ItgrewdarksoonafterwardandtheywentintothehousetoseeMrs。Came’snewlamplightedforthefirsttime，toexamineherlastdrawn-inrug（awonderfulachievementproducedentirelyfromdyedflannelpetticoats），andtohearthedoctor’swifeplay\"OftintheStillNight，\"onthedulcimer。
Astheyclosedthesitting-roomdooropeningonthepiazzafacingthebarn，thewomenheardthecowcoughingandsaidtooneanother：\"Buttercupwastoogreedy，andnowshehasindigestion。\"
Elishaalwayswenttobedatsundown，andUncleCashhadgonetothedoctor’stohavehishanddressed，forhehadhurtitissomewayinthethreshing-machine。BillPeters，thehiredman，cameinpresentlyandaskedforhim，sayingthatthecowcoughedmoreandmore，anditmustbethatsomethingwaswrong，buthecouldnotgethertoopenhermouthwideenoughforhimtoseeanything。
\"She’dupan’dieruther’nobleegeanybody，thattarnal，uglycowwould！\"hesaid。
WhenUncleCashhaddrivenintotheyard，hecameinforalantern，andwentdirectlyouttothebarn。Afterahalf-hourorso，inwhichthelittlepartyhadforgottenthewholeoccurrence，hecameinagain。
\"I’mblamedifweain’tgoin’tolosethatcow，\"hesaid。\"Comeout，willye，Hannah，andholdthelantern？Ican’tdoanythingwithmyrighthandinasling，andBillisthestupidestcritterinthecountry。\"
Everybodywentouttothebarnaccordingly，exceptthedoctor’swife，whoranovertoherhousetoseeifherbrotherMoseshadcomehomefromMilltown，andcouldcomeandtakeahandintheexercises。
Buttercupwasinabadway；therewasnodoubtofit。Something，oneoftheturnips，presumably，hadlodgedinherthroat，andwouldmoveneitherway，despiteherattemptstodislodgeit。Herbreathingwaslabored，andhereyesbloodshotfromstrainingandchoking。Onceortwicetheysucceededingettinghermouthpartlyopen，butbeforetheycouldfairlydiscoverthecauseoftroubleshehadwrestedherheadaway。
\"Icanseealittletuftofgreenstickingstraightupinthemiddle，\"saidUncleCash，whileBillPetersandMosesheldalanternoneachsideofButtercup’shead；\"but，land！It’ssofardown，andsuchamiteofathing，Icouldn’tgitit，evenifI
couldusemyrighthand。S’poseyoutry，Bill。\"
Billhemmedandhawed，andconfessedhedidn’tcaretotry。
Buttercup’sgrinderswereofgoodsizeandexcellentquality，andhehadnofancyforleavinghishandwithinherjaws。Hesaidhewasnogoodatthatkindofwork，butthathewouldhelpUncleCashholdthecow’shead；thatwasjustasnecessary，andconsiderablesafer。
Moseswasmoreinclinedtotheserviceofhumanity，anddidhisbest，wrappinghiswristinacloth，andmakingdesperatebutineffectualdabsattheslipperygreenturnip-topsinthereluctantlyopenedthroat。ButthecowtossedherheadandstampedherfeetandswitchedhertailandwriggledfromunderBill’shands，sothatitseemedaltogetherimpossibletoreachtheseatofthetrouble。
UncleCashwasindespair，fumingandfrettingthemorebecauseofhisowncrippledhand。
\"Hitchup，Bill，：\"hesaid，\"and，Hannah，youdriveovertoMilliken’sMillsforthehorse-doctor。Iknowwecangitoutthatturnipifwecanhitontherighttoolsandsomebodytomanageemright；butwe’vegottobequickaboutitorthecritter’llchoketodeath，sure！Yourhand’ssoclumsy，Mose，shethinkshertime’scomewhenshefeelsitinhermouth，andyourfingersaresobigyoucan’tketchholto’thatgreenstuffthoutitsslippin’！\"
\"Mineain’tbig；letmetry，\"saidatimidvoice，andturninground，theysawlittleElishaSimpson，histrouserspulledonoverhisnight-shirt，hiscurlyhairruffled，hiseyesvaguewithsleep。
UncleCashgavealaughofgood-humoredderision。\"You——that’safraidtodriveacowtopasture？No，sir；youhain’tgotsandenoughforthisjob，Iguess！\"
Buttercupjustthengaveaworsecoughthanever，andhereyesrolledinherheadasifsheweregivinguptheghost。
\"I’dratherdoitthanseeherchoketodeath！\"criedtheboy，indespair。
\"Then，byginger，youcantryit，sonny！\"saidUncleCash。\"Nowthistimewe’lltieherheadup。Takeitslow，andmakeagoodjobofit。\"
AccordinglytheypriedpoorButtercup’sjawsopentoputawoodengagbetweenthem，tiedherheadup，andkeptherasstillastheycouldwhilethewomenheldthelanterns。
\"Now，sonny，stripupyoursleeveandreachasfurdown’syoucan！Windyourlittlefingersinamongthatgreenstuffstickin’
uptherethatain’thardlybigenoughtocallgreenstuff，giveitatwist，andpullforallyou’reworth。Land！Whataskinnylittlepipestem！\"
TheLittleProphethadstrippeduphissleeve。Itwasaslenderthing，hisarm；buthehaddriventheredcowallsummer，bornehertantrums，protectedherfromtheconsequencesofherownobstinacy，taking（ashethought）afutureowner’sprideinhersplendidflowofmilk——grownfondofher，inaword，andnowshewaschokingtodeath。Askinnylittlepipestemiscapableofadealatsuchatime，andonlyaslenderhandandarmcouldhavedonethework。
Elishatrembledwithnervousness，buthemadeadexterousanddashingentranceintotheawfulcavernofButtercup’smouth；
descendeduponthetinyclumpofgreenspillsorspikes，woundhislittlefingersinamongthemasfirmlyashecould，andthengavealong，steady，determinedpullwithallthestrengthinthisbody。Thatwasnotsomuchinitself，tobesure，butheborrowedagooddealmorefromsomereservequarter，thelocationofwhichnobodyknowsanythingabout，butuponwhicheverybodydrawsintimeofneed。
SuchavaliantpullyouwouldneverhaveexpectedoftheLittleProphet。Suchapullitwasthat，tohisownutteramazement，hesuddenlyfoundhimselflyingflatonhisbackonthebarnfloorwithaveryslipperysomethinginhishand，andafair-sizedbutratherdilapidatedturnipattheendofit。
\"That’sthebusiness！\"criedMoses。
