II
ItwasnottillnextmorningthatRebecca’sheartreallybeganitssongofthanksgiving。HerAuntMirandaannouncedatbreakfast，thatasMrs。PerkinswasgoingtoMilliken’sMills，Rebeccamightgotoo，andbuyaserviceablehat。
\"Youmustn’tpayovertwodollarsandahalf，andyoumustn’tgetthepinkbirdwithoutMrs。Perkinssays，andthemillinersays，thatitwon’tfadenormoult。Don’tbuyalight-coloredfeltbecauseyou’llgetsickofitintwoorthreeyearssameasyoudidthebrownone。Ialwayslikedtheshapeofthebrownone，andyou’llnevergetanothertrimmin’that’llwearlikethemquills。\"
\"Ihopenot！\"thoughtRebecca。
\"Ifyouhadputyourelasticunderyourchin，sameasyouusedto，andnotwornitbehindbecauseyouthinkit’smoregrown-upan’fash’onable，thewindnever’da’tookthehatoffyourhead，andyouwouldn’ta’lostit；butthemischief’sdoneandyoucangorightovertoMis’Perkinsnow，soyouwon’tmisshernorkeepherwaitin’。Thetwodollarsandahalfisinanenvelopesideo’
theclock。\"
Rebeccaswallowedthelastspoonfulofpicked-upcodfishonherplate，wipedherlips，androsefromherchairhappierthantheseraphsinParadise。
Theporcupinequillshaddisappearedfromherlife，andwithoutanyfaultorviolenceonherpart。Shewaswhollyinnocentandvirtuous，butneverthelessshewasgoingtohaveanewhatwiththesolferinobreast，shouldtheadoredobjectprove，underrigorousexamination，tobepracticallyindestructible。
\"Whene’erItakemywalksabroad，HowmanyhatsI’llsee；
Butifthey’retrimmedwithhedgehogquillsThey’llnotbelongtome！\"
Sosheimprovised，secretlyandecstatically，asshewenttowardsthesideentry。
\"There’s’BijahFlaggdrivin’in，\"saidMissMiranda，goingtothewindow。\"Stepoutandseewhathe’sgot，Jane；somepasselfromtheSquire，Iguess。It’sapaperbaganditmaybeapunkin，thoughhewouldn’twropupapunkin，cometothinkofit！
Shetthedinin’roomdoor，Jane；it’sturribledrafty。Makehaste，fortheSquire’shossneverstan’sstillaminuteceptwhenhe’sgoin’！\"
AbijahFlaggalightedandapproachedthesidedoorwithagrin。
\"GuesswhatI’vegotforye，Rebecky？\"
NothrobofpropheticsoulwarnedRebeccaofherapproachingdoom。
\"Nodheadapples？\"shesparkled，lookingasbrightandrosyandsatin-skinnedasanappleherself。
\"No；guessagain。\"
\"Afloweringgeranium？\"
\"Guessagain！\"
\"Nuts？Oh！Ican’t，\"Bijah；I’mjustgoingtoMilliken’sMillsonanerrand，andI’mafraidofmissingMrs。Perkins。Showmequick！Isitreallyforme，orforAuntMiranda？
\"Reelyforyou，Iguess！\"andheopenedthelargebrownpaperbaganddrewfromittheremainsofawater-soakedhat！
TheyWEREremains，buttherewasnodoubtoftheirnatureandsubstance。Theyhadclearlybeenahatinthepast，andonecouldevensupposethat，whenresuscitated，theymightagainassumetheiroriginalforminsomenearandhappyfuture。
MissMiranda，fullofcuriosity，joinedthegroupinthesideentryatthisdramaticmoment。
\"Well，Inever！\"sheexclaimed。\"Where，andhowunderthecanopy，didyouever？\"
\"IwasworkingonthedamatUnionFallsyesterday，\"chuckledAbijah，withapleasedglanceateachofthetriointurn，\"an’I
seenthislittlebunnitskippin’overthewaterjestasBeckydoesovertheroad。It’sshapedkindo’likeaboat，an’gorry，efitwa’ntsailin’jestlikeaboat！WherehevIseenthatkindofabristlin’plume？’thinksI。\"
（\"Whereindeed！\"thoughtRebeccastormily。）
\"ThenitcometomethatI’ddrovethatplumetoschoolanddroveittomeetin’anddroveittotheFairan’droveitmosteverywheresonBecky。SoIreachedoutapolean’ketcheditforeitgotinamongstthelogsan’cometoanydamage，an’hereitis！Thehat’spassedinitschecks，Iguess；lookskindasifawetelephanthadsteppedonit；buttheplume’sbout’sgoodasnew！Ireelyfetchedthehatbeckforthesakeo’theplume。\"
\"Itwasrealgoodofyou，’Bijah，an’we’reallofusobligedtoyou，\"saidMiranda，asshepoisedthehatononehandandturneditslowlywiththeother。
\"Well，Idosay，\"sheexclaimed，\"andIguessI’vesaiditbefore，thatofallthewearing’plumesthateverIsee，thatone’sthewearin’est！Seemsthoughitjustwouldn’tgiveup。Lookatthewayit’sheldMis’Cobb’sdye；it’saboutasbrown’swhenitwentint’thewater。\"
\"Dyed，butnotamitedead，\"grinnedAbijah，whowassomewhatcelebratedforhispuns。
\"AndIdeclare，\"Mirandacontinued，\"whenyouthinko’thefusstheymakeaboutostriches，killin’emoffbyhundredsforthesakeo’theirfeathersthat’llstringoutandspoilinonehardrainstorm，——an’allthetimelettin’usefulporcupinesrunroundwiththeirquillson，whyIcan’thardlyunderstandit，withoutmillinershavefoundoutjesthowgoodtheydolast，an’sotheywon’tuseemfortrimmin’。’Bijah’sright；thehatain’tnomoreuse，Rebecca，butyoucanbuyyouanotherthismornin’——anycolororshapeyoufancy——an’haveMissMortonsewthesebrownquillsontoitwithsomekindofabuckleorabow，jesttohidetheroots。Thenyou’llbefixedforanotherseason，thanksto’Bijah。\"
UncleJerryandAuntSarahCobbweremadeacquaintedbeforeverylongwiththepartthatdestiny，orAbijahFlagg，hadplayedinRebecca’saffairs，for，accompaniedbytheteacher，shewalkedtotheoldstagedriver’sthatsameafternoon。Takingoffhernewhatwiththevenerabletrimming，shelaiditsomewhatostentatiouslyupsidedownonthekitchentableandlefttheroom，dimplingalittlemorethanusual。
UncleJerryrosefromhisseat，and，crossingtheroom，lookedcuriouslyintothehatandfoundthatacircularpaperliningwasneatlypinnedinthecrown，andthatitboretheselines，whichwerereadaloudwithgreateffectbyMissDearborn，andwithherapprovalwerecopiedintheThoughtBookforthebenefitofposterity：
