SixthChronicleTHESTATEO’MAINEGIRL
I
Theforegoingepisode，ifnarratedinaromance，wouldundoubtedlyhavebeencalled\"TheSavingoftheColors，\"butatthenightlyconversazioneinWatson’sstoreitwasalludedtoasthewaylittleBeckyRandallgottheflagawayfromSlipperySimpson。
Dramaticasitwas，itpassedintothelimboofhalf-forgottenthingsinRebecca’smind，itsbriefimportancesubmergedinthegloriesofthenextday。
Therewasapainfulpreludetotheseglories。AliceRobinsoncametospendthenightwithRebecca，andwhenthebedroomdoorcloseduponthetwogirls，Aliceannouncedhereintentionof\"doingup\"
Rebecca’sfronthairinleadsandrags，andbraidingthebackinsixtight，wettedbraids。
Rebeccademurred。Alicepersisted。
\"Yourhairissolongandthickanddarkandstraight，\"shesaid，\"thatyou’lllooklikeanInjun！\"
\"IamtheStateofMaine；itallbelongedtotheIndiansonce，\"
Rebeccaremarkedgloomily，forshewascuriouslyshyaboutdiscussingherpersonalappearance。
\"Andyourwreathoflittlepine-coneswon’tsetdecentwithoutcrimps，\"continuedAlice。
Rebeccaglancedinthecrackedlooking-glassandmetwhatsheconsideredanaccusinglackofbeauty，asightthatalwayseithersaddenedorenragedheraccordingtocircumstances；thenshesatdownresignedlyandbegantohelpAliceinthephilanthropicworkofmakingtheStateofMainefittobeseenattheraising。
Neitherofthegirlswasanexperthairdresser，andattheendofanhour，whenthesixthbraidwastied，andRebeccahadgivenonelastshudderinglookinthemirror，bothwerereadytoweepwithfatigue。
ThecandlewasblownoutandAlicesoonwenttosleep，butRebeccatossedonherpillow，itsgoose-featheredsoftnessalldentedbythecruelleadknobsandtheknotsoftwistedrags。Sheslippedoutofbedandwalkedtoandfro，holdingherachingheadwithbothhands。Finallysheleanedonthewindow-sill，watchingthestillweather-vaneonAlice’sbarnandbreathinginthefragranceoftheripeningapples，untilherrestlessnesssubsidedundertheclearstarrybeautyofthenight。
Atsixinthemorningthegirlswereoutofbed，forAlicecouldhardlywaituntilRebecca’shairwastakendown，shewassoeagertoseetheresultofherlabors。
Theleadsandragswerepainfullyremoved，togetherwithmuchhair，theoperationbeingpunctuatedbyaseriesofsqueaks，squeals，andshrieksonthepartofRebeccaandaseriesofwarningsfromAlice，whowishedthepreliminariestobekeptsecretfromtheaunts，thattheymightthemorefullyappreciatetheradiantresult。
Thencametheunbraiding，andthen——dramaticmoment——the\"combingout；\"adifficult，nottosayimpossibleprocess，inwhichthehairsthathadresistedtheearlierstagesalmostgaveuptheghost。
Thelongfrontstrandshadbeenwoundupfromvariousanglesandbyvariousmethods，sothat，whenreleased，theyassumedthestrangest，mostobstinate，mostunexpectedattitudes。Whenthecombwasdraggedthroughthelastbraid，thewild，tortured，electrichairsfollowing，andthenreboundingfromitinabristling，snarlingtangle。MassachusettsgaveoneencompassingglanceattheStateo’Maine’shead，andannouncedherintentionofgoinghometobreakfast！Shewasdeeplygrievedattheresultofherattemptedbeautifying，butshefeltthatmeetingMissMirandaSawyeratthemorningmealwouldnotmendmattersintheleast，soslippingoutofthesidedoor，sheranupGuideBoardhillasfastasherlegscouldcarryher。
TheStateo’Maine，desertedandsomewhatunnerved，satdownbeforetheglassandattackedherhairdoggedlyandwithsetlips，workingoverituntilMissJanecalledhertobreakfast；
then，withaboldnessbornofdespair，sheenteredthediningroom，whereherauntswerealreadyseatedattable。To\"drawfire\"shewhistled，aforbiddenjoy，whichonlyattractedmoreattention，insteadofdivertingit。Therewasamomentofsilenceafterthegrotesquefigurewasfullytakenin；thencameamoanfromJaneandagroanfromMiranda。
\"Whathaveyoudonetoyourself？\"askedMirandasternly。
\"Madeanefforttobebeautifulandfailed！\"jauntilyrepliedRebecca，butshewastoomiserabletokeepupthefiction。\"Oh，AuntMiranda，don’tscold。I’msounhappy！AliceandIrolledupmyhairtocurlitfortheraising。ShesaiditwassostraightI
lookedlikeanIndian！\"
\"Mebbeyoudid，\"vigorouslyagreedMiranda，\"but’tanyrateyoulookedlikeaChristianInjun，’n’nowyoulooklikeaheathenInjun；that’sallthedifferenceIcansee。Whatcanwedowithher，Jane，betweenthisandnineo’clock？\"
\"We’llallgoouttothepumpjustassoonaswe’rethroughbreakfast，\"answeredJanesoothingly。\"Wecanaccomplishconsid’rablewithwaterandforce。\"
Rebeccanibbledhercorn-cake，hertearfuleyescastonherplateandherchinquivering。
\"Don’tyoucryandredyoureyesup，\"chidedMirandaquitekindly；\"theminuteyou’veeatenoughrunupandgetyourbrushandcombandmeetusatthebackdoor。\"
\"Iwouldn’tcaremyselfhowbadIlooked，\"saidRebecca，\"butI
can’tbeartobesohomelythatIshametheStateofMaine！\"
Oh，whatanhourfollowedthisplaint！Didanyaspirantforliteraryordramatichonorseverpasstofamethroughsuchanantechamberofhorrors？Didpoetofthedayeverhavehisheadsomaltreated？Tobedippedintherain-watertub，sousedagainandagain；tobeheldunderthespoutandpumpedon；toberubbedfuriouslywithroughrollertowels；tobedriedwithhotflannels！Andisitnotwell-nighincrediblethatatthecloseofsuchanhourtheendsofthelonghairshouldstillstandoutstraight，thebraidshavingbeenturneduptwoinchesbyAlice，andtiedhardinthatpositionwithlinenthread？
