Thesevisitors，comingstraightfromforeignlandstothelittleMainevillage，broughtwiththemanamelessenchantmenttothechildren，andespeciallytoRebecca，whoseimaginationalwayskindledeasily。Theromanceofthatvisithadneverdiedinherheart，andamongthemanycareersthatdazzledheryouthfulvisionwasthatofconvertingsuchSyrianheathenasmightcontinueinidolworshipaftertheBurches’effortsintheirbehalfhadceased。ShethoughtattheageofeighteenshemightbesuitablyequippedforstormingsomeminorcitadelofMohammedanism；andMrs。Burchhadencouragedherintheidea，not，itistobefeared，becauseRebeccashowedanysurplusofvirtueorChristiangrace，butbecausehergiftoflanguage，hertactandsympathy，andhermusicaltalentseemedtofitherforthework。
ItchancedthatthequarterlymeetingoftheMaineMissionarySocietyhadbeenappointedjustatthetimewhenaletterfromMrs。BurchtoMissJaneSawyersuggestedthatRebeccashouldformachildren’sbranchinRiverboro。Mrs。Burch’srealideawasthattheyoungpeopleshouldsavetheirpenniesanddivertagentlestreamoffinancialaidintotheparentfund，thuslearningearlyinlifetobeusefulinsuchwork，eitherathomeorabroad。
Thegirlsthemselves，however，readintoherletternosuchmodestparticipationintheconversionoftheworld，andwishingtoeffectanorganizationwithoutdelay，theychoseanafternoonwheneveryhouseinthevillagewasvacant，andseizedupontheRobinsons’barnchamberastheplaceofmeeting。
Rebecca，AliceRobinson，EmmaJanePerkins，CandaceMilliken，andPersisWatson，eachwithherhymnbook，hadclimbedtheladderleadingtothehaymowahalfhourbeforeAbijahFlagghadheardthestrainsof\"DaughtersofZion\"floatingouttotheroad。
Rebecca，beinganexecutiveperson，hadcarried，besidesherhymnbook，asilvercall-bellandpencilandpaper。Ananimateddiscussionregardingoneoftwonamesforthesociety，TheJuniorHeraldsorTheDaughtersofZion，hadresultedinaunanimousvoteforthelatter，andRebeccahadbeenelectedpresidentatanearlystageofthemeeting。ShehadmodestlysuggestedthatAliceRobinson，asthegranddaughterofamissionarytoChina，wouldbemuchmoreeligible。
\"No，\"saidAlice，withentiregoodnature，\"whoeverisELECTED
president，youWILLbe，Rebecca——you’rethatkind——soyoumightaswellhavethehonor；I’djustaslievesbesecretary，anyway。\"
\"Ifyoushouldwantmetobetreasurer，Icouldbe，aswellasnot，\"saidPersisWatsonsuggestively；\"foryouknowmyfatherkeepschinabanksathisstore——onesthatwillholdasmuchastwodollarsifyouwillletthem。Ithinkhe’dgiveusoneifI
happentobetreasurer。\"
Thethreeprincipalofficerswerethuselectedatonefellswoopandwithanentireabsenceofthatredtapewhichcommonlyrendersorganizationsotiresome，CandaceMillikensuggestingthatperhapsshe’dbetterbevice-president，asEmmaJanePerkinswasalwayssobashful。
\"Weoughttohavemoremembers，\"sheremindedtheothergirls，\"butifwehadinvitedthemthefirstdaythey’dhaveallwantedtobeofficers，especiallyMinnieSmellie，soit’sjustaswellnottoaskthemtillanothertime。IsThirzaMeservetoolittletojoin？\"
\"Ican’tthinkwhyanybodynamedMeserveshouldhavecalledababyThirza，\"saidRebecca，somewhatoutoforder，thoughthemeetingwascarriedonwithsmallrecognitionofparliamentarylaws。\"Italwaysmakesmewanttosay：
ThirzaMeserverHeavenpreserveher！
ThirzaMeserverDowedeserveher？
She’slittle，butshe’ssweet，andabsolutelywithoutguile。I
thinkweoughttohaveher。\"
\"Is’guile’thesameas’guilt？\"inquiredEmmaJanePerkins。
\"Yes，\"thepresidentanswered；\"exactlythesame，exceptoneiswrittenandtheotherspokenlanguage。\"（Rebeccawasrathergoodatimbibinginformation，andamasterhandatimpartingit！）
\"Writtenlanguageisforpoemsandgraduationsandoccasionslikethis——kindoflikeabestSunday-go-to-meetingdressthatyouwouldn’tliketogoblueberryinginforfearofgettingitspotted。\"
\"I’djustas’lievesget’guile’spottedasnot，\"affirmedtheunimaginativeEmmaJane。\"Ithinkit’sanawfulfoolishword；butnowwe’reallnamedandourofficerselected，whatdowedofirst？It’seasyenoughforMaryandMarthaBurch；theyjustplayatmissionaryingbecausetheirfolksworkatit，sameasLivingandIusedtomakebelievebeblacksmithswhenwewerelittle。\"
\"Itmustbenicermissionaryinginthoseforeignplaces，\"saidPersis，\"becauseon’Afric’sshoresandIndia’splainsandotherspotswhereSatanreigns’（that’sfather’sfavoritehymn）there’salwaysaheathenbowingdowntowoodandstone。Youcantakeawayhisidolsifhe’llletyouandgivehimabibleandthebeginning’sallmade。Butwho’llwebeginon？JethroSmall？\"
\"Oh，he’sentirelytoodirty，andfoolishbesides！\"exclaimedCandace。\"WhynotEthanHunt？Heswearsdreadfully。\"
\"Helivesonnutsandisahermit，andit’samiletohiscampthroughthethickwoods；mymother’llneverletmegothere，\"
objectedAlice。\"There’sUncleTutJudson。\"
\"He’stooold；he’smostahundredanddeafasapost，\"
complainedEmmaJane。\"Besides，hismarrieddaughterisaSabbath-schoolteacher——whydoesn’tsheteachhimtobehave？I
can’tthinkofanybodyjustrighttostarton！\"
\"Don’ttalklikethat，EmmaJane，\"andRebecca’stonehadatingeofreproofinit。\"WeareacopperatedbodynamedtheDaughtersofZion，and，ofcourse，we’vegottofindsomethingtodo。