\"Icould’a’doneitaseasyasnothin’ifmyarmhadbeenaleetlemitesmaller，\"saidBillPeters。
\"You’reatrump，sonny！\"exclaimedUncleCash，ashehelpedMosesuntieButtercup’sheadandtookthegagout。
\"You’reatrump，Lisha，and，byginger，thecow’syour’n；onlydon’tyouletyourblessedpadrinknoneofhercream！\"
ThewelcomeairrushedintoButtercup’slungsandcooledherparched，tornthroat。Shewasprettynearlyspent，poorthing，andbentherhead（rathergentlyforher）overtheLittleProphet’sshoulderashethrewhisarmsjoyfullyaboutherneck，andwhispered，\"You’remytrulycownow，ain’tyou，Buttercup？\"
\"Mrs。Baxter，dear，\"saidRebecca，astheywalkedhometotheparsonagetogetherundertheyoungharvestmoon；\"thereareallsortsofcowards，aren’tthere，anddon’tyouthinkElishaisoneofthebestkind。\"
\"Idon’tquiteknowwhattothinkaboutcowards，RebeccaRowena，\"
saidtheminister’swifehesitatingly。\"TheLittleProphetisthethirdcowardIhaveknowninmyshortlifewhoturnedouttobeaherowhentherealtestingtimecame。Meanwhiletheheroesthemselves——ortheonesthatweretakenforheroes——werealwaysbusydoingsomething，orbeingsomewhere，else。\"
EighthChronicleABNERSIMPSON’SNEWLEAF
RebeccahadnowcutthebondsthatboundhertotheRiverborodistrictschool，andhadbeenforaweekafull-fledgedpupilattheWarehamSeminary，towardswhichgoalshehadbeenspeedingeversincethememorabledaywhensherodeintoRiverboroonthetopofUncleJerryCobb’sstagecoach，andtoldhimthateducationwasintendedtobe\"themakingofher。\"
Shewenttoandfro，withEmmaJaneandtheotherRiverboroboysandgirls，onthemorningandeveningtrainsthatranbetweentheacademytownandMilliken’sMills。
Thesixdayshadpassedlikeadream！——adreaminwhichshesatincornerswithhereyescastdown；flushedwhenevershewasaddressed；stammeredwheneversheansweredaquestion，andnearlydiedofheartfailurewhensubjectedtoanexaminationofanysort。Shedelightedthecommitteewhenreadingatsightfrom\"KingLear，\"butsomewhatdiscouragedthemwhenshecouldnottellthecapitaloftheUnitedStates。Sheadmittedthatherformerteacher，MissDearborn，mighthavementionedit，butifsoshehadnotrememberedit。
Inthesefirstweeksamongstrangersshepassedfornothingbutaninteresting-looking，timid，innocent，countrychild，neverrevealing，eventothefar-seeingEmilyMaxwell，ahintofheroriginality，facility，orpowerinanydirection。Rebeccawasfourteen，butsoslight，andundertheparalyzingnewconditionssoshy，thatshewouldhavebeenmistakenfortwelvehaditnotbeenforhergeneraladvancementintheschoolcurriculum。
Growingupinthesolitudeofaremotefarmhouse，transplantedtoatinyvillagewhereshelivedwithtwoelderlyspinsters，shewasstilltheveriestchildinallbutthepracticaldutiesandresponsibilitiesoflife；inthoseshehadlongbeenawoman。
ItwasSaturdayafternoon；herlessonsforMondaywerealllearnedandsheburstintothebrickhousesitting-roomwiththeflushedfaceandembarrassedmienthatalwaysforeshadowedarequest。Requestsweremorecommonlyansweredinthenegativethanintheaffirmativeatthebrickhouse，afactthataccountedfortheslightconfusioninherdemeanor。
\"AuntMiranda，\"shebegan，\"thefishmansaysthatClaraBelleSimpsonwantstoseemeverymuch，butMrs。Foggcan’tspareherlongatatime，youknow，onaccountofthebabybeingnobetter；
butClaraBellecouldwalkamileup，andIamiledowntheroad，andwecouldmeetatthepinkhousehalfway。Thenwecouldrestandtalkanhourorso，andbothbebackintimeforoursuppers。
I’vefedthecat；shehadnoappetite，asit’sonlytwoo’clockandshehadherdinneratnoon，butshe’llgobacktohersaucer，andit’soffmymind。IcouldgodowncellarnowandbringupthecookiesandthepieanddoughnutsforsupperbeforeIstart。AuntJanesawnoobjection；butwethoughtI’dbetteraskyousoastorunnorisks。\"
MirandaSawyer，whohadbeenpatientlywaitingfortheendofthisspeech，laiddownherknittingandraisedhereyeswithahalf-resignedexpressionthatmeant：Isthereanythingunusualinheavenorearthorthewatersundertheearththatthischilddoesnotwanttodo？Willsheeversettledowntoplain，comprehensibleSawyerways，orwillshetotheendmakethesesuddenandradicalpropositions，suggestingateveryturntheirresponsibleRandallancestry？
\"Youknowwellenough，Rebecca，thatIdon’tlikeyoutobeintimatewithAbnerSimpson’syoungones，\"shesaiddecisively。
\"Theyain’tfitcompanyforanybodythat’sgotSawyerbloodintheirveins，ifit’seversolittle。Idon’tknow，I’msure，howyou’regoin’toturnout！Thefishpeddlerseemstobeyourbestfriend，withoutit’sAbijahFlaggthatyou’reeverlastinglytalkin’tolately。Ishouldthinkyou’dratherreadsomeimprovin’bookthantobechatterin’withSquireBean’schore-boy！\"
\"Heisn’talwaysgoingtobeachore-boy，\"explainedRebecca，\"andthat’swhatwe’reconsidering。It’shiscareerwetalkabout，andhehasn’tgotanyfatherormothertoadvisehim。
Besides，ClaraBellekindofbelongstothevillagenowthatsheliveswithMrs。Fogg；andshewasalwaysthebestbehavedofallthegirls，eitherinschoolorSunday-school。Childrencan’thelphavingfathers！\"
\"EverybodysaysAbneristurningoveranewleaf，andifso，thefamily’doughttobeencouragedeverypossibleway，\"saidMissJane，enteringtheroomwithhermendingbasketinhand。
\"IfAbnerSimpsonisturnin’overaleaf，oranythin’elseincreation，it’sonlytoseewhat’sontheunderside！\"remarkedMissMirandapromptly。\"Don’ttalktomeaboutnewleaves！Youcan’tchangethatkindofaman；heiswhatheis，andyoucan’tmakehimnodifferent！\"