\"Itwasthebristlingporcupine，Ashestoodonhisnativeheath，Hesaid，I’llpluckmesomeimmortellesAndmakemeupawreath。
Fortho’ImaynotlivemyselfTomorethanahundredandten，Myquillswilllasttillcrackofdoom，Andmaybeafterthen。TheycanbecoloredblueorgreenOrorange，brown，orred，ButoftenastheymaybedyedTheyneverwillbedead。’AndsothebristlingporcupineAshestoodonhisnativeheath，Said，I
thinkI’llpluckmesomeimmmortellesAndmakemeupawreath。’
R。R。R。\"
FifthChronicleTHESAVINGOFTHECOLORS
I
EvenwhenRebeccahadleftschool，havingattainedthegreatageofseventeenandthereforeabletolookbackoverapastincrediblylongandfull，shestillreckonedtimenotbyyears，butbycertainimportantoccurrences。
Therewastheyearherfatherdied；theyearsheleftSunnybrookFarmtocometoherauntsinRiverboro；theyearSisterHannahbecameengaged；theyearlittleMiradied；theyearAbijahFlaggceasedtobeSquireBean’schore-boy，andastoundedRiverborobydepartingforLimerickAcademyinsearchofaneducation；andfinallytheyearofhergraduation，which，tothemindofseventeen，seemsrathertheculminationthanthebeginningofexistence。
Betweentheseepoch-makingeventscertainotherhappeningsstoodoutinboldreliefagainstthegrayofdulldailylife。
Therewasthedayshefirstmetherfriendoffriends，\"Mr。
Aladdin，\"andthelater，evenmoreradiantonewhenhegaveherthecoralnecklace。TherewasthedaytheSimpsonfamilymovedawayfromRiverborounderacloud，andshekissedClaraBelleferventlyatthecross-roads，tellingherthatshewouldalwaysbefaithful。TherewasthevisitoftheSyrianmissionariestothebrickhouse。Thatwasabright，romanticmemory，asstrangeandbrilliantasthewonderfullittlebirds’wingsandbreaststhatthestrangersbroughtfromtheFarEast。Sherememberedthemomenttheyaskedhertochoosesomeforherself，andtherapturewithwhichshestrokedthebeautifulthingsastheylayontheblackhairclothsofa。Thentherewasthecomingofthenewminister，forthoughmanyweretriedonlyonewaschosen；andfinallytherewastheflag-raising，afestivitythatthrilledRiverboroandEdgewoodsocietyfromcentretocircumference，afestivitythattookplacejustbeforesheenteredtheFemaleSeminaryatWarehamandsaidgood-bytokindMissDearbornandthevillageschool。
Theremusthavebeenotherflag-raisingsinhistory，——eventhepersonsmostinterestedinthisparticularonewouldgrudginglyhaveallowedthatmuch，——butitwouldhaveseemedtothemimprobablethatanysuchflag-raisingastheirs，eitherinmagnitudeofconceptionorbrilliancyofactualperformance，couldtwiceglorifythesamecentury。Ofsomepageantsitistacitlyadmittedthattherecanbenoduplicates，andtheflag-raisingatRiverboroCentrewasoneofthese；sothatitissmallwonderifRebeccachoseitasoneoftheimportantdatesinherpersonalalmanac。
Thenewminister’swifewasthebeing，underProvidence，whohadconceivedthegerminalideaoftheflag。
Atthistimetheparishhadalmostsettleddowntothetremblingbeliefthattheywereunitedonapastor。Intheearliertimeaministerwaschosenforlife，andifhehadfaults，whichwasaprobablyenoughcontingency，andifhiscongregationhadany，whichiswithintheboundsofpossibility，eachborewiththeother（notquitewithoutfriction），asold-fashionedhusbandsandwivesoncedid，beforetheeasywayoutofthedifficultywasdiscovered，oratleastbeforeitwaspopularized。
Thefaithfuloldparsonhaddiedafterthirtyyears’preaching，andperhapsthenewermethodshadbeguntocreepin，foritseemedimpossibletosuitthetwocommunitiesmostinterestedinthechoice。
TheRev。Mr。Davis，forexample，wasaspiritedpreacher，butpersistedinkeepingtwohorsesintheparsonagestable，andinexchangingthemwheneverhecouldgetfasterones。Asaparochialvisitorhewasincomparable，dashingfromhousetohousewithsuchspeedthathecouldcovertheparishinasingleafternoon。
Thissportingtendency，whichwouldneverhavebeenremarkedinaBritishparson，wasfrowneduponinaNewEnglandvillage，andDeaconMillikentoldMr。Davis，whengivinghimwhathealludedtoashis\"walkingpapers，\"thattheydidn’twanttheEdgewoodchurchrunbyhosspower！
ThenextcandidatepleasedEdgewood，wheremorningpreachingwasheld，buttheotherparish，whichhadafternoonservice，declinedtoaccepthimbecauseheworeawig——anill-matched，crookedlyappliedwig。
Numberthreewaseloquentbutgiventogesticulation，andMrs。
JereBurbank，thepresidentoftheDorcasSociety，whosatinafrontpew，saidshecouldn’tbeartoseeapreacherscrambleroundthepulpithotSundays。
Numberfour，agenial，handsomeman，giftedinprayer，wasfoundtobeaDemocrat。ThecongregationwasoverwhelminglyRepublicaninitspolitics，andperceivedsomethingludicrous，ifnotpositivelyblasphemous，inaDemocratpreachingthegospel。
（\"AnaniasandBeelzebub’llbecandidatin’here，firstthingweknow！\"exclaimedtheoutragedRepublicannomineefordistrictattorney。）
Numberfivehadafeeble-mindedchild，whichthehiringcommitteeprophesied，wouldalwaysbestandingintheparsonagefrontyard，makingtalkfortheotherdenominations。
NumbersixwastheRev。JudsonBaxter，thepresentincumbent；andhewasvotedtobeasnearperfectionasaministercanbeinthisfiniteworld。Hisyoungwifehadasmallincomeofherown，adistinctandunusualadvantage，andthesubscriptioncommitteehopedthattheymightnotbeeternallydrivingoverthecountrytogetsomebody’sfiftycentsthathadbeenover-dueforeightmonths，butmighttaketheironerousdutiesalittlemoreeasily。
