第4章

II

ItwasnottillnextmorningthatRebecca’sheartreallybeganitssongofthanksgiving。HerAuntMirandaannouncedatbreakfast，thatasMrs。PerkinswasgoingtoMilliken’sMills，Rebeccamightgotoo，andbuyaserviceablehat。

"Youmustn’tpayovertwodollarsandahalf，andyoumustn’tgetthepinkbirdwithoutMrs。Perkinssays，andthemillinersays，thatitwon’tfadenormoult。Don’tbuyalight-coloredfeltbecauseyou’llgetsickofitintwoorthreeyearssameasyoudidthebrownone。Ialwayslikedtheshapeofthebrownone，andyou’llnevergetanothertrimmin’that’llwearlikethemquills。"

"Ihopenot！"thoughtRebecca。

"Ifyouhadputyourelasticunderyourchin，sameasyouusedto，andnotwornitbehindbecauseyouthinkit’smoregrown-upan’fash’onable，thewindnever’da’tookthehatoffyourhead，andyouwouldn’ta’lostit；butthemischief’sdoneandyoucangorightovertoMis’Perkinsnow，soyouwon’tmisshernorkeepherwaitin’。Thetwodollarsandahalfisinanenvelopesideo’

theclock。"

Rebeccaswallowedthelastspoonfulofpicked-upcodfishonherplate，wipedherlips，androsefromherchairhappierthantheseraphsinParadise。

Theporcupinequillshaddisappearedfromherlife，andwithoutanyfaultorviolenceonherpart。Shewaswhollyinnocentandvirtuous，butneverthelessshewasgoingtohaveanewhatwiththesolferinobreast，shouldtheadoredobjectprove，underrigorousexamination，tobepracticallyindestructible。

"Whene’erItakemywalksabroad，HowmanyhatsI’llsee；

Butifthey’retrimmedwithhedgehogquillsThey’llnotbelongtome！"

Sosheimprovised，secretlyandecstatically，asshewenttowardsthesideentry。

"There’s’BijahFlaggdrivin’in，"saidMissMiranda，goingtothewindow。"Stepoutandseewhathe’sgot，Jane；somepasselfromtheSquire，Iguess。It’sapaperbaganditmaybeapunkin，thoughhewouldn’twropupapunkin，cometothinkofit！

Shetthedinin’roomdoor，Jane；it’sturribledrafty。Makehaste，fortheSquire’shossneverstan’sstillaminuteceptwhenhe’sgoin’！"

AbijahFlaggalightedandapproachedthesidedoorwithagrin。

"GuesswhatI’vegotforye，Rebecky？"

NothrobofpropheticsoulwarnedRebeccaofherapproachingdoom。

"Nodheadapples？"shesparkled，lookingasbrightandrosyandsatin-skinnedasanappleherself。

"No；guessagain。"

"Afloweringgeranium？"

"Guessagain！"

"Nuts？Oh！Ican’t，"Bijah；I’mjustgoingtoMilliken’sMillsonanerrand，andI’mafraidofmissingMrs。Perkins。Showmequick！Isitreallyforme，orforAuntMiranda？

"Reelyforyou，Iguess！"andheopenedthelargebrownpaperbaganddrewfromittheremainsofawater-soakedhat！

TheyWEREremains，buttherewasnodoubtoftheirnatureandsubstance。Theyhadclearlybeenahatinthepast，andonecouldevensupposethat，whenresuscitated，theymightagainassumetheiroriginalforminsomenearandhappyfuture。

MissMiranda，fullofcuriosity，joinedthegroupinthesideentryatthisdramaticmoment。

"Well，Inever！"sheexclaimed。"Where，andhowunderthecanopy，didyouever？"

"IwasworkingonthedamatUnionFallsyesterday，"chuckledAbijah，withapleasedglanceateachofthetriointurn，"an’I

seenthislittlebunnitskippin’overthewaterjestasBeckydoesovertheroad。It’sshapedkindo’likeaboat，an’gorry，efitwa’ntsailin’jestlikeaboat！WherehevIseenthatkindofabristlin’plume？’thinksI。"

（"Whereindeed！"thoughtRebeccastormily。）

"ThenitcometomethatI’ddrovethatplumetoschoolanddroveittomeetin’anddroveittotheFairan’droveitmosteverywheresonBecky。SoIreachedoutapolean’ketcheditforeitgotinamongstthelogsan’cometoanydamage，an’hereitis！Thehat’spassedinitschecks，Iguess；lookskindasifawetelephanthadsteppedonit；buttheplume’sbout’sgoodasnew！Ireelyfetchedthehatbeckforthesakeo’theplume。"

"Itwasrealgoodofyou，’Bijah，an’we’reallofusobligedtoyou，"saidMiranda，asshepoisedthehatononehandandturneditslowlywiththeother。

"Well，Idosay，"sheexclaimed，"andIguessI’vesaiditbefore，thatofallthewearing’plumesthateverIsee，thatone’sthewearin’est！Seemsthoughitjustwouldn’tgiveup。Lookatthewayit’sheldMis’Cobb’sdye；it’saboutasbrown’swhenitwentint’thewater。"

"Dyed，butnotamitedead，"grinnedAbijah，whowassomewhatcelebratedforhispuns。

"AndIdeclare，"Mirandacontinued，"whenyouthinko’thefusstheymakeaboutostriches，killin’emoffbyhundredsforthesakeo’theirfeathersthat’llstringoutandspoilinonehardrainstorm，——an’allthetimelettin’usefulporcupinesrunroundwiththeirquillson，whyIcan’thardlyunderstandit，withoutmillinershavefoundoutjesthowgoodtheydolast，an’sotheywon’tuseemfortrimmin’。’Bijah’sright；thehatain’tnomoreuse，Rebecca，butyoucanbuyyouanotherthismornin’——anycolororshapeyoufancy——an’haveMissMortonsewthesebrownquillsontoitwithsomekindofabuckleorabow，jesttohidetheroots。Thenyou’llbefixedforanotherseason，thanksto’Bijah。"

UncleJerryandAuntSarahCobbweremadeacquaintedbeforeverylongwiththepartthatdestiny，orAbijahFlagg，hadplayedinRebecca’saffairs，for，accompaniedbytheteacher，shewalkedtotheoldstagedriver’sthatsameafternoon。Takingoffhernewhatwiththevenerabletrimming，shelaiditsomewhatostentatiouslyupsidedownonthekitchentableandlefttheroom，dimplingalittlemorethanusual。

