Thefrailbarkinwhichshehadsailedherlifevoyagehadbeenrockingonaroughandtossingocean，andnowitfloated，floatedslowlyintosmootherwaters。
Aslongasshecouldremember，herboathadbeenflungaboutinstormandtempest，lashedbyangrywinds，borneagainstrocks，beaten，torn，buffeted。Nowthewaveshadsubsided；theskywasclear；theseawaswarmandtranquil；thesunshinedriedthetatteredsails；theairwassoftandbalmy。
Andnow，forsleepplaysstrangetricks，thebarkdisappearedfromthedream，anditwasshe，herself，whowasfloating，floatingfartherandfartheraway；whithersheneitherknewnorcared；itwasenoughtobeatrest，lulledbythelappingofthecoolwaves。
Thenthereappearedagreenislerisingfromthesea；anislesoradiantandfairy-likethatherfamishedeyescouldhardlybelieveitsreality；butitwasreal，forshesailednearerandnearertoitsshores，andatlastherfeetskimmedtheshiningsandsandshefloatedthroughtheairasdisembodiedspiritsfloat，tillshesanksoftlyatthefootofaspreadingtree。
Thenshesawthegreenislewasafloweringisle。Everyshrubandbushwasblooming；thetreeswerehungwithrosygarlands，andeventheearthwascarpetedwithtinyflowers。Therarefragrances，thebirdsongs，softandmusical，theravishmentofcolor，allboredownuponherswimmingsensesatonce，takingthemcaptivesocompletelythatsherememberednopast，wasconsciousofnopresent，lookedforwardtonofuture。Sheseemedtoleavethebodyandthesad，heavythingsofthebody。Thehumminginherearsceased，thelightfaded，thebirdssongsgrewfainterandmoredistant，thegoldencircleofpainrecededfartherandfartheruntilitwaslosttoview；eventhefloweringislandgentlydriftedaway，andallwaspeaceandsilence。
Itwastimeforthedoctornow，andClaraBelle，tooanxioustowaitlonger，softlyturnedtheknobofhermother’sdoorandenteredtheroom。Theglowoftheopenfireilluminedthedarkestsideofthepoorchamber。Therewerenotreesnearthehouse，andafullNovembermoonstreamedinattheunblinded，uncurtainedwindows，lightingupthebareinterior——theunpaintedfloor，thegrayplasteredwalls，andthewhitecounterpane。
Hermotherlayquitestill，herheadturnedanddroopingalittleonthepillow。Herlefthandwasfoldedsoftlyupagainstherbreast，thefingersoftherightpartlycoveringit，asifprotectingsomethingprecious。
Wasitthemoonlightthatmadethepatientbrowsowhite，andwherewerethelinesofanxietyandpain？Thefaceofthemotherwhohadwashedandcriedandcriedandwashedwasasradiantasiftheclosedeyewerebeholdingheavenlyvisions。
\"Somethingmusthavecuredher！\"thoughtClaraBelle，awedandalmostfrightenedbythewhitenessandthesilence。
Shetiptoedacrossthefloortolookmorecloselyatthestill，smilingshape，andbendingoveritsaw，undertheshadowofthecaressingrighthand，anarrowgoldbandgleamingonthework-stainedfinger。
\"Oh，theringcame，afterall！\"shesaidinagladwhisper，\"andperhapsitwasthatthatmadeherbetter！\"
Sheputherhandonhermother’sgently。Aterrifiedshiver，awarningshudder，shookthegirlfromheadtofootatthechillingtouch。Adreadpresenceshehadnevermetbeforesuddenlytookshape。Itfilledtheroom；stifledthecryonherlips；frozeherstepstothefloor，stoppedthebeatingofherheart。
Justthenthedooropened。
\"Oh，doctor！Comequick！\"shesobbed，stretchingoutherhandforhelp，andthencoveringhereyes。\"Comeclose！Lookatmother！Isshebetter——orisshedead？\"
Thedoctorputonehandontheshoulderoftheshrinkingchild，andtouchedthewomanwiththeother。
\"Sheisbetter！\"hesaidgently，\"andsheisdead。\"
TenthChronicleREBECCA’SREMINISCENCES
RebeccawassittingbythewindowinherroomattheWarehamFemaleSeminary。Shewasalone，asherroommate，EmmaJanePerkins，wasrecitingLatindownbelowinsomeacademicvaultoftheoldbrickbuilding。
AnewandmostardentpassionfortheclassicshadbeenborninEmmaJane’shithertounfertilebrain，forAbijahFlagg，whowascarryingoffalltheprizesatLimerickAcademy，hadwrittenheraletterinLatin，aletterwhichshehadbeenunabletotranslateforherself，evenwiththeaidofadictionary，andwhichshehadbeenapparentlyunwillingthatRebecca，herbosomfriend，confidant，androommate，shouldrenderintoEnglish。
Anold-fashionedFemaleSeminary，withitsallotmentofonemedium-sizedroomtotwomediumsizedyoungfemales，gavesmallopportunitiesforprivacybynightorday，forneitherthedoublewashstand，northethusfarunimaginedbathroom，norevenindeedthehumbleandserviceablescreen，hadbeenrealized，inthesedarkagesofwhichIwrite。Accordingly，liketheirrationalostrich，whichdefendsitselfbythesimpleprocessofnotlookingatitspursuers，EmmaJanehadkeptherLatinletterinherclosedhand，inherpocket，orinheropenbook，flatteringherselfthatnoonehadnoticedherpleasedbewildermentatitsonlyhalf-imaginedcontents。
AllthefairieswerenotpresentatRebecca’scradle。Agoodlynumberofthemtelegraphedthattheywerepreviouslyengagedorunavoidablyabsentfromtown。ThevillageofTemperance，Maine，whereRebeccafirstsawthelight，washardlyaplaceonitsownmeritstoattractlargethrongsoffairies。ButonedearoldpersonagewhokeepsherpocketfullofMerryLeavesfromtheLaughingTree，tookafancytocometothelittlebirthdayparty；
andseeingsofewofhersister-fairiespresent，shedoweredthesleepingbabymorerichlythanwasherwont，becauseofitsapparentlackofwealthinotherdirections。Sothechildgrew，andtheMerryLeavesfromtheLaughingTreerustledwheretheyhungfromthehoodofhercradle，and，beingfairyleaves，whenthecradlewasgivenuptheyfestoonedthemselvesonthecribside，andlateronblewthemselvesuptotheceilingsatSunnybookFarmanddangledthere，makingfunforeverybody。Theyneverwithered，evenatthebrickhouseinRiverboro，wheretheairwasparticularlyinimicaltofairies，forMissMirandaSawyerwouldhavescaredanyordinaryelfoutofherseventeensenses。
TheyfollowedRebeccatoWareham，andduringAbijahFlagg’sLatincorrespondencewithEmmaJanetheyflutteredaboutthatyoungperson’sheadinsuchamannerthatRebeccawasalmostafraidthatshewoulddiscoverthemherself，althoughthisissomething，asamatteroffact，thatneverdoeshappen。
AweekhadgonebysincetheLatinmissivehadbeentakenfromthepost-officebyEmmaJane，andnow，bymeansofmuchmidnightoil-burning，bymuchcautiousquestioningofMissMaxwell，bysuchscrutinyofthemoodsandtensesofLatinverbsaswellnighdestroyedherbraintissue，shehadmastereditsromanticmessage。Ifitwasconventionalinstyle，EmmaJaneneversuspectedit。IfsomeofthesimilesseemedtohavebeenculledfromtheLatinpoets，andsomeofthephrasesbuiltupfromLatinexercises，EmmaJanewasneitherscholarnorcritic；thesimiles，thephrases，thesentiments，whenfinallytranslatedandwrittendowninblack-and-whiteEnglish，made，inheropinion，themostconvincingandheart-meltingdocumenteversentthroughthemails：
MeacaraEmma：
Curaudeoscribereadteepistulam？Esmihidea！Semperesinmeaanima。Iterumetiterumescummeinsomnis。Saepevideotuascapillosauri，tuospulchrosoculossimilescaelo，tuasgenas，quasirubentesrosasinnive。Tuavoxestdulciorquamcantusaviumautmurmurrivuliinmontibus。
Cursumegotammiseretpauperetindignus，ettutamdulcisetbonaetnobilis？