\"Itdoesseemasifourministerswerethepoorestlot！\"
complainedMrs。Robinson。\"Iftheirsalaryistwomonthsbehindhandtheybegintobenervous！Seemsasthoughtheymightlayupalittlebeforetheycomehere，andnotlivefromhandtomouthso！TheBaxtersseemquitedifferent，andIonlyhopetheywon’tgetwastefulandrunintodebt。Theysayshekeepstheparlorblindsopenbouthalfthetime，andtheroomislitupsooftenevenin’sthattheneighborsthinkherandMr。Baxtermustsetinthere。Itdon’tseemhardlyasifitcouldbeso，butMrs。
Buzzellsaystis，andshesayswemightaswellsaygood-bytotheparlorcarpet，whichischurchproperty，fortheBaxtersarelivingalloverit！\"
Thiscriticismwastheonlydiscordantnoteinthechorusofpraise，andthepeoplegraduallygrewaccustomedtotheopenblindsandtheoverusedparlorcarpet，whichwasjustcompletingitstwenty-fifthyearofhonestservice。
Mrs。BaxtercommunicatedherpatrioticideaofanewflagtotheDorcasSociety，proposingthatthewomenshouldcutandmakeitthemselves。
\"Itmaynotbequiteasgoodasthosemanufacturedinthelargecities，\"shesaid，\"butweshallbeproudtoseeourhome-madeflagflyinginthebreeze，anditwillmeanallthemoretotheyoungvotersgrowingup，torememberthattheirmothersmadeitwiththeirownhands。\"
\"Howwoulditdotoletsomeofthegirlshelp？\"modestlyaskedMissDearborn，theRiverboroteacher。\"Wemightchoosethebestsewersandletthemputinatleastafewstitches，sothattheycanfeeltheyhaveashareinit。\"
\"Justthething！\"exclaimedMrs。Baxter。\"Wecancutthestripesandsewthemtogether，andafterwehavebastedonthewhitestarsthegirlscanapplythemtotheblueground。Wemusthaveitreadyforthecampaignrally，andwecouldn’tchristenitatabettertimethaninthispresidentialyear。\"
II
Inthiswaythegreatenterprisewasstarted，anddaybydaythepreparationswentforwardinthetwovillages。
Theboys，asfuturevotersandfighters，demandedanactiveshareintheproceedings，andwereorganizedbySquireBeanintoafifeanddrumcorps，sothatbydayandnightmartialbutmostinharmoniousmusicwoketheechoes，anddeafenedmothersfelttheirpatriotismoozingoutatthesolesoftheirshoes。
DickCarterwasmadecaptain，forhisgrandfatherhadagoldmedalgivenhimbyQueenVictoriaforrescuingthreehundredandtwenty-sixpassengersfromasinkingBritishvessel。RiverborothoughtithightimetopaysomegracefultributetoGreatBritaininreturnforherhandsomeconducttoCaptainNahumCarter，andhumanimaginationcouldcontrivenothingmoreimpressivethanavicariousshareintheflagraising。
LivingPerkinstriedtobehappyintheranks，forhewasofferednoofficialposition，principally，Mrs。Smellieobserved，because\"hisfather’swarrecordwa’ntclean。\"\"Oh，yes！JimPerkinswenttothewar，\"shecontinued。\"Hehidoutbehindthehencoopwhentheywasdraftin’，buttheyfoundhimandtookhimalong。Hegotintoonebattle，too，somehowornother，butherunawayfromit。
Hewasallerscautious，Jimwas；ifheeverseetroubleofanykindcomin’towardshim，hewasouto’sightforeitgotachancetolight。Hesaideightdollarsamonth，withoutbounty，wouldn’tpayHIMtostopbulletsfor。Hewouldn’tfightaskeeter，Jimwouldn’t，butland！weain’ttowarallthetime，andhe’sagoodneighborandagoodblacksmith。\"
MissDearbornwastobeColumbiaandtheoldergirlsofthetwoschoolsweretobetheStates。Suchtradeinmuslinsandred，white，andblueribbonshadneverbeenknownsince\"Watsonkep’
store，\"andthenumberofbriefwhitepetticoatshangingouttobleachwouldhavecausedthepassingstrangertoimagineRiverboroacontinualdancingschool。
Juvenilevirtue，bothmaleandfemale，reachedanalmostimpossibleheight，forparentshadonlytoliftafingerandsay，\"youshan’tgototheflagraising！\"andtherefractoryspiritatoncearmeditselffornewstrugglestowardtheperfectlife。
Mr。JeremiahCobbhadconsentedtoimpersonateUncleSam，andwastodriveColumbiaandtheStatestothe\"raising\"onthetopofhisownstage。Meantimetheboysweredrilling，theladieswerecuttingandbastingandstitching，andthegirlsweresewingonstars；forthestarrypartofthespangledbannerwastoremainwitheachoftheminturnuntilshehadperformedhershareofthework。
Itwasfeltbyoneandallafineandsplendidserviceindeedtohelpinthemakingoftheflag，andifRebeccawasproudtobeofthechosenones，sowasherAuntJaneSawyer，whohadtaughtherallherdelicatestitches。
Onalong-looked-forafternooninAugusttheminister’swifedroveuptothebrickhousedoor，andhandedoutthegreatpieceofbuntingtoRebecca，whoreceiveditinherarmswithasmuchsolemnityasifithadbeenachildawaitingbaptismalrites。
\"I’msoglad！\"shesighedhappily。\"Ithoughtitwouldnevercomemyturn！\"
\"Youshouldhavehaditaweekago，butHuldahMeserveupsettheinkbottleoverherstar，andwehadtobasteonanotherone。Youarethelast，though，andthenweshallsewthestarsandstripestogether，andSethStroutwillgetthetopreadyforhanging。
Justthink，itwon’tbemanydaysbeforeyouchildrenwillbepullingtheropewithallyourstrength，thebandwillbeplaying，themenwillbecheering，andthenewflagwillgohigherandhigher，tillthered，white，andblueshowsagainstthesky！\"
Rebecca’seyesfairlyblazed。\"ShallIfellon’mystar，orbuttonholeit？\"sheasked。