UncleJerryrosefromhisseat，and，crossingtheroom，lookedcuriouslyintothehatandfoundthatacircularpaperliningwasneatlypinnedinthecrown，andthatitboretheselines，whichwerereadaloudwithgreateffectbyMissDearborn，andwithherapprovalwerecopiedintheThoughtBookforthebenefitofposterity：

"Itwasthebristlingporcupine，Ashestoodonhisnativeheath，Hesaid，I’llpluckmesomeimmortellesAndmakemeupawreath。

Fortho’ImaynotlivemyselfTomorethanahundredandten，Myquillswilllasttillcrackofdoom，Andmaybeafterthen。TheycanbecoloredblueorgreenOrorange，brown，orred，ButoftenastheymaybedyedTheyneverwillbedead。’AndsothebristlingporcupineAshestoodonhisnativeheath，Said，I

thinkI’llpluckmesomeimmmortellesAndmakemeupawreath。’

R。R。R。"

FifthChronicleTHESAVINGOFTHECOLORS

I

EvenwhenRebeccahadleftschool，havingattainedthegreatageofseventeenandthereforeabletolookbackoverapastincrediblylongandfull，shestillreckonedtimenotbyyears，butbycertainimportantoccurrences。

Therewastheyearherfatherdied；theyearsheleftSunnybrookFarmtocometoherauntsinRiverboro；theyearSisterHannahbecameengaged；theyearlittleMiradied；theyearAbijahFlaggceasedtobeSquireBean’schore-boy，andastoundedRiverborobydepartingforLimerickAcademyinsearchofaneducation；andfinallytheyearofhergraduation，which，tothemindofseventeen，seemsrathertheculminationthanthebeginningofexistence。

Betweentheseepoch-makingeventscertainotherhappeningsstoodoutinboldreliefagainstthegrayofdulldailylife。

Therewasthedayshefirstmetherfriendoffriends，"Mr。

Aladdin，"andthelater，evenmoreradiantonewhenhegaveherthecoralnecklace。TherewasthedaytheSimpsonfamilymovedawayfromRiverborounderacloud，andshekissedClaraBelleferventlyatthecross-roads，tellingherthatshewouldalwaysbefaithful。TherewasthevisitoftheSyrianmissionariestothebrickhouse。Thatwasabright，romanticmemory，asstrangeandbrilliantasthewonderfullittlebirds’wingsandbreaststhatthestrangersbroughtfromtheFarEast。Sherememberedthemomenttheyaskedhertochoosesomeforherself，andtherapturewithwhichshestrokedthebeautifulthingsastheylayontheblackhairclothsofa。Thentherewasthecomingofthenewminister，forthoughmanyweretriedonlyonewaschosen；andfinallytherewastheflag-raising，afestivitythatthrilledRiverboroandEdgewoodsocietyfromcentretocircumference，afestivitythattookplacejustbeforesheenteredtheFemaleSeminaryatWarehamandsaidgood-bytokindMissDearbornandthevillageschool。

Theremusthavebeenotherflag-raisingsinhistory，——eventhepersonsmostinterestedinthisparticularonewouldgrudginglyhaveallowedthatmuch，——butitwouldhaveseemedtothemimprobablethatanysuchflag-raisingastheirs，eitherinmagnitudeofconceptionorbrilliancyofactualperformance，couldtwiceglorifythesamecentury。Ofsomepageantsitistacitlyadmittedthattherecanbenoduplicates，andtheflag-raisingatRiverboroCentrewasoneofthese；sothatitissmallwonderifRebeccachoseitasoneoftheimportantdatesinherpersonalalmanac。

Thenewminister’swifewasthebeing，underProvidence，whohadconceivedthegerminalideaoftheflag。

Atthistimetheparishhadalmostsettleddowntothetremblingbeliefthattheywereunitedonapastor。Intheearliertimeaministerwaschosenforlife，andifhehadfaults，whichwasaprobablyenoughcontingency，andifhiscongregationhadany，whichiswithintheboundsofpossibility，eachborewiththeother（notquitewithoutfriction），asold-fashionedhusbandsandwivesoncedid，beforetheeasywayoutofthedifficultywasdiscovered，oratleastbeforeitwaspopularized。

Thefaithfuloldparsonhaddiedafterthirtyyears’preaching，andperhapsthenewermethodshadbeguntocreepin，foritseemedimpossibletosuitthetwocommunitiesmostinterestedinthechoice。

TheRev。Mr。Davis，forexample，wasaspiritedpreacher，butpersistedinkeepingtwohorsesintheparsonagestable，andinexchangingthemwheneverhecouldgetfasterones。Asaparochialvisitorhewasincomparable，dashingfromhousetohousewithsuchspeedthathecouldcovertheparishinasingleafternoon。

Thissportingtendency，whichwouldneverhavebeenremarkedinaBritishparson，wasfrowneduponinaNewEnglandvillage，andDeaconMillikentoldMr。Davis，whengivinghimwhathealludedtoashis"walkingpapers，"thattheydidn’twanttheEdgewoodchurchrunbyhosspower！

ThenextcandidatepleasedEdgewood，wheremorningpreachingwasheld，buttheotherparish，whichhadafternoonservice，declinedtoaccepthimbecauseheworeawig——anill-matched，crookedlyappliedwig。

Numberthreewaseloquentbutgiventogesticulation，andMrs。

JereBurbank，thepresidentoftheDorcasSociety，whosatinafrontpew，saidshecouldn’tbeartoseeapreacherscrambleroundthepulpithotSundays。

Numberfour，agenial，handsomeman，giftedinprayer，wasfoundtobeaDemocrat。ThecongregationwasoverwhelminglyRepublicaninitspolitics，andperceivedsomethingludicrous，ifnotpositivelyblasphemous，inaDemocratpreachingthegospel。

（"AnaniasandBeelzebub’llbecandidatin’here，firstthingweknow！"exclaimedtheoutragedRepublicannomineefordistrictattorney。）

Numberfivehadafeeble-mindedchild，whichthehiringcommitteeprophesied，wouldalwaysbestandingintheparsonagefrontyard，makingtalkfortheotherdenominations。

NumbersixwastheRev。JudsonBaxter，thepresentincumbent；andhewasvotedtobeasnearperfectionasaministercanbeinthisfiniteworld。Hisyoungwifehadasmallincomeofherown，adistinctandunusualadvantage，andthesubscriptioncommitteehopedthattheymightnotbeeternallydrivingoverthecountrytogetsomebody’sfiftycentsthathadbeenover-dueforeightmonths，butmighttaketheironerousdutiesalittlemoreeasily。