Foreignersaretheeasiest；there’saScotchfamilyatNorthRiverboro，anEnglishoneinEdgewood，andoneCubanmanatMillkin’sMills。\"
\"Haven’tforeignersgotanyreligionoftheirown？\"inquiredPersiscuriously。
\"Ye-es，Is’poseso；kindofaone；butforeigners’religionsareneverright——oursistheonlygoodone。\"ThiswasfromCandace，thedeacon’sdaughter。
\"Idothinkitmustbedreadful，beingbornwithareligionandgrowingupwithit，andthenfindingoutit’snouseandallyourtimewasted！\"HereRebeccasighed，chewedastraw，andlookedtroubled。
\"Well，that’syourpunishmentforbeingaheathen，\"retortedCandace，whohadbeenbroughtupstrictly。
\"ButIcan’tforthelifeofmeseehowyoucanhelpbeingaheathenifyou’reborninAfrica，\"persistedPersis，whowaswellnamed。
\"Youcan’t。\"Rebeccawasclearonthispoint。\"IhadthatalloutwithMrs。BurchwhenshewasvisitingAuntMiranda。Shesaystheycan’thelpbeingheathen，butifthere’sasinglemissionstationinthewholeofAfrica，they’reaccountableiftheydon’tgothereandgetsaved。\"
\"Arethereplentyofstagesandrailroads？\"askedAlice；\"becausetheremustbedreadfullylongdistances，andwhatiftheycouldn’tpaythefare？\"
\"Thatpartofitissodreadfullypuzzlywemustn’ttalkaboutit，please，\"saidRebecca，hersensitivefacequiveringwiththeforceoftheproblem。Poorlittlesoul！Shedidnotrealizethathersuperiorsinageandintellecthadspentmanyasleeplessnightoverthatsame\"accountabilityoftheheathen。\"
\"It’stoobadtheSimpsonshavemovedaway，\"saidCandace。\"It’ssoseldomyoucanfindarealbigwickedfamilylikethattosave，withonlyClaraBelleandSusangoodinit。\"
\"Andnumberscountforsomuch，\"continuedAlice。\"Mygrandmothersaysifmissionariescan’tconvertaboutsomanyinayeartheBoardadvisesthemtocomebacktoAmericaandtakeupsomeotherwork。\"
\"Iknow，\"Rebeccacorroborated；\"andit’sthesamewithrevivalists。AttheCentennialpicnicatNorthRiverboro，arevivalistsatoppositetoMr。LaddandAuntJaneandme，andhewastellingabouthiswonderfulsuccessinBangorlastwinter。
He’dconvertedahundredandthirtyinamonth，hesaid，oraboutfourandathirdaday。Ihadjustfinishedfractions，soIaskedMr。Laddhowthethirdofamancouldbeconverted。Helaughedandsaiditwasjusttheotherway；thatthemanwasathirdconverted。ThenheexplainedthatifyouweretryingtoconvinceapersonofhissinonaMonday，andcouldn’tquitefinishbysundown，perhapsyouwouldn’twanttositupallnightwithhim，andperhapshewouldn’twantyouto；soyou’dbeginagainonTuesday，andyoucouldn’tsayjustwhichdayhewasconverted，becauseitwouldbetwothirdsonMondayandonethirdonTuesday。\"
\"Mr。Laddisalwaysmakingfun，andtheBoardcouldn’texpectanygreatthingsofusgirls，newbeginners，\"suggestedEmmaJane，whowasbeingconstantlywarnedagainsttautologybyherteacher。
\"Ithinkit’sawfulrude，anyway，togorightoutandtrytoconvertyourneighbors；butifyouborrowahorseandgotoEdgewoodLowerCorner，orMilliken’sMills，Is’posethatmakesitForeignMissions。\"
\"Wouldweeachgoaloneorwaituponthemwithacommittee，astheydidwhentheyaskedDeaconTuttleforacontributionforthenewhearse？\"askedPersis。
\"Oh！Wemustgoalone，\"decidedRebecca；\"itwouldbemuchmorerefinedanddelicate。AuntMirandasaysthatonemanalonecouldnevergetasubscriptionfromDeaconTuttle，andthat’sthereasontheysentacommittee。ButitseemstomeMrs。Burchcouldn’tmeanforustotryandconvertpeoplewhenwe’renoneofusevenchurchmembers，exceptCandace。IthinkallwecandoistopersuadethemtogotomeetingandSabbathschool，orgivemoneyforthehearse，orthenewhorsesheds。Nowlet’sallthinkquietlyforaminuteortwowho’stheverymostheathenishandreperrehensiblestpersoninRiverboro。\"
Afteraverybriefperiodofsilencethewords\"JacobMoody\"fellfromalllipswithentireaccord。
\"Youareright，\"saidthepresidenttersely；\"andaftersinginghymnnumbertwohundredseventyfour，tobefoundonthesixty-sixthpage，wewilltakeupthequestionofpersuadingMr。
Moodytoattenddivineserviceortheminister’sBibleclass，henothavingbeeninthemeeting-houseforlo！thesemanyyears。
’DaughterofZion，thepowerthathathsavedtheeExtolledwiththeharpandthetimbrelshouldbe。’
\"Singwithoutreading，ifyouplease，omittingthesecondstanza。
Hymntwoseventyfour，tobefoundonthesixty-sixthpageofthenewhymnbookoronpagethirtytwoofEmmaJanePerkins’soldone。\"
II
ItisdoubtfuliftheRev。Mr。BurchhadeverfoundinSyriaapersonmoredifficulttopersuadethanthealready\"gospel-hardened\"JacobMoodyofRiverboro。
Tall，gaunt，swarthy，black-bearded——hismassesofgrizzled，uncombedhairandtheredscaracrosshisnoseandcheekaddedtohissinisterappearance。Histumble-downhousestoodonarockybitoflandbackoftheSawyerpasture，andtheacresofhisfarmstretchedoutonallsidesofit。Helivedalone，atealone，plowed，planted，sowed，harvestedalone，andwasmorethanwillingtodiealone，\"unwept，unhonored，andunsung。\"Theroadthatbordereduponhisfieldswascomparativelylittleusedbyanyone，andnotwithstandingthefactthatitwasthicklysetwithchokecherrytreesandblackberrybushesithadbeenforyearspracticallydesertedbythechildren。Jacob’sRedAstrakhanandGrannyGarlandtreeshungthickwithapples，butnoRiverboroorEdgewoodboystolethem；forterrifyingaccountsofthefatethathadovertakenoneurchinintimesagonehadbeenhandedalongfromboytoboy，protectingtheMoodyfruitfarbetterthananypolicepatrol。