\"Getouttheskirt-board，Jane，\"criedMiranda，towhomoppositionservedasatonic，\"andmovethatflat-ironontothefronto’thestove。Rebecca，setdowninthatlowchairbesidetheboard，andJane，youspreadoutherhaironitandcoveritupwithbrownpaper。Don’tcringe，Rebecca；theworst’sover，andyou’veborneuprealgood！I’llbecarefulnottopullyourhairnorscorchyou，andoh，HOWI’dliketohaveAliceRobinsonacrostmykneeandagoodstripo’shingleinmyrighthand！
There，you’reallironedoutandyourAuntJanecanputonyourwhitedressandbraidyourhairupagaingoodandtight。Perhapsyouwon’tbethehombliestofthestates，afterall；butwhenI
seeyoucomin’intobreakfastIsaidtomyself：IguessifMainelookedlikethat，itwouldn’tnevera’beenadmittedintotheUnion！’\"
WhenUncleSamandthestagecoachdrewuptothebrickhousewithagrandswingandaflourish，thegoddessofLibertyandmostoftheStateswerealreadyintheirplacesonthe\"harricanedeck。\"
Wordsfailtodescribethegallantbearingofthehorses，theirheadstallsgaylytrimmedandtheirharnessesdottedwithlittleflags。Thestagewindowswerehunginbunting，andfromwithinbeamedColumbia，lookingoutfromthebrightframeasifproudofherfreightofloyalchildren。Patrioticstreamersfloatedfromwhip，fromdash-boardandfromrumble，andtheeffectofthewholewassomethingtostimulatethemostphlegmaticvoter。
RebeccacameoutonthestepsandAuntJanebroughtachairtoassistintheascent。MissDearbornpeepedfromthewindow，andgaveadespairinglookatherfavorite。
Whathadhappenedtoher？Whohaddressedher？Hadherheadbeenputthroughawringing-machine？Whywerehereyesredandswollen？MissDearborndeterminedtotakeherbehindthetreesinthepinegroveandgivehersomefinishingtouches；touchesthatherskillfulfingersfairlyitchedtobestow。
Thestagestarted，andastheroadsidepageantgrewgayerandgayer，Rebeccabegantobrightenandlookprettier，formostofherbeautifyingcamefromwithin。Thepeople，walking，driving，orstandingontheirdoorsteps，cheeredUncleSam’scoachwithitsfreightofgossamer-muslined，fluttering-ribbonedgirls，andjustbehind，thegorgeouslydecoratedhaycart，drivenbyAbijahFlagg，bearingthejollybutinharmoniousfife-and-drumcorps。
Waseversuchagoldenday！Suchcrystalair！Suchmellowsunshine！SuchamerryUncleSam！
Thestagedrewupatanappointedspotnearapinegrove，andwhilethecrowdwasgathering，thechildrenwaitedforthehourtoarrivewhentheyshouldmarchtotheplatform；thehourtowardwhichtheyseemedtohavebeenmovingsincethedawnofcreation。
AssoonaspossibleMissDearbornwhisperedtoRebecca：\"Comebehindthetreeswithme；Iwanttomakeyouprettier！\"
Rebeccathoughtshehadsufferedenoughfromthatprocessalreadyduringthelasttwelvehours，butsheputoutanobedienthandandthetwowithdrew。
NowMissDearbornwas，Ifear，averyindifferentteacher。Dr。
Mosesalwayssaidso，andLibbieMoses，whowantedherschool，saiditwasapityshehadn’tenjoyedmoresocialadvantagesinheryouth。LibbieherselfhadtakenmusiclessonsinPortland；
andspentanightattheProfileHouseintheWhiteMountains，andhadvisitedhersisterinLowell，Massachusetts。Theseexperiencesgaveher，inherownmind，andinthemindofherintimatefriends，ahorizonsoboundlessthatherviewofsmaller，humblermatterswasatrifledistorted。
MissDearborn’sstockintradewassmall，herprincipalvirtuesbeingdevotiontochildrenandabilitytogaintheirlove，andapowerofevolvingaschoolroomordersonatural，cheery，serene，andpeacefulthatitgavethebeholderacertainsenseofbeinginadistrictheaven。Shewaspoorinarithmeticandweakingeometry，butifyougaveherarose，abitofribbon，andaseven-by-ninelooking-glassshecouldmakeherselfasprettyasapinkintwominutes。
Safelyshelteredbehindthepines，MissDearbornbegantopracticemysteriousfemininearts。SheflewatRebecca’stightbraids，openedthestrandsandrebraidedthemloosely；bitandtorethered，white，andblueribbonintwoandtiedthebraidsseparately。Thenwithnimblefingersshepulledoutlittletendrilsofhairbehindtheearsandaroundthenapeoftheneck。
AfteraglanceofacutedisapprovaldirectedatthestiffballoonskirtshekneltonthegroundandgaveastrenuousembracetoRebecca’sknees，murmuring，betweenherhugs，\"Starchmustbecheapatthebrickhouse！\"
Thisparticularlineofbeautyattained，thereensuedgreatpinchingsofruffles，herfingersthatcouldneverholdaferrulenorsnapchildren’searsbeingincomparablefluting-irons。
Nextthesashwasscornfullyuntiedandtightenedtosuggestsomethingresemblingawaist。Thechastenedbowsthathadbeensquat，dowdy，spiritless，weregiventweaks，flirts，bracinglittlepokesanddabs，till，acknowledgingamasterhand，theystoodup，piquant，pert，smart，alert！
Prideofbearingwasnowinfusedintotheflattenedlaceattheneck，andapin（removedatsomesacrificefromherowntoilette）
