，\"andtheflat，roundflowersarelikerosettes；butsteepleswouldn’tbestuddedwithrosettes，soifyouwerewritingabouttheminacompositionyou’dhavetogiveuponeortheother，andIthinkI’llgiveupthesteeples：——
GaylittlehollyhockLiftingyourhead，SweetlyrosettedOutfromyourbed。
It’sapitythehollyhockisn’treallylittle，insteadofsteeplinguptothewindowtop，butIcan’tsay，’GayTALL
hollyhock。’……Imighthaveit’LinestoaHollyhockinMay，’
forthenitwouldbesmall；butoh，no！Iforgot；inMayitwouldn’tbeblooming，andit’ssoprettytosaythatitsheadis’sweetlyrosetted’……Iwishtheteacherwasn’taway；shewouldlike’sweetlyrosetted，’andshewouldliketohearmerecite’Rollon，thoudeepanddarkblueocean，roll！’thatI
learnedoutofAuntJane’sByron；therollscomeboomingoutofitjustlikethewavesatthebeach……Icouldmakenicecompositionsnow，everythingisbloomingso，andit’ssowarmandsunnyandhappyoutdoors。MissDearborntoldmetowritesomethinginmythoughtbookeverysingleday，andI’llbeginthisverynightwhenIgotobed。\"
RebeccaRowenaRandall，thelittlenieceofthebrick-houseladies，andatpresentsojourningthereforpurposesofboard，lodging，education，andincidentallysuchdisciplineandchasteningasmightultimatelyproducemoralexcellence，——RebeccaRandallhadapassionfortherhymeandrhythmofpoetry。Fromherearliestchildhoodwordshadalwaysbeentoherwhatdollsandtoysaretootherchildren，andnowattwelvesheamusedherselfwithphrasesandsentencesandimagesasherschoolmatesplayedwiththepiecesoftheirdissectedpuzzles。Iftheheroineofastorytooka\"cursoryglance\"abouther\"apartment，\"RebeccawouldshortlyaskherAuntJanetotakea\"cursoryglance\"atheroversewingorhemming；ifthevillain\"aidedandabetted\"someoneincommittingacrime，shewouldbeforelongrequestthepleasureof\"aidingandabetting\"indishwashingorbedmaking。Sometimessheusedtheborrowedphrasesunconsciously；sometimesshebroughtthemintotheconversationwithanintensesenseofpleasureintheirharmonyorappropriateness；forabeautifulwordorsentencehadthesameeffectuponherimaginationasafragrantnosegay，astrainofmusic，orabrilliantsunset。
\"Howareyougettin’on，RebeccaRowena？\"calledaperemptoryvoicefromwithin。
\"Prettygood，AuntMiranda；onlyIwishflowerswouldevercomeupasthickasthispigweedandplantainandsorrel。WhatMAKES
weedsbethickandflowersbethin？——Ijusthappenedtobestoppingtothinkaminutewhenyoulookedout。\"
\"Youthinkconsiderablemorethanyouweed，Iguess，byappearances。Howmanytimeshaveyoupeekedintothathummingbird’snest？Whydon’tyouworkalltoonceandplayalltoonce，likeotherfolks？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"thechildanswered，confoundedbythequestion，andstillmorebytheapparentlogicbackofit。\"Idon’tknow，AuntMiranda，butwhenI’mworkingoutdoorssuchaSaturdaymorningasthis，thewholecreationjustscreamstometostopitandcomeandplay。\"
\"Well，youneedn’tgoifitdoes！\"respondedherauntsharply。
\"Itdon’tscreamtomewhenI’mrollin’outthesedoughnuts，anditwouldn’ttoyouifyourmindwasonyourduty。\"
Rebecca’slittlebrownhandsflewinandoutamongtheweedsasshethoughtrebelliously：\"CreationWOULDN’TscreamtoAuntMiranda；itwouldknowshewouldn’tcome。
Screamon，thoubrightandgaycreation，scream！
’TisnotMirandathatwillhearthycry！
Oh，suchfunny，nicethingscomeintomyheadoutherebymyself，IdowishIcouldrunupandputthemdowninmythoughtbookbeforeIforgetthem，butAuntMirandawouldn’tlikemetoleaveoffweeding：——
RebeccawasweedingthehollyhockbedWhenwonderfulthoughtscameintoherhead。
HerauntwasoccupiedwiththerollingpinAndthethoughtsofhermindwerecommonandthin。
Thatwouldn’tdobecauseit’smeantoAuntMiranda，andanywayitisn’tgood。IMUSTcrawlunderthesyringashadeaminute，it’ssohot，andanybodyhastostopworkingonceinawhile，justtogettheirbreath，eveniftheyweren’tmakingpoetry。
RebeccawasweedingthehollyhockbedWhenmarvelousthoughtscameintoherhead。MirandawaswieldingtherollingpinAndthoughtsatsuchtimesseemedtoherasasin。
Howprettythehollyhockrosetteslookfromdownhereonthesweet，smellyground！
\"Letmeseewhatwouldgowithrosetting。AIDINGANDABETTING，PETTING，HEN-SETTING，FRETTING，——there’snothingverynice，butI
canmakefretting’do。
CheeredbyRowena’spetting，Theflowersarerosetting，ButAuntMiranda’sfrettingDothsomewhatcloudtheday。\"
Suddenlythesoundofwagonwheelsbrokethesilenceandthenavoicecalledout——avoicethatcouldnotwaituntilthefeetthatbelongedtoitreachedthespot：\"MissSaw-YER！Father’sgottodriveovertoNorthRiverboroonanerrand，andpleasecanRebeccago，too，asit’sSaturdaymorningandvacationbesides？\"
Rebeccasprangoutfromunderthesyringabush，eyesflashingwithdelightasonlyRebecca’seyesCOULDflash，herfaceoneluminouscircleofjoyousanticipation。Sheclappedhergrubbyhands，anddancingupanddown，cried：\"MayI，AuntMiranda——canI，AuntJane——canI，AuntMiranda-Jane？I’mmorethanhalfthroughthebed。\"