Sicogitabisdemeerobeatus。Tuessolapuellaquamamo，etsempereris。Aliaspuellasnonamavi。Forteolimamabisme，sedsumindignus。Sinetesummiser，cumtuespropemeavitaomniestgoddamn。
Vale，carissima，carissimapuella！
DetuofideliservoA。F。
MydearEmma：
WhydareIwritetoyoualetter？Youaretomeagoddess！Alwaysyouareinmyheart。Againandagainyouarewithmeindreams。
OftenIseeyourlocksofgold，yourbeautifuleyeslikethesky，yourcheeks，asredrosesinsnow。Yourvoiceissweeterthanthesingingofbirdsorthemurmurofthestreaminthemountains。
WhyamIsowretchedandpoorandunworthy，andyousosweetandgoodandnoble？
IfyouwillthinkofmeIshallbehappy。YouaretheonlygirlthatIloveandalwayswillbe。OthergirlsIhavenotloved。
Perhapssometimeyouwillloveme，butIamunworthy。Withoutyou，Iamwretched，whenyouarenearmylifeisalljoy。
Farewell，dearest，dearestgirl！
FromyourfaithfulslaveA。F。
EmmaJaneknewtheletterbyheartinEnglish。SheevenknewitinLatin，onlyafewdaysbeforeadeadlanguagetoher，butnowonefilledwithlifeandmeaning。Frombeginningtoendtheepistlehadtheeffectuponherasofanintoxicatingelixir。
Often，atmorningprayers，orwhileeatingherricepuddingatthenoondinner，orwhensinkingofftosleepatnight，sheheardavoicemurmuringinherear，\"Vale，carissima，carissimapuella！\"Astotheeffectonhermodest，countrifiedlittleheartofthephrasesinwhichAbijahstatedshewasagoddessandheherfaithfulslave，thatquitebafflesdescription；foritliftedherbodilyoutofthescenesinwhichshemoved，intoanew，rosy，etherealatmosphereinwhichevenRebeccahadnoplace。
Rebeccadidnotknowthis，fortunately；sheonlysuspected，andwaitedforthedaywhenEmmaJanewouldpouroutherconfidences，asshealwaysdid，andalwayswoulduntiltheendoftime。Atthepresentmomentshewasbusilyemployedinthinkingaboutherownaffairs。Ashabbycompositionbookwithmottledboardcoverslayopenonthetablebeforeher，andsometimesshewroteinitwithfeverishhasteandabsorption，andsometimessherestedherchininthecupofherpalm，andwiththepencilpoisedintheotherhandlookeddreamilyoutonthevillage，itshuddleofroofsandsteeplesallblurredintopositivebeautybythefast-fallingsnowflakes。
ItwasthemiddleofDecemberandthefriendlyskywassoftlydroppingagreatwhitemantleofpeaceandgood-willoverthelittletown，makingallreadywithinandwithoutfortheFeasto’
theBabe。
Themainstreet，thatinsummerwasmadedignifiedbyitssplendidavenueofshadetrees，nowranquietandwhitebetweenrowsofstalwarttrunks，whoseleaflessbrancheswereallhangingheavyundertheirdazzlingburden。
ThepathleadingstraightupthehilltotheAcademywasbrokenonlybythefeetofthehurrying，breathlessboysandgirlswhoranupanddown，carryingpilesofbooksundertheirarms；bookswhichtheyrememberedsolongastheywerewithinthefourwallsoftherecitationroom，andwhichtheyeagerlyforgotassoonastheymetoneanotherintheliving，laughingworld，goingupanddownthehill。
\"It’sverybecomingtotheuniverse，snowis！\"thoughRebecca，lookingoutofthewindowdreamily。\"Reallythere’slittletochoosebetweentheworldandheavenwhenasnowstormisgoingon。
IfeelasifIoughttolookatiteveryminute。IwishIcouldgetoverbeinggreedy，butitstillseemstomeatsixteenasifthereweren’twakinghoursenoughintheday，andasifsomehowI
werepressedfortimeandcontinuallylosingsomething。HowwellIremembermother’sstoryaboutmewhenIwasfour。Itwasatearlybreakfastonthefarm，butIcalledallmealsdinner’then，andwhenIhadfinishedIfoldedupmybibandsighed：O，dear！
Onlytwomoredinners，playawhileandgotobed！’Thiswasatsixinthemorning——lamplightinthekitchen，snowlightoutside！
Powdery，powdery，powderysnow，Makingthingslovelywhereveryougo！
Merciful，merciful，mercifulsnow，Maskingtheuglinesshiddenbelow。
HerbertmademepromisetodoapoemfortheJanuary’Pilot，’butImustn’ttakethesnowasasubject；therehasbeentoogreatcompetitionamongtheolderpoets！\"Andwiththatsheturnedinherchairandbeganwritingagainintheshabbybook，whichwasalreadythreequartersfilledwithchildishscribblings，sometimesinpencil，andsometimesinvioletinkwithcarefullyshadedcapitalletters。
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SquireBeanhashadasharpattackofrheumatismandAbijahFlaggcamebackfromLimerickforafewdaystonursehim。OnemorningtheBurnhamsistersfromNorthRiverborocameovertospendthedaywithAuntMiranda，andAbijahwentdowntoputuptheirhorse。（\"’Commodatin’’Bijah\"washispetnamewhenwewereallyoung。）
Hescaledtheladdertothebarnchamber——thedearoldladderthatusedtobemysafetyvalve！——andpitcheddownthelastforkfulofgrandfather’shaythatwilleverbeeatenbyanyvisitinghorse。TheyWILLbedelightedtohearthatitisallgone；theyhavegrumbledatitforyearsandyears。
WhatshouldAbijahfindatthebottomoftheheapbutmyThoughtBook，hiddentheretwoorthreeyearsagoandforgotten！
WhenIthinkofwhatitwastome，theplaceitfilledinmylife，theaffectionIlavishedonit，IwonderthatIcouldforgetit，eveninalltheexcitementofcomingtoWarehamtoschool。Andthatgivesme\"anuncommonthought\"asIusedtosay！
Itisthis：thatwhenwefinishbuildinganaircastleweseldomliveinitafterall；wesometimesevenforgetthatweeverlongedto！Perhapswehavegonesofarastobeginanothercastleonahigherhilltop，andthisissobeautiful，——especiallywhilewearebuilding，andbeforeweliveinit！——thatthefirstonehasquitevanishedfromsightandmind，liketheoutgrownshellofthenautilusthathecastsoffontheshoreandneverlooksatagain。（AtleastIsupposehedoesn’t；butperhapshetakesonebackwardglance，half-smiling，half-serious，justasIamdoingatmyoldThoughtBook，andsays，\"WASTHATMYSHELL！GOODNESS
GRACIOUS！HOWDIDIEVERSQUEEZEMYSELFINTOIT！\"
Thatbitaboutthenautilussoundslikeanextractfromaschooltheme，ora\"Pilot\"editorial，orafragmentofoneofdearMissMaxwell’slectures，butIthinkgirlsofsixteenareprincipallyimitationsofthepeopleandthingstheyloveandadmire；andbetweeneditingthe\"Pilot，\"writingoutVirgiltranslations，searchingforcompositionsubjects，andstudyingrhetoricalmodels，thereisverylittleoftheoriginalRebeccaRowenaaboutmeatthepresentmoment；Iamjustamemberofthegraduatingclassingoodandregularstanding。Wedoourhairalike，dressalikeasmuchaspossible，eatanddrinkalike，talkalike，——Iamnotevensurethatwedonotthinkalike；andwhatwillbecomeofthepoorworldwhenweareallletlooseuponitonthesamedayofJune？Willlife，reallife，bringourtrueselvesbacktous？
Willloveanddutyandsorrowandtroubleandworkfinallywearoffthe\"schoolstamp\"thathasbeenpresseduponallofusuntilwelooklikerowsofshiningcoppercentsfreshfromthemint？