wasdarnedinatthebacktopreventanycowardlylapsing。Theshortwhitecottonglovesthatcalledattentiontothetannedwristandarmswerestrippedoffandputinherownpocket。Thenthewreathofpine-coneswasadjustedataheretoforeunimaginedangle，thehairwaspulledsoftlyintoafluffyframe，andfinally，asshemetRebecca’sgratefuleyesshegavehertwoapproving，triumphantkisses。Inasecondthesensitivefacelightedintohappiness；pleaseddimplesappearedinthecheeks，thekissedmouthwasasredasarose，andthelittlefrightthathadwalkedbehindthepine-treesteppedoutontheothersideRebeccathelovely。
AstotherelativevalueofMissDearborn’saccomplishments，thedecisionmustbelefttothegentlereader；butthoughitiscertainthatchildrenshouldbeproperlygroundedinmathematics，noheartoffleshcouldbeartohearMissDearborn’smethodsvilifiedwhohadseenherpatting，pulling，squeezingRebeccafromuglinessintobeauty。
Theyoungsuperintendentofdistrictschoolswasawitnessofthescene，andwhenlaterhenotedthechildrensurroundingColumbiaasbeesahoneysuckle，heobservedtoDr。Moses：\"Shemaynotbemuchofateacher，butIthinkshe’dbeconsiderableofawife！\"
andsubsequenteventsprovedthathemeantwhathesaid！
II
Nowallwasready；themomentoffatewasabsolutelyathand；thefife-and-drumcorpsledthewayandtheStatesfollowed；butwhatactuallyhappenedRebeccaneverknew；shelivedthroughthehoursinawakingdream。Everylittledetailwasafacetoflightthatreflectedsparkles，andamongthemallshewasfairlydazzled。
Thebrassbandplayedinspiringstrains；themayorspokeeloquentlyongreatthemes；thepeoplecheered；thentheropeonwhichsomuchdependedwasputintothechildren’shands，theyappliedsuperhumanstrengthtotheirtask，andtheflagmounted，mounted，smoothlyandslowly，andslowlyunwoundandstretcheditselfuntilitssplendidsizeandbeautywererevealedagainstthemaplesandpinesandblueNewEnglandsky。
Thenaftercheersuponcheersandafterapatrioticchorusbythechurchchoirs，theStateofMainemountedtheplatform，vaguelyconsciousthatshewastoreciteapoem，thoughforthelifeofhershecouldnotrememberasingleword。
\"Speakuploudandclear，Rebecky，\"whisperedUncleSaminthefrontrow，butshecouldscarcelyhearherownvoicewhen，tremblingly，shebeganherfirstline。Afterthatshegatheredstrengthandthepoem\"saiditself，\"whilethedreamwenton。
ShesawAdamLaddleaningagainstatree；AuntJaneandAuntMirandapalpitatingwithnervousness；ClaraBelleSimpsongazingcross-eyedbutadoringfromaseatontheside；andinthefar，fardistance，ontheveryoutskirtsofthecrowd，atallmanstandinginawagon——atall，loose-jointedmanwithredupturnedmustaches，andagauntwhitehorseheadedtowardtheAcrevilleroad。
LoudapplausegreetedthestateofMaine，theslenderlittlewhite-cladfigurestandingonthemossyboulderthathadbeenusedasthecentreoftheplatform。Thesuncameupfrombehindagreatmapleandshonefullonthestar-spangledbanner，makingitmoredazzlingthanever，sothatitsbeautydrewalleyesupward。
AbnerSimpsonliftedhisvagrantshiftinggazetoitssoftyflutteringfoldsanditssplendidmassingofcolors，thinking：
\"Idon’tknow’sanybody’doughttostealaflag——thethunderin’
idjutsseemtosetsuchstorebyit，andwhatisit，anyway？
Nothin；butasheeto’buntin！\"
Nothingbutasheetofbunting？Helookedcuriouslyattheraptfacesofthemothers，theirbabiesasleepintheirarms；thepartedlipsandshiningeyesofthewhite-cladgirls；atCap’nLord，whohadbeeninLibbyprison，andNatStrout，whohadleftanarmatBullRun；atthefriendly，jostlingcrowdoffarmers，happy，eager，absorbed，theirthroatsreadytoburstwithcheers。
Thenthebreezeserved，andheheardRebecca’sclearvoicesaying：
\"Forit’syourstar，mystar，allthestarstogether，Thatmakeourcountry’sflagsoproudTofloatinthebrightfallweather！\"
\"Talkaboutstars！She’sgotacoupleofemrightinherhead，\"
thoughtSimpson……\"IfIeverseenayoungonelikethatlyin；onanybody’sdoorstepI’dhookherquicker’nawink，thoughI’vegotplentytohome，theLordknows！AndIwouldn’tswapheroffneither……Spunkylittlecreeter，too；settin；upinthewagonlookin’bout’sbigasapinto’cider，butkeepin’rightafterthegoods！……IvowI’mboutsicko’myjob！NeverWITH
thecrowd，allersJESTontheoutside，sifIwa’n’tasgood’stheybe！Ifitpaidwell，mebbeIwouldn’tmind，butthey’resothunderin’stingyroundhere，theydon’tleaveanythingdecentoutforyoutotakefromem，yetyou’rereskin’yourlibertyn’
reputationjestthesame！……Countin’thepoorpickin’sn’thetimeIloseinjailImightmost’swellbedonewithitn’workoutbytheday，asthefolkswantmeto；I’dmakebout’smuchn’
Idon’tknow’sitwouldbeanyharder！\"
HecouldseeRebeccasteppingdownfromtheplatform，whilehisownred-headedlittlegirlstooduponherbench，wavingherhatwithonehand，herhandkerchiefwiththeother，andstampingwithbothfeet。
NowamansittingbesidethemayorrosefromhischairandAbnerheardhimcall：
\"Threecheersforthewomenwhomadetheflag！\"
\"HIP，HIP，HURRAH！\"
\"ThreecheersfortheStateofMaine！\"
\"HIP，HIP，HURRAH！\"
\"Threecheersforthegirlthatsavedtheflagfromthehandsoftheenemy！\"
\"HIP，HIP，HURRAH！HIP，HIP，HURRAH！\"
ItwastheEdgewoodminister，whosefull，vibrantvoicewasofthesorttomoveacrowd。Hiswordsrangoutintotheclearairandwerecarriedfromliptolip。Handsclapped，feetstamped，hatsswung，whiletheloudhuzzahsmightalmosthavewakenedtheechoesonoldMountOssipee。
Thetall，loose-jointedmansatdowninthewagonsuddenlyandtookupthereins。