\"IfyoufinishyourweedingtonightbeforesundownIs’poseyoucango，solongasMr。Perkinshasbeengoodenoughtoaskyou，\"
respondedMissSawyerreluctantly。\"Takeoffthatginghamapronandwashyourhandscleanatthepump。Youain’tbe’nouto’bedbuttwohoursan’yourheadlooksasroughasifyou’dslep’init。Thatcomesfromlayin’onthegroundsameasacaterpillar。
Smoothyourhairdownwithyourhandsan’p’r’apsEmmaJanecanbraiditasyougoalongtheroad。Runupandgetyoursecond-besthairribbonouto’yourupperdrawerandputonyourshadehat。No，youcan’twearyourcoralchain——jewelryain’tappropriateinthemorning。Howlongdoyoucal’latetobegone，EmmaJane？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Father’sjustbeensentfortoseeaboutasickwomanovertoNorthRiverboro。She’sgottogotothepoorfarm。\"
ThisfragmentofnewsspeedilybroughtMissSawyer，andhersisterJaneaswell，tothedoor，whichcommandedaviewofMr。
Perkinsandhiswagon。Mr。Perkins，thefatherofRebecca’sbosomfriend，wasprimarilyablacksmith，andsecondarilyaselectmanandanoverseerofthepoor，amanthereforepossessedofwideandvariedinformation。
\"Whoisitthat’ssick？\"inquiredMiranda。
\"AwomanovertoNorthRiverboro。\"
\"What’sthetrouble？\"
\"Can’tsay。\"
\"Stranger？’
\"Yes，andno；she’sthatwilddaughterofoldNatePerrythatusedtoliveuptowardsModeration。YouremembersheranawaytoworkinthefactoryatMilltownandmarriedado——nothin’fellowbythenameo’JohnWinslow？\"
\"Yes；well，whereishe？Whydon’thetakecareofher？\"
\"Theyain’tworkedwellindoubleharness。They’vebeenrovin’
roundthecountry，livin’amonthhereandamonththerewherevertheycouldgetworkandhouse-room。Theyquarreledacoupleo’
weeksagoandhelefther。Sheandthelittleboykindo’campedoutinanoldloggin’cabinbackinthewoodsandshetookinwashin’foraspell；thenshegotterriblesickandain’texpectedtolive。\"
\"Who’sbeennursingher？\"inquiredMissJane。
\"LizyAnnDennett，thatlivesnearestneighbortothecabin；butIguessshe’stiredoutbein’goodSamaritan。Anyways，shesentwordthismornin’thatnobodycan’tseemtofindJohnWinslow；
thatthereain’tnorelations，andthetown’sgottoberesponsible，soI’mgoin’overtoseehowthelandlays。Climbin，Rebecca。Youan’EmmyJanecrowdbackonthecushionan’I’llsetforrard。That’sthetrick！Nowwe’reoff！\"
\"Dear，dear！\"sighedJaneSawyerasthesisterswalkedbackintothebrickhouse。\"IrememberonceseeingSallyPerryatmeeting。
Shewasahandsomegirl，andI’msorryshe’scometogrief。\"
\"Ifshe’dkep’ongoin’tomeetin’an’hadn’tlookedatthemenfolksshemighta’be’nearnin’anhonestlivin’thisminute，\"
saidMiranda。\"Menfolksareatthebottomofeverythingwronginthisworld，\"shecontinued，unconsciouslyreversingtheverdictofhistory。
\"ThenweoughttobeahappyandcontentedcommunityhereinRiverboro，\"repliedJane，\"asthere’ssixwomentooneman。\"
\"If’twassixteentoonewe’dbeallthesafer，\"respondedMirandagrimly，puttingthedoughnutsinabrowncrockinthecellar-wayandslammingthedoor。
II
ThePerkinshorseandwagonrumbledalongoverthedustycountryroad，andafteradiscreetsilence，maintainedaslongashumanfleshcouldendure，Rebeccaremarkedsedately：
\"It’sasaderrandforsuchashinymorning，isn’tit，Mr。
Perkins？\"
\"Plentyo’troubleintheworld，Rebecky，shinymornin’san’
all，\"thatgoodmanreplied。\"Ifyouwantabedtolayon，aroofoveryourhead，an’foodtoeat，you’vegottoworkforem。IfI
hadn’ta’laboredearlyan’late，learnedmytrade，an’deniedmyselfwhenIwasyoung，Imighta’be’napauperlayin’sickinaloggin’cabin，steado’bein’anoverseero’thepooran’
selectmandrivin’alongtotakethepaupertothepoorfarm。\"
\"Peoplethataremortgageddon’thavetogotothepoorfarm，dothey，Mr。Perkins？\"askedRebecca，withashiveroffearassherememberedherhomefarmatSunnybrookandthedebtuponit；adebtwhichhadlainlikeashadowoverherchildhood。
\"Blessyoursoul，no；notunlesstheyfailtopayup；butSalPerryan’herhusbandhadn’tgotfurenoughalonginlifetoBE
mortgaged。Youhavetoownsomethingbeforeyoucanmortgageit。\"
Rebecca’sheartboundedasshelearnedthatamortgagerepresentedacertainstageinworldlyprosperity。
\"Well，\"shesaid，sniffinginthefragranceofthenew-mownhayandgrowinghopefulasshedidso；\"maybethesickwomanwillbebettersuchabeautifulday，andmaybethehusbandwillcomebacktomakeitupandsayhe’ssorry，andsweetcontentwillreigninthehumblehabitationthatwasoncethesceneofpoverty，grief，anddespair。That’showitcameoutinastoryI’mreading。\"
\"Ihain’tnoticedthatlifecomesoutlikestoriesverymuch，\"
respondedthepessimisticblacksmith，who，asRebeccaprivatelythought，hadreadlessthanhalfadozenbooksinhislongandprosperouscareer。
Adriveofthreeorfourmilesbroughtthepartytoapatchofwoodlandwheremanyofthetallpineshadbeenhewnthepreviouswinter。Theroofofaramshacklehutwasoutlinedagainstabackgroundofyoungbirches，andaroughpathmadeinhaulingthelogstothemainroadleddirectlytoitsdoor。
Astheydrewnearthefigureofawomanapproached——Mrs。LizyAnnDennett，inaginghamdress，withacalicoapronoverherhead。