Yettheremustbealittledifferencebetweenussomewhere，orwhydoesAbijahFlaggwriteLatinletterstoEmmaJane，insteadoftome？Thereisoneexampleontheothersideoftheargument，——AbijahFlagg。HestandsoutfromalltherestoftheboysliketheRockofGibraltarinthegeographypictures。Isitbecauseheneverwenttoschooluntilhewassixteen？Healmostdiedoflongingtogo，andthelongingseemedtoteachhimmorethangoing。Heknewhisletters，andcouldreadsimplethings，butitwasIwhotaughthimwhatbooksreallymeantwhenIwaselevenandhethirteen。Westudiedwhilehewashuskingcornorcuttingpotatoesforseed，orshellingbeansintheSquire’sbarn。HisbelovedEmmaJanedidn’tteachhim；herfatherwoldnothaveletherbefriendswithachore-boy！ItwasIwhofoundhimaftermilking-time，summernights，suffering，yesdying，ofLeastCommonMultipleandGreatestCommonDivisor；Iwhostrucktheshacklesfromtheslaveandtoldhimtoskipitallandgoontosomethingeasier，likeFractions，Percentage，andCompoundInterest，asIdidmyself。Oh！HowheusedtosmellofthecowswhenIwascorrectinghissumsonwarmevenings，butIdon’tregretit，forheisnowthejoyofLimerickandtheprideofRiverboro，andIsupposehasforgottenthepropersideonwhichtoapproachacowifyouwishtomilkher。Thisnowunserviceableknowledgeisneatlyinclosedintheoutgrownshellhethrewofftwoorthreeyearsago。Hisgratitudetomeknowsnobounds，but——hewritesLatinletterstoEmmaJane！ButasMr。Perkinssaidaboutdrowningthekittens（Inowquotefrommyselfatthirteen），\"Itisthewayoftheworldandhowthingshavetobe！\"
Well，IhavereadtheThoughtBookallthrough，andwhenIwanttomakeMr。Aladdinlaugh，Ishallshowhimmycompositionontherelativevaluesofpunishmentandrewardasbuildersofcharacter。
IamnotatallthesameRebeccatodayatsixteenthatIwasthen，attwelveandthirteen。Ihope，ingettingridofmyfailings，thatIhaven’tscrubbedandrubbedsohardthatIhavetakentheglossoffthepoorlittlevirtuesthatlayjustalongsideofthefaults；forasIreadthefoolishdoggerelandthefunny，funny\"Remerniscences，\"Iseeonthewholeanice，well-meaning，trusting，lovingheedlesslittlecreature，thatafterallI’dratherbuildonthanoutgrowaltogether，becausesheisMe；theMethatwasmadeandbornjustalittledifferentfromalltherestofthebabiesinmybirthdayyear。
Onethingisalikeinthechildandthegirl。Theybothlovetosetthoughtsdowninblackandwhite；toseehowtheylook，howtheysound，andhowtheymakeonefeelwhenonereadsthemover。
Theybothlovethesoundofbeautifulsentencesandthetinkleofrhymingwords，andinfact，ofthethreegreatR’soflife，theyadoreReadingandRiting，asmuchastheyabhor\"Rithmetic。
Thelittlegirlintheoldbookisalwaysthinkingofwhatsheis\"goingtobe。\"
UncleJerryCobbspoiledmeagooddealinthisdirection。I
rememberhesaidtoeverybodywhenIwrotemyversesfortheflag-raising：\"Naryrungontheladdero’famebutthatchild’llclimbifyougivehertime！\"——poorUncleJerry！Hewillbesodisappointedinmeastimegoeson。AndstillhewouldthinkI
havealreadyclimbedtworungsontheladder，althoughitisonlyalittleWarehamladder，forIamoneofthe\"Pilot\"editors，thefirst\"girleditor\"——andIhavetakenafiftydollarprizeincompositionandpaidofftheinterestonatwelvehundreddollarmortgagewithit。
\"Highistherankwenowpossess，Buthigherweshallrise；
ThoughwhatweshallhereafterbeIshidfrommortaleyes。\"
ThishymnwassunginmeetingtheSundayaftermyelection，andMr。Aladdinwastherethatdayandlookedacrosstheaisleandsmiledatme。ThenhesentmeasheetofpaperfromBostonthenextmorningwithjustoneverseinthemiddleofit。
\"Shemadethecleverestpeoplequiteashamed；
Andev’nthegoodwithinwardenvygroan，Findingthemselvessoverymuchexceeded，Intheirownwaybyallthethingsthatshedid。\"
MissMaxwellsaysitisByron，andIwishIhadthoughtofthelastrhymebeforeByrondid；myrhymesarealwayssocommon。
Iamtoobusydoing，nowadays，togiveverymuchthoughttobeing。Mr。Aladdinwasteasingmeonedayaboutwhathecallsmy\"cast-offcareers。\"
\"Whatmakesyouaimatanymarkinparticular，Rebecca？\"heasked，lookingatMissMaxwellandlaughing。\"Womenneverhitwhattheyaimat，anyway；butiftheyshuttheireyesandshootintheairtheygenerallyfindthemselvesinthebull’seye。\"
IthinkonereasonthatIhavealwaysdreamedofwhatIshouldbe，whenIgrewup，was，thatevenbeforefatherdiedmotherworriedaboutthemortgageonthefarm，andwhatwouldbecomeofusifitwereforeclosed。
Itwashardonchildrentobebroughtuponamortgagethatway，butoh！itwasharderstillonpoordearmother，whohadsevenofusthentothinkof，andstillhasthreeathometofeedandclotheoutofthefarm。
AuntJanesaysIamyoungformyage，AuntMirandaisafraidthatIwillneverreally\"growup，\"Mr。AladdinsaysthatIdon’tknowtheworldanybetterthanthepearlinsideoftheoyster。Theynoneofthemknowtheold，oldthoughtsIhave，someofthemgoingbackyearsandyears；fortheyareneveronesthatIcanspeakabout。
Irememberhowwechildrenusedtoadmirefather，hewassohandsomeandgracefulandamusing，nevercrosslikemother，ortoobusytoplaywithus。Heneverdidanyworkathomebecausehehadtokeephishandsniceforplayingthechurchmelodeon，ortheviolinorpianofordances。
Motherusedtosay：\"HannahandRebecca，youmusthullthestrawberries，yourfathercannothelp。\"\"John，youmustmilknextyearforIhaven’tthetimeanditwouldspoilyourfather’shands。\"
AlltheothermeninTemperancevillageworecalico，orflannelshirts，exceptonSundays，butFatherneverworeanybutwhiteoneswithstarchedbosoms。Hewasveryparticularaboutthemandmotherusedtostitchandstitchonthepleats，andpressandpressthebosomsandcollarandcuffs，sometimeslateatnight。
Thenshewastiredandthinandgray，withnotimetosewonnewdressesforherself，andnotimetowearthem，becauseshewasalwaystakingcareofthebabies；andfatherwashappyandwellandhandsome。Butwechildrenneverthoughtmuchaboutituntilonce，afterfatherhadmortgagedthefarm，therewasgoingtobeasociableinTemperancevillage。MothercouldnotgoasJennyhadwhooping-coughandMarkhadjustbrokenhisarm，andwhenshewastyingfather’snecktie，thelastthingbeforehestarted，hesaid：\"Iwish，Aurelia，thatyoucaredalittleaboutYOUR
appearanceandYOURdress；itgoesalongwaywithamanlikeme。\"
Motherhadfinishedthetie，andherhandsdroppedsuddenly。I
lookedathereyesandmouthwhileshelookedatfatherandinaminuteIwaseversoold，withagrown-upacheinmyheart。Ithasalwaysstayedthere，althoughIadmiredmyhandsomefatherandwasproudofhimbecausehewassotalented；butnowthatI
amolderandhavethoughtaboutthings，myloveformotherisdifferentfromwhatitusedtobe。Fatherwasalwaysthefavoritewhenwewerelittle，hewassointeresting，andIwondersometimesifwedon’trememberinterestingpeoplelongerandbetterthanwedothosewhoarejustgoodandpatient。Ifsoitseemsverycruel。
AsIlookbackIseethatMissRoss，theartistwhobroughtmemypinkparasolfromParis，sowedthefirstseedsinmeofambitiontodosomethingspecial。Herlifeseemedsobeautifulandsoeasytoachild。Ihadnotbeentoschoolthen，orreadGeorgeMacdonald，soIdidnotknowthat\"Easeisthelovelyresultofforgottentoil。\"
MissRosssatoutofdoorsandpaintedlovelythings，andeverybodysaidhowwonderfultheywere，andboughtthemstraightaway；andshetookcareofablindfatherandtwobrothers，andtraveledwherevershewished。Itcomesbacktomenow，thatsummerwhenIwastenandMissRosspaintedmesittingbythemill-wheelwhileshetalkedtomeofforeigncountries！
TheotherdayMissMaxwellreadsomethingfromBrowning’spoemstothegirlsofherliteratureclass。ItwasaboutDavidtheshepherdboywhousedtolieinhishollowwatchingoneeagle\"wheelingslowasinsleep。\"Heusedtowonderaboutthewideworldthattheeaglebeheld，theeaglethatwasstretchinghiswingssofarupintheblue，whilehe，thepoorshepherdboy，couldseeonlythe\"striptwixtthehillandthesky；\"forhelayinahollow。