\"They’regettin’alittlemitepersonal，andIguessit’sbouttimeforyoutobegoin’，Simpson！\"
Thetonewasjocular，buttheredmustachesdrooped，andthehalf-heartedcuthegavetostartthewhitemareonherhomewardjourneyshowedthathewasnotinhisusualdevil-may-caremood。
\"Durnhisskin！\"heburstoutinavindictiveundertone，asthemareswungintoherlonggait。\"It’salie！Ithoughttwassomebody’swash！Ihain’tanenemy！\"
Whilethecrowdattheraisingdispersedinhappyfamilygroupstotheirpicnicsinthewoods；whiletheGoddessofLiberty，UncleSam，Columbia，andtheproudStateslunchedgrandlyintheGrangehallwithdistinguishedguestsandscarredveteransoftwowars，thelonelymandrove，anddrove，anddrovethroughsilentwoodsanddull，sleepyvillages，neveralightingtoreplenishhiswardrobeorhisstockofswappingmaterial。
Atduskhereachedamiserabletumble-downhouseontheedgeofapond。
Thefaithfulwifewiththesadmouthandthehabituallookofanxietyinherfadedeyescametothedooratthesoundofwheelsandwentdoggedlytothehorse-shedtohelphimunharness。
\"Youdidn’texpecttoseemebacktonight，didye？\"heaskedsatirically；\"leastwisenotwiththissamehorse？Well，I’mhere！
Youneedn’tbescairttolookunderthewagonseat，therehain’tnothin’there，notevenmysupper，soIhopeyou’resuitedforonce！No，IguessIhain’tgoin’tobeanangelrightaway，neither。Therewa’n’tnothin’butflagslayin’roun’loosedownRiverboroway，n’whatevertheysay，Ihain’tsechahoundastostealaflag！\"
ItwasnaturalthatyoungRiverboroshouldhavered，white，andbluedreamsonthenightafterthenewflagwasraised。A
strangerthing，perhaps，isthefactthatAbnerSimpsonshouldliedownonhishardbedwiththeflutterofbuntingbeforehiseyes，andawhirlofunaccustomedwordsinhismind。
\"Forit’syourstar，mystar，allourstarstogether。\"
\"I’msickofgoin’italone，\"hethought；\"IguessI’lltrytheotherroadforaspell；\"andwiththathefellasleep。
SeventhChronicleTHELITTLEPROPHET
I
\"IguessYorkCountywillnevergetredofthatSimpsoncrew！\"
exclaimedMirandaSawyertoJane。\"IthoughtwhenthefamilymovedtoAcrevillewe’dseenthelastofem，butweain’t！Thebig，cross-eyed，stutterin’boyhasgotaplaceatthemillsinMaplewood；that’snearenoughtocomeovertoRiverboroonceinawhileofaSundaymornin’andsetinthemeetin’housestarin’atRebeccasameasheusedtodo，onlyit’sreskiernowbothofemareolder。ThenMrs。Foggmustgoandbringbackthebiggestgirltohelphertakecareofherbaby，——asiftherewa’n’tplentyofhelpnearerhome！NowIhearsaythattheyoungesttwinhascometostopthesummerwiththeCamesuptoEdgewoodLowerCorner。\"
\"Ithoughttwotwinswerealwaysthesameage，\"saidRebecca，reflectively，asshecameintothekitchenwiththemilkpail。
\"Sotheybe，\"snappedMiranda，flushingandcorrectingherself。
\"Butthatpasty-facedSimpsontwinlooksyoungerandissmallerthantheotherone。He’smeekasMosesandtheotheroneisasboldasabrasskettle；Idon’tseehowtheycometobetwins；
theyain’tamitealike。\"
\"Elijahwasalwayscalledthefightingtwin’atschool，\"saidRebecca，\"andElisha’sothernamewasNimbi-Pamby；butIthinkhe’sanicelittleboy，andI’mgladhehascomeback。Hewon’tlikelivingwithMr。Came，buthe’llbealmostnextdoortotheminister’s，andMrs。Baxterissuretolethimplayinhergarden。\"
\"Iwonderwhytheboy’sstayin’withCassiusCame，\"saidJane。
\"Tobesuretheyhaven’tgotanyoftheirown，butthechild’stooyoungtobemuchuse。\"
\"Iknowwhy，\"remarkedRebeccapromptly，\"forIheardallaboutitovertoWatson’swhenIwasgettingthemilk。Mr。CametradedsomethingwithMr。Simpsontwoyearsagoandgotthebestofthebargain，andUncleJerrysayshe’stheonlymanthateverdid，andheoughttohaveamonumentputuptohim。SoMr。CameowesMr。Simpsonmoneyandwon’tpayit，andMr。Simpsonsaidhe’dsendoverachildandboardpartofitout，andtaketherestinstock——apigoracalforsomething。\"
\"That’sallstuffandnonsense，\"exclaimedMiranda；\"nothin’intheworldbutstore-talk。Yougitaclumpo’men-folkssettin’
roundWatson’sstove，oroutonthebenchatthedoor，an’
they’llmakeupstoriesasfastastheirtonguescanwag。Themandon’tlivethat’ssmartenoughtocheatAbnerSimpsoninatrade，andwhoeverheardofanybody’sowin’himmoney？Tain’tsupposablethatawomanlikeMrs。CamewouldallowherhusbandtobeindebttoamanlikeAbnerSimpson。It’sasightlikelierthatsheheardthatMrs。Simpsonwasailin’andsentfortheboysoastohelpthefamilyalong。ShealwayshadMrs。Simpsontowashforheronceamonth，ifyourememberJane？\"
Therearesomefactssoshroudedinobscuritythatthemostskillfulandpatientinvestigatorcannotdragthemintothelightofday。Therearealso（butonlyoccasionally）certainmotives，acts，speeches，linesofconduct，thatcanneverbewhollyandsatisfactorilyexplained，eveninavillagepost-officeorontheloafers’benchoutsidethetaverndoor。
CassiusCamewasacloseman，closeofmouthandcloseofpurse；
andallthatRiverboroeverknewastothethreemonths’visitoftheSimpsontwinwasthatitactuallyoccurred。Elisha，otherwiseNimbi-Pamby，came；Nimbi-Pambystayed；andNimbi-Pamby，whenhefinallyrejoinedhisowndomesticcircle，didnotgoempty-handed（sotospeak），forhewasaccompaniedonhishomewardtravelsbyalarge，red，bony，somewhattruculentcow，whowastiedonbehindthewagon，andwhomadethejourneyalivelyandeventfulonebyhertotallackofdesiretoproceedovertheroadfromEdgewoodtoAcreville。Butthat，thecow’stale，belongstoanothertimeandplace，andthecoward’stalemustcomefirst；