\"Goodmorning，Mr。Perkins，\"saidthewoman，wholookedtiredandirritable。\"I’mrealgladyoucomerightover，forshetookworseafterIsentyouword，andshe’sdead。\"
Dead！Thewordstruckheavilyandmysteriouslyonthechildren’sears。Dead！Andtheiryounglives，justbegun，stretchedonandon，alldecked，likehope，inlivinggreen。Dead！Andalltherestoftheworldrevelinginstrength。Dead！Withallthedaisiesandbuttercupswavinginthefieldsandthemenheapingthemowngrassintofragrantcocksortossingitintoheavilyladencarts。Dead！Withthebrookstinklingafterthesummershowers，withthepotatoesandcornblossoming，thebirdssingingforjoy，andeverylittleinsecthummingandchirping，addingitsnotetotheblithechorusofwarm，throbbinglife。
\"Iwasallalonewithher。Shepassedawaysuddenlyjestaboutbreako’day，\"saidLizyAnnDennett。
\"HersoulpassedupwardtoitsGodJustatthebreakofday。\"
ThesewordscamesuddenlyintoRebecca’smindfromatinychamberwheresuchthingswerewonttoliequietlyuntilsomethingbroughtthemtothesurface。Shecouldnotrememberwhethershehadheardthematafuneralorreadtheminthehymnbookormadethemup\"outofherownhead，\"butshewassothrilledwiththeideaofdyingjustasthedawnwasbreakingthatshescarcelyheardMrs。Dennett’sconversation。
\"IsentforAuntBeulahDay，an’she’sbe’nherean’laidherout，\"continuedthelongsufferingLizyAnn。\"Sheain’tgotanyfolks，an’JohnWinslowain’tneverhadanyasfarbackasIcanremember。Shebelongstoyourtownandyou’llhavetoburyherandtakecareofJacky——that’stheboy。He’sseventeenmonthsold，abrightlittlefeller，theimageo’John，butIcan’tkeephimanotherday。I’mallworeout；myownbaby’ssick，mother’srheumatizisextrybad，andmyhusband’scomin’hometonightfromhisweek’swork。Ifhefindsachildo’JohnWinslow’sunderhisroofIcan’tsaywhatwouldhappen；you’llhavetotakehimbackwithyoutothepoorfarm。\"
\"Ican’ttakehimuptherethisafternoon，\"objectedMr。Perkins。
\"Well，then，keephimoverSundayyourself；he’sgoodasakitten。JohnWinslow’llhearo’Sal’sdeathsoonerorlater，unlesshe’sgoneoutofthestatealtogether，an’whenheknowstheboy’satthepoorfarm，Ikindo’thinkhe’llcomeandclaimhim。Couldyoudrivemeovertothevillagetoseeaboutthecoffin，andwouldyouchildrenbeafraidtostayherealoneforaspell？\"sheasked，turningtothegirls。
\"Afraid？\"theybothechoeduncomprehendingly。
LizyAnnandMr。Perkins，perceivingthatthefearofadeadpresencehadnotenteredthemindsofRebeccaorEmmaJane，saidnothing，butdroveofftogether，counselingthemnottostrayfarawayfromthecabinandpromisingtobebackinanhour。
Therewasnotahousewithinsight，eitherlookingupordowntheshadyroad，andthetwogirlsstoodhandinhand，watchingthewagonoutofsight；thentheysatdownquietlyunderatree，feelingallatonceanamelessdepressionhangingovertheirgaysummer-morningspirits。
Itwasverystillinthewoods；justthechirpofagrasshoppernowandthen，orthenoteofabird，ortheclickofafar-distantmowingmachine。
\"We’reWATCHING！\"whisperedEmmaJane。\"TheywatchedwithGran’paPerkins，andtherewasagreatfuneralandtwoministers。Helefttwothousanddollarsinthebankandastorefullofgoods，andapaperthingyoucouldcutticketsoffoftwiceayear，andtheywerejustlikemoney。\"
\"TheywatchedwithmylittlesisterMira，too，\"saidRebecca。
\"Yourememberwhenshedied，andIwenthometoSunnybrookFarm？
Itwaswintertime，butshewascoveredwithevergreenandwhitepinks，andtherewassinging。\"
\"Therewon’tbeanyfuneralorministersorsinginghere，willthere？Isn’tthatawful？\"
\"Is’posenot；andoh，EmmaJane，noflowerseither。Wemightgetthoseforherifthere’snobodyelsetodoit。\"
\"Wouldyoudareputthemontoher？\"askedEmmaJane，inahushedvoice。
\"Idon’tknow；Ican’ttell；itmakesmeshiver，but，ofcourse，weCOULDdoitifweweretheonlyfriendsshehad。Let’slookintothecabinfirstandbeperfectlysurethattherearen’tany。
Areyouafraid？\"
\"N-no；Iguessnot。IlookedatGran’paPerkins，andhewasjustthesameasever。\"
AtthedoorofthehutEmmaJane’scouragesuddenlydeparted。Sheheldbackshudderingandrefusedeithertoenterorlookin。
Rebeccashudderedtoo，butkepton，drawnbyaninsatiablecuriosityaboutlifeanddeath，anovermasteringdesiretoknowandfeelandunderstandthemysteriesofexistence，ahungerforknowledgeandexperienceatallhazardsandatanycost。
EmmaJanehurriedsoftlyawayfromthefeltterrorsofthecabin，andaftertwoorthreeminutesofuttersilenceRebeccaissuedfromtheopendoor，hersensitivefacepaleandwoe-begone，theever-readytearsrainingdownhercheeks。Sherantowardtheedgeofthewood，sinkingdownbyEmmaJane’sside，andcoveringhereyes，sobbedwithexcitement：
\"Oh，EmmaJane，shehasn’tgotaflower，andshe’ssotiredandsad-looking，asifshe’dbeenhurtandhurtandneverhadanygoodtimes，andthere’saweeny，weenybabysideofher。Oh，I
wishIhadn’tgonein！\"
EmmaJaneblenchedforaninstant。\"Mrs。DennettneversaidTHERE
WASTWODEADONES！ISN’TTHATDREADFUL？But，\"shecontinued，herpracticalcommonsensecomingtotherescue，\"you’vebeeninonceandit’sallover；itwon’tbesobadwhenyoutakeintheflowersbecauseyou’llbeusedtoit。Thegoldenrodhasn’tbeguntobud，sothere’snothingtopickbutdaisies。ShallImakealongropeofthem，asIdidfortheschoolroom？\"