"Itdoesseemasifourministerswerethepoorestlot！"

complainedMrs。Robinson。"Iftheirsalaryistwomonthsbehindhandtheybegintobenervous！Seemsasthoughtheymightlayupalittlebeforetheycomehere，andnotlivefromhandtomouthso！TheBaxtersseemquitedifferent，andIonlyhopetheywon’tgetwastefulandrunintodebt。Theysayshekeepstheparlorblindsopenbouthalfthetime，andtheroomislitupsooftenevenin’sthattheneighborsthinkherandMr。Baxtermustsetinthere。Itdon’tseemhardlyasifitcouldbeso，butMrs。

Buzzellsaystis，andshesayswemightaswellsaygood-bytotheparlorcarpet，whichischurchproperty，fortheBaxtersarelivingalloverit！"

Thiscriticismwastheonlydiscordantnoteinthechorusofpraise，andthepeoplegraduallygrewaccustomedtotheopenblindsandtheoverusedparlorcarpet，whichwasjustcompletingitstwenty-fifthyearofhonestservice。

Mrs。BaxtercommunicatedherpatrioticideaofanewflagtotheDorcasSociety，proposingthatthewomenshouldcutandmakeitthemselves。

"Itmaynotbequiteasgoodasthosemanufacturedinthelargecities，"shesaid，"butweshallbeproudtoseeourhome-madeflagflyinginthebreeze，anditwillmeanallthemoretotheyoungvotersgrowingup，torememberthattheirmothersmadeitwiththeirownhands。"

"Howwoulditdotoletsomeofthegirlshelp？"modestlyaskedMissDearborn，theRiverboroteacher。"Wemightchoosethebestsewersandletthemputinatleastafewstitches，sothattheycanfeeltheyhaveashareinit。"

"Justthething！"exclaimedMrs。Baxter。"Wecancutthestripesandsewthemtogether，andafterwehavebastedonthewhitestarsthegirlscanapplythemtotheblueground。Wemusthaveitreadyforthecampaignrally，andwecouldn’tchristenitatabettertimethaninthispresidentialyear。"

II

Inthiswaythegreatenterprisewasstarted，anddaybydaythepreparationswentforwardinthetwovillages。

Theboys，asfuturevotersandfighters，demandedanactiveshareintheproceedings，andwereorganizedbySquireBeanintoafifeanddrumcorps，sothatbydayandnightmartialbutmostinharmoniousmusicwoketheechoes，anddeafenedmothersfelttheirpatriotismoozingoutatthesolesoftheirshoes。

DickCarterwasmadecaptain，forhisgrandfatherhadagoldmedalgivenhimbyQueenVictoriaforrescuingthreehundredandtwenty-sixpassengersfromasinkingBritishvessel。RiverborothoughtithightimetopaysomegracefultributetoGreatBritaininreturnforherhandsomeconducttoCaptainNahumCarter，andhumanimaginationcouldcontrivenothingmoreimpressivethanavicariousshareintheflagraising。

LivingPerkinstriedtobehappyintheranks，forhewasofferednoofficialposition，principally，Mrs。Smellieobserved，because"hisfather’swarrecordwa’ntclean。""Oh，yes！JimPerkinswenttothewar，"shecontinued。"Hehidoutbehindthehencoopwhentheywasdraftin’，buttheyfoundhimandtookhimalong。Hegotintoonebattle，too，somehowornother，butherunawayfromit。

Hewasallerscautious，Jimwas；ifheeverseetroubleofanykindcomin’towardshim，hewasouto’sightforeitgotachancetolight。Hesaideightdollarsamonth，withoutbounty，wouldn’tpayHIMtostopbulletsfor。Hewouldn’tfightaskeeter，Jimwouldn’t，butland！weain’ttowarallthetime，andhe’sagoodneighborandagoodblacksmith。"

MissDearbornwastobeColumbiaandtheoldergirlsofthetwoschoolsweretobetheStates。Suchtradeinmuslinsandred，white，andblueribbonshadneverbeenknownsince"Watsonkep’

store，"andthenumberofbriefwhitepetticoatshangingouttobleachwouldhavecausedthepassingstrangertoimagineRiverboroacontinualdancingschool。

Juvenilevirtue，bothmaleandfemale，reachedanalmostimpossibleheight，forparentshadonlytoliftafingerandsay，"youshan’tgototheflagraising！"andtherefractoryspiritatoncearmeditselffornewstrugglestowardtheperfectlife。

Mr。JeremiahCobbhadconsentedtoimpersonateUncleSam，andwastodriveColumbiaandtheStatestothe"raising"onthetopofhisownstage。Meantimetheboysweredrilling，theladieswerecuttingandbastingandstitching，andthegirlsweresewingonstars；forthestarrypartofthespangledbannerwastoremainwitheachoftheminturnuntilshehadperformedhershareofthework。

Itwasfeltbyoneandallafineandsplendidserviceindeedtohelpinthemakingoftheflag，andifRebeccawasproudtobeofthechosenones，sowasherAuntJaneSawyer，whohadtaughtherallherdelicatestitches。

Onalong-looked-forafternooninAugusttheminister’swifedroveuptothebrickhousedoor，andhandedoutthegreatpieceofbuntingtoRebecca，whoreceiveditinherarmswithasmuchsolemnityasifithadbeenachildawaitingbaptismalrites。

"I’msoglad！"shesighedhappily。"Ithoughtitwouldnevercomemyturn！"

"Youshouldhavehaditaweekago，butHuldahMeserveupsettheinkbottleoverherstar，andwehadtobasteonanotherone。Youarethelast，though，andthenweshallsewthestarsandstripestogether，andSethStroutwillgetthetopreadyforhanging。

Justthink，itwon’tbemanydaysbeforeyouchildrenwillbepullingtheropewithallyourstrength，thebandwillbeplaying，themenwillbecheering，andthenewflagwillgohigherandhigher，tillthered，white，andblueshowsagainstthesky！"

Rebecca’seyesfairlyblazed。"ShallIfellon’mystar，orbuttonholeit？"sheasked。

"Lookatalltheothersandmakethemostbeautifulstitchesyoucan，that’sall。Itisyourstar，youknow，andyoucanevenimagineitisyourstate，andtryandhaveitthebestofall。Ifeverybodyelseistryingtodothesamethingwithherstate，thatwillmakeagreatcountry，won’tit？"