Perhapsnocircumstancescouldhaveextenuatedtheoldman’ssurlymannersorhislackofallcitizenlygracesandvirtues；
buthisneighborscommonlyrebukedhispresentwayoflivingandforgotthetroubledpastthathadbroughtitabout：thesharp-tonguedwife，theunlovinganddisloyalsons，thedaughter’shaplessfate，andalltheothersorrytricksthatfortunehadplayeduponhim——atleastthatwasthewayinwhichhehadalwaysregardedhisdisappointmentsandgriefs。
This，then，wasthepersonagewhosemoralrehabilitationwastobeaccomplishedbytheDaughtersofZion。Buthow？
\"WhowillvolunteertovisitMr。Moody？\"blandlyaskedthepresident。
VISITMR。MOODY！Itwasawondertheroofofthebarnchamberdidnotfall；itdid，indeedechothewordsandinsomewaymakethemsoundmoregrimandsatirical。
\"Nobody’llvolunteer，RebeccaRowenaRandall，andyouknowit，\"
saidEmmaJane。
\"Whydon’twedrawlots，whennoneofuswantstospeaktohimandyetoneofusmust？\"
ThissuggestionfellfromPersisWatson，whohadbeenpaleandthoughtfuleversincethefirstmentionofJacobMoody。（ShewasfondofGrannyGarlands；shehadoncemetJacob；and，astowhatbefell，well，weallhaveoursecrettragedies！）
\"Wouldn’titbewickedtosettleitthatway？\"
\"It’sgamblersthatdrawlots。\"
\"PeoplediditintheBibleeversooften。\"
\"Itdoesn’tseemniceforamissionarymeeting。\"
Theseremarksfellalltogetheruponthepresident’sbewilderedearthewhile（asshealwayssaidincompositions）——\"thewhile\"
shewastryingtoadjusttheethicsofthisunexpectedanddifficultdilemma。
\"Itisaverypuzzlyquestion，\"shesaidthoughtfully。\"IcouldaskAuntJaneifwehadtime，butIsupposewehaven’t。Itdoesn’tseemnicetodrawlots，andyethowcanwesettleitwithout？Weknowwemeanright，andperhapsitwillbe。Alice，takethispaperandtearofffivenarrowpieces，alldifferentlengths。\"
Atthismomentavoicefromadistancefloateduptothehaymow——avoicesayingplaintively：\"Willyouletmeplaywithyou，girls？Huldahhasgonetoride，andI’mallalone。\"
Itwasthevoiceoftheabsolutely-without-guileThirzaMeserve，anditcameatanopportunemoment。
\"Ifsheisgoingtobeamember，\"saidPersis，\"whynotlethercomeupandholdthelots？She’dberealhonestandnotfavoranybody。\"
Itseemedanexcellentidea，andwasfollowedupsoquicklythatscarcelythreeminutesensuedbeforetheguilelessonewasholdingthefivescrapsinherhotlittlepalm，laboriouslychangingtheirplacesagainandagainuntiltheylookedexactlyalikeandallrathersoiledandwilted。
\"Come，girls，draw！\"commandedthepresident。\"Thirza，youmustn’tchewgumatamissionarymeeting，itisn’tpolitenorholy。Takeitoutandstickitsomewheretilltheexercisesareover。\"
ThefiveDaughtersofZionapproachedthespotsochargedwithfate，andextendedtheirtremblinghandsonebyone。Thenafteramoment’ssilentclutchoftheirpaperstheydrewnearertooneanotherandcomparedthem。
EmmaJanePerkinshaddrawntheshortone，becomingthusthedestinedinstrumentforJacobMoody’sconversiontoamoreseemlymanneroflife！
Shelookedaboutherdespairingly，asiftoseeksomepainlessandrespectablemethodofself-destruction。
\"Dolet’sdrawoveragain，\"shepleaded。\"I’mtheworstofallofus。I’msuretomakeamessofittillIkindo’gettrainedin。\"
Rebecca’sheartsankatthisfrankconfession，whichonlycorroboratedherownfears。
\"I’msorry，Emmy，dear，\"shesaid，\"butouronlyexcusefordrawinglotsatallwouldbetohaveitsacred。Wemustthinkofitasakindofasign，almostlikeGodspeakingtoMosesintheburningbush。\"
\"Oh，IWISHtherewasaburningbushrighthere！\"criedthedistractedandrecalcitrantmissionary。\"HowquickI’dstepintoitwithoutevenstoppingtotakeoffmygarnetring！\"
\"Don’tbesuchascare-cat，EmmaJane！\"exclaimedCandacebracingly。\"JacobMoodycan’tkillyou，evenifhehasanawfultemper。Trotrightalongnowbeforeyougetmorefrightened。
Shallwegocrosslotswithher，Rebecca，andwaitatthepasturegate？ThenwhateverhappensAlicecanputitdownintheminutesofthemeeting。\"
IntheseterriblecrisesoflifetimegallopswithsuchincrediblevelocitythatitseemedtoEmmaJaneonlyabreathbeforeshewasbeingdraggedthroughthefieldsbytheotherDaughtersofZion，theguilelesslittleThirzapantingintherear。
AttheentrancetothepastureRebeccagaveheranimpassionedembrace，andwhispering，\"WHATEVERYOUDO，BECAREFULHOWYOU
LEADUP，\"liftedoffthetoprailandpushedherthroughthebars。Thenthegirlsturnedtheirbacksreluctantlyonthepatheticfigure，andeachsoughtatreeunderwhosefriendlyshadeshecouldwatch，andperhapspray，untilthemissionaryshouldreturnfromherfieldoflabor。
AliceRobinson，whosecompositionswerealwaysmarked96or97，——100symbolizingsuchperfectionascouldbeattainedinthemortalworldofRiverboro，——Alice，notonlyDaughter，butScribeofZion，sharpenedherpencilandwroteafewwell-chosenwordsofintroduction，tobeusedwhentherecordsoftheafternoonhadbeenmadebyEmmaJanePerkinsandJacobMoody。
Rebecca’sheartbeattumultuouslyunderherginghamdress。Shefeltthatadramawasbeingenacted，andthoughunfortunatelyshewasnotthecentralfigure，shehadatleastamodestpartinit。