\"Yes，\"saidRebecca，wipinghereyesandstillsobbing。\"Yes，that’stheprettiest，andifweputitallroundherlikeaframe，theundertakercouldn’tbesocruelastothrowitaway，evenifsheisapauper，becauseitwilllooksobeautiful。FromwhattheSundayschoollessonssay，she’sonlyasleepnow，andwhenshewakesupshe’llbeinheaven。\"
\"THERE’SANOTHERPLACE，\"saidEmmaJane，inanorthodoxandsepulchralwhisper，asshetookherever-presentballofcrochetcottonfromherpocketandbegantotwinethewhiteweedblossomsintoarope。
\"Oh，well！\"Rebeccarepliedwiththeeasytheologythatbelongedtohertemperament。\"Theysimplycouldn’tsendherDOWNTHERE
withthatlittleweenybaby。Who’dtakecareofit？Youknowpagesixofthecatechismsaystheonlycompanionsofthewickedafterdeatharetheirfatherthedevilandalltheotherevilangels；itwouldn’tbeanyplacetobringupababy。\"
\"Wheneverandwherevershewakesup，Ihopeshewon’tknowthatthebigbabyisgoingtothepoorfarm。Iwonderwhereheis？\"
\"PerhapsovertoMrs。Dennett’shouse。Shedidn’tseemsorryabit，didshe？\"
\"No，butIsupposeshe’stiredsittingupandnursingastranger。
Motherwasn’tsorrywhenGran’paPerkinsdied；shecouldn’tbe，forhewascrossallthetimeandhadtobefedlikeachild。
WhyAREyoucryingagain，Rebecca？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknow，Ican’ttell，EmmaJane！OnlyIdon’twanttodieandhavenofuneralorsingingandnobodysorryforme！I
justcouldn’tbearit！\"
\"NeithercouldI，\"EmmaJanerespondedsympathetically；\"butp’r’apsifwe’rerealgoodanddieyoungbeforewehavetobefed，theywillbesorry。IdowishyoucouldwritesomepoetryforherasyoudidforAliceRobinson’scanarybird，onlystillbetter，ofcourse，likethatyoureadmeoutofyourthoughtbook。\"
\"Icould，easyenough，\"exclaimedRebecca，somewhatconsoledbytheideathatherrhymingfacultycouldbeofanyuseinsuchanemergency。\"ThoughIdon’tknowbutitwouldbekindofboldtodoit。I’mallpuzzledabouthowpeoplegettoheavenafterthey’reburied。Ican’tunderstanditabit；butifthepoetryisonher，whatifthatshouldgo，too？AndhowcouldIwriteanythinggoodenoughtobereadoutloudinheaven？\"
\"Alittlepieceofpapercouldn’tgettoheaven；itjustcouldn’t，\"assertedEmmaJanedecisively。\"Itwouldbeallblowntopiecesanddriedup。Andnobodyknowsthattheangelscanreadwriting，anyway。\"
\"Theymustbeaseducatedasweare，andmoreso，too，\"agreedRebecca。\"Theymustbemorethanjustdeadpeople，orelsewhyshouldtheyhavewings？ButI’llgooffandwritesomethingwhileyoufinishtherope；it’sluckyyoubroughtyourcrochetcottonandImyleadpencil。\"
Infifteenortwentyminutesshereturnedwithsomelineswrittenonascrapofbrownwrappingpaper。StandingsoberlybyEmmaJane，shesaid，preparingtoreadthemaloud：\"They’renotgood；
Iwasafraidyourfather’dcomebackbeforeIfinished，andthefirstversesoundsexactlylikethefuneralhymnsinthechurchbook。Icouldn’tcallherSallyWinslow；itdidn’tseemnicewhenIdidn’tknowherandsheisdead，soIthoughtifIsaidfriend’
itwouldshowshehadsomebodytobesorry。
\"ThisfriendofourshasdiedandgoneFromustoheaventolive。
IfshehassinnedagainstThee，Lord，WeprayThee，Lord，forgive。
\"HerhusbandrunnethfarawayAndknowethnotshe’sdead。
Oh，bringhimback——eretistoolate——
Tomournbesideherbed。
\"Andifperchanceitcan’tbeso，Betothechildrenkind；
Theweenyonethatgoeswithher，Theotherleftbehind。\"
\"Ithinkthat’sperfectlyelegant！\"exclaimedEmmaJane，kissingRebeccafervently。\"YouarethesmartestgirlinthewholeStateofMaine，anditsoundslikeaminister’sprayer。Iwishwecouldsaveupandbuyaprintingmachine。ThenIcouldlearntoprintwhatyouwriteandwe’dbepartnerslikefatherandBillMoses。
Shallyousignitwithyournamelikewedoourschoolcompositions？\"
\"No，\"saidRebeccasoberly。\"Icertainlyshan’tsignit，notknowingwhereit’sgoingorwho’llreadit。Ishalljusthideitintheflowers，andwhoeverfindsitwillguessthattherewasn’tanyministerorsinging，orgravestone，oranything，sosomebodyjustdidthebesttheycould。\"
III
Thetiredmotherwiththe\"weenybaby\"onherarmlayonalongcarpenter’sbench，herearthlyjourneyover，andwhenRebeccastoleinandplacedtheflowerygarlandallalongtheedgeoftherudebier，deathsuddenlytookonamoregraciousandbenignaspect。Itwasonlyachild’ssympathyandintuitionthatsoftenedtherigorsofthesadmoment，butpoor，wildSalWinslow，inherframeofdaisies，lookedasifsheweremissedalittlebyanunfriendlyworld；whiletheweenybaby，whosehearthadfallenasleepalmostassoonasithadlearnedtobeat，theweenybaby，withEmmaJane’snosegayofbuttercupsinitstinywrinkledhand，smiledasifitmighthavebeenlovedandlongedforandmourned。
\"We’vedoneallwecannowwithoutaminister，\"whisperedRebecca。\"Wecouldsing，Godisevergood’outoftheSundayschoolsongbook，butI’mafraidsomebodywouldhearusandthinkweweregayandhappy。What’sthat？\"