Rebecca’seyesspokegladconfirmationoftheidea。"Mystar，mystate！"sherepeatedjoyously。"Oh，Mrs。Baxter，I’llmakesuchfinestitchesyou’llthinkthewhitegrewoutoftheblue！"

Thenewminister’swifelookedpleasedtoseehersparkkindleaflameintheyoungheart。"Youcansewsomuchofyourselfintoyourstar，"shewentoninthegladvoicethatmadehersowinsome，"thatwhenyouareanoldladyyoucanputonyourspecsandfinditamongalltheothers。Good-by！ComeuptotheparsonageSaturdayafternoon；Mr。Baxterwantstoseeyou。"

"Judson，helpthatdearlittlegeniusofaRebeccaallyoucan！"

shesaidthatnight，whentheywerecosilytalkingintheirparlorandliving"allover"theparishcarpet。"Idon’tknowwhatshemay，ormaynot，cometo，someday；Ionlywishshewereours！Ifyoucouldhaveseenherclasptheflagtightinherarmsandputhercheekagainstit，andwatchedthetearsoffeelingstartinhereyeswhenItoldherthatherstarwasherstate！I

keptwhisperingtomyself，Covetnotthyneighbor’schild！’"

Dailyatfouro’clockRebeccascrubbedherhandsalmosttothebone，brushedherhair，andotherwisepreparedherselfinbody，mind，andspiritfortheconsecratedlaborofsewingonherstar。

Allthetimethatherneedlecautiously，conscientiouslyformedthetinystitchesshewasmakingrhymes"inherhead，"herfavoriteachievementbeingthis：

"Yourstar，mystar，allourstarstogether，TheymakethedearoldbannerproudTofloatinthebrightfallweather。"

TherewasmuchdiscussionastowhichofthegirlsshouldimpersonatetheStateofMaine，forthatwasfelttobethehighesthonorinthegiftofthecommittee。

AliceRobinsonwastheprettiestchildinthevillage，butshewasveryshyandbynomeansageneralfavorite。

MinnieSmelliepossessedthehandsomestdressandapairofwhiteslippersandopen-workstockingsthatnearlycarriedtheday。

Still，asMissDeliaWeekswellsaid，shewassostupidthatifsheshouldsuckherthumbintheverymiddleoftheexercisesnobody’dbeaditesurprised！

HuldahMeservewasnextvotedupon，andthefactthatifshewerenotchosenherfathermightwithdrawhissubscriptiontothebrassbandfundwasamatterforgraveconsideration。

"Ikindo’hatetohavesuchagigglerfortheStateofMaine；

letherbetheGoddessofLiberty，"proposedMrs。Burbank，whosepatriotismwasmorelocalthannational。

"HowwouldRebeccaRandalldoforMaine，andletherspeaksomeofherverses？"suggestedthenewminister’swife，who，couldshehavehadherway，wouldhavegivenalltheprominentpartstoRebecca，fromUncleSamdown。

So，beauty，fashion，andwealthhavingbeentriedandfoundwanting，thecommitteediscussedtheclaimsoftalent，andittranspiredthattotheawe-strickenRebeccafellthechiefpluminthepudding。Itwasatributetohergiftsthattherewasnojealousyorenvyamongtheothergirls；theyreadilyconcededherspecialfitnessfortherole。

Herlifehadnotbeenpresseddownfulltothebrimofpleasures，andshehadasortofdistrustofjoyinthebud。Notuntilshesawitinfullradianceofbloomdidshedareembraceit。ShehadneverreadanyversebutByron，FeliciaHemans，bitsof"ParadiseLost，"andtheselectionsintheschoolreaders，butshewouldhaveagreedheartilywiththepoetwhosaid：

"NotbyappointmentdowemeetdelightAndjoy；theyheednotourexpectancy；ButroundsomecornerinthestreetsoflifeTheyonasuddenclaspuswithasmile。"

Formanynightsbeforetheraising，whenshewenttoherbedshesaidtoherself，aftershehadfinishedherprayers："Itcan’tbetruethatI’mchosenfortheStateofMaine！ItjustCAN’Tbetrue！NobodycouldbegoodENOUGH，butoh，I’lltrytobeasgoodasIcan！TobegoingtoWarehamSeminarynextweekandtobetheStateofMainetoo！Oh！ImustprayHARDtoGodtokeepmemeekandhumble！"

III

TheflagwastoberaisedonaTuesday，andonthepreviousSundayitbecameknowntothechildrenthatClaraBelleSimpsonwascomingbackfromAcreville，comingtolivewithMrs。Foggandtakecareofthebaby，calledbytheneighborhoodboys"theFogghorn，"onaccountofhisexcellentvoiceproduction。

ClaraBellewasoneofMissDearborn’soriginalflock，andifshewereleftwhollyoutofthefestivitiesshewouldbetheonlygirlofsuitableagetobethusslighted；itseemedcleartothejuvenilemind，therefore，thatneithershenorherdescendantswouldeverrecoverfromsuchablow。But，underallthecircumstances，wouldshebeallowedtojoinintheprocession？

EvenRebecca，theoptimistic，fearednot，andthecommitteeconfirmedherfearsbysayingthatAbnerSimpson’sdaughtercertainlycouldnottakeanyprominentpartintheceremony，buttheyhopedthatMrs。Foggwouldallowhertowitnessit。

WhenAbnerSimpson，urgedbythetownauthorities，tookhiswifeandsevenchildrenawayfromRiverborotoAcreville，justovertheborderinthenextcounty，Riverborowenttobedleavingitsbarnandsheddoorsunfastened，anddrewlongbreathsofgratitudetoProvidence。

Ofmostwinningdispositionandgenialmanners，Mr。Simpsonhadnotthatinstinctivecomprehensionofpropertyrightswhichrendersamanavaluablecitizen。

SquireBeanwashisnearestneighbor，andheconceivedthenovelideaofpayingSimpsonfivedollarsayearnottostealfromhim，amethodoccasionallyusedintheHighlandsintheearlydays。

Thebargainwasstruck，andadheredtoreligiouslyforatwelve-month，butonthesecondofJanuaryMr。Simpsonannouncedtheverbalcontractasformallybroken。

"Ididn’tknowwhatIwasdoin’whenImadeit，Squire，"heurged。"Inthefirstplace，it’sasluronmyreputationandaninjurytomyself-respect。Secondly，it’sanervousstrainonme；

andthirdly，fivedollarsdon’tpayme！"