TheshortlothadnotfallentotheproperestDaughter，thatshequiterealized；yetwouldanyoneofthemsucceedinwinningJacobMoody’sattention，inengaginghiminpleasantconversation，andfinallyinbringinghimtoarealizationofhismistakenwayoflife？Shedoubted，butatthesamemomentherspiritsroseatthethoughtofthedifficultiesinvolvedintheundertaking。
DifficultiesalwaysspurredRebeccaon，buttheydauntedpoorEmmaJane，whohadnolittlethrillsofexcitementandwonderandfearandlongingtosustainherlaggingsoul。Thatherinterviewwastobeenteredas\"minutes\"byasecretaryseemedtoherthelaststraw。Herblueeyeslookedlighterthanusualandhadtheglazeofchinasaucers；herusuallypinkcheekswerepale，butshepressedon，determinedtobeafaithfulDaughterofZion，andabovealltobeworthyofRebecca’sadmirationandrespect。
\"Rebeccacandoanything，\"shethought，withenthusiasticloyalty，\"andImustn’tbeanystupiderthanIcanhelp，orshe’llchooseoneoftheothergirlsforhermostintimatefriend。\"So，musteringallhercourage，sheturnedintoJacobMoody’sdooryard，wherehewaschoppingwood。
\"It’sapleasantafternoon，Mr。Moody，\"shesaidinapolitebuthoarsewhisper，Rebecca’swords，\"LEADUP！LEADUP！ringinginclariontonesthroughherbrain。
JacobMoodylookedathercuriously。\"Goodenough，Iguess，\"hegrowled；\"butIdon’tneverhavetimetolookatafternoons。\"
EmmaJaneseatedherselftimorouslyontheendofalargelognearthechoppingblock，supposingthatJacob，likeotherhosts，wouldpauseinhistasksandchat。
\"Theblockiskindoflikeanidol，\"shethought；\"IwishIcouldtakeitawayfromhim，andthenperhapshe’dtalk。\"
AtthismomentJacobraisedhisaxeandcamedownontheblockwithsuchastunningblowthatEmmaJanefairlyleapedintotheair。
\"You’dbetterlookout，Sissy，oryou’llgitchipsintheeye！\"
saidMoody，grimlygoingonwithhiswork。
TheDaughterofZionsentupasilentprayerforinspiration，butnonecame，andshesatsilent，givingnervousjumpsinspiteofherselfwhenevertheaxefelluponthelogJacobwascutting。
Finally，thehostbecametiredofhisdumbvisitor，andleaningonhisaxehesaid，\"Lookhere，Sis，whathaveyoucomefor？
What’syourerrant？Doyouwantapples？Orcider？Orwhat？Speakout，orGITout，oneort’other。\"
EmmaJane，whohadwrungherhandkerchiefintoaclammyball，gaveitalastdespairingwrench，andfaltered：\"Wouldn’tyoulike——hadn’tyoubetter——don’tyouthinkyou’doughttobemoreconstantatmeetingandSabbathschool？\"
Jacob’saxealmostdroppedfromhisnervelesshand，andheregardedtheDaughterofZionwithunspeakablerageanddisdain。
Then，thebloodmountinginhisface，hegatheredhimselftogether，andshouted：\"Youtakeyourselfoffthatlogandouto’
thisdooryarddouble-quick，youimperdentsanct’omusyoungone！
YoujustletmeketchBillPerkins’childtryingtoteachmewhereIshallgo，atmyage！Scuttle，Itellye！AndifIseeyourpiouscantin’littlemuginsidemyfenceag’inonsechabusinessI’llchaseyedownthehillorsetthedogonye！SCOOT，ITELLYE！\"
EmmaJaneobeyedorderssummarily，takingherselfoffthelog，outthedooryard，andotherwisescuttlingandscootingdownthehillatapacenevercontemplatedevenbyJacobMoody，whostoodregardingherflyingheelswithasardonicgrin。
Downshestumbled，thetearscoursingoverhercheeksandminglingwiththedustofherflight；blightedhope，shame，fear，rage，alltearingherbosominturn，tillwithahystericalshriekshefelloverthebarsandintoRebecca’sarmsoutstretchedtoreceiveher。TheotherDaughterswipedhereyesandsupportedheralmostfaintingform，whileThirza，thoroughlyfrightened，burstintosympathetictears，andrefusedtobecomforted。
Noquestionswereasked，foritwasfeltbyallpartiesthatEmmaJane’sdemeanorwasansweringthembeforetheycouldbeframed。
\"Hethreatenedtosetthedogonme！\"shewailedpresently，when，astheynearedtheSawyerpasture，shewasabletocontrolhervoice。\"Hecalledmeapious，cantin’youngone，andsaidhe’dchasemeouto’thedooryardifIevercameagain！Andhe’lltellmyfather——Iknowhewill，forhehateshimlikepoison。\"
AllatoncetheadultpointofviewdawneduponRebecca。Sheneversawituntilitwastooobvioustobeignored。HadtheydonewrongininterviewingJacobMoody？WouldAuntMirandabeangry，aswellasMr。Perkins？
\"Whywashesodreadful，Emmy？\"shequestionedtenderly。\"Whatdidyousayfirst？Howdidyouleaduptoit？\"
EmmaJanesobbedmoreconvulsively，andwipedhernoseandeyesimpartiallyasshetriedtothink。
\"IguessIneverledupatall；notamite。Ididn’tknowwhatyoumeant。Iwassentonanerrant，andIwentanddoneitthebestIcould！（EmmaJane’sgrammaralwayslapsedinmomentsofexcitement。）AndthenJakeroaredatmelikeSquireWinship’sbull……Andhecalledmyfaceamug……Youshutupthatsecretarybook，AliceRobinson！IfyouwritedownasinglewordI’llneverspeaktoyouagain……AndIdon’twanttobeamember’anotherminuteforfearofdrawinganothershortlot。
I’vegotenoughoftheDaughtersorZiontolastmetheresto’
mylife！Idon’tcarewhogoestomeetin’andwhodon’t。\"
ThegirlswereatthePerkins’sgatebythistime，andEmmaJanewentsadlyintotheemptyhousetoremovealltracesofthetragedyfromherpersonbeforehermothershouldcomehomefromthechurch。
Theotherswendedtheirwayslowlydownthestreet，feelingthattheirpromisingmissionarybranchhaddiedalmostassoonasithadbudded。