Astrangesoundbrokethestillness；agurgle，ayawn，amerrylittlecall。Thetwogirlsraninthedirectionfromwhichitcame，andthere，onanoldcoat，inaclumpofgoldenrodbushes，layachildjustwakingfromarefreshingnap。
\"It’stheotherbabythatLizyAnnDennetttoldabout！\"criedEmmaJane。
\"Isn’thebeautiful！\"exclaimedRebecca。\"Comestraighttome！\"
andshestretchedoutherarms。
Thechildstruggledtoitsfeet，andtottered，wavering，towardthewarmwelcomeofthevoiceandeyes。Rebeccawasallmother，andhermaternalinstinctshadbeenwelldevelopedinthelargefamilyinwhichshewasnexttotheeldest。ShehadalwaysconfessedthattherewereperhapsatrifletoomanybabiesatSunnybrookFarm，but，nevertheless，hadsheeverheardit，shewouldhavestoodloyallybytheJapaneseproverb：\"Whetherbroughtforthuponthemountainorinthefield，itmattersnothing；morethanatreasureofonethousandryoababypreciousis。\"
\"Youdarlingthing！\"shecrooned，asshecaughtandliftedthechild。\"YoulookjustlikeaJack-o’-lantern。\"
Theboywascladinayellowcottondress，veryfullandstiff。
Hishairwasofsuchabrightgold，andsosleekandshiny，thathelookedlikeafair，smoothlittlepumpkin。Hehadwideblueeyesfulloflaughter，aneatlittleverticalnose，aneatlittlehorizontalmouthwithhisfewneatlittleteethshowingveryplainly，andonthewholeRebecca’sfigureofspeechwasnotsowideofthemark。
\"Oh，EmmaJane！Isn’thetoolovelytogotothepoorfarm？Ifonlyweweremarriedwecouldkeephimandsaynothingandnobodywouldknowthedifference！NowthattheSimpsonshavegoneawaythereisn’tasinglebabyinRiverboro，andonlyoneinEdgewood。
It’saperfectshame，butIcan’tdoanything；yourememberAuntMirandawouldn’tletmehavetheSimpsonbabywhenIwantedtoborrowherjustforonerainySunday。\"
\"Mymotherwon’tkeephim，soit’snousetoaskher；shesaysmosteverydayshe’sgladwe’regrownup，andshethankstheLordtherewasn’tbuttwoofus。\"
\"AndMrs。PeterMeserveistoonervous，\"Rebeccawenton，takingthevillagehousesinturn；\"andMrs。Robinsonistooneat。\"
\"Peopledon’tseemtolikeanybuttheirownbabies，\"observedEmmaJane。
\"Well，Ican’tunderstandit，\"Rebeccaanswered。\"Ababy’sababy，Ishouldthink，whoseeveritis！MissDearborniscomingbackMonday；Iwonderifshe’dlikeit？Shehasnothingtodooutofschool，andwecouldborrowitallthetime！\"
\"Idon’tthinkitwouldseemverygenteelforayoungladylikeMissDearborn，who’boardsround，’totakeababyfromplacetoplace，\"objectedEmmaJane。
\"Perhapsnot，\"agreedRebeccadespondently，\"butIthinkifwehaven’tgotany——any——PRIVATEbabiesinRiverboroweoughttohaveoneforthetown，andallhaveashareinit。We’vegotatownhallandatownlamppostandatownwateringtrough。Thingsaresouneven！OnehouselikemineatSunnybrook，brimfulofchildren，andtheverynextoneempty！Theonlywaytofixthemrightwouldbetoletallthebabiesthateverarebelongtoallthegrown-uppeoplethateverare，——justdividethemup，youknow，ifthey’dgoround。Oh，Ihaveathought！Don’tyoubelieveAuntSarahCobbwouldkeephim？Shecarriesflowerstothegraveyardeverylittlewhile，andonceshetookmewithher。
There’samarblecross，anditsays：SACREDTOTHEMEMORYOF
SARAHELLEN，BELOVEDCHILDOFSARAHANDJEREMIAHCOBB，AGED17
MONTHS。Why，that’sanotherreason；Mrs。Dennettsaysthisoneisseventeenmonths。There’sfiveofusleftatthefarmwithoutme，butifwewereonlynearertoRiverboro，howquickmotherwouldletinonemore！\"
\"Wemightseewhatfatherthinks，andthatwouldsettleit，\"saidEmmaJane。\"Fatherdoesn’tthinkverysudden，buthethinksawfulstrong。Ifwedon’tbotherhim，andfindaplaceourselvesforthebaby，perhapshe’llbewilling。He’scomingnow；Ihearthewheels。\"
LizyAnnDennettvolunteeredtostayandperformthelastriteswiththeundertaker，andJack-o’-lantern，withhisslenderwardrobetiedinabandannahandkerchief，wasliftedintothewagonbythereluctantMr。Perkins，andjubilantlyheldbyRebeccainherlap。Mr。Perkinsdroveoffasspeedilyaspossible，beingheartilysickofthewholeaffair，andthinkingwiselythatthelittlegirlshadalreadyseenandheardmorethanenoughoftheseamysideoflifethatmorning。
DiscussionconcerningJack-o’-lantern’sfuturewasprudentlydeferredforaquarterofanhour，andthenMr。Perkinswasmercilesslypeltedwithargumentsagainstthechoiceofthepoorfarmasaplaceofresidenceforababy。
\"Hisfatherissuretocomebacksometime，Mr。Perkins，\"urgedRebecca。\"Hecouldn’tleavethisbeautifulthingforever；andifEmmaJaneandIcanpersuadeMrs。Cobbtokeephimalittlewhile，wouldyoucare？\"
No；onreflectionMr。Perkinsdidnotcare。Hemerelywantedaquietlifeandenoughtimeleftoverfromthepublicservicetoattendtohisblacksmith’sshop；soinsteadofgoinghomeoverthesameroadbywhichtheycamehecrossedthebridgeintoEdgewoodanddroppedthechildrenatthelonglanewhichledtotheCobbhouse。