\"ThegraceofGodcandoconsid’rable，\"observedJanepiously。
\"Iain’tsayin’butitcanifitsetsout，butithastobeginearlyandstaylateonamanlikeSimpson。\"
\"Now，Mirandy，Abnerain’tmore’nforty！Idon’tknowwhattheaverageageforrepentanceisinmen-folks，butwhenyouthinkofwhatanawfulsightofemleavesittotheirdeathbeds，fortyseemsrealkindofyoung。NotthatI’veheardAbnerhasexperiencedreligion，buteverybody’ssurprisedatthegoodwayhe’sconductin’thisfall。\"
\"They’llbesurprisedtheotherwayroundwhentheycometomisstheirfirewoodandapplesandpotatoesagain，\"affirmedMiranda。
\"ClaraBelledon’tseemtohaveinheritedfromherfather，\"Janeventuredagaintimidly。\"NowonderMrs。Foggsetssuchstorebythegirl。Ifithadn’tbeenforher，thebabywouldhavebeendeadbynow。\"
\"Perhapstryin’tosaveitwasinterferin’withtheLord’swill，\"
wasMiranda’sretort。
\"Folkscan’tstoptofigureoutjustwhat’stheLord’swillwhenachildhasupsetakettleofscaldingwaterontohimself，\"andasshespokeJanedarnedmoreexcitedly。\"Mrs。Foggknowswellenoughshehadn’toughttohaveleftthatbabyaloneinthekitchenwiththestove，evenifshedidseeClaraBellecomin’
acrosslots。She’doughttohavewaitedbeforedrivin’off；butofcourseshewasafraidofmissingthetrain，andshe’stoogoodawomantobeheldaccountable。\"
\"Theminister’swifesaysClaraBelleisareal——Ican’tthinkoftheword！\"chimedinRebecca。\"What’sthefemaleofhero？
Whateveritis，that’swhatMrs。Baxtercalledher！\"
\"ClaraBelle’sthefemaleofSimpson；that’swhatsheis，\"MissMirandaasserted；\"butshe’sbeenbroughtuptouseherwits，andIain’tsayin’butsheusedem。\"
\"Ishouldsayshedid！\"exclaimedMissJane；\"toputthatscreaming，sufferingchildinthebaby-carriageandrunallthewaytothedoctor’swhentherewasn’tasoulonhandtoadviseher！TwoorthreemoresuchactionswouldmaketheSimpsonnamesoundconsid’rablesweeterinthisneighborhood。\"
\"SimpsonwillalwayssoundlikeSimpsontome！\"vouchsafedtheeldersister，\"butwe’vetalkedenoughabouteman’tospare。Youcangoalong，Rebecca；butrememberthatachildisknownbythecompanyshekeeps。\"
\"Allright，AuntMiranda；thankyou！\"criedRebecca，leapingfromthechaironwhichshehadbeentwistingnervouslyforfiveminutes。\"Andhowdoesthisstrikeyou？WouldyoubeinfavorofmytakingClaraBelleacompany-tart？\"
\"Don’tMrs。Foggfeedtheyoungone，nowshe’stakenherrightintothefamily？\"
\"Oh，yes，\"Rebeccaanswered，\"shehaslovelythingstoeat，andMrs。Foggwon’tevenletherdrinkskimmilk；butIalwaysfeelthattakingapresentletsthepersonknowyou’vebeenthinkingaboutthemandareextragladtoseethem。Besides，unlesswehavecompanysoon，thosetartswillhavetobeeatenbythefamily，andanewbatchmade；youremembertheoneIhadwhenI
wasrewardingmyselflastweek？Thatwasqueer——butnice，\"sheaddedhastily。
\"Mebbeyoucouldthinkofsomethingofyourownyoucouldgiveawaywithouttakingmytarts！\"respondedMirandatersely；thejointsofherarmorhavingbeenpiercedbythefatallykeentongueofherniece，whohadinsinuatedthatcompany-tartslastedalongtimeinthebrickhouse。Thiswasafact；indeed，thecompany-tartwassonamed，notfromanyideathatitwouldeverbeeatenbyguests，butbecauseitwastoogoodforevery-dayuse。
Rebecca’sfacecrimsonedwithshamethatshehaddriftedintoanimpoliteand，whatwasworse，anapparentlyungratefulspeech。
\"Ididn’tmeantosayanythingnotnice，AuntMiranda，\"shestammered。\"Trulythetartwassplendid，butnotexactlylikenew，that’sall。Andoh！IknowwhatIcantakeClaraBelle！A
fewchocolatedropsoutoftheboxMr。Laddgavemeonmybirthday。\"
\"Yougodowncellarandgetthattart，sameasItoldyou，\"
commandedMiranda，\"andwhenyoufillitdon’tuncoveranewtumblerofjelly；there’ssomedried-applepreservesopenthat’lldo。Wearyourrubbersandyourthickjacket。Afterrunnin’allthewaydownthere——foryourlegsneverseemtoberiggedforwalkin’likeothergirls’——you’llsetdownonsomedampstoneorotherandketchyourdeatho’cold，an’yourAuntJanen’I’llbekep’upnightsnursin’youandluggin’yourmealsupstairstoyouonawaiter。\"
HereMirandaleanedherheadagainstthebackofherrockingchair，droppedherknittingandclosedhereyeswearily，forwhentheimmovablebodyisopposedbytheirresistibleforcethereisacertainamountofjaranddisturbanceinvolvedintheoperation。
Rebeccamovedtowardthesidedoor，shootingaquestioningglanceatAuntJaneasshepassed。Thelookwasfullofmysterioussuggestionandwasaccompaniedbyanalmostimperceptiblegesture。MissJaneknewthatcertainarticleswerekeptintheentrycloset，andbythistimeshehadbecomesufficientlyexpertintelegraphytoknowthatRebecca’sunspokenquerymeant：\"COULD
YOUPERMITTHEHATWITHTHEREDWINGS，ITBEINGSATURDAY，FINE
SETTLEDWEATHER，ANDAPLEASUREEXCURSION？\"
Theseconfidentialrequests，thoughfraughtwithembarrassmentwhenMirandawasintheroom，gaveJanemuchsecretjoy；therewassomethingaboutthemthatstirredherspinsterheart——theyweresogay，soappealing，soun-Sawyer-，un-Riverboro-like。ThelongerRebeccalivedinthebrickhousethemoreherAuntJanemarveledatthechild。Whatmadehersodifferentfromeverybodyelse。Coulditbethathergracelesspopinjayofafather，LorenzodeMediciRandall，hadbequeathedhersomestrangecombinationofgiftsinsteadoffortune？Hereyes，herbrows，thecolorofherlips，theshapeofherface，aswellasherwaysandwords，proclaimedherachangelingintheSawyertribe；butwhatanenchantingchangeling；bringingwitandnonsenseandcoloranddelightintothegraymonotonyofthedraggingyears！