SquireBeanwassostruckwiththeuniqueandconvincingnatureoftheseargumentsthathecouldscarcelyrestrainhisadmiration，andheconfessedtohimselfafterward，thatunlessSimpson’smentalattitudecouldbechangedhewasperhapsafittersubjectformedicalsciencethanthestateprison。

Abnerwasamostunusualthief，andconductedhisoperationswithatactandneighborlyconsiderationnonetoocommonintheprofession。Hewouldneverstealaman’sscytheinhaying-time，norhisfurlap-robeinthecoldestofthewinter。Thepickingofalockofferednoattractionstohim；"hewa’n’tnoburglar，"hewouldhavescornfullyasserted。Astrangehorseandwagonhitchedbytheroadsidewasthemostflagrantofhisthefts；butitwasthesmallthings——thehatchetoraxeonthechopping-block，thetinpanssunningatthesidedoor，astraygarmentbleachingonthegrass，ahoe，rake，shovel，orabagofearlypotatoes，thattemptedhimmostsorely；andtheseappealedtohimnotsomuchfortheirintrinsicvalueasbecausetheyweresoexcellentlyadaptedtoswapping。Theswappingwasreallytheenjoyablepartoftheprocedure，thetheftwasonlyasadbutnecessarypreliminary；forifAbnerhimselfhadbeenamanofsufficientpropertytocarryonhisbusinessoperationsindependently，itisdoubtfulifhewouldhavehelpedhimselfsofreelytohisneighbor’sgoods。

RiverbororegrettedthelossofMrs。Simpson，whowasusefulinscrubbing，cleaning，andwashing，andwasthoughttoexercisesomeinfluenceoverherpredatoryspouse。Therewasastoryoftheirearlymarriedlife，whentheyhadafarm；astorytotheeffectthatMrs。SimpsonalwaysrodeoneveryloadofhaythatherhusbandtooktoMilltown，withtheviewofkeepinghimsoberthroughtheday。Afterheturnedoutofthecountryroadandapproachedthemetropolis，itwassaidthatheusedtoburythedocileladyintheload。Hewouldthendriveontothescales，havetheweightofthehayenteredinthebuyer’sbook，takehishorsestothestableforfeedandwater，andwhenafavorableopportunityofferedhewouldassistthehotandpantingMrs。

Simpsonoutofthesideorbackoftherack，andgallantlybrushthestrawfromherperson。ForthisreasonitwasalwaysassertedthatAbnerSimpsonsoldhiswifeeverytimehewenttoMilltown，butthestorywasneverfullysubstantiated，andatalleventsitwastheonlysuspectedblotonmeekMrs。Simpson’spersonalreputation。

AsfortheSimpsonchildren，theyweremissedchieflyasfamiliarfiguresbytheroadside；butRebeccahonestlylovedClaraBelle，notwithstandingherAuntMiranda’soppositiontotheintimacy。

Rebecca’s"tasteforlowcompany"wasasourceofcontinualanxietytoheraunt。

"Anythingthat’shumanfleshisgoodenoughforher！"MirandagroanedtoJane。"She’llridewiththerag-sack-and-bottlepeddlerjustasquickasshewouldwiththeminister；shealwayssetsbesidetheSt。Vitus’danceyoungoneatSabbathschool；andshe’sforeverriggin’andonriggin’thatdirtySimpsonbaby！Sheremindsmeofapuppythat’llalwaysgotoeverybodythat’llhavehim！"

ItwasthoughtverycreditabletoMrs。FoggthatshesentforClaraBelletolivewithherandgotoschoolpartoftheyear。

"She’llbeuseful"saidMrs。Fogg，"andshe’llbeoutofherfather’sway，andsokeephonest；thoughshe’snoawfulhomblyI’venofearsforher。Agirlwithherredhair，freckles，andcross-eyescan’tfallintonokindofsin，Idon’tbelieve。"

Mrs。FoggrequestedthatClaraBelleshouldbestartedonherjourneyfromAcrevillebytrainandcometherestofthewaybystage，andshewasdisturbedtoreceivewordonSundaythatMr。

Simpsonhadborroweda"goodroader"fromanewacquaintance，andwouldhimselfdrivethegirlfromAcrevilletoRiverboro，adistanceofthirty-fivemiles。Thathewouldarriveintheirvicinityontheverynightbeforetheflag-raisingwasthoughtbyRiverborotobeapublicmisfortune，andseveralresidentshastilydeterminedtodenythemselvesasightofthefestivitiesandremainwatchfullyontheirownpremises。

OnMondayafternoonthechildrenwererehearsingtheirsongsatthemeeting-house。AsRebeccacameoutonthebroadwoodenstepsshewatchedMrs。PeterMeserve’sbuggyoutofsight，forinfront，wrappedinacottonsheet，laythepreviousflag。Afterafewchatteringgood-bysandweatherprophecieswiththeothergirls，shestartedonherhomewardwalk，droppinginattheparsonagetoreadherversestotheminister。

Hewelcomedhergladlyassheremovedherwhitecottongloves（hastilyslippedonoutsidethedoor，forceremony）andpushedbackthefunnyhatwiththeyellowandblackporcupinequills——

thehatwithwhichshemadeherfirstappearanceinRiverborosociety。

"You’veheardthebeginning，Mr。Baxter；nowwillyoupleasetellmeifyoulikethelastverse？"sheasked，takingoutherpaper。

"I’veonlyreadittoAliceRobinson，andIthinkperhapsshecanneverbeapoet，thoughshe’sasplendidwriter。Lastyearwhenshewastwelveshewroteabirthdaypoemtoherself，andshemadenatal’rhymewithMilton，。’which，ofcourse，itwouldn’t。I

remembereveryverseended：

’ThisismydaysonatalAndIwillfollowMilton。’

Anotheroneofherswaswrittenjustbecauseshecouldn’thelpit，shesaid。Thiswasit：

’Letmetothehillsaway，Givemepenandpaper；

I’llwriteuntiltheearthwillswayThestoryofmyMaker。’"

Theministercouldscarcelyrefrainfromsmiling，buthecontrolledhimselfthathemightlosenoneofRebecca’squaintobservations。Whenshewasperfectlyatease，unwatchedanduncriticised，shewasamarvelouscompanion。

"ThenameofthepoemisgoingtobeMyStar，’"shecontinued，"andMrs。Baxtergavemealltheideas，butsomehowthere’sakindofmagicnesswhentheygetintopoetry，don’tyouthinkso？"