Mrs。Cobb，\"AuntSarah\"tothewholevillage，satbythewindowlookingforUncleJerry，whowouldsoonbeseendrivingthenoonstagetothepostofficeoverthehill。ShealwayshadaneyeoutforRebecca，too，foreversincethechildhadbeenapassengeronMr。Cobb’sstagecoach，makingtheeventfultripfromherhomefarmtothebrickhouseinRiverboroinhiscompany，shehadbeenaconstantvisitorandthejoyofthequiethousehold。EmmaJane，too，wasawell-knownfigureinthelane，butthestrangebabywasinthenatureofasurprise——asurprisesomewhatmodifiedbythefactthatRebeccawasadramaticpersonageandmoreliabletoappearinconjunctionwithcuriousoutriders，comrades，andretainersthantheordinaryRiverborochild。Shehadrunawayfromthetoosterndisciplineofthebrickhouseononeoccasion，andhadbeenpersuadedtoreturnbyUncleJerry。Shehadescortedawanderingorgangrindertotheirdoorandbeggedalodgingforhimonarainynight；soonthewholetherewasnothingamazingaboutthecomingprocession。
Thelittlepartytoileduptothehospitabledoor，andMrs。Cobbcameouttomeetthem。
Rebeccawasspokesman。EmmaJane’stalentdidnotlieineloquentspeech，butitwouldhavebeenavaliantandafluentchildindeedwhocouldhaveusurpedRebecca’sprivilegesandtendenciesinthisdirection，languagebeinghernativeelement，andwordsofassortedsizesspringingspontaneouslytoherlips。
\"AuntSarah，dear，\"shesaid，plumpingJack-o’-lanterndownonthegrassasshepulledhisdressoverhisfeetandsmoothedhishairbecomingly，\"willyoupleasenotsayawordtillIgetthrough——asit’sveryimportantyoushouldknoweverythingbeforeyouansweryesorno？ThisisababynamedJackyWinslow，andIthinkhelookslikeaJack-o’-lantern。HismotherhasjustdiedovertoNorthRiverboro，allalone，exceptingforMrs。LizyAnnDennett，andtherewasanotherlittleweenybabythatdiedwithher，andEmmaJaneandIputflowersaroundthemanddidthebestwecould。Thefather——that’sJohnWinslow——quarreledwiththemother——thatwasSalPerryontheModerationRoad——andranawayandlefther。Sohedoesn’tknowhiswifeandtheweenybabyaredead。Andthetownhasgottoburythembecausetheycan’tfindthefatherrightoffquick，andJackyhasgottogotothepoorfarmthisafternoon。Anditseemsanawfulshametotakehimuptothatlonesomeplacewiththoseoldpeoplethatcan’tamusehim，andifEmmaJaneandAliceRobinsonandItakemostallthecareofhimwethoughtperhapsyouandUncleJerrywouldkeephimjustforalittlewhile。You’vegotacowandaturn-upbedstead，youknow，\"shehurriedoninsinuatingly，\"andthere’shardlyanypleasureascheapasmorebabieswherethere’severbeenanybefore，forbabycarriagesandtrundlebedsandcradlesdon’twearout，andthere’salwaysclothesleftoverfromtheoldbabytobeginthenewoneon。Ofcourse，wecancollectenoughthingstostartJacky，sohewon’tbemuchtroubleorexpense；andanyway，he’spastthemosttroublesomeageandyouwon’thavetobeupnightswithhim，andheisn’tafraidofanybodyoranything，asyoucanseebyhisjustsittingtherelaughingandsuckinghisthumb，thoughhedoesn’tknowwhat’sgoingtobecomeofhim。Andhe’sjustseventeenmonthsoldlikedearlittleSarahElleninthegraveyard，andwethoughtweoughttogiveyoutherefusalofhimbeforehegoestothepoorfarm，andwhatdoyouthinkaboutit？Becauseit’snearmydinnertimeandAuntMirandawillkeepmeinthewholeafternoonifI’mlate，andI’vegottofinishweedingthehollyhockbedbeforesundown。\"
IV
Mrs。Cobbhadenjoyedaconsiderableperiodofreflectionduringthismonologue，andJackyhadnotusedthetimeunwisely，offeringseveralunconsciousargumentsandsuggestionstothematterunderdiscussion；lurchingoveronthegreenswardandrightinghimselfwithachuckle，kickinghisbarefeetaboutindelightatthesunshineandgropingforhistoeswitharmstooshorttoreachthem，themovementinvolvinganentireupsettingofequilibriumfollowedbymorechuckles。
Comingdownthelastofthestonesteps，SarahEllen’smotherregardedthebabywithinterestandsympathy。
\"Poorlittlemite！\"shesaid；\"thatdoesn’tknowwhathe’slostandwhat’sgoingtohappentohim。Seemstomewemightkeephimaspelltillwe’resurehisfather’sdesertedhimforgood。WanttocometoAuntSarah，baby？\"
Jack-o’-lanternturnedfromRebeccaandEmmaJaneandregardedthekindfacegravely；thenheheldoutbothhishandsandMrs。
Cobb，stooping，gatheredhimlikeaharvest。Beingliftedintoherarms，heatoncetoreherspectaclesfromhernoseandlaughedaloud。Takingthemfromhimgently，sheputthemonagain，andsethiminthecushionedrockingchairunderthelilacbushesbesidethesteps。Thenshetookoneofhissofthandsinhersandpattedit，andflutteredherfingerslikebirdsbeforehiseyes，andsnappedthemlikecastanets，rememberingalltheartsshehadlavishedupon\"SarahEllen，agedseventeenmonths，\"
yearsandyearsago。
Motherlessbabyandbabylessmother，Bringthemtogethertoloveoneanother。
Rebeccaknewnothingofthiscouplet，butshesawclearlyenoughthathercasewaswon。
\"Theboymustbehungry；whenwashefedlast？\"askedMrs。Cobb。
\"JuststayasecondlongerwhileIgethimsomemorning’smilk；
thenyourunhometoyourdinnersandI’llspeaktoMr。Cobbthisafternoon。Ofcourse，wecankeepthebabyforaweekortwotillweseewhathappens。Land！Heain’tgoin’tobeanymoretroublethanawaxdoll！Iguessheain’tbeenusedtomuchattention，andthatkind’salwaystheeasiesttotakecareof。\"