Therewasfrostintheair，butabrightcheerysun，asRebeccawalkeddecorouslyoutofthebrickhouseyard。EmmaJanePerkinswasawayoverSundayonavisittoacousininModeration；AliceRobinsonandCandaceMillikenwerehavingmeasles，andRiverborowasveryquiet。Still，lifewasseldomanythingbutagayadventuretoRebecca，andshestartedafresheverymorningtoitsconquest。Shewasnotexacting；theAsmodeanfeatofspinningasandheapintotwinewas，poeticallyspeaking，alwaysinherpower，sothemilewalktothepink-housegate，andthetrystwithfreckled，red-hairedClaraBelleSimpson，whosefaceMissMirandasaidlookedlikearawpieinabrickoven，thesecommonplaceincidentsweresufficientlyexhilaratingtobrightenhereyeandquickenherstep。
Asthegreatbarehorse-chestnutnearthepink-housegateloomedintoview，theredlinsey-woolseyspeckgoingdowntheroadspiedthebluelinsey-woolseyspeckcomingup，andbothspecksflewovertheinterveningdistanceand，meeting，embracedeachotherardently，somewhattotheinjuryofthecompany-tart。
\"Didn’titcomeoutsplendidly？\"exclaimedRebecca。\"Iwassoafraidthefishmanwouldn’ttellyoutostartexactlyattwo，orthatoneofuswouldwalkfasterthantheother；butwemetattheveryspot！Itwasaveryuncommonidea，wasn’tit？Almostromantic！\"
\"Andwhatdoyouthink？\"askedClaraBelleproudly。\"Lookatthis！Mrs。Fogglentmeherwatchtocomehomeby！\"
\"Oh，ClaraBelle，howwonderful！Mrs。Fogggetskinderandkindertoyou，doesn’tshe？You’renothomesickanymore，areyou？\"
\"No-o；notreally；onlywhenIrememberthere’sonlylittleSusantomanagethetwins；thoughthey’regettingonrealwellwithoutme。ButIkindofthink，Rebecca，thatI’mgoingtobegivenawaytotheFoggsforgood。\"
\"Doyoumeanadopted？\"
\"Yes；Ithinkfather’sgoingtosignpapers。Youseewecan’ttellhowmanyyearsit’llbebeforethepoorbabyoutgrowsitsburns，andMrs。Fogg’llneverbethesameagain，andshemusthavesomebodytohelpher。\"
\"You’llbetheirrealdaughter，then，won’tyou，ClaraBelle？AndMr。Foggisadeacon，andaselectman，andaroadcommissioner，andeverythingsplendid。\"
\"Yes；I’llhaveboard，andclothes，andschool，andbenamedFogg，and\"（herehervoicesanktoanawedwhisper）\"theupperfarmifIshouldevergetmarried；MissDearborntoldmethatherself，whenshewaspersuadingmenottomindbeinggivenaway。\"
\"ClaraBelleSimpson！\"exclaimedRebeccainatransport。\"Who’dhavethoughtyou’dbeafemaleheroandanheiressbesides？It’sjustlikeabookstory，andithappenedinRiverboro。I’llmakeUncleJerryCobballowthereCANbeRiverborostories，youseeifIdon’t。\"
\"OfcourseIknowit’sallright，\"ClaraBellerepliedsoberly。
\"I’llhaveagoodhomeandfathercan’tkeepusall；butit’skindofdreadfultobegivenaway，likeapianoorahorseandcarriage！\"
Rebecca’shandwentoutsympatheticallytoClaraBelle’sfreckledpaw。Suddenlyherownfacecloudedandshewhispered：
\"I’mnotsure，ClaraBelle，butI’mgivenawaytoo——doyous’poseIam？Poorfatherleftusindebt，yousee。IthoughtIcameawayfromSunnybrooktogetaneducationandthenhelppayoffthemortgage；butmotherdoesn’tsayanythingaboutmycomingback，andourfamily’soneofthosetoo-bigones，youknow，justlikeyours。\"
\"Didyourmothersignpaperstoyouraunts？’
\"IfshedidIneverheardanythingaboutit；butthere’ssomethingpinnedontothemortgagethatmotherkeepsinthedrawerofthebookcase。\"
\"You’dknowitiftwasadoptionpapers；Iguessyou’rejustlent，\"ClaraBellesaidcheeringly。\"Idon’tbelieveanybody’devergiveYOUaway！And，oh！Rebecca，father’sgettingonsowell！HeworksonDaly’sfarmwheretheyraiselotsofhorsesandcattle，too，andhebreaksalltheyoungcoltsandtrainsthem，andswapsoffthepoorones，anddrivesalloverthecountry。
DalytoldMr。Fogghewassplendidwithstock，andfathersaysit’sjustlikeplay。He’ssenthomemoneythreeSaturdaynights。\"
\"I’msoglad！\"exclaimedRebeccasympathetically。\"Nowyourmother’llhaveagoodtimeandablacksilkdress，won’tshe？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"sighedClaraBelle，andhervoicewasgrave。
\"EversinceIcanremembershe’sjustwashedandcriedandcriedandwashed。MissDearbornhasbeenspendinghervacationuptoAcreville，youknow，andshecameyesterdaytoboardnextdoortoMrs。Fogg’s。IheardthemtalkinglastnightwhenIwasgettingthebabytosleep——Icouldn’thelpit，theyweresoclose——andMissDearbornsaidmotherdoesn’tlikeAcreville；shesaysnobodytakesanynoticeofher，andtheydon’tgiveheranymorework。
Mrs。Foggsaid，well，theyweredreadfulstiffandparticularupthatwayandtheylikedwomentohaveweddingrings。\"
\"Hasn’tyourmothergotaweddingring？\"askedRebecca，astonished。\"Why，IthoughteverybodyHADtohavethem，justastheydosofasandakitchenstove！\"
\"Inevernoticedshedidn’thaveone，butwhentheyspokeI
rememberedmother’shandswashingandwringing，andshedoesn’twearone，Iknow。Shehasn’tgotanyjewelry，notevenabreast-pin。\"
\"Rebecca’stonewassomewhatcensorious，\"yourfather’sbeensopoorperhapshecouldn’taffordbreast-pins，butIshouldhavethoughthe’dhavegivenyourmotheraweddingringwhentheyweremarried；that’sthetimetodoit，rightattheveryfirst。\"
\"Theydidn’thaveanyrealchurchdress-upwedding，\"explainedClaraBelleextenuatingly。\"Youseethefirstmother，mine，hadthebigboysandme，andthenshediedwhenwewerelittle。Thenafterawhilethismothercametohousekeep，andshestayed，andbyandbyshewasMrs。Simpson，andSusanandthetwinsandthebabyarehers，andsheandfatherdidn’thavetimeforaregularweddinginchurch。Theydon’thaveveilsandbridesmaidsandrefreshmentsroundherelikeMissDearborn’ssisterdid。\"