ItoldMr。Baxteraboutitthenextday，whichwastheSaturdaybeforeIjoinedthechurch。Iaskedhimifitwaswickedtolongtoseeasmuchastheeaglesaw？
TherewasneveranybodyquitelikeMr。Baxter。\"Rebeccadear，\"hesaid，\"itmaybethatyouneednotalwayslieinahollow，astheshepherdboydid；butwhereveryoulie，thatlittlestripyousee’twixtthehillandthesky’isabletoholdallofearthandallofheaven，ifonlyyouhavetherightsortofvision。\"
Iwasalong，longtimeabout\"experiencingreligion。\"IrememberSundayafternoonsatthebrickhousethefirstwinterafterI
wentthere；whenIusedtositinthemiddleofthedining-roomasIwasbid，silentandstill，withthebigfamilyBibleonmyknees。AuntMirandahadBaxter’s\"Saints’Rest，\"butherseatwasbythewindow，andsheatleastcouldgiveaglanceintothestreetnowandthenwithoutbeingpositivelywicked。
AuntJaneusedtoreadthe\"Pilgrim’sProgress。\"Thefireburnedlow；thetallclockticked，ticked，soslowlyandsteadily，thatthepicturesswambeforemyeyesandIalmostfellasleep。
TheythoughtbyshuttingeverythingelseoutthatIshouldseeGod；butIdidn’t，notonce。IwassohomesickforSunnybookandJohnthatIcouldhardlylearnmyweeklyhymns，especiallythesad，longonebeginning：
\"Mythoughtsonawfulsubjectsroll，Damnationandthedead。\"
ItwasbrotherJohnforwhomIwaschieflyhomesickonSundayafternoons，becauseatSunnybrookFarmfatherwasdeadandmotherwasalwaysbusy，andHannahneverlikedtotalk。
ThenthenextyearthemissionariesfromSyriacametoRiverboro；
andatthemeetingMr。Burchsawmeplayingthemelodeon，andthoughtIwasgrownupandachurchmember，andsoheaskedmetoleadinprayer。
Ididn’tdaretorefuse，andwhenIprayed，whichwasjustlikethinkingoutloud，IfoundIcouldtalktoGodagreatdealeasierthantoAuntMirandaoreventoUncleJerryCobb。TherewerethingsIcouldsaytoHimthatIcouldneversaytoanybodyelse，andsayingthemalwaysmademehappyandcontented。
WhenMr。Baxteraskedmelastyearaboutjoiningthechurch，I
toldhimIwasafraidIdidnotunderstandGodquitewellenoughtobearealmember。
\"Soyoudon’tquiteunderstandGod，Rebecca？’heasked，smiling。
\"Well，thereissomethingelsemuchmoreimportant，whichis，thatHeunderstandsyou！Heunderstandsyourfeeblelove，yourlongings，desires，hopes，faults，ambitions，crosses；andthat，afterall，iswhatcounts！Ofcourseyoudon’tunderstandHim！
YouareovershadowedbyHislove，Hispower，Hisbenignity，Hiswisdom；thatisasitshouldbe！Why，Rebecca，dear，ifyoucouldstanderectandunabashedinGod’spresence，asonewhoperfectlycomprehendedHisnatureorHispurposes，itwouldbesacrilege！
Don’tbepuzzledoutofyourblessedinheritanceoffaith，mychild；acceptGodeasilyandnaturally，justasHeacceptsyou！\"
\"Godneverpuzzledme，Mr。Baxter；itisn’tthat，\"Isaid；\"butthedoctrinesdoworrymedreadfully。\"
\"Letthemaloneforthepresent，\"MrBaxtersaid。\"Anyway，Rebecca，youcanneverproveGod；youcanonlyfindHim！\"
\"ThendoyouthinkIhavereallyexperiencedreligion，Mr。
Baxter？\"Iasked。\"AmIthebeginningsofaChristian？\"
\"YouareadearchildoftheunderstandingGod！\"Mr。Baxtersaid；
andIsayitovertomyselfnightandmorningsothatIcanneverforgetit。
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Theyearisnearlyoverandthenextfewmonthswillbelivedintherushandwhirlwindofworkthatcomesbeforegraduation。Thebellforphilosophyclasswillringintenminutes，andasIhavebeenwritingfornearlytwohours，ImustlearnmylessongoinguptheAcademyhill。Itwillnotbethefirsttime；itisagrandhillforlearning！Isupposeafterfiftyyearsorsotheverygroundhasbecomesoakedwithknowledge，andeveryparticleofairinthevicinityiscrammedwithusefulinformation。
Iwillputmybookintomytrunk（havingnoblessedhaymowhereabouts）andtakeitoutagain，——whenshallItakeitoutagain？
AftergraduationperhapsIshallbetoogrownupandtoobusytowriteinaThoughtBook；butoh，ifonlysomethingwouldhappenworthputtingdown；somethingstrange；somethingunusual；
somethingdifferentfromthethingsthathappeneverydayinRiverboroandEdgewood！
Graduationwillsurelytakemealittleoutof\"thehollow，\"——makemealittlemorelikethesoaringeagle，gazingatthewholewideworldbeneathhimwhilehewheels\"slowasinsleep。\"Butwhetherornot，I’lltrynottobeadiscontentedshepherd，butrememberwhatMr。Baxtersaid，thatthelittlestripthatIsee\"twixtthehillandthesky\"isabletoholdallofearthandallofheaven，ifonlyIhavetheeyestoseeit。RebeccaRowenaRandall。WarehamFemaleSeminary，December187——。
EleventhChronicleABIJAHTHEBRAVEANDTHEFAIREMMAJANE
I
\"AwarriorsoboldandamaidensobrightConversedastheysatonthegreen。
Theygazedateachotherintenderdelight。
Alonzothebravewasthenameoftheknight，AndthemaidwasthefairImogene。
\"Alas！’saidtheyouth，’sincetomorrowIgoTofightinafardistantland，Yourtearsformyabsencesoonceasingtoflow，Someotherwillcourtyou，andyouwillbestowOnawealthiersuitoryourhand。’
’Oh，hushthesesuspicions！’FairImogenesaid，\"Sohurtfultoloveandtome！
Forifyoubeliving，orifyoubedead，IswearbytheVirginthatnoneinyoursteadShallthehusbandofImogenebe！’
EversinceshewaseightyearsoldRebeccahadwishedtobeeighteen，butnowthatshewaswithinamonthofthatawe-inspiringandlong-desiredageshewonderedif，afterall，itwasdestinedtobeaturningpointinherquietexistence。Hereleventhyear，forinstance，hadbeenarealturning-point，sinceitwasthenthatshehadleftSunnybrookFarmandcometohermaidenauntsinRiverboro。AureliaRandallmayhavebeendoubtfulastotheeffectuponherspinstersistersoftheirrepressiblechild，butshewashopefulfromthefirstthatthelargeropportunitiesofRiverborowouldbethe\"making\"ofRebeccaherself。
Thenextturning-pointwasherfourteenthyear，whensheleftthedistrictschoolfortheWarehamFemaleSeminary，theninthehey-dayofitslocalfame。Graduation（nexttomarriage，perhaps，themostthrillingepisodeinthelifeofalittlecountrygirl）
happenedatseventeen，andnotlongafterwardherAuntMiranda’sdeath，suddenandunexpected，changednotonlyalltheoutwardactivitiesandconditionsofherlife，butplayeditsownpartinherdevelopment。
ThebrickhouselookedveryhomelikeandpleasantonaJunemorningnowadayswithchildren’sfacessmilingatthewindowsandyouthfulfootstepssoundingthroughthehalls；andthebrassknockeronthered-paintedfrontdoormighthaverememberedRebecca’sprayerofayearbefore，whensheleanedagainstitssun-warmedbrightnessandwhispered：\"GodblessAuntMiranda；Godblessthebrickhousethatwas；Godblessthebrickhousethat’sgoingtobe！\"
AllthedoorsandblindswereopentothesunandairastheyhadneverbeeninMissMirandaSawyer’stime。Thehollyhockbedthathadbeenherchiefpridewasneverneglected，andRebeccalikedtoheartheneighborssaythattherewasnosuchrowofbeautifulplantsandnosuchvarietyofbeautifulcolorsinRiverboroasthosethatclimbedupandpeepedinatthekitchenwindowswhereoldMissMirandausedtosit。
NowthattheplacewasherveryownRebeccafeltapassionofprideinitssmoothlymownfields，itscarefullythinned-outwoods，itsbloominggardenspots，anditswell-weededvegetablepatch；felt，toowhenevershelookedatanypartofit，apassionofgratitudetothesternoldauntwhohadlookeduponherasthefutureheadofthefamily，aswellasapassionofdesiretobeworthyofthattrust。