\"Goodby，\"saidRebecca，swallowinglumpsofdisappointmentandchagrinasshesawthewholeinspiringplanbreakandvanishintothinairlikeaniridescentbubble。\"It’salloverandwewon’tevertryitagain。I’mgoingintodoovercastingashardasI
can，becauseIhatethattheworst。AuntJanemustwritetoMrs。
Burchthatwedon’twanttobehomemissionaries。Perhapswe’renotbigenough，anyway。I’mperfectlycertainit’snicertoconvertpeoplewhenthey’reyelloworbrownoranycolorbutwhite；andIbelieveitmustbeeasiertosavetheirsoulsthanitistomakethemgotomeeting。\"
ThirdChronicleREBECCA’STHOUGHTBOOK
I
The\"Sawyergirls’\"barnstillhaditshaymowinRebecca’stime，althoughthehaywasadozenyearsoldormore，and，intheopinionoftheoccasionalvisitinghorse，sadlyjuicelessandwantinginflavor。Itstillsheltered，too，oldDeaconIsraelSawyer’scarryallandmowing-machine，withhispung，hissleigh，andadozenothersurvivalsofanearlierera，whenthebroadacresofthebrickhousewenttomakeoneofthefinestfarmsinRiverboro。
Therewerenohorsesorcowsinthestallsnowadays；nopiggruntingcomfortablyoffuturespareribsinthesty；nohenstopecktheplantsinthecherishedgardenpatch。TheSawyergirlsweregettingoninyears，and，mindfulthatcareoncekilledacat，theyorderedtheirliveswiththeviewofescapingthatparticulardoom，atleast，andsucceededfairlywelluntilRebecca’sadventmadeexistenceatriflemoresensational。
Onceamonthforyearsuponyears，MissMirandaandMissJanehadputtowelsovertheirheadsandmadeasolemnvisittothebarn，takingofftheenameledclothcoverings（occasionallycalled\"emmanuelcovers\"inRiverboro），dustingtheancientimplements，andsometimessweepingtheheaviestofthecobwebsfromthecorners，orgivingabrushtothefloor。
DeaconIsrael’stotteringladderstillstoodinitsaccustomedplace，proppedagainstthehaymow，andtheheavenlystairwayleadingtoeternalgloryscarcelylookedfairertoJacobofoldthanthistoRebecca。Bymeansofitsdustyroundsshemounted，mounted，mountedfarawayfromtimeandcareandmaidenaunts，farawayfromchildishtasksandchildishtroubles，tothebarnchamber，aplacesofullofgoldendreams，happyreveries，andvaguelongings，that，asherlittlebrownhandsclungtothesidesoftheladderandherfeettrodtheroundscautiouslyinherascent，herheartalmoststoppedbeatinginthesheerjoyofanticipation。
Oncehavinggainedtheheights，thenextthingwastounlatchtheheavydoorsandgivethemagentleswingoutward。Then，oh，evernewParadise！Then，oh，everlovelygreenandgrowingworld！ForRebeccahadthatsomethinginhersoulthat\"GivestoseasandsunsetskiesTheunspentbeautyofsurprise。\"
AtthetopofGuideBoardhillshecouldseeAliceRobinson’sbarnwithitsshiningweathervane，ahugeburnishedfishthatswamwiththewindandforetoldthedaytoallRiverboro。Themeadow，withitssunnyslopesstretchinguptothepinewoods，wassometimesaflowingsheetofshimmeringgrass，sometimes——whendaisiesandbuttercupswereblooming——avisionofwhiteandgold。Sometimestheshornstubblewouldbedottedwith\"thehappyhillsofhay，\"andalittlelatertherockmapleontheedgeofthepineswouldstandoutlikeagoldenballagainstthegreen；itsneighbor，thesugarmaple，glowingbesideit，braveinscarlet。
ItwasononeoftheseautumndayswithawintrynipintheairthatAdamLadd（Rebecca’sfavorite\"Mr。Aladdin\"），aftersearchingforherinfieldandgarden，suddenlynoticedtheopendoorsofthebarnchamber，andcalledtoher。Atthesoundofhisviceshedroppedherpreciousdiary，andflewtotheedgeofthehaymow。Heneverforgotthevisionofthestartledlittlepoetess，bookinonemittenedhand，pencilintheother，darkhairallruffled，withthepicturesqueadditionofanoccasionalgladeofstraw，hercheekscrimson，hereyesshining。
\"ASapphoinmittens！\"hecriedlaughingly，andathereagerquestiontoldhertolookuptheunknownladyintheschoolencyclopedia，whenshewasadmittedtotheFemaleSeminaryatWareham。
Now，allbeingready，Rebeccawenttoacornerofthehaymow，andwithdrewathickblank-bookwithmottledcovers。Outofherginghamapronpocketcameapencil，abitofrubber，andsomepiecesofbrownpaper；thensheseatedherselfgravelyonthefloor，anddrewaninvertedsoapboxnearertoherforatable。
Thebookwasreverentlyopened，andtherewasaseriousreadingoftheextractsalreadycarefullycopiedtherein。Mostofthemwereapparentlytothewriter’sliking，fordimplesofpleasureshowedthemselvesnowandthen，andsmilesofobviousdelightplayedaboutherface；butonceinawhiletherewasaknittingofthebrowsandasighofdiscouragement，showingthattheartistinthechildwasnotwhollysatisfied。
Thencamethecrucialmomentwhenthebuddingauthorwassupposedlytoberackedwiththethroesofcomposition；butseeminglytherewerenothroes。Othergirlscouldwieldthedarningorcrochetorknittingneedle，andsendthetattingshuttlethroughloopsofthefinestcotton；hemstitch，oversew，braidhairinthirteenstrands，butthepencilwasneverobedientintheirfingers，andthepenandink-potwereahorrorfromearlychildhoodtotheendoftime。
NotsowithRebecca；herpencilmovedaseasilyashertongue，andnomorestrikingsimilecouldpossiblybeused。HerhandwritingwasnotSpencerian；shehadneithertime，norpatience，itistobefeared，forcopybookmethods，andherunformedcharacterswerefrequentlythedespairofherteachers；