\"Dotheycostagreatdeal——weddingrings？\"askedRebeccathoughtfully。\"They’resolidgold，soIs’posetheydo。Iftheywerecheapwemightbuyone。I’vegotseventy-fourcentssavedup；howmuchhaveyou？\"
\"Fifty-three，\"ClaraBelleresponded，inadepressingtone；\"andanywaytherearenostoresnearerthanMilltown。We’dhavetobuyitsecretly，forIwouldn’tmakefatherangry，orshamehispride，nowhe’sgotsteadywork；andmotherwouldknowIhadspentallmysavings。\"
Rebeccalookednonplussed。\"Ideclare，\"shesaid，\"IthinktheAcrevillepeoplemustbeperfectlyhorridnottocallonyourmotheronlybecauseshehasn’tgotanyjewelry。Youwouldn’tdaretellyourfatherwhatMissDearbornheard，sohe’dsaveupandbuythering？\"
\"No；Icertainlywouldnot！\"andClaraBelle’slipsclosedtightlyanddecisively。
Rebeccasatquietlyforafewmoments，thensheexclaimedjubilantly：\"Iknowwherewecouldgetit！FromMr。Aladdin，andthenIneedn’ttellhimwhoit’sfor！He’scomingtostayovertomorrowwithhisaunt，andI’llaskhimtobuyaringforusinBoston。Iwon’texplainanything，youknow；I’lljustsayIneedaweddingring。\"
\"Thatwouldbeperfectlylovely，\"repliedClaraBelle，alookofhopedawninginhereyes；\"andwecanthinkafterwardshowtogetitovertomother。Perhapsyoucouldsendittofatherinstead，butIwouldn’tdaretodoitmyself。Youwon’ttellanybody，Rebecca？\"
\"Crossmyheart！\"Rebeccaexclaimeddramatically；andthenwithareproachfullook，\"youknowIcouldn’trepeatasacredsecretlikethat！ShallwemeetnextSaturdayafternoon，andItellyouwhat’shappened？——Why，ClaraBelle，isn’tthatMr。Laddwateringhishorseatthefootofthehillthisveryminute？Itis；andhe’sdrivenupfromMilltownsteadofcomingonthetrainfromBostontoEdgewood。He’sallalone，andIcanridehomewithhimandaskhimabouttheringrightaway！\"
ClaraBellekissedRebeccafervently，andstartedonherhomewardwalk，whileRebeccawaitedatthetopofthelonghill，flutteringherhandkerchiefasasignal。
\"Mr。Aladdin！Mr。Aladdin！\"shecried，asthehorseandwagoncamenearer。
AdamLadddrewupquicklyatthesoundoftheeageryoungvoice。
\"Well，well；hereisRebeccaRowenaflutteringalongthehighroadlikeared-wingedblackbird！Areyougoingtoflyhome，ordrivewithme？\"
Rebeccaclamberedintothecarriage，laughingandblushingwithdelightathisnonsenseandwithjoyatseeinghimagain。
\"ClaraBelleandIwerejusttalkingaboutyouthisminute，andI’msogladyoucamethisway，forthere’ssomethingveryimportanttoaskyouabout，\"shebegan，ratherbreathlessly。
\"Nodoubt，\"laughedAdamLadd，whohadbecome，inthecourseofhisacquaintancewithRebecca，asortofhighcourtofappeals；
\"Ihopethepremiumbanquetlampdoesn’tsmokeasitgrowsolder？\"
\"Now，Mr。Aladdin，youWILLnotremembernicely。Mr。SimpsonswappedoffthebanquetlampwhenhewasmovingthefamilytoAcreville；it’snotthelampatall，butonce，whenyouwereherelasttime，yousaidyou’dmakeupyourmindwhatyouweregoingtogivemeforChristmas。\"
\"Well，\"and\"Idorememberthatmuchquitenicely。\"
\"Well，isitbought？\"
\"No，IneverbuyChristmaspresentsbeforeThanksgiving。\"
\"Then，DEARMr。Aladdin，wouldyoubuymesomethingdifferent，somethingthatIwanttogiveaway，andbuyitalittlesoonerthanChristmas？\"
\"Thatdepends。Idon’trelishhavingmyChristmaspresentsgivenaway。Iliketohavethemkeptforeverinlittlegirls’bureaudrawers，allwrappedinpinktissuepaper；butexplainthematterandperhapsI’llchangemymind。Whatisityouwant？\"
\"Ineedaweddingringdreadfully，\"saidRebecca，\"butit’sasacredsecret。\"
AdamLadd’seyesflashedwithsurpriseandhesmiledtohimselfwithpleasure。Hadheonhislistofacquaintances，heaskedhimself，apersonofanyageorsexsoaltogetherirresistibleanduniqueasthischild？Thenheturnedtofaceherwiththemerryteasinglookthatmadehimsodelightfultoyoungpeople。
\"Ithoughtitwasperfectlyunderstoodbetweenus，\"hesaid，\"thatifyoucouldevercontrivetogrowupandIwerewillingtowait，thatIwastorideuptothebrickhouseonmysnowwhite\"——
\"Coalblack，\"correctedRebecca，withasparklingeyeandawarningfinger。
\"Coalblackcharger；putagoldencircletonyourlilywhitefinger，drawyouupbehindmeonmypillion\"——
\"AndEmmaJane，too，\"Rebeccainterrupted。
\"IthinkIdidn’tmentionEmmaJane，\"arguedMr。Aladdin。\"Threeonapillionisveryuncomfortable。IthinkEmmaJaneleapsonthebackofaprancingchestnut，andweallgoofftomycastleintheforest。\"
\"EmmaJaneneverleaps，andshe’dbeafraidofaprancingchestnut，\"objectedRebecca。
\"Thensheshallhaveagentlecream-coloredpony；butnow，withoutanyexplanation，youaskmetobuyyouaweddingring，whichshowsplainlythatyouareplanningtorideoffonasnowwhite——Imeancoalblack——chargerwithsomebodyelse。\"
Rebeccadimpledandlaughedwithjoyatthenonsense。InherprosaicworldnoonebutAdamLaddplayedthegameandansweredthefoolaccordingtohisfolly。Nobodyelsetalkeddeliciousfairy-storytwaddlebutMr。Aladdin。
\"Theringisn’tforME！\"sheexplainedcarefully。\"YouknowverywellthatEmmaJanenorIcan’tbemarriedtillwe’rethroughQuackenbos’sGrammar，Greenleaf’sArithmetic，andbigenoughtowearlongtrailsandrunasewingmachine。Theringisforafriend。\"
\"Whydoesn’tthegroomgiveittohisbridehimself？\"
\"Becausehe’spoorandkindofthoughtless，andanywaysheisn’tabrideanymore；shehasthreestepandthreeotherkindofchildren。\"
AdamLaddputthewhipbackinthesocketthoughtfully，andthenstoopedtotuckintherugoverRebecca’sfeetandhisown。Whenheraisedhisheadagainheasked：\"Whynottellmealittlemore，Rebecca？I’msafe！\"