（Rebeccaalwaystalkedtogrownpeopleasifsheweretheirage，or，amoresubtleandtruerdistinction，asiftheywerehers。）

"Ithasoftenbeensoremarked，indifferentwords，"agreedtheminister。

"Mrs。Baxtersaidthateachstarwasastate，andifeachstatediditsbestweshouldhaveasplendidcountry。ThenonceshesaidthatweoughttobegladthewarisoverandtheStatesareallatpeacetogether；andIthoughtColumbiamustbeglad，too，forMissDearbornsaysshe’sthemotherofalltheStates。SoI’mgoingtohaveitendlikethis：Ididn’twriteit，IjustseweditwhileIwasworkingonmystar：

Forit’syourstar，mystar，allthestarstogether，Thatmakeourcountry’sflagsoproudTofloatinthebrightfallweather。

Northernstars，Southernstars，starsoftheEastandWest，SidebysidetheylieatpeaceOnthedearflag’smother-breast。"

"’Oh！manyarethepoetsthataresownbynature，’"thoughttheminister，quotingWordsworthtohimself。"AndIwonderwhatbecomesofthem！That’saprettyidea，littleRebecca，andI

don’tknowwhetheryouormywifeoughttohavethemorepraise。

Whatmadeyouthinkofthestarslyingontheflag’smother-breast’？Wheredidyougetthatword？"

"Why"（andtheyoungpoetlookedratherpuzzled），"that’sthewayitis；theflagisthewholecountry——themother——andthestarsarethestates。Thestarshadtoliesomewhere：’LAP’nor’ARMS’

wouldn’tsoundwellwithWest，’so，ofcourse，Isaid’BREAST，’"

Rebeccaanswered，withsomesurpriseatthequestion；andtheministerputhishandunderherchinandkissedhersoftlyontheforeheadwhenhesaidgood-byatthedoor。

IV

Rebeccawalkedrapidlyalonginthegatheringtwilight，thinkingoftheeventfulmorrow。

AssheapproachedtheturningontheleftcalledtheoldMilltownroad，shesawawhitehorseandwagon，drivenbyamanwitharakish，flapping，Panamahat，comerapidlyaroundtheturnanddisappearoverthelonghillsleadingdowntothefalls。Therewasnomistakinghim；thereneverwasanotherAbnerSimpson，withhisleanheight，hisbushyreddishhair，thegaycockofhishat，andthelongpiratical，upturnedmustaches，whichtheboysusedtosaywereusedashat-racksbytheSimpsonchildrenatnight……

TheoldMilltownroadranpastMrs。Fogg’shouse，sohemusthaveleftClaraBellethere，andRebecca’sheartglowedtothinkthatherpoorlittlefriendneednotmisstheraising。

Shebegantorunnow，fearfulofbeinglateforsupper，andcoveredthegroundtothefallsinabrieftime。AsshecrossedthebridgesheagainsawAbnerSimpson’steam，drawnupatthewateringtrough。

Comingalittlenearer，withtheviewofinquiringforthefamily，herquickeyecaughtsightofsomethingunexpected。A

gustofwindblewupacornerofalinenlap-robeinthebackofthewagon，andunderneathitshedistinctlysawthewhite-sheetedbundlethatheldtheflag；thebundlewithatiny，tinyspotofredbuntingpeepingoutatonecorner。Itistrueshehadeaten，slept，dreamedred，white，andblueforweeks，buttherewasnomistakingtheevidenceofhersenses；theidolizedflag，longedfor，workedfor，sewedfor，thatflagwasinthebackofAbnerSimpson’swagon，andifso，whatwouldbecomeoftheraising？

Actingonblindimpulse，sherantowardthewatering-trough，callingoutinhercleartreble："Mr。Simpson！Oh，Mr。Simpson，willyouletmerideapiecewithyouandhearallaboutClaraBelle？I’mgoingpartwayovertotheCentreonanerrand。"（Soshewas；amostimportanterrand，——torecovertheflagofhercountryatpresentinthehandsofthefoe！）

Mr。Simpsonturnedroundinhisseatandcriedheartily，"CertainsureIwill！"forhelikedthefairsex，youngandold，andRebeccahadalwaysbeenaprimefavoritewithhim。"Climbrightin！How’severybody？Gladtoseeye！Thefolkstalkboutyefromsun-uptosun-down，andClaraBellecan’thardlywaitforasightofye！"

Rebeccascrambledup，tremblingandpalewithexcitement。Shedidnotintheleastknowwhatwasgoingtohappen，butshewassurethattheflag，whenintheenemy’scountry，mustbeatleastalittlesaferwiththeStateofMainesittingontopofit！

Mr。SimpsonbeganalongmonologueaboutAcreville，thehousehelivedin，thepondinfrontofit，Mrs。Simpson’shealth，andvariousitemsofnewsaboutthechildren，variedbyreportsofhispersonalmisfortunes。Heputnoquestions，andaskednoreplies，sothisgavetheinexperiencedsoldierafewsecondstoplanacampaign。Therewerethreehousestopass；theBrowns’atthecorner，theMillikens’，andtheRobinsons’onthebrowofthehill。IfMr。RobinsonwereinthefrontyardshemighttellMr。

SimpsonshewantedtocallthereandaskMr。Robinsontoholdthehorse’sheadwhileshegotoutofthewagon。ThenshemightflytothebackbeforeMr。Simpsoncouldrealizethesituation，anddraggingoutthepreciousbundle，sitonithard，whileMr。

RobinsonsettledthematterofownershipwithMr。Simpson。

Thiswasfeasible，butitmeantaquarrelbetweenthetwomen，whoheldanancientgrudgeagainsteachother，andMr。Simpsonwasavaliantfighterasthevarioussheriffswhohadattemptedtoarresthimcouldcordiallytestify。ItalsomeantthateverybodyinthevillagewouldhearoftheincidentandpoorClaraBellebebrandedagainasthechildofathief。

Anotherideadancedintoherexcitedbrain；suchacleveroneshecouldhardlybelieveithers。ShemightcallMr。Robinsontothewagon，andwhenhecameclosetothewheelsshemightsay，"allofasudden"："Pleasetaketheflagoutofthebackofthewagon，Mr。Robinson。Wehavebroughtithereforyoutokeepovernight。"

Mr。Simpsonmightbesosurprisedthathewouldgiveuphisprizeratherthanbesuspectedofstealing。