butwriteshecould，writeshewould，writeshemustanddid，inseasonandout；fromthetimeshemadepothooksatsix，tillnow，writingwastheeasiestofallpossibletasks；tobeindulgedinassolaceandbalmwhentheterrorsofexamplesinleastcommonmultiplethreatenedtodethronethereason，ortherulesofgrammarloomedhugeandunconquerableinthenearhorizon。
Astospelling，itcametoherinthemainbyfreegrace，andnotbytraining，andthoughsheslippedattimesfromthebeatenpath，herextraordinaryearandgoodvisualmemorykeptherfrommanyorflagrantmistakes。Itwasherintention，especiallywhensayingherprayersatnight，tolookupalldoubtfulwordsinhersmalldictionary，beforecopyingherThoughtsintothesacredbookfortheinspirationofposterity；butwhengeniusburnedwithabrilliantflame，andparticularlywhenshewasinthebarnandthedictionaryinthehouse，impulseasusualcarriedtheday。
TheresitsRebecca，then，intheopendooroftheSawyersbarnchamber——thesunsetdoor。Howmanyatimehadhergrandfather，thegooddeacon，satjustunderneathinhistipped-backchair，whenMrs。Israel’stemperwasuncertain，andtheserenityofthebarnwasincomfortingcontrasttohisownfireside！
Theopendoorsswingingouttothepeacefullandscape，thesolaceofthepipe，notallowedinthe\"settin’-room\"——howbeautifullythesesimpleagentshaveministeredtothefamilypeaceindaysagone！\"IfIhadn’thadmybarnandmystoreBOTH，Icouldn’tneverhavelivedinholymatrimonywithMaryliza！\"oncesaidMr。
Watsonfeelingly。
Butthedeacon，lookingonhiswavinggrassfields，histasselingcornandhistimberlands，brightandhonestaswerehiseyes，neversawsuchvisionsasRebecca。Thechild，transplantedfromherhomefarmatSunnybrook，fromthecareoftheoverworkedbuteasy-goingmother，andthecompanionshipofthescantilyfed，scantilyclothed，happy-go-luckybrothersandsisters——shehadindeedfallenonshadydaysinRiverboro。Theblindswereclosedineveryroomofthehousebuttwo，andthesamemighthavebeensaidofMissMiranda’smindandheart，thoughMissJanehadafewwindowsopeningtothesun，andRebeccaalreadyhadherunconscioushandonseveralothers。Brickhouseruleswererigidandmanyforalittlecreaturesofulloflife，butRebecca’sgayspiritcouldnotbepinionedinastraitjacketforlongatatime；itescapedsomehowandwingeditsmerrywayintothesunshineandfreeair；ifshewerenotallowedtosingintheorchard，likethewildbirdshewas，shecouldstillsinginthecage，likethecanary。
II
Ifyouhadopenedthecarefullyguardedvolumewiththemottledcovers，youwouldfirsthaveseenawonderfultitlepage，constructedapparentlyonthesamelinesasanobituary，ortheinscriptiononatombstone，saveforthequantityandvarietyofinformationcontainedinit。Muchofthematterwouldseemtothecaptiouscriticbetteradaptedtothebodyofthebookthantothetitlepage，butRebeccawasapparentlyanxiousthattheprincipalpersonagesinherchronicleshouldbewelldescribedattheoutset。
Sheseemstohavehadaconvictionthatheredityplaysitspartintheevolutionofgenius，andherbeliefthattheworldwillbeinspiredbythepossessionofherThoughtsistooartlesstobeoffensive。Sheevidentlyhasrespectforrichmaterialconfidedtoherteacher，andonecanimagineMissDearborn’swoehadshebeenconfrontedbyRebecca’schosenliteraryexecutorandbiddentodelivercertain\"ValuablePoetryandThoughts，\"thepropertyofposterity\"unlesscarelesslydestroyed。\"
THOUGHTBOOKofRebeccaRowenaRandallReallyofSunnybrookFarmButtemporilyofTheBrickHouseRiverboro。
OwnnieceofMissMirandaandJaneSawyerSecondofsevenchildrenofherfather，Mr。L。D。M。Randall（NowatrestinTemperancecemmetaryandtherewillbeamonumentassoonaswepayoffthemortgageonthefarm）
AlsoofhermotherMrs。AureliaRandallIncaseofDeaththebestoftheseThoughtsMaybeprintedinmyRemerniscencesFortheSundaySchoolLibraryatTemperance，MaineWhichneedsmorebooksfearfullyAndIherebyWillandTestamentthemtoMr。AdamLaddWhobought300cakesofsoapfrommeAndthussecuredapremiumAGreatlyNeededBanquetLampFormyfriendstheSimpsons。
HeistheonlyonethatincouragesMywritingRemerniscencesandMyteacherMissDearbornwillHavemuchvaluablePoetryandThoughtsTogivehimunlesscarelesslydestroyed。
ThepicturesarebythesamehandthatWrotetheThoughts。
ITISNOTNOWDECIDEDWHETHERREBECCAROWENARANDALLWILLBEA
PAINTERORANAUTHOR，BUTAFTERHERDEATHITWILLBEKNOWNWHICH
SHEHASBEEN，IFANY。
FINIS
Fromthetitlepage，withitswealthofdetail，anditsunnecessaryandirrelevantinformation，thebookripplesonlikeabrook，andtothewearyreaderofproblemnovelsitmayhavesomethingofthebrook’srefreshingquality。
OURDIARIESMay，187——
AllthegirlsarekeepingadiarybecauseMissDearbornwasverymuchashamedwhentheschooltrusteestoldherthatmostofthegirls’andalloftheboys’compositionsweredisgraceful，andmustbeimproveduponnextterm。Sheaskedtheboystowriteletterstoheronceaweekinsteadofkeepingadiary，whichtheythoughtwasgirlishlikeplayingwithdolls。Theboysthoughtitwasdreadfultohavetowriteletterseverysevendays，butshetoldthemitwasnothalfasbadforthemasitwasforherwhohadtoreadthem。