Rebeccalookedathim，feelinghiswisdomandstrength，andaboveallhissympathy。Thenshesaidhesitatingly：\"YourememberI
toldyouallabouttheSimpsonsthatdayonyouraunt’sporchwhenyouboughtthesoapbecauseItoldyouhowthefamilywerealwaysintroubleandhowmuchtheyneededabanquetlamp？Mr。
Simpson，ClaraBelle’sfather，hasalwaysbeenverypoor，andnotalwaysverygood，——alittlebitTHIEVISH，youknow——butoh，sopleasantandnicetotalkto！Andnowhe’sturningoveranewleaf。AndeverybodyinRiverborolikedMrs。Simpsonwhenshecamehereastranger，becausetheyweresorryforherandshewassopatient，andsuchahardworker，andsokindtothechildren。Butwhereshelivesnow，thoughtheyusedtoknowherwhenshewasagirl，they’renotpolitetoheranddon’tgiveherscrubbingandwashing；andClarabelleheardourteachersaytoMrs。FoggthattheAcrevillepeoplewerestiff，anddespisedherbecauseshedidn’twearaweddingring，likealltherest。AndClaraBelleandIthoughtiftheyweresomeanasthat，we’dlovetogiveherone，andthenshe’dbehappierandhavemorework；andperhapsMr。Simpsonifhegetsalongbetterwillbuyherabreast-pinandearrings，andshe’llbefittedoutliketheothers。IknowMrs。
PeterMeserveislookeduptobyeverybodyinEdgewoodonaccountofhergoldbraceletsandmossagatenecklace。\"
Adamturnedagaintomeettheluminous，innocenteyesthatglowedunderthedelicatebrowsandlonglashes，feelingashehadmorethanoncefeltbefore，asifhisworldly-wise，grown-upthoughtshadbeenbathedinsomepurifyingspring。
\"HowshallyousendtheringtoMrs。Simpson？\"heasked，withinterest。
\"Wehaven’tsettledyet；ClaraBelle’safraidtodoit，andthinksIcouldmanagebetter。Willtheringcostmuch？Because，ofcourse，ifitdoes，ImustaskAuntJanefirst。TherearethingsIhavetoaskAuntMiranda，andothersthatbelongtoAuntJane。\"
\"Itcoststhemeresttrifle。I’llbuyoneandbringittoyou，andwe’llconsultaboutit；butIthinkasyou’regreatfriendswithMr。Simpsonyou’dbettersendittohiminaletter，lettersbeingyourstrongpoint！It’sapresentamanoughttogivehisownwife，butit’sworthtrying，Rebecca。YouandClaraBellecanmanageitbetweenyou，andI’llstayinthebackgroundwherenobodywillseeme。\"
NinthChronicleTHEGREENISLE
ManyagreenisleneedsmustbeInthedeepseaofmisery，Orthemariner，wornandwan，NeverthuscouldvoyageonDayandnightandnightandday，Driftingonhiswearyway。
ShelleyMeantimeinthesefrostyautumndayslifewascrowdedwitheventsinthelonelySimpsonhouseatAcreville。
Thetumble-downdwellingstoodontheedgeofPliney’sPond；socalledbecauseoldColonelRichardsonlefthislandstobedividedinfiveequalparts，eachsharetobechoseninturnbyoneofhisfivesons，Pliny，theeldest，havingpriorityofchoice。
PlinyRichardson，havinglittletasteforfarming，andbeingardentlyfondoffishing，rowing，andswimming，acteduptohisreputationofbeing\"alittlemiteodd，\"andtookhiswholetwentyacresinwater——hencePliny’sPond。
TheeldestSimpsonboyhadbeenworkingonafarminCumberlandCountyfortwoyears。Samuel，generallydubbed\"see-saw，\"hadlatelyfoundahumbleplaceinashinglemillandwaspartiallyself-supporting。ClaraBellehadbeenadoptedbytheFoggs；thustherewereonlythreemouthstofill，thecapaciousonesofElijahandElisha，thetwinboys，andoflisping，nine-year-oldSusan，thecapablehouseworkerandmother’sassistant，forthebabyhaddiedduringthesummer；diedofdiscouragementathavingbeenbornintoafamilyunprovidedwithfoodormoneyorloveorcare，orevenwithdesirefor，orappreciationof，babies。
Therewasnodoubtthattheerraticfatherofthehousehadturnedoveranewleaf。Exactlywhenhebegan，orhow，orwhy，orhowlonghewouldcontinuethepraiseworthyprocess，——inawordwhethertherewouldbemoreleavesturnedasthemonthswenton，——Mrs。Simpsondidnotknow，anditisdoubtfulifanyauthoritylowerthanthatofMr。Simpson’sMakercouldhavedecidedthematter。Hehadstolenarticlesforswappingpurposesforalongtime，buthadoftenavoideddetection，andalwaysescapedpunishmentuntilthelastfewyears。Threefinesimposedforsmalloffenseswerefollowedbyseveralarrestsandtwoimprisonmentsforbriefperiods，andhefoundhimselfwhollyoutofsympathywiththewagesofsin。Sinitselfhedidnotespeciallymind，butthewagesthereofweredecidedlyunpleasantandirksometohim。Healsomindedverymuchtheisolatedpositioninthecommunitywhichhadlatelybecomehis；forhewasasocialbeingandwouldALMOSTrathernotstealfromaneighborthanhavehimfinditoutandceaseintercourse！ThisfeelingwasworkinginhimandrenderinghimunaccountablyirritableanddepressedwhenhetookhisdaughterovertoRiverboroatthetimeofthegreatflag-raising。
Thereareseasonsofrefreshment，aswellasseasonsofdrought，inthespiritual，asinthenaturalworld，andinsomewayorotherdewsandrainsofgracefelluponAbnerSimpson’sheartduringthatbriefjourney。Perhapsthegivingawayofachildthathecouldnotsupporthadmadethesoilofhisheartalittlesofterandreadierforplantingthanusual；butwhenhestolethenewflagoffMrs。PeterMeserve’sdoorsteps，undertheimpressionthatthecotton-coveredbundlecontainedfreshlywashedclothes，heunconsciouslysetcertainforcesinoperation。
ItwillberememberedthatRebeccasawaninchofredbuntingpeepingfromthebackofhiswagon，andaskedthepleasureofadrivewithhim。Shewasnodaughteroftheregiment，butsheproposedtofollowtheflag。Whenshediplomaticallyrequestedthereturnofthesacredobjectwhichwastobethegloryofthe\"raising\"nextday，andhethusdiscoveredhismistake，hewasfuriouswithhimselfforhavingslippedintoadisagreeablepredicament；andlater，whenheunexpectedlyfacedadetachmentofRiverborosocietyatthecross-roads，andmetnotonlytheirwrathandscorn，butthereproachful，disappointedglanceofRebecca’seyes，hefeltdegradedasneverbefore。