forElishaSimpsonwasheldtobesadlylackinginthemanlyqualityofcourage。
Itwasthenewminister’swifewhocalledNimbi-PambytheLittleProphet。HisfullnamewasElishaJeremiahSimpson，butoneseldomhearditatfulllength，since，ifheescapedtheignominyofNimbi-Pamby，Lishewasquiteenoughforanurchinjustinhisfirsttrousersandthoseassumedsomewhatprematurely。Hewas\"
Lishe，\"therefore，tothevillage，buttheLittleProphettotheyoungminister’swife。
RebeccacouldseetheCames’brownfarmhousefromMrs。Baxter’ssitting-roomwindow。Thelittle-traveledroadwithstripsoftuftedgreenbetweenthewheeltrackscurleddustilyuptotheverydoorstep，andinsidethescreendoorofpinkmosquitonettingwasawonderfuldrawn-inrug，shapedlikeahalfpie，with\"Welcome\"insaffronlettersonagreenground。
RebeccalikedMrs。CassiusCame，whowasafriendofherAuntMiranda’sandoneofthefewpersonswhoexchangedcallswiththatsomewhatunsociablelady。TheCamefarmwasnotalongwalkfromthebrickhouse，forRebeccacouldgoacrossthefieldswhenhaying-timewasover，andherdelightatbeingsentonanerrandinthatdirectioncouldnotbemeasured，nowthatthenewministerandhiswifehadgrowntobesucharesourceinherlife。ShelikedtoseeMrs。CameshaketheWelcomerug，flingingthecheerywordoutintothesummersunshinelikeabrightgreetingtotheday。Shelikedtoseehergotothescreendooradozentimesinamorning，openitacrackandchaseanimaginaryflyfromthesacredprecinctswithin。Shelikedtoseehercomeupthecellarstepsintothesidegarden，appearingmysteriouslyasfromthebowelsoftheearth，carryingashiningpanofmilkinbothhands，anddisappearingthroughthebedsofhollyhocksandsunflowerstothepig-penorthehen-house。
RebeccawasnotfondofMr。Came，andneitherwasMrs。Baxter，norElisha，forthatmatter；infactMr。Camewasratheradifficultpersontogrowfondof，withhisfieryredbeard，hisfreckledskin，andhisgruffwayofspeaking；fortherewerenochildreninthebrownhousetosmooththecreasesfromhisforeheadortheroughnessfromhisvoice。
II
Thenewminister’swifewassittingundertheshadeofhergreatmapleearlyonemorning，whenshefirstsawtheLittleProphet。A
tinyfigurecamedownthegrass-grownroadleadingacowbyarope。Ifithadbeenasmallboyandasmallcow，amiddle-sizedboyandanordinarycow，oragrownmanandabigcow，shemightnothavenoticedthem；butitwasthecombinationofaninfinitesimalboyandahugecowthatattractedherattention。
Shecouldnotguessthechild’syears，sheonlyknewthathewassmallforhisage，whateveritwas。
Thecowwasadarkredbeastwithacrumpledhorn，awhitestaronherforehead，andalargesurprisedsortofeye。Shehad，ofcourse，twoeyes，andbothweresurprised，buttheleftonehadanaddedhintofamazementinitbyvirtueofafewwhitehairslurkingaccidentallyinthecentreoftheeyebrow。
Theboyhadathinsensitivefaceandcurtlybrownhair，shorttrouserspatchedonbothknees，andaraggedstrawhatonthebackofhishead。Hepatteredalongbehindthecow，sometimesholdingtheropewithbothhands，andgettingoverthegroundinajerkyway，astheanimallefthimnotimetothinkofasmoothpathforbarefeet。
TheCamepasturewasagoodhalf-miledistant，andthecowseemedinnohurrytoreachit；accordinglysheforsooktheroadnowandthen，andrambledinthehollows，wherethegrasswassweetertoherwayofthinking。Shestartedononeoftheseexploringexpeditionsjustasshepassedtheminister’sgreatmaple，andgaveMrs。Baxtertimetocallouttothelittlefellow，\"Isthatyourcow？\"
Elishablushedandsmiled，andtriedtospeakmodestly，buttherewasaquiverofprideinhisvoiceasheansweredsuggestively：
\"It’s——nearlymycow。\"
\"Howisthat？\"askedMrs。Baxter。
\"Why，Mr。CamesayswhenIdrivehertwenty-ninemoretimestopasturethouthergettin’herfootovertheropeorthoutmybein’afraid，she’sgoin’tobemytrulycow。Areyoufraidofcows？\"
\"Ye-e-es，\"Mrs。Baxterconfessed，\"Iam，justalittle。Yousee，Iamnothingbutawoman，andboyscan’tunderstandhowwefeelaboutcows。\"
\"Ican！They’reawfulbigthings，aren’tthey？\"
\"Perfectlyenormous！I’vealwaysthoughtacowcomingtowardsyouoneofthebiggestthingsintheworld。\"
\"Yes；me，too。Don’tlet’sthinkaboutit。Dotheyhookpeoplesoveryoften？\"
\"Noindeed，infactonescarcelyeverhearsofsuchacase。\"
\"Iftheysteppedonyourbarefootthey’dscrunchit，wouldn’tthey？\"
\"Yes，butyouarethedriver；youmustn’tletthemdothat；youareafree-willboy，andtheyarenothingbutcows。\"
\"Iknow；butp’rapsthereisfree-willcows，andiftheyjustWOULDdoityoucouldn’thelpbeingscrunched，foryoumustn’tletgooftheropenorrun，Mr。Camesays。
\"No，ofcoursethatwouldneverdo。\"
\"Whereyouusedtolivedidallthecowsgodownintotheboggyplaceswhenyoudroveemtopasture，ordidsomewalkintheroad？\"
\"Thereweren’tanycowsoranypastureswhereIusedtolive；
that’swhatmakesmesofoolish；whydoesyourcowneedarope？\"
\"Shedon’tliketogotopasture，Mr。Camesays。Sometimesshe’ddrutherstaytohome，andsowhenshegetspartwaysheturnsroundandcomesbackwards。\"