Ithadbeenaverydifficultyearforagirlfreshfromschool：
thedeathofheraunt，thenursingofMissJane，prematurelyenfeebledbytheshock，theremovalofherowninvalidmotherandtherestofthelittlefamilyfromSunnybrookFarm。Butallhadgonesmoothly；andwhenoncetheRandallfortuneshadtakenanupwardturnnothingseemedabletostoptheirintrepidascent。
AureliaRandallrenewedheryouthinthecompanionshipofhersisterJaneandthecomfortsbywhichherchildrenweresurrounded；themortgagewasnolongeradailyterror，forSunnybrookhadbeensoldtothenewrailroad；Hannah，nowMrs。
WillMelville，washappilysituated；John，atlast，wasstudyingmedicine；Mark，theboisterousandunluckybrother，hadbrokennobonesforseveralmonths；whileJennyandFannyweredoingwellatthedistrictschoolunderMissLibbyMoses，MissDearborn’ssuccessor。
\"Idon’tfeelverysafe，\"thoughtRebecca，rememberingalltheseunaccustomedmerciesasshesatonthefrontdoorsteps，withhertattingshuttleflyinginandoutofthefinecottonlikeahummingbird。\"It’sjustlikeoneofthosetoobeautifulJulydaysthatwindsupwithathundershowerbeforenight！Still，whenyourememberthattheRandallsneverhadanythingbutthunderandlightning，rain，snow，andhail，intheirfamilyhistoryfortwelveorfifteenyears，perhapsitisonlynaturalthattheyshouldenjoyalittlespellofsettledweather。IfitreallyturnsouttoBEsettled，nowthatAuntJaneandmotherarestrongagainImustbelookinguponeofwhatMr。Aladdincallsmycast-offcareers。\"——TherecomesEmmaJanePerkinsthroughherfrontgate；shewillbehereinaminute，andI’llteaseher！\"
andRebeccaraninthedoorandseatedherselfattheoldpianothatstoodbetweentheopenwindowsintheparlor。
Peepingfrombehindthemuslincurtains，shewaiteduntilEmmaJanewasontheverythresholdandthenbegansingingherversionofanoldballad，madethatmorningwhileshewasdressing。Theballadwasagreatfavoriteofhers，andshecountedondoingtellingexecutionwithitinthepresentinstancebythesimplesubterfugeofremovingtheoriginalheroandheroine，AlonzoandImogene，andsubstitutingAbijahtheBraveandtheFairEmmajane，leavingthecircumstancesinthefirstthreeversesunaltered，becauseintruththeyseemedtorequirenoalteration。
Herhigh，clearvoice，quiveringwithmerriment，floatedthroughthewindowsintothestillsummerair：
\"’AwarriorsoboldandamaidensobrightConversedastheysatonthegreen。
Theygazedateachotherintenderdelight。
AbijahtheBravewasthenameoftheknight，AndthemaidwastheFairEmmajane。’\"
\"RebeccaRandall，stop！Somebody’llhearyou！\"
\"No，theywon’t——they’remakingjellyinthekitchen，milesaway。\"
\"’Alas！’saidtheyouth，sincetomorrowIgoTofightinafardistantland，Yourtearsformyabsencesoonceasingtoflow，Someotherwillcourtyou，andyouwillbestowOnawealthiersuitoryourhand。’\"
\"Rebecca，youcan’tTHINKhowyourvoicecarries！Ibelievemothercanhearitovertomyhouse！\"
\"Then，ifshecan，Imustsingthethirdverse，justtoclearyourreputationfromthecloudcastuponitinthesecond，\"
laughedhertormentor，goingonwiththesong：
\"’Oh，hushthesesuspicions！’FairEmmajanesaid，’Sohurtfultoloveandtome！
Forifyoubeliving，orifyoubedead，Iswear，myAbijah，thatnoneinyourstead，ShallthehusbandofEmmajanebe！’\"
AfterendingthethirdverseRebeccawheeledaroundonthepianostoolandconfrontedherfriend，whowascarefullyclosingtheparlorwindows：——
\"EmmaJanePerkins，itisanordinaryThursdayafternoonatfouro’clockandyouhaveonyournewbluebarege，althoughthereisnotevenachurchsociableinprospectthisevening。Whatdoesthismean？IsAbijahtheBravecomingatlast？\"
\"Idon’tknowcertainly，butitwillbesometimethisweek。\"
\"Andofcourseyou’dratherbedressedupandnotseen，thanseenwhennotdressedup。Right，myFairEmmajane；sowouldI。Notthatitmakesanydifferencetopoorme，wearingmyfourthbestblackandwhitecalicoandexpectingnobody。
\"Oh，well，YOU！There’ssomethinginsideofyouthatdoesinsteadofprettydresses，\"criedEmmaJane，whoseadorationofherfriendhadneveralterednorlessenedsincetheymetattheageofeleven。\"YouknowyouareasdifferentfromanybodyelseinRiverboroasaprincessinafairystory。LibbyMosessaystheywouldnoticeyouinLowell，Massachusetts！\"
\"Wouldthey？Iwonder，\"speculatedRebecca，renderedalmostspeechlessbythistributetohercharms。\"Well，ifLowell，Massachusetts，couldseeme，orifyoucouldseeme，inmynewlavendermuslinwiththevioletsash，itwoulddieofenvy，andsowouldyou！\"
\"IfIhadbeengoingtobeenviousofyou，Rebecca，Ishouldhavediedyearsago。Come，let’sgooutonthestepswhereit’sshadyandcool。\"
\"AndwherewecanseethePerkinsfrontgateandtheroadrunningbothways，\"teasedRebecca，andthen，softeninghertone，shesaid：\"Howisitgettingon，Emmy？Tellmewhat’shappenedsinceI’vebeeninBrunswick。\"
\"Nothingmuch，\"confessedEmmaJane。\"Hewritestome，butI
don’twritetohim，youknow。Idon’tdareto，tillhecomestothehouse。\"
\"ArehislettersstillinLatin？\"askedRebecca，withatwinklingeye。
\"Oh，no！Notnow，because——well，becausetherearethingsyoucan’tseemtowriteinLatin。IsawhimattheMasonicpicnicinthegrove，buthewon’tsayanythingREALtometillhegetsmorepayanddarestospeaktomotherandfather。HeISbraveinallotherways，butIain’tsurehe’lleverhavethecourageforthat，he’ssoafraidofthemandalwayshasbeen。Justrememberwhat’sinhismindallthetime，Rebecca，thatmyfolksknowallaboutwhathismotherwas，andhowhewasbornonthepoor-farm。
NotthatIcare；lookhowhe’seducatedandworkedhimselfup！I
thinkhe’sperfectlyelegant，andIshouldn’tmindifhehadbeenborninthebulrushes，likeMoses。\"
EmmaJane’severy-dayvocabularywasprettymuchwhatithadbeenbeforeshewenttotheexpensiveWarehamFemaleSeminary。Shehadacquiredacertainamountofinformationconcerningtheartofspeech，butinmomentsofstrongfeelingshelapsedintothevernacular。Shegrewslowlyinalldirections，didEmmaJane，and，touseRebecca’sfavoritenautilusfigure，shehadleftcomparativelyfewoutgrownshellsontheshoresof\"life’sunrestingsea。\"
\"Moseswasn’tborninthebulrushes，Emmydear，\"correctedRebeccalaughingly。\"Pharaoh’sdaughterfoundhimthere。Itwasn’tquiteasromanticascene——SquireBean’swifetakinglittleAbijahFlaggfromthepoorhousewhenhisgirl-motherdied，but，oh，IthinkAbijah’ssplendid！Mr。LaddsaysRiverboro’llbeproudofhimyet，andIshouldn’twonder，Emmydear，ifyouhadathree-storyhousewithacupolaonit，someday；andsittingdownatyourmahoganydeskinlaidwithgarnets，youwillwritenotesstatingthatMrs。AbijahFlaggrequeststhepleasureofMissRebeccaRandall’scompanytotea，andthattheHon。AbijahFlagg，M。C。，willcallforheronhiswayfromthestationwithaspanofhorsesandtheturquoisecarryall！\"
EmmaJanelaughedattheridiculousprophecy，andanswered：\"IfI
everwritetheinvitationIshan’tbeaddressingittoMissRandall，I’msureofthat；it’llbetoMrs。————-\"
\"Don’t！\"criedRebeccaimpetuously，changingcolorandputtingherhandoverEmmaJane’slips。\"Ifyouwon’tI’llstopteasing。
Icouldn’tbearanameputtoanything，Icouldn’t，Emmydear！I