ThenightattheCentretaverndidnothelpmatters，northejollypatrioticmeetingofthethreevillagesattheflag-raisingnextmorning。Hewouldhaveenjoyedbeingattheheadandfrontofthefestivepreparations，butashehadcuthimselfofffromallsuchfriendlygatherings，heintendedatanyratetositinhiswagonontheveryoutskirtsoftheassembledcrowdandseesomeofthegayety；for，heavenknows，hehadlittleenough，hewholovedtalk，andsong，andstory，andlaughter，andexcitement。
Theflagwasraised，thecrowdcheered，thelittlegirltowhomhehadlied，thegirlwhowasimpersonatingtheStateofMaine，wasontheplatform\"speakingherpiece，\"andhecouldjustdistinguishsomeofthewordsshewassaying：
\"Forit’syourstar，mystar，allthestarstogether，Thatmakesourcountry’sflagsoproudTofloatinthebrightfallweather。\"
Thensuddenlytherewasaclarionvoicecleavingtheair，andhesawatallmanstandinginthecentreofthestageandheardhimcrying：\"THREECHEERSFORTHEGIRLTHATSAVEDTHEFLAGFROMTHE
HANDSOFTHEENEMY！\"
Hewassoreandbitterenoughalready；lonely，isolatedenough；
withnolotnorshareinthehonestcommunitylife；nohandtoshake，noneighbor’smealtoshare；andthisunexpectedpublicarraignmentsmotehimbetweentheeyes。Withresentmentnewlykindled，pridewounded，vanitybleeding，heflungacurseatthejoyousthronganddrovetowardhome，thehomewherehewouldfindhisraggedchildrenandmeetthetimideyesofawomanwhohadbeentheloyalpartnerofhispovertyanddisgraces。
Itisprobablethateventhenhis（extremelylight）handwasalreadyonthe\"newleaf。\"Theangels，doubtless，werenotespeciallyproudofthematterandmannerofhisreformation，butIdaresaytheyweregladtocounthimtheirsonanyterms，sodifficultisthereformationofthisblindandfoolishworld！
Theymusthavebeen；fortheyimmediatelyflungintohisverylapaprofitable，andwhatismoretothepoint，aninterestingandagreeablesituationwheremoneycouldbeearnedbydoingtheverythingshisnaturecraved。Therewerefeatsofdaringtobeperformedinsightofadmiringandapplaudingstableboys；thehorseshelovedwerehiscompanions；hewasOBLIGEDto\"swap，\"
forDaly，hisemployer，countedonhimtogetridofallundesirablestock；powerandresponsibilityofasortweregivenhimfreely，forDalywasnoPuritan，andfelthimselfamplycapableofmanaginganynumberofSimpsons；soherewerenumberlessadvantageswithintheman’sgrasp，andwagesbesides！
Abnerpositivelyfeltnotemptationtosteal；hissoulexpandedwithpride，andtheadmirationandastonishmentwithwhichheregardedhisvirtuouspresentwasonlyequaledbythedisgustwithwhichhecontemplatedhispast；notsomuchaviciouspast，inhisowngenerousestimationofit，asa\"thunderin’foolish\"
one。
Mrs。SimpsontookthesameviewofAbner’snewleafastheangels。ShewasthankfulforevenabriefseasonofhonestycoupledwiththeSaturdaynightremittance；andifshestillwashedandcriedandcriedandwashed，asClaraBellehadalwaysseenher，itwaseitherbecauseofsomehiddensorrow，orbecauseherpoorstrengthseemedallatoncetohavedesertedher。
Justwhenemploymentandgoodfortunehadcometothestep-children，andherownwerebetterfedandclothedthaneverbefore，thepainthathadalwayslurked，constantbutdull，nearhertiredheart，grewfierceandtriumphantlystrong；clutchingherinitstalons，biting，gnawing，worrying，leavinghereachweekwithslighterpowersofresistance。Stillhopewasintheairandagreatercontentthanhadeverbeenherswasinhereyes；acontentthatcameneartohappinesswhenthedoctororderedhertokeepherbedandsentforClaraBelle。Shecouldnotwashanylonger，buttherewastheevernewmiracleoftheSaturdaynightremittanceforhouseholdexpenses。
\"Isyourpainbadtoday，mother，\"askedClaraBelle，who，onlylatelygivenaway，wasmerelyborrowedfromMrs。Foggforwhatwasthoughttobeabriefemergency。
\"Well，there，Ican’thardlytell，ClaraBelle，\"Mrs。Simpsonreplied，withafaintsmile。\"Ican’tseemtorememberthepainthesedayswithoutit’sextrabad。Theneighborsaresokind；
Mrs。Littlehassentmecannedmustardgreens，andMrs。Bensonchocolateicecreamandmincepie；there’sthedoctor’sdropstomakemesleep，andtheseblanketsandthatgreatboxofeatablesfromMr。Ladd；andyouheretokeepmecomp’ny！IdeclareI’mkindo’dazedwithcomforts。Ineverexpectedtoseesherrywineinthishouse。Iain’tneverdrawedthecork；itdoesmegoodenoughjesttolookatMr。Ladd’sbottlesettin’onthemantel-piecewiththefireshinin’onthebrownglass。\"
Mr。Simpsonhadcometoseehiswifeandhadmetthedoctorjustashewasleavingthehouse。
\"Shelooksawfulbadtome。Isshegoin’topullthroughallright，sameasthelasttime？\"heaskedthedoctornervously。
\"She’sgoingtopullrightthroughintotheotherworld，\"thedoctoransweredbluntly；\"andastheredon’tseemtobeanybodyelsetotakethebullbythehorns，I’dadviseyou，havingmadethewoman’slifeaboutashardandmiserableasyoucould，totryandhelphertodieeasy！\"
Abner，surprisedandcrushedbytheweightofthisverbalchastisement，satdownonthedoorstep，hisheadinhishands，andthoughtawhilesolemnly。Thoughtwasnotanoperationhewaswonttoindulgein，andwhenheopenedthegateafewminuteslaterandwalkedslowlytowardthebarnforhishorse，helookedpaleandunnerved。Itisuncommonlystartling，firsttoseeyourselfinanotherman’sscornfuleyes，andthen，clearly，inyourown。