\"Dearme！\"thoughtMrs。Baxter，\"whatbecomesofthisboy-miteifthecowhasaspellofgoingbackwards？——Doyouliketodriveher？\"sheasked。
\"N-no，noterzackly；butyousee，it’llbemycowifIdrivehertwenty-ninemoretimesthouthergettin’herfootovertheropeandthoutmybein’afraid，\"andabeamingsmilegaveatransientbrightnesstohisharassedlittleface。\"Willshefeedintheditchmuchlonger？\"heasked。\"ShallIsayHurrap’？That’swhatMr。Camesays——HURRAP！’likethat，anditmeanstohurryup。\"
Itwasratherafeeblewarningthathesoundedandthecowfedonpeacefully。Thelittlefellowlookedupattheminister’swifeconfidingly，andthenglancedbackatthefarmtoseeifCassiusCamewerewatchingtheprogressofevents。
\"Whatshallwedonext？\"heasked。
Mrs。Baxterdelightedinthatwarm，cosylittle’WE；’ittookherintothefirmsopleasantly。Shewasaweakpropindeedwhenitcametocows，butallthecourageinhersoulrosetoarmswhenElishasaid，\"WhatshallWEdonext？\"Shebecamealert，ingenious，strong，ontheinstant。
\"Whatisthecow’sname？\"sheasked，sittingupstraightintheswing-chair。
\"Buttercup；butshedon’tseemtoknowitverywell。Sheain’tamitelikeabuttercup。\"
\"Nevermind；youmustshout’Buttercup！’atthetopofyourvoice，andtwitchtheropeHARD；thenI’llcall，’Hurrap！’withallmymightatthesamemoment。Andifshestartsquicklywemustn’trunnorseemfrightened！\"
Theydidthis；itworkedtoacharm，andMrs。BaxterlookedaffectionatelyafterherLittleProphetasthecowpulledhimdownToryHill。
ThelovelyAugustdaysworeon。RebeccawasoftenattheparsonageandsawElishafrequently，butButtercupwasseldompresentattheirinterviews，astheboynowdrovehertothepastureveryearlyinthemorning，thejourneythitherbeingoneofconsiderablelengthandhermethodofreachingthegoalbeingexceedinglyroundabout。
Mr。Camehadpointedoutthenecessityofgettingherintothepastureatleastafewminutesbeforeshehadtobetakenoutagainatnight，andthoughRebeccadidn’tlikeMr。Came，shesawthecommonsenseofthisremark。SometimesMrs。BaxterandRebeccacaughtaglimpseofthetwoatsundown，astheyreturnedfromthepasturetothetwilightmilking，Buttercupchewingherpeacefulcud，hersoftwhitebagofmilkhangingfull，hersurprisedeyerollinginitsaccustomed\"finefrenzy。\"Thefrenziedrolldidnotmeananything，theyusedtoassureElisha；
butifitdidn’t，itwasanawfulpityshehadtodoit，Rebeccathought；andMrs。Baxteragreed。Tohaveanexpressionofeyethatmeantmurder，andyettobeaperfectlyvirtuousandwell-meaninganimal，thiswasacalamityindeed。
Mrs。BaxterwaslookingatthesunoneeveningasitdroppedlikeaballofredfireintoWilkins’swoods，whentheLittleProphetpassed。
\"It’sthetwenty-ninthnight，\"hecalledjoyously。
\"Iamsoglad，\"sheanswered，forshehadoftenfearedsomeaccidentmightpreventhisclaimingthepromisedreward。\"ThentomorrowButtercupwillbeyourowncow？\"
\"Iguessso。That’swhatMr。Camesaid。He’sofftoAcrevillenow，buthe’llbehometonight，andfather’sgoingtosendmynewhatbyhim。WhenButtercup’smyowncowIwishIcouldchangehernameandcallherRedRover，butp’r’apshermotherwouldn’tlikeit。Whensheb’longstome，mebbeIwon’tbesofraidofgettin’
hookedandscrunched，becauseshe’llknowshe’smine，andshe’llgobetter。Ihaven’tlethergetsnarledupintheropeonesingletime，andIdon’tshowI’mafraid，doI？\"
\"Ishouldneversuspectitforaninstant，\"saidMrs。Baxterencouragingly。\"I’veoftenenviedyouyourbold，bravelook！\"
Elishaappeareddistinctlypleased。\"Ihaven’tcried，either，whenshe’sdraggedmeoverthepasturebarsandpeeledmylegs。
BillPetes’slittlebrotherCharliesaysheain’tafraidofanything，notevenbears。Hesayshewouldwalkrightupcloseandcuffemiftheydaredtoyip；butIain’tlikethat！Heain’tscaredofelephantsortigersorlionseither；hesaysthey’reallthesameasfrogsorchickenstohim！\"
RebeccatoldherAuntMirandathateveningthatitwastheProphet’stwenty-ninthnight，andthatthebigredcowwastobehisonthemorrow。
\"Well，Ihopeit’llturnoutthatway，\"shesaid。\"ButIain’tamitesurethatCassiusCamewillgiveupthatcowwhenitcomestothepoint。Itwon’tbethefirsttimehe’striedtocrawloutofabargainwithfolksagooddealbiggerthanLisha，forhe’sterribleclose，Cassiusis。Tobesurehe’sstiffinhisjointsandhe’sgladenoughtohaveaboytotakethecowtothepastureinsummertime，buthealwayshashiredhelpwhenitcomesharvestin’。SoLisha’llbenousefromthison；andIdaresaythecowisAbnerSimpson’sanyway。Ifyouwantawalktonight，I
wishyou’dgoupthereandaskMis’Cameifshe’lllendmean’
yourAuntJanehalfheryeast-cake。Tellherwe’llpayitbackwhenwegetoursaSaturday。Don’tyouwanttotakeThirzaMeservewithyou？She’saloneasusualwhileHuldy’sentertainin’
beauxonthesideporch。Don’tstaytoolongattheparsonage！\"
III
Rebeccawasusedtothissortoferrand，forthewholevillageofRiverborowouldsometimesberockedtotheverycentreofitsbeingbysimultaneousdesireforayeast-cake。Asthenearestrepositorywasamileandahalfdistant，astheyeast-cakewasvaluedattwocentsandwouldn’tkeep，asthedemandwasuncertain，beingdependententirelyonafluctuatingdesirefor\"rizbread，\"thestorekeeperrefusedtoordermorethanthreeyeast-cakesadayathisownrisk。Sometimestheyremainedonhishandsadeadloss；sometimeseightortenpersonswould\"hitchup\"anddrivefromdistantfarmsforthecovetedarticle，onlytobemetwiththeflat，\"No，I’mallouto’yeast-cake；Mis’