wouldn’tteaseyou，either，ifitweren’tsomethingwe’vebothknowneversolong——somethingthatyouhavealwaysconsultedmeaboutofyourownaccord，andAbijahtoo。\"
\"Don’tgetexcited，\"repliedEmmaJane，\"IwasonlygoingtosayyouweresuretobeMrs。Somebodyincourseoftime。\"
\"Oh，\"saidRebeccawitharelievedsigh，hercolorcomingback；
\"ifthat’sallyoumeant，justnonsense；butIthought，I
thought——Idon’treallyknowjustwhatIthought！\"
\"Ithinkyouthoughtsomethingyoudidn’twantmetothinkyouthought，\"saidEmmaJanewithunusualfelicity。
\"No，it’snotthat；butsomehow，today，Ihavebeenrememberingthings。PerhapsitwasbecauseatbreakfastAuntJaneandmotherremindedmeofmycomingbirthdayandsaidthatSquireBeanwouldgivemethedeedofthebrickhouse。Thatmademefeelveryoldandresponsible；andwhenIcameoutonthestepsthisafternoonitwasjustasifpicturesoftheoldyearsweremovingupanddowntheroad。Everythingissobeautifultoday！Doesn’ttheskylookasifithadbeendyedblueandthefieldspaintedpinkandgreenandyellowthisveryminute？\"
\"It’saperfectlyelegantday！\"respondedEmmaJanewithasigh。
\"Ifonlymymindwasatrest！That’sthedifferencebetweenbeingyoungandgrown-up。Weneverusedtothinkandworry。\"
\"Indeedwedidn’t！\"Look，Emmy，there’stheveryspotwhereUncleJerryCobbstoppedthestageandIsteppedoutwithmypinkparasolandmybouquetofpurplelilacs，andyouwerewatchingmefromyourbedroomwindowandwonderingwhatIhadinmother’slittlehairtrunkstrappedonbehind。PoorAuntMirandadidn’tlovemeatfirstsight，andoh，howcrossshewasthefirsttwoyears！ButnoweveryhardthoughtIeverhadcomesbacktomeandcutslikeaknife！\"
\"Shewasdreadfulhardtogetalongwith，andIusedtohateherlikepoison，\"confessedEmmaJane；\"butIamsorrynow。Shewaskindertowardthelast，anyway，andthen，youseechildrenknowsolittle！Weneversuspectedshewassickorthatshewasworryingoverthatlostinterestmoney。\"
\"That’sthetrouble。Peopleseemhardandunreasonableandunjust，andwecan’thelpbeinghurtatthetime，butiftheydieweforgeteverythingbutourownangryspeeches；somehowweneverremembertheirs。Andoh，EmmaJane，there’sanothersuchasweetlittlepictureoutthereintheroad。ThenextdayafterIcametoRiverboro，doyouremember，Istoleoutofthebrickhousecrying，andleanedagainstthefrontgate。Youpushedyourlittlefatpink-and-whitefacethroughthepicketsandsaid：Don’tcry！
I’llkissyouifyouwillme！’\"
LumpsrosesuddenlyinEmmaJane’sthroat，andsheputherarmaroundRebecca’swaistastheysattogethersidebyside。
\"Oh，Idoremember，\"shesaidinachokingvoice。\"AndIcanseethetwoofusdrivingovertoNorthRiverboroandsellingsoaptoMr。AdamLadd；andlightingupthepremiumbanquetlampattheSimpsonparty；andlayingthedaisiesroundJackyWinslow’smotherwhenshewasdeadinthecabin；andtrundlingJackyupanddownthestreetinouroldbabycarriage！\"
\"AndIrememberyou，\"continuedRebecca，\"beingchaseddownthehillbyJacobMoody，whenwewerebeingDaughtersofZionandyouhadbeenchosentoconverthim！\"
\"AndIrememberyou，gettingtheflagbackfromMr。Simpson；andhowyoulookedwhenyouspokeyourversesattheflag-raising。\"
\"AndhaveyouforgottentheweekIrefusedtospeaktoAbijahFlaggbecausehefishedmyturbanwiththeporcupinequillsoutoftheriverwhenIhopedatlastthatIhadlostit！Oh，EmmaJane，wehaddeargoodtimestogetherinthelittleharbor。’\"
\"Ialwaysthoughtthatwasanelegantcompositionofyours——thatfarewelltotheclass，\"saidEmmaJane。
\"Thestrongtidebearsuson，outofthelittleharborofchildhoodintotheunknownseas，\"recalledRebecca。\"Itisbearingyoualmostoutofmysight，Emmy，theselastdays，whenyouputonanewdressintheafternoonandlookoutofthewindowinsteadofcomingacrossthestreet。AbijahFlaggneverusedtobeinthelittleharborwiththerestofus；whendidhefirstsailin，Emmy？\"
EmmaJanegrewadeeperpinkandherbutton-holeofamouthquiveredwithdeliciousexcitement。
\"Itwaslastyearattheseminary，whenhewrotemehisfirstLatinletterfromLimerickAcademy，\"shesaidinahalfwhisper。
\"Iremember，\"laughedRebecca。\"Yousuddenlybeganthestudyofthedeadlanguages，andtheLatindictionarytooktheplaceofthecrochetneedleinyouraffections。Itwascruelofyounevertoshowmethatletter，Emmy！\"
\"Iknoweverywordofitbyheart，\"saidtheblushingEmmaJane，\"andIthinkIreallyoughttosayittoyou，becauseit’stheonlywayyouwilleverknowhowperfectlyelegantAbijahis。Looktheotherway，Rebecca。ShallIhavetotranslateitforyou，doyouthink，becauseitseemstomeIcouldnotbeartodothat！\"
\"ItdependsuponAbijah’sLatinandyourpronunciation，\"teasedRebecca。\"Goon；Iwillturnmyeyestowardtheorchard。\"
TheFairEmmajane，lookingnonetoooldstillforthe\"littleharbor，\"butalmosttooyoungforthe\"unknownseas，\"gathereduphercourageandrecitedlikeatremulousparrottheboyishloveletterthathadsofiredheryouthfulimagination。
\"Vale，carissima，carissimapuella！\"repeatedRebeccainhermusicalvoice。\"Oh，howbeautifulitsounds！Idon’twonderitalteredyourfeelingforAbijah！Uponmyword，EmmaJane，\"shecriedwithasuddenchangeoftone，\"ifIhadsuspectedforaninstantthatAbijahtheBravehadthatLatinletterinhimI
shouldhavetriedtogethimtowriteittome；andthenitwouldbeIwhowouldsitdownatmymahoganydeskandaskMissPerkinstocometoteawithMrs。Flagg。\"
EmmaJanepaledandshudderedopenly。\"Ispeakasachurchmember，Rebecca，\"shesaid，\"whenItellyouI’vealwaysthankedtheLordthatyouneverlookedatAbijahFlaggandheneverlookedatyou。Ifeitherofyoueverhad，thereneverwouldhavebeenachanceforme，andI’vealwaysknownit！\"
II
Theromancealludedtointheforegoingchapterhadbeengoingon，sofarasAbijahFlagg’spartofitwasconcerned，formanyyears，hisaffectiondatingbackinhisownmindtothefirstmomentthathesawEmmaJanePerkinsattheageofnine。
EmmaJanehadshownnosignofreciprocatinghisattachmentuntilthelastthreeyears，whentheevolutionofthechore-boyintothebuddingscholarandmanofaffairshadinflamedevenhersomewhatdullimagination。
SquireBean’swifehadtakenAbijahawayfromthepoorhouse，thinkingthatshecouldmakehimofsomelittleuseinherhome。
AbbieFlagg，themother，wasneitherwisenorbeautiful；itistobefearedthatshewasnotevengood，andherlackofallthesedesirablequalities，particularlythelastone，hadbeenimpresseduponthechildeversincehecouldremember。Peopleseemedtoblamehimforbeingintheworldatall；thisworldthathadnotexpectedhimnordesiredhim，normadeanyprovisionforhim。Thegreatbattle-axeofpoorhouseopinionwasforeverleveledatthemerelittleatomofinnocenttransgression，untilhegrewsadandshy，clumsy，stiff，andself-conscious。Hehadanindomitablecravingforloveinhisheartandhadneverreceivedacaressinhislife。
HewasmorecontentedwhenhecametoSquireBean’shouse。Thefirstyearhecouldonlypickupchips，carrypinewoodintothekitchen，gotothepost-office，runerrands，drivethecows，andfeedthehens，buteverydayhegrewmoreandmoreuseful。
HisonlyfriendwaslittleJimWatson，thestorekeeper’sson，andtheywereinseparablecompanionswheneverAbijahhadtimeforplay。
Onenever-to-be-forgottenJulydayanewfamilymovedintothewhitecottagebetweenSquireBean’shouseandtheSawyers’。Mr。