Twodayslaterhecameagain，andthistimeitwasdecreedthatheshouldfindParsonCarlltyinghispiebaldmareatthepost。
ClaraBelle’squickeyehadobservedtheministerashealightedfromhisbuggy，and，warninghermother，shehastilysmoothedthebedclothes，arrangedthemedicinebottles，andsweptthehearth。
\"Oh！Don’tlethimin！\"wailedMrs。Simpson，allofaflutterattheprospectofsuchavisitor。\"Oh，dear！TheymustthinkovertothevillagethatI’mdreadfulsick，ortheministerwouldn’tneverthinkofcallin’！Don’tlethimin，ClaraBelle！I’mafraidhewillsayhardwordstome，orpraytome；andIain’tneverbeenprayedtosinceIwasachild！Ishiswifewithhim？\"
\"No；he’salone；butfather’sjustdroveupandishitchingatthesheddoor。\"
\"That’sworsethanall！\"andMrs。Simpsonraisedherselffeeblyonherpillowsandclaspedherhandsindespair。\"Youmustn’tletthemtwomeet，ClaraBelle，andyoumustsendMr。Carllaway；
yourfatherwouldn’thaveaministerinthehouse，norspeaktoone，forathousanddollars！\"
\"Bequiet，mother！Liedown！It’llbeallright！You’llonlyfretyourselfintoaspell！Theminister’sjustagoodman；hewon’tsayanythingtofrightenyou。Father’stalkingwithhimrealpleasant，andpointingthewaytothefrontdoor。\"
TheparsonknockedandwasadmittedbytheexcitedClaraBelle，whousheredhimtremblinglyintothesickroom，andthenbetookherselftothekitchenwiththechildren，ashegentlyrequestedher。
AbnerSimpson，leftaloneintheshed，fumbledinhisvestpocketandtookoutanenvelopewhichheldasheetofpaperandatinypacketwrappedintissuepaper。Theletterhadbeenreadoncebeforeandranasfollows：
DearMr。Simpson：
Thisisasecretletter。IheardthattheAcrevillepeopleweren’tnicetoMrs。Simpsonbecauseshedidn’thaveanyweddingringlikealltheothers。
Iknowyou’vealwaysbeenpoor，dearMr。Simpson，andtroubledwithalargefamilylikeoursatthefarm；butyoureallyoughttohavegivenMrs。Simpsonaringwhenyouweremarriedtoher，rightattheveryfirst；forthenitwouldhavebeenoveranddonewith，astheyaresolidgoldandlastforever。Andprobablyshewouldn’tfeellikeaskingyouforone，becauseladiesarejustlikegirls，onlygrownup，andIknowI’dbeashamedtobegforjewelrywhenjustboardandclothescostsomuch。SoIsendyouanice，newweddingringtosaveyourbuying，thinkingyoumightgetMrs。SimpsonabraceletoreardropsforChristmas。Itdidnotcostmeanything，asitwasasecretpresentfromafriend。
IhearMrs。Simpsonissick，anditwouldbeagreatcomforttoherwhilesheisinbedandhassomuchtimetolookatit。WhenIhadthemeaslesEmmaJanePerkinslentmehermother’sgarnetring，andithelpedmeverymuchtoputmywastedhandoutsidethebedclothesandseetheringsparkling。
Pleasedon’tbeangrywithme，dearMr。Simpson，becauseIlikeyousomuchandamsogladyouarehappywiththehorsesandcolts；andIbelievenowperhapsyouDIDthinktheflagwasabundleofwashingwhenyoutookitthatday；sonomorefromyourTrustedfriend，RebeccaRowenaRandall。
Simpsontoretheletterslowlyandquietlyintofragmentsandscatteredthebitsonthewoodpile，tookoffhishat，andsmoothedhishair；pulledhismustachesthoughtfully，straightenedhisshoulders，andthen，holdingthetinypacketinthepalmofhishand，hewentroundtothefrontdoor，andhavingenteredthehousestoodoutsidethesickroomforaninstant，turnedtheknobandwalkedsoftlyin。
Thenatlasttheangelsmighthaveenjoyedamomentofunmixedjoy，forinthatbriefwalkfromshedtohouseAbnerSimpson；’sconsciencewakedtolifeandattainedsufficientstrengthtoprickandsting，toprovokeremorse，toincitepenitence，todoallsortsofdivineandbeautifulthingsitwasmeantfor，buthadneverbeenallowedtodo。
ClaraBellewentaboutthekitchenquietly，makingpreparationsforthechildren’ssupper。ShehadleftRiverboroinhaste，asthechangefortheworseinMrs。Simpsonhadbeenverysudden，butsinceshehadcomeshehadthoughtmorethanonceoftheweddingring。ShehadwonderedwhetherMr。LaddhadboughtitforRebecca，andwhetherRebeccawouldfindmeanstosendittoAcreville；buthercareshadbeensomanyandvariedthatthesubjecthadnowfinallyretiredtothebackgroundofhermind。
ThehandsoftheclockcreptonandshekepthushingthestridenttonesofElijahandElisha，openingandshuttingtheovendoortolookatthecornbread，advisingSusanastoherdishes，andmarvelingthattheministerstayedsolong。
Atlastsheheardadooropenandcloseandsawtheoldparsoncomeout，wipinghisspectacles，andstepintothebuggyforhisdrivetothevillage。
Thentherewasanotherperiodofsuspense，duringwhichthehousewasassilentasthegrave，andpresentlyherfathercameintothekitchen，greetedthetwinsandSusan，andsaidtoClaraBelle：\"Don’tgointhereyet！\"jerkinghisthumbtowardsMrs。
Simpson’sroom；\"she’sallbeatoutandshe’sjustdroppin’offtosleep。I’llsendsomegroceriesupfromthestoreasIgoalong。Isthedoctormakin’asecondcalltonight？\"
\"Yes；he’llbehereprettysoon，now，\"ClaraBelleanswered，lookingattheclock。
\"Allright。I’llbehereagaintomorrow，soonasit’slight，andifsheain’tpickedupanyI’llsendwordbacktoDaly，andstopherewithyouforaspelltillshe’sbetter。\"
Itwastrue；Mrs。Simpsonwas\"allbeatout。\"Ithadbeenatimeofexcitementandstress，andthepoor，flutteredcreaturewasdroppingoffintothestrangestsleep——asleepmadeupofwakingdreams。Thepain，thathadencompassedherheartlikeabandofsteel，lesseneditscruelpressure，andfinallylefthersocompletelythatsheseemedtoseeitfloatingaboveherhead；
onlythatitlookednolongerlikeabandofsteel，butagoldencircle。