Atsixo’clockthateveningRebeccaandEmmaJaneflewupthehillanddownthelaneagain，wavingtheirhandstothedearoldcouplewhowerewaitingforthemintheusualplace，thebackpiazzawheretheyhadsatsomanysummersinablessedcompanionshipnevermarredbyanunlovingword。
\"Where’sJacky？\"calledRebeccabreathlessly，hervoicealwaysoutrunningherfeet。
\"Gouptomychamber，bothofyou，ifyouwanttosee，\"smiledMrs。Cobb，\"onlydon’twakehimup。\"
ThegirlswentsoftlyupthestairsintoAuntSarah’sroom。
There，intheturn-upbedsteadthathadbeensolongempty，sleptJack-o’-lantern，inblissfulunconsciousnessofthedoomhehadsolatelyescaped。Hisnightgownandpillowcasewerecleanandfragrantwithlavender，buttheywerebothasyellowassaffron，fortheyhadbelongedtoSarahEllen。
\"Iwishhismothercouldseehim！\"whisperedEmmaJane。
\"Youcan’ttell；it’sallpuzzlyaboutheaven，andperhapsshedoes，\"saidRebecca，astheyturnedreluctantlyfromthefascinatingsceneandstoledowntothepiazza。
Itwasabeautifulandahappysummerthatyear，andeverydayitwasfilledwithblissfulplaysandstillmoreblissfulduties。OntheMondayafterJack-o’-lantern’sarrivalinEdgewoodRebeccafoundedtheRiverboroAuntsAssociation。TheAuntswereRebecca，EmmaJane，AliceRobinson，andMinnieSmellie，andeachofthefirstthreepromisedtolaborforandamusethevisitingbabyfortwodaysaweek，MinnieSmellie，wholivedatsomedistancefromtheCobbs，makingherselfresponsibleforSaturdayafternoons。
MinnieSmelliewasnotageneralfavoriteamongtheRiverborogirls，anditwasonlyinanunprecedentedburstofmagnanimitythattheyadmittedherintotheritesoffellowship，Rebeccahuggingherselfsecretlyatthethought，thatasMinniegaveonlytheleisuretimeofonedayaweek，shecouldnotbecalleda\"full\"Aunt。TherehadbeenlongandbitterfeudsbetweenthetwochildrenduringRebecca’sfirstsummerinRiverboro，butsinceMrs。Smelliehadtoldherdaughterthatonemorequarrelwouldinviteapunishmentsoterriblethatitcouldonlybehintedatvaguely，andMissMirandaSawyerhadremarkedthatanynieceofherswhocouldn’tgetalongpeaceablewiththeneighborshadbettergobacktotheseclusionofafarmwherethereweren’tany，hostilitieshadbeenveiled，andasuaveanddiplomaticrelationshiphadreplacedtheformerone，whichhadbeenwhollyprimitive，direct，andbarbaric。Still，wheneverMinnieSmellie，flaxen-haired，pink-nosed，andferret-eyed，indulgedinfluentconversation，Rebecca，rememberingtheoldfairystory，couldalwaysseetoadshoppingoutofhermouth。Itwasreallyveryunpleasant，becauseMinniecouldneverseethemherself；andwhatwasmoreamazing，EmmaJaneperceivednothingofthesort，beingalmostasblind，too，tothediamondsthatfellcontinuallyfromRebecca’slips；butEmmaJane’sstrongpointwasnotherimagination。
AshakyperambulatorwasfoundinMrs。Perkins’swonderfulattic；
shoesandstockingswerefurnishedbyMrs。Robinson；MissJaneSawyerknittedablanketandsomeshirts；ThirzaMeserve，thoughtooyoungforanaunt，coaxedfromhermothersomedressesandnightgowns，andwaspresentedwithagreenpapercertificateallowinghertowheelJackyupanddowntheroadforanhourunderthesuperintendenceofafullAunt。Eachgirl，undertheconstitutionoftheassociation，couldcallJacky\"hers\"fortwodaysintheweek，andgreat，thoughfriendly，wastherivalrybetweenthem，astheywashed，ironed，andsewedfortheiradorednephew。
IfMrs。Cobbhadnotbeenthemostamiablewomanintheworldshemighthavehaddifficultyinmanagingtheaunts，butshealwayshadJackytoherselftheearlierpartofthedayandafterduskatnight。
MeanwhileJack-o’-lanterngrewhealthierandheartierandjollierastheweeksslippedaway。UncleJerryjoinedthelittlecompanyofworshipersandslaves，andonefearalonestirredinalltheirhearts；not，asasensibleandpracticalpersonmightimagine，thefearthattherecreantfathermightneverreturntoclaimhischild，but，onthecontrary，thatheMIGHTdoso！
Octobercameatlengthwithitscheerydaysandfrostynights，itsgloryofcrimsonleavesanditsgoldenharvestofpumpkinsandripenedcorn。RebeccahadbeendownbytheEdgewoodsideoftheriverandhadcomeupacrossthepasturesforagood-nightplaywithJacky。Herliterarylaborshadbeensomewhatinterruptedbythejoysandresponsibilitiesofvice-motherhood，andthethoughtbookwaslessfrequentlydrawnfromitshidingplaceundertheoldhaymowinthebarnchamber。
Mrs。Cobbstoodbehindthescreendoorwithherfacepressedagainstthewirenetting，andRebeccacouldseethatshewaswipinghereyes。
Allatoncethechild’sheartgaveonepropheticthrobandthenstoodstill。Shewaslikeaharpthatvibratedwitheverywindofemotion，whetherfromanother’sgrieforherown。
Shelookeddownthelane，aroundthecurveofthestonewall，redwithwoodbine，thelanethatwouldmeetthestageroadtothestation。There，justmountingthecrownofthehillandabouttodisappearontheotherside，strodeastrangerman，bigandtall，withacropofreddishcurlyhairshowingfromunderhisstrawhat。Awomanwalkedbyhisside，andperchedonhisshoulder，wearinghismostradiantandtriumphantmien，asjoyousinleavingEdgewoodashehadbeenduringeveryhourofhissojournthere——rodeJack-o’-lantern！