\"Lookatalltheothersandmakethemostbeautifulstitchesyoucan，that’sall。Itisyourstar，youknow，andyoucanevenimagineitisyourstate，andtryandhaveitthebestofall。Ifeverybodyelseistryingtodothesamethingwithherstate，thatwillmakeagreatcountry，won’tit？\"
Rebecca’seyesspokegladconfirmationoftheidea。\"Mystar，mystate！\"sherepeatedjoyously。\"Oh，Mrs。Baxter，I’llmakesuchfinestitchesyou’llthinkthewhitegrewoutoftheblue！\"
Thenewminister’swifelookedpleasedtoseehersparkkindleaflameintheyoungheart。\"Youcansewsomuchofyourselfintoyourstar，\"shewentoninthegladvoicethatmadehersowinsome，\"thatwhenyouareanoldladyyoucanputonyourspecsandfinditamongalltheothers。Good-by！ComeuptotheparsonageSaturdayafternoon；Mr。Baxterwantstoseeyou。\"
\"Judson，helpthatdearlittlegeniusofaRebeccaallyoucan！\"
shesaidthatnight，whentheywerecosilytalkingintheirparlorandliving\"allover\"theparishcarpet。\"Idon’tknowwhatshemay，ormaynot，cometo，someday；Ionlywishshewereours！Ifyoucouldhaveseenherclasptheflagtightinherarmsandputhercheekagainstit，andwatchedthetearsoffeelingstartinhereyeswhenItoldherthatherstarwasherstate！I
keptwhisperingtomyself，Covetnotthyneighbor’schild！’\"
Dailyatfouro’clockRebeccascrubbedherhandsalmosttothebone，brushedherhair，andotherwisepreparedherselfinbody，mind，andspiritfortheconsecratedlaborofsewingonherstar。
Allthetimethatherneedlecautiously，conscientiouslyformedthetinystitchesshewasmakingrhymes\"inherhead，\"herfavoriteachievementbeingthis：
\"Yourstar，mystar，allourstarstogether，TheymakethedearoldbannerproudTofloatinthebrightfallweather。\"
TherewasmuchdiscussionastowhichofthegirlsshouldimpersonatetheStateofMaine，forthatwasfelttobethehighesthonorinthegiftofthecommittee。
AliceRobinsonwastheprettiestchildinthevillage，butshewasveryshyandbynomeansageneralfavorite。
MinnieSmelliepossessedthehandsomestdressandapairofwhiteslippersandopen-workstockingsthatnearlycarriedtheday。
Still，asMissDeliaWeekswellsaid，shewassostupidthatifsheshouldsuckherthumbintheverymiddleoftheexercisesnobody’dbeaditesurprised！
HuldahMeservewasnextvotedupon，andthefactthatifshewerenotchosenherfathermightwithdrawhissubscriptiontothebrassbandfundwasamatterforgraveconsideration。
\"Ikindo’hatetohavesuchagigglerfortheStateofMaine；
letherbetheGoddessofLiberty，\"proposedMrs。Burbank，whosepatriotismwasmorelocalthannational。
\"HowwouldRebeccaRandalldoforMaine，andletherspeaksomeofherverses？\"suggestedthenewminister’swife，who，couldshehavehadherway，wouldhavegivenalltheprominentpartstoRebecca，fromUncleSamdown。
So，beauty，fashion，andwealthhavingbeentriedandfoundwanting，thecommitteediscussedtheclaimsoftalent，andittranspiredthattotheawe-strickenRebeccafellthechiefpluminthepudding。Itwasatributetohergiftsthattherewasnojealousyorenvyamongtheothergirls；theyreadilyconcededherspecialfitnessfortherole。
Herlifehadnotbeenpresseddownfulltothebrimofpleasures，andshehadasortofdistrustofjoyinthebud。Notuntilshesawitinfullradianceofbloomdidshedareembraceit。ShehadneverreadanyversebutByron，FeliciaHemans，bitsof\"ParadiseLost，\"andtheselectionsintheschoolreaders，butshewouldhaveagreedheartilywiththepoetwhosaid：
\"NotbyappointmentdowemeetdelightAndjoy；theyheednotourexpectancy；ButroundsomecornerinthestreetsoflifeTheyonasuddenclaspuswithasmile。\"
Formanynightsbeforetheraising，whenshewenttoherbedshesaidtoherself，aftershehadfinishedherprayers：\"Itcan’tbetruethatI’mchosenfortheStateofMaine！ItjustCAN’Tbetrue！NobodycouldbegoodENOUGH，butoh，I’lltrytobeasgoodasIcan！TobegoingtoWarehamSeminarynextweekandtobetheStateofMainetoo！Oh！ImustprayHARDtoGodtokeepmemeekandhumble！\"
III
TheflagwastoberaisedonaTuesday，andonthepreviousSundayitbecameknowntothechildrenthatClaraBelleSimpsonwascomingbackfromAcreville，comingtolivewithMrs。Foggandtakecareofthebaby，calledbytheneighborhoodboys\"theFogghorn，\"onaccountofhisexcellentvoiceproduction。
ClaraBellewasoneofMissDearborn’soriginalflock，andifshewereleftwhollyoutofthefestivitiesshewouldbetheonlygirlofsuitableagetobethusslighted；itseemedcleartothejuvenilemind，therefore，thatneithershenorherdescendantswouldeverrecoverfromsuchablow。But，underallthecircumstances，wouldshebeallowedtojoinintheprocession？
EvenRebecca，theoptimistic，fearednot，andthecommitteeconfirmedherfearsbysayingthatAbnerSimpson’sdaughtercertainlycouldnottakeanyprominentpartintheceremony，buttheyhopedthatMrs。Foggwouldallowhertowitnessit。
WhenAbnerSimpson，urgedbythetownauthorities，tookhiswifeandsevenchildrenawayfromRiverborotoAcreville，justovertheborderinthenextcounty，Riverborowenttobedleavingitsbarnandsheddoorsunfastened，anddrewlongbreathsofgratitudetoProvidence。
Ofmostwinningdispositionandgenialmanners，Mr。Simpsonhadnotthatinstinctivecomprehensionofpropertyrightswhichrendersamanavaluablecitizen。
SquireBeanwashisnearestneighbor，andheconceivedthenovelideaofpayingSimpsonfivedollarsayearnottostealfromhim，amethodoccasionallyusedintheHighlandsintheearlydays。
Thebargainwasstruck，andadheredtoreligiouslyforatwelve-month，butonthesecondofJanuaryMr。Simpsonannouncedtheverbalcontractasformallybroken。