TomakemydiaryalittledifferentIamgoingtocallitaTHOUGHTBook（writtenjustlikethat，withcapitals）。IhavethoughtsthatInevercanuseunlessIwritethemdown，forAuntMirandaalwayssays，Keepyourthoughtstoyourself。AuntJaneletsmetellhersome，butdoesnotlikemyqueeronesandmytruethoughtsaremostlyqueer。EmmaJanedoesnotmindhearingthemnowandthen，andthatismyonlychance。
IfMissDearborndoesnotlikethenameThoughtBookIwillcallitRemerniscences（writtenjustlikethatwithacapitalR）。
Remerniscencesarethingsyourememberaboutyourselfandwritedownincaseyoushoulddie。AuntJanedoesn’tliketoreadanyotherkindofbooksbutjustlivesofinterestingdeadpeopleandshesaysthatiswhatLongfellow（whowasborninthestateofMaineandweshouldbeveryproudofitandtrytowritelikehim）meantinhispoem：
\"LivesofgreatmenallremindusWeshouldmakeourlivessublime，Anddeparting，leavebehindusFootprintsonthesandsoftime。\"
IknowwhatthismeansbecausewhenEmmaJaneandIwenttothebeachwithUncleJerryCobbweranalongthewetsandandlookedattheshapesourbootsmade，justasiftheywerestampedinwax。EmmaJaneturnsinherleftfoot（splayfoottheboyscallit，whichisnotpolite）andSethStrouthadjustpatchedoneofmyshoesanditallcameoutinthesandpictures。WhenIlearnedThePsalmofLifeforFridayafternoonspeakingIthoughtI
shouldn’tliketoleaveapatchedfootprint，norhaveEmmaJane’slookcrookedonthesandsoftime，andrightawayIthoughtOh！
WhatasplendidthoughtformyThoughtBookwhenAuntJanebuysmeafifteen-centoneovertoWatson’sstore。
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REMERNISCENCES
June，187——
ItoldAuntJaneIwasgoingtobeginmyRemerniscences，andshesaysIamfullyoung，butIremindedherthatCandaceMilliken’ssisterdiedwhenshewasten，leavingnofootprintswhatever，andifIshoulddiesuddenlywhowouldwritedownmyRemerniscences？
AuntMirandasaysthesunandmoonwouldriseandsetjustthesame，anditwasnomatteriftheydidn’tgetwrittendown，andtogoupatticandfindherpiece-bag；butIsaiditwould，astherewasonlyoneofeverybodyintheworld，andnobodyelsecoulddotheirremerniscensingforthem。IfIshoulddietonightIknownowwhowoulddescribemeright。MissDearbornwouldsayonethingandbrotherJohnanother。EmmaJanewouldtrytodomejustice，buthasnowords；andIamgladAuntMirandanevertakesthepeninhand。
Mydictionaryissosmallithasnotmanygenteelwordsinit，andIcannotfindhowtospellRemerniscences，butIrememberfromthecoverofAuntJane’sbookthattherewasan\"s\"anda\"c\"closetogetherinthemiddleofit，whichIthoughtfoolishandnotneedful。
Allthegirlsliketheirdairiesverymuch，butMinnieSmelliegotAliceRobinson’swhereshehadhiditundertheschoolwoodpileandreaditallthrough。Shesaiditwasnoworsethanreadinganybody’scomposition，butwetoldheritwasjustlikepeekingthroughakeyhole，orlisteningatawindow，oropeningabureaudrawer。Shesaidshedidn’tlookatitthatway，andI
toldherthatunlesshereyesgotunscealedshewouldneverleaveanykindofasublimefootprintonthesandsoftime。ItoldheradiarywasverysacredasyougenerallypouredyourdeepestfeelingsintoitexpectingnobodytolookatitbutyourselfandyourindulgentheavenlyFatherwhoseeethallthings。
OfcourseitwouldnothurtPersisWatsontoshowherdiarybecauseshehasnotasacredplanandthisisthewayitgoes，forshereadsitoutloudtous：
\"Aroseatsixthismorning——（youalwaysariseinadiarybutyousaygetupwhenyoutalkaboutit）。Atebreakfastathalfpastsix。Hadsodabiscuits，coffee，fishhashanddoughnuts。Wipedthedishes，fedthehensandmademybedbeforeschool。Hadagoodarithmeticlesson，butwentdowntwoinspelling。AthalfpastfourplayedhideandcoopintheSawyerpasture。Fedhensandwenttobedateight。\"
Shesaysshecan’tputinwhatdoesn’thappen，butasIdon’tthinkherdiaryisinterestingshewillaskhermothertohavemeathashinsteadoffish，withpiewhenthedoughnutsgiveout，andshewillfeedthehensbeforebreakfasttomakeachange。Weareallgoingnowtotryandmakesomethinghappeneverysingledaysothediarieswon’tbesodullandthefootprintssocommon。
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ANUNCOMMONTHOUGHT
July187——
Wedugupourrosecakestoday，andthatgavemeagoodRemerniscence。Thewayyoumakerosecakesis，youtaketheleavesoffullblownrosesandmixthemwithalittlecinnamonandasmuchbrownsugarastheywillgiveyou，whichisneverhalfenoughexceptPersisWatson，whoseaffectionateparentslethergotothebarrelintheirstore。Thenyoudouplittlebitslikesedlitzpowders，firstinsoftpaperandtheninbrown，andburytheminthegroundandletthemstayaslongasyoupossiblycanholdout；thendigthemupandeatthem。EmmaJaneandI
stickuplittlesignsovertheholesinthegroundwiththedateweburiedthemandwhenthey’llbedoneenoughtodigup，butwecanneverwait。WhenAuntJanesawusshesaiditwasthefirstthingforchildrentolearn，——nottobeimpatient，——sowhenI
wenttothebarnchamberImadeapoem。
IMPATIENCE
Wedugourrosecakesupoh！alltoosoon。
Twasintheorchardjustatnoon。
TwasinabrightJulyforenoon。
Twasinthesunnyafternoon。
Twasunderneaththeharvestmoon。
Itwasnotthatwayatall；itwasafoggymorningbeforeschool，andIshouldthinkpoetscouldneverpossiblygettoheaven，foritissohardtosticktothetruthwhenyouarewritingpoetry。