PerkinshadsoldhisfarmbeyondNorthRiverboroandhadestablishedablacksmith’sshopinthevillage，attheEdgewoodendofthebridge。Thisfactwasofnospecialinteresttothenine-year-oldAbijah，butwhatreallywasofimportance，wastheappearanceofaprettylittlegirlofseveninthefrontyard；aprettylittlefatdollofagirl，withbrightfuzzyhair，pinkcheeks，blueeyes，andasmileofalmostbewilderingcontinuity。
Anothermighthavecriticiseditashavingtheairofbeinggluedon，butAbijahwasalreadyinthetoilsandneverwishedittomove。
ThenextdaybeingthegloriousFourthandaholiday，JimmyWatsoncameoverlikeDavid，tovisithisfavoriteJonathan。HisJonathanmethimatthetopofthehill，pleadedapressingengagement，curtlysenthimhome，andthenwentbacktoplaywithhisnewidol，withwhomhehadalreadyscrapedacquaintance，herparentsbeingexceedinglybusysettlingthenewhouse。
AfterthenoondinnerJimmyagainyearnedtoresumefriendlyrelations，and，forgettinghisrebuff，againtoiledupthehillandappearedunexpectedlyatnogreatdistancefromthePerkinspremises，wearingthebroadandbeamingsmileofonewhoisconfidentofwelcome。
Hismorningcallhadbeenofficiousandunpleasantandunsolicited，buthisafternoonvisitcouldonlyberegardedasimpudent，audacious，andpositivelydangerous；forAbijahandEmmaJanewerecosilyplayinghouse，thegameofallothersinwhichitisparticularlydesirabletohavetwoandnotthreeparticipants。
AtthatmomentthenatureofAbijahchanged，atonceandforever。
Withoutapangofconscienceheflewovertheinterveningpatchofgroundbetweenhimselfandhisdreadedrival，andseizingsmallstonesandlargerones，ashasteandfurydemanded，flungthematJimmyWatson，andflungandflung，tillthebewilderedboyrandownthehillhowling。Thenhemadea\"stickin’\"doortotheplay-house，puttheawedEmmaJaneinsideandstrodeupanddowninfrontoftheedificelikeanIndianbrave。Atsuchanearlyagedoeswomanbecomeadistractinganddisturbinginfluenceinman’scareer！
Timewenton，andsodidtherivalrybetweenthepoorhouseboyandthesonofwealth，butAbijah’schancesoffriendshipwithEmmaJanegrewfewerandfewerastheybothgrewolder。Hedidnotgotoschool，sotherewasnomeeting-groundthere，butsometimes，whenhesawtheknotofboysandgirlsreturningintheafternoon，hewouldinviteElijahandElisha，theSimpsontwins，tovisithim，andtakepainstobeinSquireBean’sfrontyard，doingsomethingthatmightimpresshisinamorataasshepassedthepremises。
AsJimmyWatsonwasparticularlysmallandfragile，Abijahgenerallychosefeatsofstrengthandskillfortheseprearrangedperformances。
Sometimeshewouldthrowhishatupintotheelmtreesasfarashecouldand，whenitcamedown，catchitonhishead。Sometimeshewouldwalkonhishands，withhislegswrigglingintheair，orturnadoublesomersault，orjumpincredibledistancesacrosstheextendedarmsoftheSimpsontwins；andhisbosomswelledwithpridewhenthegirlsexclaimed，\"Isn’thesplendid！\"
althoughheoftenheardhisrivalmurmurscornfully，\"SMARTY
ALECK！\"——ascathingallusionofunknownorigin。
SquireBean，althoughhedidnotsendtheboytoschool（thinking，ashewasofnopossibleimportanceintheuniverse，itwasnotworthwhilebotheringabouthiseducation），finallybecameimpressedwithhisability，lenthimbooks，andgavehimmoretimetostudy。Thesewereallheneeded，booksandtime，andwhentherewasanespeciallyhardknottountie，Rebecca，asthestarscholaroftheneighborhood，helpedhimtountieit。
WhenhewassixteenhelongedtogoawayfromRiverboroandbesomethingbetterthanachoreboy。SquireBeanhadbeengivinghimsmallwagesforthreeorfouryears，andwhenthetimeofpartingcamepresentedhimwithaten-dollarbillandasilverwatch。
ManyatimehadhediscussedhisfuturewithRebeccaandaskedheropinion。
Thiswasnotstrange，fortherewasnothinginhumanformthatshecouldnotanddidnotconversewith，easilyanddelightedly。
Shehadideasoneveryconceivablesubject，andwouldhavecheerfullyadvisedtheministerifhehadaskedher。Thefishmanconsultedherwhenhecouldn’tendurehismother-in-lawanotherminuteinthehouse；UncleJerryCobbdidn’tpartwithhisriverfielduntilhehadtalkeditoverwithRebecca；andasforAuntJane，shecouldn’tdecidewhethertowearherblackmerinoorhergraythibetunlessRebeccacastthefinalvote。
AbijahwantedtogofarawayfromRiverboro，asfarasLimerickAcademy，whichwasatleastfifteenmiles；butalthoughthisseemedextreme，Rebeccaagreed，sayingpensively：\"ThereISakindofmagicnessaboutgoingfarawayandthencomingbackallchanged。\"
ThiswaspreciselyAbijah’sunspokenthought。LimerickknewnothingofAbbieFlagg’sworthlessness，birth，andtraining，andtheawfulstigmaofhispoorhousebirth，sothathewouldstartfair。HecouldhavegonetoWarehamandthusremainedwithindailysightofthebelovedEmmaJane；butno，hewasnotgoingtopermithertowatchhimintheprocessof\"becoming，\"butafterhehad\"become\"something。Hedidnotproposetotakeanyrisksafteralltheseyearsofsilenceandpatience。Nothe！Heproposedtodisappear，likethemoononadarknight，andashewas，atpresent，somethingthatMr。PerkinswouldbynomeanshaveinthefamilynorMrs。Perkinsallowinthehouse，hewouldneitherreturntoRiverboronoraskanyfavorsofthemuntilhehadsomethingtooffer。Yes，sir。Hewasgoingtobecrammedtotheeyebrowswithlearningforonething，——uselesskindsandall，——goingtohavegoodclothes，andagoodincome。Everythingthatwasinhispowershouldberight，becausetherewouldalwaysbelurkinginthebackgroundthethingshenevercouldhelp——themotherandthepoorhouse。
Sohewentaway，and，althoughatSquireBean’sinvitationhecamebackthefirstyearfortwobriefvisitsatChristmasandEaster，hewaslittleseeninRiverboro，forMr。Laddfinallyfoundhimaplacewherehecouldmakehisvacationsprofitableandlearnbookkeepingatthesametime。
ThevisitsinRiverboroweretantalizingratherthanpleasant。Hewasinvitedtotwoparties，buthewasallthetimeconsciousofhisshirt-collar，andhewassurethathis\"pants\"werenottheproperthing，forbythistimehisidealsofdresshadattainedanalmostunrealizableheight。Asforhisshoes，hefeltthathewalkedoncarpetsasiftheywerefurrowsandhewerepropellingaploworaharrowbeforehim。TheyplayedDroptheHandkerchiefandCopenhagenattheparties，buthehadnothadtheaudacitytokissEmmaJane，whichwasbadenough，butJimmyhadanddid，whichwasinfinitelyworse！ThesightofJamesWatson’sunworthyandover-ambitiouslipsonEmmaJane’spinkcheekalmostdestroyedhisfaithinanoverrulingProvidence。
AfterthepartieswereoverhewentbacktohisoldroominSquireBean’sshedchamber。AshelayinbedhisthoughtsflutteredaboutEmmaJaneasswallowscirclearoundtheeaves。
Theterriblesicknessofhopelesshandicappedlovekepthimawake。Oncehecrawledoutofbedinthenight，lightedthelamp，andlookedforhismustache，rememberingthathehadseenasuspicionofdownonhisrival’supperlip。Heroseagainhalfanhourlater，againlightedthelamp，putafewdropsofoilonhishair，andbrusheditviolentlyforseveralminutes。Thenhewentbacktobed，andaftermakinguphismindthathewouldbuyadulcimerandlearntoplayonitsothathewouldbemoreattractiveatparties，andoutshinehisrivalinsocietyashehadaforetimeinathletics，hefinallysankintoatroubledslumber。