\"Ididn’tknowwhatIwasdoin’whenImadeit，Squire，\"heurged。\"Inthefirstplace，it’sasluronmyreputationandaninjurytomyself-respect。Secondly，it’sanervousstrainonme；
andthirdly，fivedollarsdon’tpayme！\"
SquireBeanwassostruckwiththeuniqueandconvincingnatureoftheseargumentsthathecouldscarcelyrestrainhisadmiration，andheconfessedtohimselfafterward，thatunlessSimpson’smentalattitudecouldbechangedhewasperhapsafittersubjectformedicalsciencethanthestateprison。
Abnerwasamostunusualthief，andconductedhisoperationswithatactandneighborlyconsiderationnonetoocommonintheprofession。Hewouldneverstealaman’sscytheinhaying-time，norhisfurlap-robeinthecoldestofthewinter。Thepickingofalockofferednoattractionstohim；\"hewa’n’tnoburglar，\"hewouldhavescornfullyasserted。Astrangehorseandwagonhitchedbytheroadsidewasthemostflagrantofhisthefts；butitwasthesmallthings——thehatchetoraxeonthechopping-block，thetinpanssunningatthesidedoor，astraygarmentbleachingonthegrass，ahoe，rake，shovel，orabagofearlypotatoes，thattemptedhimmostsorely；andtheseappealedtohimnotsomuchfortheirintrinsicvalueasbecausetheyweresoexcellentlyadaptedtoswapping。Theswappingwasreallytheenjoyablepartoftheprocedure，thetheftwasonlyasadbutnecessarypreliminary；forifAbnerhimselfhadbeenamanofsufficientpropertytocarryonhisbusinessoperationsindependently，itisdoubtfulifhewouldhavehelpedhimselfsofreelytohisneighbor’sgoods。
RiverbororegrettedthelossofMrs。Simpson，whowasusefulinscrubbing，cleaning，andwashing，andwasthoughttoexercisesomeinfluenceoverherpredatoryspouse。Therewasastoryoftheirearlymarriedlife，whentheyhadafarm；astorytotheeffectthatMrs。SimpsonalwaysrodeoneveryloadofhaythatherhusbandtooktoMilltown，withtheviewofkeepinghimsoberthroughtheday。Afterheturnedoutofthecountryroadandapproachedthemetropolis，itwassaidthatheusedtoburythedocileladyintheload。Hewouldthendriveontothescales，havetheweightofthehayenteredinthebuyer’sbook，takehishorsestothestableforfeedandwater，andwhenafavorableopportunityofferedhewouldassistthehotandpantingMrs。
Simpsonoutofthesideorbackoftherack，andgallantlybrushthestrawfromherperson。ForthisreasonitwasalwaysassertedthatAbnerSimpsonsoldhiswifeeverytimehewenttoMilltown，butthestorywasneverfullysubstantiated，andatalleventsitwastheonlysuspectedblotonmeekMrs。Simpson’spersonalreputation。
AsfortheSimpsonchildren，theyweremissedchieflyasfamiliarfiguresbytheroadside；butRebeccahonestlylovedClaraBelle，notwithstandingherAuntMiranda’soppositiontotheintimacy。
Rebecca’s\"tasteforlowcompany\"wasasourceofcontinualanxietytoheraunt。
\"Anythingthat’shumanfleshisgoodenoughforher！\"MirandagroanedtoJane。\"She’llridewiththerag-sack-and-bottlepeddlerjustasquickasshewouldwiththeminister；shealwayssetsbesidetheSt。Vitus’danceyoungoneatSabbathschool；andshe’sforeverriggin’andonriggin’thatdirtySimpsonbaby！Sheremindsmeofapuppythat’llalwaysgotoeverybodythat’llhavehim！\"
ItwasthoughtverycreditabletoMrs。FoggthatshesentforClaraBelletolivewithherandgotoschoolpartoftheyear。
\"She’llbeuseful\"saidMrs。Fogg，\"andshe’llbeoutofherfather’sway，andsokeephonest；thoughshe’snoawfulhomblyI’venofearsforher。Agirlwithherredhair，freckles，andcross-eyescan’tfallintonokindofsin，Idon’tbelieve。\"
Mrs。FoggrequestedthatClaraBelleshouldbestartedonherjourneyfromAcrevillebytrainandcometherestofthewaybystage，andshewasdisturbedtoreceivewordonSundaythatMr。
Simpsonhadborroweda\"goodroader\"fromanewacquaintance，andwouldhimselfdrivethegirlfromAcrevilletoRiverboro，adistanceofthirty-fivemiles。Thathewouldarriveintheirvicinityontheverynightbeforetheflag-raisingwasthoughtbyRiverborotobeapublicmisfortune，andseveralresidentshastilydeterminedtodenythemselvesasightofthefestivitiesandremainwatchfullyontheirownpremises。
OnMondayafternoonthechildrenwererehearsingtheirsongsatthemeeting-house。AsRebeccacameoutonthebroadwoodenstepsshewatchedMrs。PeterMeserve’sbuggyoutofsight，forinfront，wrappedinacottonsheet，laythepreviousflag。Afterafewchatteringgood-bysandweatherprophecieswiththeothergirls，shestartedonherhomewardwalk，droppinginattheparsonagetoreadherversestotheminister。
Hewelcomedhergladlyassheremovedherwhitecottongloves（hastilyslippedonoutsidethedoor，forceremony）andpushedbackthefunnyhatwiththeyellowandblackporcupinequills——
thehatwithwhichshemadeherfirstappearanceinRiverborosociety。
\"You’veheardthebeginning，Mr。Baxter；nowwillyoupleasetellmeifyoulikethelastverse？\"sheasked，takingoutherpaper。
\"I’veonlyreadittoAliceRobinson，andIthinkperhapsshecanneverbeapoet，thoughshe’sasplendidwriter。Lastyearwhenshewastwelveshewroteabirthdaypoemtoherself，andshemadenatal’rhymewithMilton，。’which，ofcourse，itwouldn’t。I
remembereveryverseended：
’ThisismydaysonatalAndIwillfollowMilton。’
Anotheroneofherswaswrittenjustbecauseshecouldn’thelpit，shesaid。Thiswasit：
’Letmetothehillsaway，Givemepenandpaper；
I’llwriteuntiltheearthwillswayThestoryofmyMaker。’\"