EmmaJanethinksitisnobody’sbusinesswhenwedugtherosecakesup。Ilikethelineabouttheharvestmoonbest，butitwouldgiveawrongideaofourlivesandcharacterstothepeoplethatreadmyThoughts，fortheywouldthinkwewereuplatenights，soIhavefixeditlikethis：
IMPATIENCE
Wedugourrosecakesupoh！alltoosoon，Wethoughttheirsweetnesswouldbesuchaboon。
Wene’ersuspicionedtheywouldnotbedoneAfterthreedaysofautumnwindandsun。
Whydidwefromtheearthourtreasuresdraw？
Twasnotforfearthatratormolemightnaw，Anagedauntdothsayimpatiencewasthereason，Shesaysthatyouthiseveroutofseason。
ThatisjustasAuntJanesaidit，anditgavemethethoughtforthepoemwhichisratheruncommon。
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ADREADFULQUESTION
September，187——
WHICHHASBEENTHEMOSTBENEFERCENTINFLUENCEONCHARACTER——
PUNISHMENTORREWARD？
ThistrulydreadfulquestionwasgivenusbyDr。Moseswhenhevisitedschooltoday。HeisaSchoolCommittee；notawholeonebutIdonotknowthesingularnumberofhim。Hetolduswecouldaskourfamilieswhattheythought，thoughhewouldratherwewouldn’t，butwemustwriteourownwordsandhewouldhearthemnextweek。
Afterhewentoutandshutthedoorthescholarswereallplungedingloomandyoucouldhaveheardapindrop。AliceRobinsoncriedandborrowedmyhandkerchief，andtheboyslookedasiftheschoolhousehadbeenstruckbylightning。TheworstofallwaspoorMissDearborn，whowillloseherplaceifshedoesnotmakeusbetterscholarssoon，forDr。Moseshasadaughterallreadytoputrightintotheschoolandshecanboardathomeandsaveallherwages。LibbyMosesishername。
MissDearbornstaredoutthewindow，andhermouthandchinshooklikeAliceRobinson’s，forsheknew，ah！alltowell，whatthecomingweekwouldbringforth。
ThenIraisedmyhandforpermissiontospeak，andstoodupandsaid：\"MissDearborn，don’tyoumind！Justexplaintouswhatbenefercent’meansandwe’llwritesomethingrealinteresting；
forallofusknowwhatpunishmentis，andhaveseenothersgetrewards，anditisnotsobadasubjectassome。\"AndDickCarterwhispered，\"GOODONYOURHEAD，REBECCA！\"whichmeanhewassorryforhertoo，andwouldtryhisbest，buthasnowords。
Thenteachersmiledandsaidbenefercentmeantgoodorhealthyforanybody，andwouldallrisewhothoughtpunishmentmadethebestscholarsandmenandwomen；andeverybodysatstockstill。
Andthensheaskedalltostandwhobelievedthatrewardsproducedthefinestresults，andtherewasamightysoundlikeuntotherushingofwaters，butreallywasourfeetscrapingthefloor，andthescholarsstoodup，anditlookedlikeanarmy，thoughitwasonlynineteen，becauseofthestrongbeliefthatwasinthem。ThenMissDearbornlaughedandsaidshewasthankfulforeverywhippingshehadwhenshewasachild，andLivingPerkinssaidperhapswehadn’tgottothethankfulage，orperhapsherfatherhadn’tusedastrap，andshesaidoh！no，itwashermotherwiththeopenhand；andDickCartersaidhewouldn’tcallthatpunishment，andSamSimpsonsaidsotoo。
IamgoingtowriteaboutthesubjectinmyThoughtBookfirst，andwhenImakeitintoacomposition，Icanleaveoutanythingaboutthefamilyornotgenteel，asthereismuchtorelateaboutpunishmentnotpleasantorniceandhardlypolite。
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PUNISHMENT
Punishmentisaverypuzzlything，butIbelieveinitwhenreallydeserved，onlywhenIpunishmyselfitdoesnotalwaysturnoutwell。WhenIleanedoverthenewbridge，andgotmydressallpaint，andAuntSarahCobbcouldn’tgetitout，Ihadtowearitspottedforsixmonthswhichhurtmypride，butwasright。IstayedathomefromAliceRobinson’sbirthdaypartyforapunishment，andwenttothecircusnextdayinstead，butAlice’spartiesareverycoldandstiff，asMrs。Robinsonmakestheboysstandonnewspapersiftheycomeinsidethedoor，andtheblindsarealwaysshut，andMrs。Robinsontellsmehowbadherlivercomplaintisthisyear。SoIthought，topayforthecircusandafewotherthings，Ioughttogetmorepunishment，andIthrewmypinkparasoldownthewell，asthemothersinthemissionarybooksthrowtheirinfantstothecrocodilesintheGangesriver。Butitgotstuckinthechainthatholdsthebucket，andAuntMirandahadtogetAbijahFlaggtotakeoutallthebrokenbitsbeforewecouldringupwater。
IpunishedmyselfthiswaybecauseAuntMirandasaidthatunlessIimprovedIwouldbenothingbutaBurdenandaBlight。
Therewasanoldmanusedtogobyourfarmcarryingalotofbrokenchairstobottom，andmotherusedtosay——\"Poorman！Hisbackistooweakforsuchaburden！\"andIusedtotakehimoutadoughnut，andthisisthepartIwanttogointotheRemerniscences。OnceItoldhimweweresorrythechairsweresoheavy，andhesaidTHEYDIDN’TSEEMSOHEAVYWHENHEHADETTHE
DOUGHNUT。ThisdoesnotmeanthatthedoughnutwasheavierthanthechairswhichiswhatbrotherJohnsaid，butitisabeautifulthoughtandshowshowthehumanraceshouldhavesympathy，andhelpbearburdens。
IknowaboutaBlight，fortherewasadreadfuleastwindoveratourfarmthatdestroyedallthelittleyoungcropsjustoutoftheground，andthefarmerscalledittheBlight。AndIwouldratherbehail，sleet，frost，orsnowthanaBlight，whichismeanandsecret，andwhichisthereasonIthrewawaythedearestthingonearthtome，thepinkparasolthatMissRossbroughtmefromParis，France。Ihavealsowrappedupmybeadpurseinthreepapersandputitawaymarkednottobeopenedtillaftermydeathunlessneededforaparty。
ImustnotbeBurden，ImustnotbeBlight，Theangelsinheavenwouldweepatthesight。