ButastheynearedtheRobinsons’housetherewasnotasignoflifetobeseen；sothelastplan，ingeniousthoughitwas，wasperforceabandoned。

Theroadnowlaybetweenthickpinewoodswithnodwellinginsight。ItwasgrowingduskandRebeccawasdrivingalongthelonelywaywithapersonwhowasgenerallycalledSlipperySimpson。

Notathoughtoffearcrossedhermind，savethefearofbunglinginherdiplomacy，andsolosingtheflag。SheknewMr。Simpsonwell，andapleasantermanwasseldomtobemet。SherecalledanafternoonwhenhecamehomeandsurprisedthewholeschoolplayingtheRevolutionaryWarinhishelter-skelterdooryard，andthewayinwhichhehadjoinedtheBritishforcesandimpersonatedGeneralBurgoynehadgreatlyendearedhimtoher。

Theonlydifficultywastofindproperwordsforherdelicatemission，for，ofcourse，ifMr。Simpson’sangerwerearoused，hewouldpolitelypushheroutofthewagonanddriveawaywiththeflag。Perhapsifsheledtheconversationintherightdirectionanopportunitywouldpresentitself。ShewellrememberedhowEmmaJanePerkinshadfailedtoconvertJacobMoody，simplybecauseshefailedto"leadup"tothedelicatequestionofhismanneroflife。Clearingherthroatnervously，shebegan："Isitlikelytobefairtomorrow？"

"Guessso；clearasabell。What’sonfoot；apicnic？"

"No；we’retohaveagrandflag-raising！"（"Thatis，"shethought，"ifwehaveanyflagtoraise！"）

"Thatso？Where？"

"Thethreevillagesaretoclubtogetherandhavearally，andraisetheflagattheCentre。There’llbeabrassband，andspeakers，andtheMayorofPortland，andthemanthatwillbegovernorifhe’selected，andadinnerintheGrangeHall，andwegirlsarechosentoraisetheflag。"

"Iwanttoknow！That’llbegrand，won’tit？"（StillnotasignofconsciousnessonthepartofAbner。）

"IhopeMrs。FoggwilltakeClaraBelle，foritwillbesplendidtolookat！Mr。CobbisgoingtobeUncleSamanddriveusonthestage。MissDearborn——ClaraBelle’soldteacher，youknow——isgoingtobeColumbia；thegirlswillbetheStatesoftheUnion，andoh，Mr。Simpson，IamtheonetobetheStateofMaine！"

（Thiswasnotaltogethertothepoint，butapieceofinformationimpossibletoconceal。）

Mr。Simpsonflourishedthewhipstockandgavealoud，heartylaugh。ThenheturnedinhisseatandregardedRebeccacuriously。

"You’rekindofsmall，hain’tye，forsobigastateasthisone？"heasked。

"Anyofuswouldbetoosmall，"repliedRebeccawithdignity，"butthecommitteeaskedme，andIamgoingtotryhardtodowell。"

Thetragicthoughtthattheremightbenooccasionforanybodytodoanything，wellorill，suddenlyovercameherhere，andputtingherhandonMr。Simpson’ssleeve，sheattackedthesubjectpracticallyandcourageously。

"Oh，Mr。Simpson，dearMr。Simpson，it’ssuchamortifyingsubjectIcan’tbeartosayanythingaboutit，butpleasegiveusbackourflag！Don’t，DON’TtakeitovertoAcreville，Mr。

Simpson！We’veworkedsolongtomakeit，anditwassohardgettingthemoneyforthebunting！Waitaminute，please；don’tbeangry，anddon’tsaynojustyet，tillIexplainmore。It’llbesodreadfulforeverybodytogettheretomorrowmorningandfindnoflagtoraise，andthebandandthemayoralldisappointed，andthechildrencrying，withtheirmuslindressesallboughtfornothing！OdearMr。Simpson，pleasedon’ttakeourflagawayfromus！"

TheapparentlyastonishedAbnerpulledhismustachesandexclaimed："ButIdon’tknowwhatyou’redrivin’at！Who’sgotyerflag？Ihain’t！"

Couldduplicity，deceit，andinfamygoanyfurther，Rebeccawondered，andhersoulfillingwithrighteouswrath，shecastdiscretiontothewindsandspokealittlemoreplainly，bendinghergreatswimmingeyesonthenowembarrassedAbner，wholookedlikeanangle-worm，wrigglingonapin。

"Mr。Simpson，howcanyousaythat，whenIsawtheflaginthebackofyourwagonmyself，whenyoustoppedtowaterthehorse？

It’swickedofyoutotakeit，andIcannotbearit！"（Hervoicebrokenow，foradoubtofMr。Simpson’syieldingsuddenlydarkenedhermind。）"Ifyoukeepit，you’llhavetokeepme，forIwon’tbepartedfromit！Ican’tfightliketheboys，butIcanpinchandscratch，andIWILLscratch，justlikeapanther——I’lllierightdownonmystarandnotmove，ifIstarvetodeath！"

"Lookhere，holdyourhossesn’don’tcrytillyougitsomethingtocryfor！"grumbledtheoutragedAbner，towhomacluehadjustcome；andleaningoverthewagon-backhecaughtholdofacornerofwhitesheetanddraggedupthebundle，scoopingoffRebecca’shatintheprocess，andalmostburyingherinbunting。

Shecaughtthetreasurepassionatelytoherheartandstifledhersobsinit，whileAbnerexclaimed："Iswantoman，ifthathain’taflag！Well，inthatcaseyou’regoodn’welcometoit！

Land！Iseenthatbundlelyin’inthemiddleo’theroadandI

saystomyself，that’ssomebody’swashin’andI’dbetterpickitupandleaveitatthepost-officetobeclaimed；n’allthetimeitwasaflag！"

ThiswasaSimpsonianversionofthematter，thefactbeingthatawhite-coveredbundlelyingontheMeserves’frontstepshadattractedhispracticedeye，andslippinginattheopengatehehadswiftlyanddeftlyremovedittohiswagonongeneralprinciples；thinkingifitwerecleanclothesitwouldbeextremelyuseful，andinanyeventtherewasnogoodinpassingbysomethingflungintoyourveryarms，sotospeak。Hehadhadnoleisuretoexaminethebundle，andindeedtooklittleinterestinit。Probablyhestoleitsimplyfromforceofhabit，andbecausetherewasnothingelseinsighttosteal，everybody’spremisesbeingpreternaturallytidyandempty，almostasifhisvisithadbeenexpected！