Theministercouldscarcelyrefrainfromsmiling，buthecontrolledhimselfthathemightlosenoneofRebecca’squaintobservations。Whenshewasperfectlyatease，unwatchedanduncriticised，shewasamarvelouscompanion。
\"ThenameofthepoemisgoingtobeMyStar，’\"shecontinued，\"andMrs。Baxtergavemealltheideas，butsomehowthere’sakindofmagicnesswhentheygetintopoetry，don’tyouthinkso？\"
（Rebeccaalwaystalkedtogrownpeopleasifsheweretheirage，or，amoresubtleandtruerdistinction，asiftheywerehers。）
\"Ithasoftenbeensoremarked，indifferentwords，\"agreedtheminister。
\"Mrs。Baxtersaidthateachstarwasastate，andifeachstatediditsbestweshouldhaveasplendidcountry。ThenonceshesaidthatweoughttobegladthewarisoverandtheStatesareallatpeacetogether；andIthoughtColumbiamustbeglad，too，forMissDearbornsaysshe’sthemotherofalltheStates。SoI’mgoingtohaveitendlikethis：Ididn’twriteit，IjustseweditwhileIwasworkingonmystar：
Forit’syourstar，mystar，allthestarstogether，Thatmakeourcountry’sflagsoproudTofloatinthebrightfallweather。
Northernstars，Southernstars，starsoftheEastandWest，SidebysidetheylieatpeaceOnthedearflag’smother-breast。\"
\"’Oh！manyarethepoetsthataresownbynature，’\"thoughttheminister，quotingWordsworthtohimself。\"AndIwonderwhatbecomesofthem！That’saprettyidea，littleRebecca，andI
don’tknowwhetheryouormywifeoughttohavethemorepraise。
Whatmadeyouthinkofthestarslyingontheflag’smother-breast’？Wheredidyougetthatword？\"
\"Why\"（andtheyoungpoetlookedratherpuzzled），\"that’sthewayitis；theflagisthewholecountry——themother——andthestarsarethestates。Thestarshadtoliesomewhere：’LAP’nor’ARMS’
wouldn’tsoundwellwithWest，’so，ofcourse，Isaid’BREAST，’\"
Rebeccaanswered，withsomesurpriseatthequestion；andtheministerputhishandunderherchinandkissedhersoftlyontheforeheadwhenhesaidgood-byatthedoor。
IV
Rebeccawalkedrapidlyalonginthegatheringtwilight，thinkingoftheeventfulmorrow。
AssheapproachedtheturningontheleftcalledtheoldMilltownroad，shesawawhitehorseandwagon，drivenbyamanwitharakish，flapping，Panamahat，comerapidlyaroundtheturnanddisappearoverthelonghillsleadingdowntothefalls。Therewasnomistakinghim；thereneverwasanotherAbnerSimpson，withhisleanheight，hisbushyreddishhair，thegaycockofhishat，andthelongpiratical，upturnedmustaches，whichtheboysusedtosaywereusedashat-racksbytheSimpsonchildrenatnight……
TheoldMilltownroadranpastMrs。Fogg’shouse，sohemusthaveleftClaraBellethere，andRebecca’sheartglowedtothinkthatherpoorlittlefriendneednotmisstheraising。
Shebegantorunnow，fearfulofbeinglateforsupper，andcoveredthegroundtothefallsinabrieftime。AsshecrossedthebridgesheagainsawAbnerSimpson’steam，drawnupatthewateringtrough。
Comingalittlenearer，withtheviewofinquiringforthefamily，herquickeyecaughtsightofsomethingunexpected。A
gustofwindblewupacornerofalinenlap-robeinthebackofthewagon，andunderneathitshedistinctlysawthewhite-sheetedbundlethatheldtheflag；thebundlewithatiny，tinyspotofredbuntingpeepingoutatonecorner。Itistrueshehadeaten，slept，dreamedred，white，andblueforweeks，buttherewasnomistakingtheevidenceofhersenses；theidolizedflag，longedfor，workedfor，sewedfor，thatflagwasinthebackofAbnerSimpson’swagon，andifso，whatwouldbecomeoftheraising？
Actingonblindimpulse，sherantowardthewatering-trough，callingoutinhercleartreble：\"Mr。Simpson！Oh，Mr。Simpson，willyouletmerideapiecewithyouandhearallaboutClaraBelle？I’mgoingpartwayovertotheCentreonanerrand。\"（Soshewas；amostimportanterrand，——torecovertheflagofhercountryatpresentinthehandsofthefoe！）
Mr。Simpsonturnedroundinhisseatandcriedheartily，\"CertainsureIwill！\"forhelikedthefairsex，youngandold，andRebeccahadalwaysbeenaprimefavoritewithhim。\"Climbrightin！How’severybody？Gladtoseeye！Thefolkstalkboutyefromsun-uptosun-down，andClaraBellecan’thardlywaitforasightofye！\"
Rebeccascrambledup，tremblingandpalewithexcitement。Shedidnotintheleastknowwhatwasgoingtohappen，butshewassurethattheflag，whenintheenemy’scountry，mustbeatleastalittlesaferwiththeStateofMainesittingontopofit！
Mr。SimpsonbeganalongmonologueaboutAcreville，thehousehelivedin，thepondinfrontofit，Mrs。Simpson’shealth，andvariousitemsofnewsaboutthechildren，variedbyreportsofhispersonalmisfortunes。Heputnoquestions，andaskednoreplies，sothisgavetheinexperiencedsoldierafewsecondstoplanacampaign。Therewerethreehousestopass；theBrowns’atthecorner，theMillikens’，andtheRobinsons’onthebrowofthehill。IfMr。RobinsonwereinthefrontyardshemighttellMr。
SimpsonshewantedtocallthereandaskMr。Robinsontoholdthehorse’sheadwhileshegotoutofthewagon。ThenshemightflytothebackbeforeMr。Simpsoncouldrealizethesituation，anddraggingoutthepreciousbundle，sitonithard，whileMr。
RobinsonsettledthematterofownershipwithMr。Simpson。
Thiswasfeasible，butitmeantaquarrelbetweenthetwomen，whoheldanancientgrudgeagainsteachother，andMr。Simpsonwasavaliantfighterasthevarioussheriffswhohadattemptedtoarresthimcouldcordiallytestify。ItalsomeantthateverybodyinthevillagewouldhearoftheincidentandpoorClaraBellebebrandedagainasthechildofathief。