Simmonstookthelast；mebbeyoucanborryhalfo’hern，shehain’tmuchofabread-eater。\"
SoRebeccaclimbedthehillstoMrs。Came’s，knowingthatherdailybreaddependedonthesuccessfulissueofthecall。
Thirzawasbarefooted，andtoughasherlittlefeetwere，thelongwalkoverthestubblefieldstiredher。WhentheycamewithinsightoftheCamebarn，shecoaxedRebeccatotakeashortcutthroughtheturnipsgrowinginlong，beautifullyweededrows。
\"YouknowMr。Cameisawfullycross，Thirza，andcan’tbearanybodytotreadonhiscropsortouchatreeorabushthatbelongstohim。I’mkindofafraid，butcomealongandmindyoustepsoftlyinbetweentherowsandholdupyourpetticoat，soyoucan’tpossiblytouchtheturnipplants。I’lldothesame。
Skipalongfast，becausethenwewon’tleaveanydeepfootprints。\"
Thechildrenpassedsafelyandnoiselesslyalong，theirpleasureatrifleenhancedbythefeltdangersoftheirprogress。Rebeccaknewthattheyweredoingnoharm，butthatdidnotpreventherhopingtoescapethegimleteyeofMr。Came。
Astheynearedtheouteredgeoftheturnippatchtheypausedsuddenly，petticoatsinair。
Agreatclumpofelderberrybusheshidthemfromthebarn，butfromtheothersideoftheclumpcamethesoundofconversation：
thetimidvoiceoftheLittleProphetandthegrufftonesofCassiusCame。
Rebeccawasafraidtointerrupt，andtoohonesttowishtooverhear。Shecouldonlyhopethemanandtheboywouldpassontothehouseastheytalked，soshemotionedtotheparalyzedThirzatotaketwomorestepsandstandwithherbehindtheelderberrybushes。Butno！InamomenttheyheardMr。Camedragastooloverbesidethegrindstoneashesaid：
\"Well，nowElishaJeremiah，we’lltalkabouttheredcow。Yousayyou’vedroveheramonth，doye？Andthetradebetweenuswasthatifyoucoulddriveheramonth，withouthergettingtheropeoverherfootandwithoutbein’afraid，youwastohaveher。
That’sstraight，ain’tit？\"
TheProphet’sfaceburnedwithexcitement，hisginghamshirtroseandfellasifhewerebreathinghard，butheonlynoddedassentandsaidnothing。
\"Now，\"continuedMr。Came，\"haveyoumadeouttokeeptheropefromunderherfeet？\"
\"Sheain’tgott-t-tangledupones-singletime，\"saidElisha，stutteringinhisexcitement，butlookingupwithsomecouragefromhisbaretoes，withwhichhewasassiduouslythreadingthegrass。
\"Sofar，sogood。Nowboutbein’afraid。Asyouseemsocertainofgettin’thecow，Isupposeyouhain’tbeenaspeckscared，hevyou？Honorbright，now！\"
\"I——I——notbutjustalittlemite。I\"——
\"Holdupaminute。Ofcourseyoudidn’tSAYyouwasafraid，anddidn’tSHOWyouwasafraid，andnobodyknewyouWASafraid，butthatain’tthewaywefixeditup。Youwastocallthecowyour’nifyoucoulddrivehertothepastureforamonthwithoutBEIN’
afraid。Ownupsquarenow，hevyoube’nafraid？\"
Alongpause，thenafaint，\"Yes。\"
\"Where’syourmanners？\"
\"Imeanyes，sir。\"
\"Howoften？Ifithain’tbe’ntoomanytimesmebbeI’llletyeoff，thoughyou’reareg’largirl-boy，and’llberunnin’awayfromthecatbimeby。Hasitbe’n——twice？\"
\"Yes，\"andtheLittleProphet’svoicewasveryfaintnow，andhadadecidedtearinit。
\"Yeswhat？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Hasitbe’nfourtimes？\"
\"Y-es，sir。\"Moreheavingoftheginghamshirt。
\"Well，youAIRathunderin’coward！Howmanytimes？Speakupnow。\"
Morediggingofthebaretoesintheearth，andonepremonitoryteardropstealingfromunderthedowncastlids，then，——
\"Alittle，mosteveryday，andyoucankeepthecow，\"wailedtheProphet，asheturnedabruptlyandfledbehindtheshed，whereheflunghimselfintothegreendepthsofatansybed，andgavehimselfuptounmanlysobs。
CassiusCamegaveasortofshamefacedguffawattheabruptdepartureoftheboy，andwentonintothehouse，whileRebeccaandThirzamadeastealthycircuitofthebarnandapoliteandcircumspectentrancethroughtheparsonagefrontgate。
Rebeccatoldtheminister’swifewhatshecouldrememberoftheinterviewbetweenCassiusCameandElishaSimpson，andtender-heartedMrs。BaxterlongedtoseekandcomfortherLittleProphetsobbinginthetansybed，thebrandofcowardonhisforehead，andwhatwasmuchworse，thefearinhisheartthathedeservedit。
RebeccacouldhardlybepreventedfrombeardingMr。CameandopenlyespousingthecauseofElisha，forshewasanimpetuous，reckless，valiantcreaturewhenaweakervesselwasattackedorthreatenedunjustly。
Mrs。BaxteracknowledgedthatMr。Camehadbeentrue，inaway，tohiswordandbargain，butsheconfessedthatshehadneverheardofsocruelandhardabargainsincethedaysofShylock，anditwasalltheworseforbeingmadewithachild。
Rebeccahurriedhome，hervisitquitespoiledandhererrandquiteforgottentillshereachedthebrickhousedoor，whereshetoldheraunts，withhercustomarypicturesquenessofspeech，thatshewouldrathereatbuttermilkbreadtillshediedthanpartakeoffoodmixedwithoneofMr。Came’syeast-cakes；thatitwouldchokeher，evenintheshapeofgoodraisedbread。
\"That’sallveryfine，Rebecky，\"saidherAuntMiranda，whohadapin-prickforalmosteverybubble；\"butdon’tforgetthere’stwoothermouthstofeedinthishouse，andyoumightatleastgiveyourauntandmetheprivilegeofchokin’ifwefeeltowantto！\"
IV