Rebeccagaveacryinwhichmaternallongingandhelpless，hopelessjealousystroveforsupremacy。Then，withanimpetuousmovementshestartedtorunafterthedisappearingtrio。
Mrs。Cobbopenedthedoorhastily，callingafterher，\"Rebecca，Rebecca，comebackhere！Youmustn’tfollowwhereyouhaven’tanyrighttogo。Ifthere’dbeenanythingtosayordo，I’da’doneit。\"
\"He’smine！He’smine！\"stormedRebecca。\"Atleasthe’syoursandmine！\"
\"He’shisfather’sfirstofall，\"falteredMrs。Cobb；\"don’tlet’sforgetthat；andwe’doughttobegladandgratefulthatJohnWinslow’scometohissensesan’remembershe’sbroughtachildintotheworldandoughttotakecareofit。Ourlossishisgainanditmaymakeamanofhim。Comein，andwe’llputthingsawayallneatbeforeyourUncleJerrygetshome。\"
RebeccasankinapitifullittleheaponMrs。Cobb’sbedroomfloorandsobbedherheartout。\"Oh，AuntSarah，whereshallwegetanotherJack-o’-lantern，andhowshallIbreakittoEmmaJane？Whatifhisfatherdoesn’tlovehim，andwhatifheforgetstostrainthemilkorletshimgowithouthisnap？That’stheworstofbabiesthataren’tprivate——youhavetopartwiththemsoonerorlater！\"
\"Sometimesyouhavetopartwithyourown，too，\"saidMrs。Cobbsadly；andthoughtherewerelinesofsadnessinherfacetherewasneitherrebellionnorrepining，asshefoldedupthesidesoftheturn-upbedsteadpreparatorytobanishingitasecondtimetotheattic。\"IshallmissSarahEllennowmore’never。Still，Rebecca，wemustn’tfeeltocomplain。It’stheLordthatgivethandtheLordthattakethaway：BlessedbethenameoftheLord。\"
SecondChronicleDAUGHTERSOFZION
I
AbijahFlaggwasdrivingovertoWarehamonanerrandforoldSquireWinship，whosegeneralchore-boyandfarmer’sassistanthehadbeenforsomeyears。
HepassedEmmaJanePerkins’shouseslowly，ashealwaysdid。Shewasonlyalittlegirlofthirteenandheaboyoffifteenorsixteen，butsomehow，fornoparticularreason，helikedtoseethesunshineonherthickbraidsofreddish-brownhair。Headmiredherchina-blueeyestoo，andheramiable，friendlyexpression。Hewasquitealoneintheworld，andhealwaysthoughtthatifhehadanybodybelongingtohimhewouldratherhaveasisterlikeEmmaJanePerkinsthananythingelsewithinthepowerofProvidencetobestow。Whensheherselfsuggestedthisrelationshipafewyearslaterhecastitasidewithscorn，havingchangedhismindintheinterval——butthatstorybelongstoanothertimeandplace。
EmmaJanewasnottobeseeningarden，field，oratthewindow，andAbijahturnedhisgazetothelargebrickhousethatcamenextontheothersideofthequietvillagestreet。Itmighthavebeenclosedforafuneral。NeitherMissMirandanorMissJaneSawyersatattheirrespectivewindowsknitting，norwasRebeccaRandall’sgypsyfacetobediscerned。Ordinarilythatwill-o’-thewispishlittlepersoncouldbeseen，heard，orfeltwherevershewas。
\"Thevillagemustbeabed，Iguess，\"musedAbijah，ashenearedtheRobinsons’yellowcottage，wherealltheblindswereclosedandnosignoflifeshowedonporchorinshed。\"No，’taint，neither，\"hethoughtagain，ashishorsecreptcautiouslydownthehill，forfromthedirectionoftheRobinsons’barnchambertherefloatedoutintotheaircertainburningsentimentssettothetuneof\"Antioch。\"Thewords，toaladbroughtupintheorthodoxfaith，werequitedistinguishable：
\"DaughterofZion，fromthedust，Exaltthyfallenhead！\"
Eventhemostreligiousyouthisstrongeronfirstlinesthanothers，butAbijahpulleduphishorseandwaitedtillhecaughtanotherfamiliarverse，beginning：
\"Rebuildthywalls，thyboundsenlarge，Andsendthyheraldsforth。\"
\"That’sRebeccacarryingtheair，andIcanhearEmmaJane’salto。\"
\"SaytotheNorth，Giveupthycharge，Andholdnotback，OSouth，Andholdnotback，OSouth，\"etc。
\"Land！ain’ttheysmart，seesawin’upanddowninthatparttheylearntinsingin’school！Iwonderwhatthey’reactin’out，singin’hymn-tunesupinthebarnchamber？Someo’Rebecca’sdoins，I’llbebound！Gitdap，Aleck！\"
AleckpursuedhissereneandsteadytrotupthehillsontheEdgewoodsideoftheriver，tillatlengthheapproachedthegreenCommonwheretheoldToryHillmeeting-housestood，itswhitepaintandgreenblindsshowingfairandpleasantintheafternoonsun。Bothdoorswereopen，andasAbijahturnedintotheWarehamroadthechurchmelodeonpealedouttheopeningbarsoftheMissionaryHymn，andpresentlyascoreofvoicessentthegoodoldtunefromthechoir-loftouttothedustyroad：
\"ShallwewhosesoulsarelightedWithWisdomfromonhigh，ShallwetomenbenightedThelampoflifedeny？\"
\"Land！\"exclaimedAbijahunderhisbreath。\"They’reatituphere，too！Thatexplainsitall。There’samissionarymeetingatthechurch，andthegirlswa’n’tallowedtocomesotheyheldoneoftheirown，andIbateyeit’stheliveliestofthetwo。\"
AbijahFlagg’sshrewdYankeeguesseswerenotfarfromthetruth，thoughhewasnotinpossessionofallthefacts。ItwillberememberedbythosewhohavebeeninthewayofhearingRebecca’sexperiencesinRiverboro，thattheRev。andMrs。Burch，returnedmissionariesfromtheFarEast，togetherwithsomeoftheirchildren，\"allbornunderSyrianskies，\"astheyalwaysexplainedtointerestedinquirers，spentadayortwoatthebrickhouse，andgaveparlormeetingsinnativecostume。