Anotherideadancedintoherexcitedbrain；suchacleveroneshecouldhardlybelieveithers。ShemightcallMr。Robinsontothewagon，andwhenhecameclosetothewheelsshemightsay，\"allofasudden\"：\"Pleasetaketheflagoutofthebackofthewagon，Mr。Robinson。Wehavebroughtithereforyoutokeepovernight。\"
Mr。Simpsonmightbesosurprisedthathewouldgiveuphisprizeratherthanbesuspectedofstealing。
ButastheynearedtheRobinsons’housetherewasnotasignoflifetobeseen；sothelastplan，ingeniousthoughitwas，wasperforceabandoned。
Theroadnowlaybetweenthickpinewoodswithnodwellinginsight。ItwasgrowingduskandRebeccawasdrivingalongthelonelywaywithapersonwhowasgenerallycalledSlipperySimpson。
Notathoughtoffearcrossedhermind，savethefearofbunglinginherdiplomacy，andsolosingtheflag。SheknewMr。Simpsonwell，andapleasantermanwasseldomtobemet。SherecalledanafternoonwhenhecamehomeandsurprisedthewholeschoolplayingtheRevolutionaryWarinhishelter-skelterdooryard，andthewayinwhichhehadjoinedtheBritishforcesandimpersonatedGeneralBurgoynehadgreatlyendearedhimtoher。
Theonlydifficultywastofindproperwordsforherdelicatemission，for，ofcourse，ifMr。Simpson’sangerwerearoused，hewouldpolitelypushheroutofthewagonanddriveawaywiththeflag。Perhapsifsheledtheconversationintherightdirectionanopportunitywouldpresentitself。ShewellrememberedhowEmmaJanePerkinshadfailedtoconvertJacobMoody，simplybecauseshefailedto\"leadup\"tothedelicatequestionofhismanneroflife。Clearingherthroatnervously，shebegan：\"Isitlikelytobefairtomorrow？\"
\"Guessso；clearasabell。What’sonfoot；apicnic？\"
\"No；we’retohaveagrandflag-raising！\"（\"Thatis，\"shethought，\"ifwehaveanyflagtoraise！\"）
\"Thatso？Where？\"
\"Thethreevillagesaretoclubtogetherandhavearally，andraisetheflagattheCentre。There’llbeabrassband，andspeakers，andtheMayorofPortland，andthemanthatwillbegovernorifhe’selected，andadinnerintheGrangeHall，andwegirlsarechosentoraisetheflag。\"
\"Iwanttoknow！That’llbegrand，won’tit？\"（StillnotasignofconsciousnessonthepartofAbner。）
\"IhopeMrs。FoggwilltakeClaraBelle，foritwillbesplendidtolookat！Mr。CobbisgoingtobeUncleSamanddriveusonthestage。MissDearborn——ClaraBelle’soldteacher，youknow——isgoingtobeColumbia；thegirlswillbetheStatesoftheUnion，andoh，Mr。Simpson，IamtheonetobetheStateofMaine！\"
（Thiswasnotaltogethertothepoint，butapieceofinformationimpossibletoconceal。）
Mr。Simpsonflourishedthewhipstockandgavealoud，heartylaugh。ThenheturnedinhisseatandregardedRebeccacuriously。
\"You’rekindofsmall，hain’tye，forsobigastateasthisone？\"heasked。
\"Anyofuswouldbetoosmall，\"repliedRebeccawithdignity，\"butthecommitteeaskedme，andIamgoingtotryhardtodowell。\"
Thetragicthoughtthattheremightbenooccasionforanybodytodoanything，wellorill，suddenlyovercameherhere，andputtingherhandonMr。Simpson’ssleeve，sheattackedthesubjectpracticallyandcourageously。
\"Oh，Mr。Simpson，dearMr。Simpson，it’ssuchamortifyingsubjectIcan’tbeartosayanythingaboutit，butpleasegiveusbackourflag！Don’t，DON’TtakeitovertoAcreville，Mr。
Simpson！We’veworkedsolongtomakeit，anditwassohardgettingthemoneyforthebunting！Waitaminute，please；don’tbeangry，anddon’tsaynojustyet，tillIexplainmore。It’llbesodreadfulforeverybodytogettheretomorrowmorningandfindnoflagtoraise，andthebandandthemayoralldisappointed，andthechildrencrying，withtheirmuslindressesallboughtfornothing！OdearMr。Simpson，pleasedon’ttakeourflagawayfromus！\"
TheapparentlyastonishedAbnerpulledhismustachesandexclaimed：\"ButIdon’tknowwhatyou’redrivin’at！Who’sgotyerflag？Ihain’t！\"
Couldduplicity，deceit，andinfamygoanyfurther，Rebeccawondered，andhersoulfillingwithrighteouswrath，shecastdiscretiontothewindsandspokealittlemoreplainly，bendinghergreatswimmingeyesonthenowembarrassedAbner，wholookedlikeanangle-worm，wrigglingonapin。
\"Mr。Simpson，howcanyousaythat，whenIsawtheflaginthebackofyourwagonmyself，whenyoustoppedtowaterthehorse？
It’swickedofyoutotakeit，andIcannotbearit！\"（Hervoicebrokenow，foradoubtofMr。Simpson’syieldingsuddenlydarkenedhermind。）\"Ifyoukeepit，you’llhavetokeepme，forIwon’tbepartedfromit！Ican’tfightliketheboys，butIcanpinchandscratch，andIWILLscratch，justlikeapanther——I’lllierightdownonmystarandnotmove，ifIstarvetodeath！\"
\"Lookhere，holdyourhossesn’don’tcrytillyougitsomethingtocryfor！\"grumbledtheoutragedAbner，towhomacluehadjustcome；andleaningoverthewagon-backhecaughtholdofacornerofwhitesheetanddraggedupthebundle，scoopingoffRebecca’shatintheprocess，andalmostburyingherinbunting。
Shecaughtthetreasurepassionatelytoherheartandstifledhersobsinit，whileAbnerexclaimed：\"Iswantoman，ifthathain’taflag！Well，inthatcaseyou’regoodn’welcometoit！
Land！Iseenthatbundlelyin’inthemiddleo’theroadandI
saystomyself，that’ssomebody’swashin’andI’dbetterpickitupandleaveitatthepost-officetobeclaimed；n’allthetimeitwasaflag！\"
ThiswasaSimpsonianversionofthematter，thefactbeingthatawhite-coveredbundlelyingontheMeserves’frontstepshadattractedhispracticedeye，andslippinginattheopengatehehadswiftlyanddeftlyremovedittohiswagonongeneralprinciples；thinkingifitwerecleanclothesitwouldbeextremelyuseful，andinanyeventtherewasnogoodinpassingbysomethingflungintoyourveryarms，sotospeak。Hehadhadnoleisuretoexaminethebundle，andindeedtooklittleinterestinit。Probablyhestoleitsimplyfromforceofhabit，andbecausetherewasnothingelseinsighttosteal，everybody’spremisesbeingpreternaturallytidyandempty，almostasifhisvisithadbeenexpected！