Rebeccawasapracticalchild，anditseemedtoheralmostimpossiblethatsoheavyabundleshouldfalloutofMrs。

Meserve’sbuggyandnotbenoticed；butshehopedthatMr。

Simpsonwastellingthetruth，andshewastoogladandgratefultodoubtanyoneatthemoment。

"Thankyou，thankyoueversomuch，Mr。Simpson。You’rethenicest，kindest，politestmanIeverknew，andthegirlswillbesopleasedyougaveusbacktheflag，andsowilltheDorcasSociety；they’llbesuretowriteyoualetterofthanks；theyalwaysdo。"

"Tellemnottobotherboutanythanks，"saidSimpson，beamingvirtuously。"Butland！I’mgladtwasmethathappenedtoseethatbundleintheroadandtakethetroubletopickitup。"

（Jesttothinkofit’sbein’aflag！"hethought；"ifevertherewasapesky，wuthlessthingtotradeoff，twouldbeagreat，gormin’flaglikethat！"）

"CanIgetoutnow，please？"askedRebecca。"Iwanttogoback，forMrs。Meservewillbedreadfullynervouswhenshefindsoutshedroppedtheflag，andshehashearttrouble。"

"No，youdon’t，"objectedMr。Simpsongallantly，turningthehorse。"DoyouthinkI’dletalittlecreeterlikeyoulugthatgreatheavybundle？Ihain’tgottimetogobacktoMeserve’s，butI’lltakeyoutothecorneranddumpyouthere，flagn’all，andyoucangetsomeo’themen-folkstocarryittheresto’theway。You’llwearitout，huggin’itso！"

"IhelpedmakeitandIadoreit！"saidRebecca，whowasinahigh-pitchedandgrandiloquentmood。"Whydon’tYOUlikeit？It’syourcountry’sflag。"

Simpsonsmiledanindulgentsmileandlookedatrifleboredatthesefrequentappealstohisextremelyrustyhigherfeelings。

"Idon’know’sI’vegotanypartic’larint’restinthecountry，"

heremarkedlanguidly。"IknowIdon’towenothin’toit，norownnothin’init！"

"Youownastarontheflag，sameaseverybody，"arguedRebecca，whohadbeenfeedingonpatriotismforamonth；"andyouownastate，too，likeallofus！"

"Land！Iwish’tIdid！orevenaquartersection！"sighedMr。

Simpson，feelingsomehowalittlemorepoverty-strickenanddiscouragedthanusual。

Astheyapproachedthecornerandthewatering-troughwherefourcross-roadsmet，thewholeneighborhoodseemedtobeinevidence，andMr。SimpsonsuddenlyregrettedhischivalrousescortofRebecca；especiallywhen，ashenearedthegroup，anexcitedlady，wringingherhands，turnedouttobeMrs。PeterMeserve，accompaniedbyHuldah，theBrowns，Mrs。Milliken，AbijahFlagg，andMissDearborn。

"Doyouknowanythingaboutthenewflag，Rebecca？"shriekedMrs。

Meserve，tooagitated，atthemoment，tonoticethechild’scompanion。

"It’srighthereinmylap，allsafe，"respondedRebeccajoyously。

"Youcareless，meddlesomeyoungone，totakeitoffmystepswhereIleftitjustlongenoughtogoroundtothebackandhuntupmydoor-key！You’vegivenmeafitofsicknesswithmyweakheart，andwhatbusinesswasitofyours？IbelieveyouthinkyouOWNtheflag！Handitovertomethisminute！"

Rebeccawasclimbingdownduringthistorrentoflanguage，butassheturnedsheflashedonelookofknowledgeatthefalseSimpson，alookthatwentthroughhimfromheadtofoot，asifitwerecarriedbyelectricity。

Hehadnotdeceivedherafterall，owingtotheangrychatterofMrs。Meserve。Hehadbeenhandcuffedtwiceinhislife，butnosheriffhadeverdiscomfitedhimsothoroughlyasthischild。

Furymountedtohisbrain，andassoonasshewassafelyoutfrombetweenthewheelshestoodupinthewagonandflungtheflagoutintheroadinthemidstoftheexcitedgroup。

"Takeit，youpious，passimonious，cheese-parin’，hair-splittin’，back-bitin’，flag-raisin’crew！"heroared。"Rebeccanevertooktheflag；Ifounditintheroad，Isay！"

"Younever，nosuchathing！"exclaimedMrs。Meserve。"Youfounditonthedoorstepsinmygarden！"

"Mebbetwasyourgarden，butitwassochockfullo’weeksI

THOUGHTtwastheroad，"retortedAbner。"IvowIwouldn’ta’

giventheoldragbacktooneo’YOU，notifyoubeggedmeonyourbendedknees！ButRebecca’safriendo’myfolksandcandowithherflag’sshe’samindto，andtheresto’yecangotothunder——n’staythere，forallIcare！"

Sosaying，hemadeasharpturn，gavethegauntwhitehorsealashanddisappearedinacloudofdust，beforetheastonishedMr。Brown，theonlymanintheparty，hadathoughtofdetaininghim。

"I’msorryIspokesoquick，Rebecca，"saidMrs。Meserve，greatlymortifiedatthesituation。"Butdon’tyoubelieveawordthatlyin’crittersaid！Hedidstealitoffmydoorstep，andhowdidyoucometoberidin’andconsortin’withhim！IbelieveitwouldkillyourAuntMirandaifsheshouldhearaboutit！"

Thelittleschool-teacherputashelteringarmroundRebeccaasMr。Brownpickeduptheflaganddustedandfoldedit。

"I’mwillingsheshouldhearaboutit，"Rebeccaanswered。"I

didn’tdoanythingtobeashamedof！IsawtheflaginthebackofMr。Simpson’swagonandIjustfollowedit。Thereweren’tanymenoranyDorcasestotakecareofitandsoitfelltome！Youwouldn’thavehadmeletitoutofmysight，wouldyou，andwegoingtoraiseittomorrowmorning？"

"Rebecca’sperfectlyright，Mrs。Meserve！"saidMissDearbornproudly。"Andit’sluckytherewassomebodyquick-wittedenoughtorideandconsort’withMr。Simpson！Idon’tknowwhatthevillagewillthink，butseemstomethetownclerkmightwritedowninhisbook，THISDAYTHESTATEOFMAINESAVEDTHEFLAG！’"