Thosedays，sofullofhopeanddoubtandtorture，seemedmercifullyunrealnow，theylaysofarbackinthepast——sixoreightyears，infact，whichisalifetimetotheladoftwenty——andmeantimehehadconqueredmanyoftheadversecircumstancesthathadthreatenedtocloudhiscareer。
AbijahFlaggwasatruechildofhisnativeState。SomethingofthesametimberthatMaineputsintoherforests，somethingofthesamestrengthandresistingpowerthatsheworksintoherrocks，goesintohersonsanddaughters；andattwentyAbijahwasgoingtotakehisfateinhishandandaskMr。Perkins，therichblacksmith，if，afterasuitableperiodofprobation（duringwhichhewouldfurtherpreparehimselfforhisexalteddestiny），hemightmarrythefairEmmaJane，soleheiressofthePerkinshouseandfortunes。
III
Thiswasboyandgirllove，calflove，perhaps，thougheventhatmaydevelopintosomethinglarger，truer，andfiner；butnotsofarawaywereotherandverydifferentheartsgrowingandbudding，eachinitsownway。TherewaslittleMissDearborn，theprettyschoolteacher，driftingintoafoolishalliancebecauseshedidnotagreewithherstepmotherathome；therewasHerbertDunn，valedictorianofhisclass，dazzledbyHuldahMeserve，wholikeaglowworm\"shoneafaroffbright，butlookedatnear，hadneitherheatnorlight。\"
TherewassweetEmilyMaxwell，lessthanthirtystill，withmostofherheartbestowedinthewrongquarter。ShewastoilingonattheWarehamschool，livingasunselfishalifeasanuninaconvent；lavishingthemindandsoulofher，theheartandbodyofher，onherchosenwork。Howmanywomengivethemselvesthus，consciouslyandunconsciously；and，thoughtheythemselvesmissthejoysandcompensationsofmotheringtheirownlittletwosandthrees，GodmustbegratefultothemfortheirmotheringofthehundredswhichmakethemsopreciousinHisregeneratingpurposes。
ThentherewasAdamLadd，waitingatthirty-fiveforagirltogrowalittleolder，simplybecausehecouldnotfindonealreadygrownwhosuitedhissomewhatfastidiousandexactingtastes。
\"I’llnotcallRebeccaperfection，\"hequotedonce，inalettertoEmilyMaxwell，——\"I’llnotcallherperfection，forthat’sapost，afraidtomove。Butshe’sadancingsprigofthetreenextit。\"
Whenfirstsheappearedonhisaunt’spiazzainNorthRiverboroandinsistedonsellinghimalargequantityofveryinferiorsoapinorderthatherfriends，theSimpsons，mightpossessapremiumintheshapeofagreatlyneededbanquetlamp，shehadrivetedhisattention。Hethoughtallthetimethatheenjoyedtalkingwithhermorethanwithanywomanalive，andhehadneverchangedhisopinion。Shealwayscaughtwhathesaidasifitwereaballtossedtoher，andsometimeshermind，asthroughithisthoughtscamebacktohim，seemedlikeaprismwhichhaddyedthemwithdeepercolors。
AdamLaddalwayscalledRebeccainhishearthislittleSpring。
Hisboyhoodhadbeenlonelyandunhappy。Thatwasthepartoflifehehadmissed，andalthoughitwasthefullsummerofsuccessandprosperitywithhimnow，hefoundhislostyouthonlyinher。
Shewastohim——howshallIdescribeit？
DoyourememberanearlydayinMaywithbuddingleaf，warmearth，tremulousair，andchanging，willfulsky——hownewitseemed？Howfreshandjoyousbeyondallexplaining？
Haveyoulainwithhalf-closedeyeswheretheflickeringofsunlightthroughyoungleaves，thesongofbirdsandbrookandthefragranceofwildflowerscombinedtocharmyoursenses，andyoufeltthesweetnessandgraceofnatureasneverbefore？
RebeccawasspringtidetoAdam’sthirstyheart。Shewasblitheyouthincarnate；shewasmusic——anAeolianharpthateverypassingbreezewoketosomewhisperinglittletune；shewasachanging，iridescentjoy-bubble；shewastheshadowofaleafdancingacrossadustyfloor。Noboughofhisthoughtcouldbesobarebutshesomehowbuiltanestinitandevokedlifewherenonewasbefore。
AndRebeccaherself？
Shehadbeenquiteunconsciousofallthisuntilverylately，andevennowshewasbuthalfawakened；searchingamongherchildishinstinctsandhergirlishdreamsforsomeAriadnethreadthatshouldguidehersafelythroughthelabyrinthofhernewsensations。
Forthemomentshewasabsorbed，orthoughtshewas，inthelittlelovestoryofAbijahandEmmaJane，butinreality，hadsherealizedit，thatlovestoryservedchieflyasabasisofcomparisonforapossibleoneofherown，lateron。
ShelikedandrespectedAbijahFlagg，andlovingEmmaJanewasahabitcontractedearlyinlife；buteverythingthattheydidorsaid，orthoughtorwrote，orhopedorfeared，seemedsoinadequate，sopainfullyshortofwhatmightbedoneorsaid，orthoughtorwritten，orhopedorfeared，undereasilyconceivablecircumstances，thatshealmostfeltadispositiontosmilegentlyatthefancyoftheignorantyoungcouplethattheyhadcaughtaglimpseofthegreatvision。
Shewassittingunderthesweetappletreeattwilight。Supperwasover；Mark’srestlessfeetwerequiet，FannyandJennyweretuckedsafelyinbed；herauntandhermotherwerestemmingcurrantsonthesideporch。
AbluespotatoneofthePerkinswindowsshowedthatinonevestalbosomhopewasnotdeadyet，althoughitwasseveno’clock。
Suddenlytherewasthesoundofahorse’sfeetcomingupthequietroad；plainlyasteedhiredfromsomemetropolislikeMilltownorWareham，asRiverborohorseswhenthroughwiththeirday’sworkneverdisportedthemselvessogayly。
Alittleopenvehiclecameinsight，andinitsatAbijahFlagg。
ThewagonwassofreshlypaintedandsoshinythatRebeccathoughtthathemusthavealightedatthebridgeandgivenitalastpolish。Thecreasesinhistrousers，too，hadanairofhavingbeenpressedinonlyafewminutesbefore。Thewhipwasnewandhadayellowribbononit；thegraysuitofclotheswasnew，andthecoatflourishedaflowerinitsbutton-hole。Thehatwasthelatestthinginhats，andtheintrepidswainworeaseal-ringonthelittlefingerofhisrighthand。AsRebeccarememberedthatshehadguideditinmakingcapitalG’sinhiscopy-book，shefeltpositivelymaternal，althoughshewastwoyearsyoungerthanAbijahtheBrave。
HedroveuptothePerkinsgateandwassolongabouthitchingthehorsethatRebecca’sheartbeattumultuouslyatthethoughtofEmmaJane’sheartwaitingunderthebluebarege。Thenhebrushedanimaginaryspeckoffhissleeve，thenhedrewonapairofbuffkidgloves，thenhewentupthepath，rappedattheknocker，andwentin。
\"Notalltheheroesgotothewars，\"thoughtRebecca。\"Abijahhaslaidtheghostofhisfatherandredeemedthememoryofhismother，fornoonewilldaresayagainthatAbbieFlagg’ssoncouldneveramounttoanything！\"
Theminuteswentby，andmoreminutes，andmore。ThetranquildusksettleddownoverthelittlevillagestreetandtheyoungmooncameoutjustbehindthetopofthePerkinspinetree。
ThePerkinsfrontdooropenedandAbijahtheBravecameouthandinhandwithhisFairEmmaJane。
Theywalkedthroughtheorchard，theeyesoftheoldcouplefollowingthemfromthewindow，andjustastheydisappeareddownthegreenslopethatledtotheriversidethegraycoatsleeveencircledthebluebaregewaist。
Rebecca，quiveringwithinstantsympathyandcomprehension，hidherfaceinherhands。
\"EmmyhassailedawayandIamallaloneinthelittleharbor，\"
shethought。
Itwasasifchildhood，likeathingrealandvisible，wereslippingdownthegrassyriverbanks，afterAbijahandEmmaJane，anddisappearinglikethemintothemoon-litshadowsofthesummernight。
\"Iamallaloneinthelittleharbor，\"sherepeated；\"andoh，I
wonder，Iwonder，shallIbeafraidtoleaveit，ifanybodyevercomestocarrymeouttosea！\"