Rebeccawasapracticalchild，anditseemedtoheralmostimpossiblethatsoheavyabundleshouldfalloutofMrs。
Meserve’sbuggyandnotbenoticed；butshehopedthatMr。
Simpsonwastellingthetruth，andshewastoogladandgratefultodoubtanyoneatthemoment。
\"Thankyou，thankyoueversomuch，Mr。Simpson。You’rethenicest，kindest，politestmanIeverknew，andthegirlswillbesopleasedyougaveusbacktheflag，andsowilltheDorcasSociety；they’llbesuretowriteyoualetterofthanks；theyalwaysdo。\"
\"Tellemnottobotherboutanythanks，\"saidSimpson，beamingvirtuously。\"Butland！I’mgladtwasmethathappenedtoseethatbundleintheroadandtakethetroubletopickitup。\"
（Jesttothinkofit’sbein’aflag！\"hethought；\"ifevertherewasapesky，wuthlessthingtotradeoff，twouldbeagreat，gormin’flaglikethat！\"）
\"CanIgetoutnow，please？\"askedRebecca。\"Iwanttogoback，forMrs。Meservewillbedreadfullynervouswhenshefindsoutshedroppedtheflag，andshehashearttrouble。\"
\"No，youdon’t，\"objectedMr。Simpsongallantly，turningthehorse。\"DoyouthinkI’dletalittlecreeterlikeyoulugthatgreatheavybundle？Ihain’tgottimetogobacktoMeserve’s，butI’lltakeyoutothecorneranddumpyouthere，flagn’all，andyoucangetsomeo’themen-folkstocarryittheresto’theway。You’llwearitout，huggin’itso！\"
\"IhelpedmakeitandIadoreit！\"saidRebecca，whowasinahigh-pitchedandgrandiloquentmood。\"Whydon’tYOUlikeit？It’syourcountry’sflag。\"
Simpsonsmiledanindulgentsmileandlookedatrifleboredatthesefrequentappealstohisextremelyrustyhigherfeelings。
\"Idon’know’sI’vegotanypartic’larint’restinthecountry，\"
heremarkedlanguidly。\"IknowIdon’towenothin’toit，norownnothin’init！\"
\"Youownastarontheflag，sameaseverybody，\"arguedRebecca，whohadbeenfeedingonpatriotismforamonth；\"andyouownastate，too，likeallofus！\"
\"Land！Iwish’tIdid！orevenaquartersection！\"sighedMr。
Simpson，feelingsomehowalittlemorepoverty-strickenanddiscouragedthanusual。
Astheyapproachedthecornerandthewatering-troughwherefourcross-roadsmet，thewholeneighborhoodseemedtobeinevidence，andMr。SimpsonsuddenlyregrettedhischivalrousescortofRebecca；especiallywhen，ashenearedthegroup，anexcitedlady，wringingherhands，turnedouttobeMrs。PeterMeserve，accompaniedbyHuldah，theBrowns，Mrs。Milliken，AbijahFlagg，andMissDearborn。
\"Doyouknowanythingaboutthenewflag，Rebecca？\"shriekedMrs。
Meserve，tooagitated，atthemoment，tonoticethechild’scompanion。
\"It’srighthereinmylap，allsafe，\"respondedRebeccajoyously。
\"Youcareless，meddlesomeyoungone，totakeitoffmystepswhereIleftitjustlongenoughtogoroundtothebackandhuntupmydoor-key！You’vegivenmeafitofsicknesswithmyweakheart，andwhatbusinesswasitofyours？IbelieveyouthinkyouOWNtheflag！Handitovertomethisminute！\"
Rebeccawasclimbingdownduringthistorrentoflanguage，butassheturnedsheflashedonelookofknowledgeatthefalseSimpson，alookthatwentthroughhimfromheadtofoot，asifitwerecarriedbyelectricity。
Hehadnotdeceivedherafterall，owingtotheangrychatterofMrs。Meserve。Hehadbeenhandcuffedtwiceinhislife，butnosheriffhadeverdiscomfitedhimsothoroughlyasthischild。
Furymountedtohisbrain，andassoonasshewassafelyoutfrombetweenthewheelshestoodupinthewagonandflungtheflagoutintheroadinthemidstoftheexcitedgroup。
\"Takeit，youpious，passimonious，cheese-parin’，hair-splittin’，back-bitin’，flag-raisin’crew！\"heroared。\"Rebeccanevertooktheflag；Ifounditintheroad，Isay！\"
\"Younever，nosuchathing！\"exclaimedMrs。Meserve。\"Youfounditonthedoorstepsinmygarden！\"
\"Mebbetwasyourgarden，butitwassochockfullo’weeksI
THOUGHTtwastheroad，\"retortedAbner。\"IvowIwouldn’ta’
giventheoldragbacktooneo’YOU，notifyoubeggedmeonyourbendedknees！ButRebecca’safriendo’myfolksandcandowithherflag’sshe’samindto，andtheresto’yecangotothunder——n’staythere，forallIcare！\"
Sosaying，hemadeasharpturn，gavethegauntwhitehorsealashanddisappearedinacloudofdust，beforetheastonishedMr。Brown，theonlymanintheparty，hadathoughtofdetaininghim。
\"I’msorryIspokesoquick，Rebecca，\"saidMrs。Meserve，greatlymortifiedatthesituation。\"Butdon’tyoubelieveawordthatlyin’crittersaid！Hedidstealitoffmydoorstep，andhowdidyoucometoberidin’andconsortin’withhim！IbelieveitwouldkillyourAuntMirandaifsheshouldhearaboutit！\"
Thelittleschool-teacherputashelteringarmroundRebeccaasMr。Brownpickeduptheflaganddustedandfoldedit。
\"I’mwillingsheshouldhearaboutit，\"Rebeccaanswered。\"I
didn’tdoanythingtobeashamedof！IsawtheflaginthebackofMr。Simpson’swagonandIjustfollowedit。Thereweren’tanymenoranyDorcasestotakecareofitandsoitfelltome！Youwouldn’thavehadmeletitoutofmysight，wouldyou，andwegoingtoraiseittomorrowmorning？\"
\"Rebecca’sperfectlyright，Mrs。Meserve！\"saidMissDearbornproudly。\"Andit’sluckytherewassomebodyquick-wittedenoughtorideandconsort’withMr。Simpson！Idon’tknowwhatthevillagewillthink，butseemstomethetownclerkmightwritedowninhisbook，THISDAYTHESTATEOFMAINESAVEDTHEFLAG！’\"