Mrs。BaxterfinallyheardfromMrs。Came，throughwhomallinformationwassuretofilterifyougaveittime，thatherhusbanddespisedacoward，thatheconsideredElishaaregularmother’s-apron-stringboy，andthathewas\"learnin’\"himtobebrave。
BillPeters，thehiredman，nowdroveButtercuptopasture，thoughwheneverMr。CamewenttoModerationorBonnieEagle，asheoftendid，Mrs。BaxternoticedthatElishatookthehiredman’splace。Sheoftenjoinedhimontheseanxiousexpeditions，and，aliketerrorinboththeirsouls，theyattemptedtotraintheredcowandgivehersomeideaofobedience。
\"Ifsheonlywouldn’tlookatusthatwaywewouldgetalongrealnicelywithher，wouldn’twe？\"prattledtheProphet，stragglingalongbyherside；\"andsheisasplendidcow；shegivestwenty-onequartsaday，andMr。Camesaysit’smore’nhalfcream。\"
Theminister’swifeassentedtoallthis，thinkingthatifButtercupwouldgiveupherhabitofturningcompletelyroundintheroadtorollhereyesandelevateherwhite-tippedeyebrow，shemightindeedbeanenjoyablecompanion；butinherpresentstateofdevelopmenthersocietywasnotagreeable，evendidshegivesixty-onequartsofmilkaday。Furthermore，whenMrs。
BaxterdiscoveredthatsheneverdidanyofthesereprehensiblethingswithBillPeters，shebegantobelievecowsmoreintelligentcreaturesthanshehadsupposedthemtobe，andshewasindignanttothinkButtercupcouldcountsoconfidentlyontheweaknessofasmallboyandatimidwoman。
Oneevening，whenButtercupwasmorethanusuallyexasperating，Mrs。BaxtersaidtotheProphet，whowasbracinghimselftokeepfrombeingpulledintoawaysidebrookwhereButtercuplovedtodabble，\"Elisha，doyouknowanythingaboutthesuperiorityofmindovermatter？\"
No，hedidn’t，thoughitwasnotafairtimetoaskthequestion，forhehadsatdownintheroadtogetabetterpurchaseontherope。
\"Well，itdoesn’tsignify。WhatImeanisthatwecandiebutonce，anditisagloriousthingtodieforagreatprinciple。
Givemethatrope。Icanpulllikeanoxinmypresentframeofmind。Yourundownontheoppositesideofthebrook，takethatbigstickwaderightin——youarebarefooted，——brandishthestick，and，ifnecessary，domorethanbrandish。Iwouldgomyself，butitisbettersheshouldrecognizeyouashermaster，andIaminasmuchdangerasyouare，anyway。Shemaytrytohookyou，ofcourse，butyoumustkeepwavingthestick，——diebrandishing，Prophet，that’stheidea！Shemayturnandrunforme，inwhichcaseIshallruntoo；butIshalldierunning，andtheministercanburyusunderourfavoritesweet-appletree！\"
TheProphet’ssoulwasfiredbythelovelylady’seloquence。
Theirspiritsmountedsimultaneously，andtheywereflushedwithasplendidcourageinwhichdeathlookedameanandpaltrythingcomparedwithvanquishingthatcow。Shehadalreadysteppedintothepool，buttheProphetwadedintowardsher，movingthealderbranchmenacingly。Shelookedupwiththefamiliarrolloftheeyethathaddonehersuchgoodserviceallsummer，butshequailedbeneaththesternjusticeandthenewvaloroftheProphet’sgaze。
Inthatmomentperhapsshefeltashamedofthemiseryshehadcausedthehelplessmite。Atanyrate，actuatedbyfear，surprise，orremorse，sheturnedandwalkedbackintotheroadwithoutasignofpassionorindignation，leavingtheboyandtheladyratherdisappointedattheireasyvictory。Tobepreparedforaviolentdeathandreceivenotevenascratchmadethemfearthattheymightpossiblyhaveoverestimatedthedanger。
Theywerebetterfriendsthaneverafterthat，theyoungminister’swifeandtheforlornlittleboyfromAcreville，sentawayfromhomeheknewnotwhy，unlessitwerethattherewaslittletoeatthereandconsiderablymoreattheCashCames’，astheywerecalledinEdgewood。CassiuswasfamiliarlyknownasUncleCash，partlybecausetherewasadispositioninEdgewoodtoabbreviateallChristiannames，andpartlybecausetheoldmanpaidcash，andexpectedtobepaidcash，foreverything。
Thelatesummergrewintoautumn，andtheminister’sgreatmapleflungaflamingboughofscarletoverMrs。Baxter’sswing-chair。
UncleCashfoundElishaveryusefulatpickinguppotatoesandapples，buttheboywasgoingbacktohisfamilyassoonastheharvestingwasover。
OneFridayeveningMrs。BaxterandRebecca，wrappedinshawlsand\"fascinators，\"weresittingonMrs。Came’sfrontstepsenjoyingthesunset。Rebeccawasinatremulousstateofhappiness，forshehadcomedirectlyfromtheSeminaryatWarehamtotheparsonage，andastheministerwasabsentatachurchconference，shewastostaythenightwithMrs。BaxterandgowithhertoPortlandnextday。
TheyweretogototheIslands，haveicecreamforluncheon，rideonahorse-car，andwalkbytheLongfellowhouse，aprogrammethatsounsettledRebecca’sneververysteadymindthatsheradiatedflashesandsparklesofjoy，makingMrs。Baxterwonderiffleshcouldbetranslucent，enablingthespirit-fireswithintoshinethrough？
Buttercupwasbeingmilkedonthegrassyslopenearthesheddoor。Asshewalkedtothebarn，aftergivingupherpailfulsofyellowmilk，shebentherneckandsnatchedahastybitefromapileofturnipslyingtemptinglynear。Inherhasteshetookmoreofamouthfulthanwouldbeconsideredgoodmannersevenamongcows，andasshedisappearedinthebarndoortheycouldseeaforestofgreentopshangingfromhermouth，whileshepainfullyattemptedtogrindupthemassofstolenmaterialwithoutallowingasingleturniptoescape。