第5章

SixthChronicleTHESTATEO’MAINEGIRL

I

Theforegoingepisode，ifnarratedinaromance，wouldundoubtedlyhavebeencalled"TheSavingoftheColors，"butatthenightlyconversazioneinWatson’sstoreitwasalludedtoasthewaylittleBeckyRandallgottheflagawayfromSlipperySimpson。

Dramaticasitwas，itpassedintothelimboofhalf-forgottenthingsinRebecca’smind，itsbriefimportancesubmergedinthegloriesofthenextday。

Therewasapainfulpreludetotheseglories。AliceRobinsoncametospendthenightwithRebecca，andwhenthebedroomdoorcloseduponthetwogirls，Aliceannouncedhereintentionof"doingup"

Rebecca’sfronthairinleadsandrags，andbraidingthebackinsixtight，wettedbraids。

Rebeccademurred。Alicepersisted。

"Yourhairissolongandthickanddarkandstraight，"shesaid，"thatyou’lllooklikeanInjun！"

"IamtheStateofMaine；itallbelongedtotheIndiansonce，"

Rebeccaremarkedgloomily，forshewascuriouslyshyaboutdiscussingherpersonalappearance。

"Andyourwreathoflittlepine-coneswon’tsetdecentwithoutcrimps，"continuedAlice。

Rebeccaglancedinthecrackedlooking-glassandmetwhatsheconsideredanaccusinglackofbeauty，asightthatalwayseithersaddenedorenragedheraccordingtocircumstances；thenshesatdownresignedlyandbegantohelpAliceinthephilanthropicworkofmakingtheStateofMainefittobeseenattheraising。

Neitherofthegirlswasanexperthairdresser，andattheendofanhour，whenthesixthbraidwastied，andRebeccahadgivenonelastshudderinglookinthemirror，bothwerereadytoweepwithfatigue。

ThecandlewasblownoutandAlicesoonwenttosleep，butRebeccatossedonherpillow，itsgoose-featheredsoftnessalldentedbythecruelleadknobsandtheknotsoftwistedrags。Sheslippedoutofbedandwalkedtoandfro，holdingherachingheadwithbothhands。Finallysheleanedonthewindow-sill，watchingthestillweather-vaneonAlice’sbarnandbreathinginthefragranceoftheripeningapples，untilherrestlessnesssubsidedundertheclearstarrybeautyofthenight。

Atsixinthemorningthegirlswereoutofbed，forAlicecouldhardlywaituntilRebecca’shairwastakendown，shewassoeagertoseetheresultofherlabors。

Theleadsandragswerepainfullyremoved，togetherwithmuchhair，theoperationbeingpunctuatedbyaseriesofsqueaks，squeals，andshrieksonthepartofRebeccaandaseriesofwarningsfromAlice，whowishedthepreliminariestobekeptsecretfromtheaunts，thattheymightthemorefullyappreciatetheradiantresult。

Thencametheunbraiding，andthen——dramaticmoment——the"combingout；"adifficult，nottosayimpossibleprocess，inwhichthehairsthathadresistedtheearlierstagesalmostgaveuptheghost。

Thelongfrontstrandshadbeenwoundupfromvariousanglesandbyvariousmethods，sothat，whenreleased，theyassumedthestrangest，mostobstinate，mostunexpectedattitudes。Whenthecombwasdraggedthroughthelastbraid，thewild，tortured，electrichairsfollowing，andthenreboundingfromitinabristling，snarlingtangle。MassachusettsgaveoneencompassingglanceattheStateo’Maine’shead，andannouncedherintentionofgoinghometobreakfast！Shewasdeeplygrievedattheresultofherattemptedbeautifying，butshefeltthatmeetingMissMirandaSawyeratthemorningmealwouldnotmendmattersintheleast，soslippingoutofthesidedoor，sheranupGuideBoardhillasfastasherlegscouldcarryher。

TheStateo’Maine，desertedandsomewhatunnerved，satdownbeforetheglassandattackedherhairdoggedlyandwithsetlips，workingoverituntilMissJanecalledhertobreakfast；

then，withaboldnessbornofdespair，sheenteredthediningroom，whereherauntswerealreadyseatedattable。To"drawfire"shewhistled，aforbiddenjoy，whichonlyattractedmoreattention，insteadofdivertingit。Therewasamomentofsilenceafterthegrotesquefigurewasfullytakenin；thencameamoanfromJaneandagroanfromMiranda。

"Whathaveyoudonetoyourself？"askedMirandasternly。

"Madeanefforttobebeautifulandfailed！"jauntilyrepliedRebecca，butshewastoomiserabletokeepupthefiction。"Oh，AuntMiranda，don’tscold。I’msounhappy！AliceandIrolledupmyhairtocurlitfortheraising。ShesaiditwassostraightI

lookedlikeanIndian！"

"Mebbeyoudid，"vigorouslyagreedMiranda，"but’tanyrateyoulookedlikeaChristianInjun，’n’nowyoulooklikeaheathenInjun；that’sallthedifferenceIcansee。Whatcanwedowithher，Jane，betweenthisandnineo’clock？"

"We’llallgoouttothepumpjustassoonaswe’rethroughbreakfast，"answeredJanesoothingly。"Wecanaccomplishconsid’rablewithwaterandforce。"

Rebeccanibbledhercorn-cake，hertearfuleyescastonherplateandherchinquivering。

"Don’tyoucryandredyoureyesup，"chidedMirandaquitekindly；"theminuteyou’veeatenoughrunupandgetyourbrushandcombandmeetusatthebackdoor。"

"Iwouldn’tcaremyselfhowbadIlooked，"saidRebecca，"butI

can’tbeartobesohomelythatIshametheStateofMaine！"

Oh，whatanhourfollowedthisplaint！Didanyaspirantforliteraryordramatichonorseverpasstofamethroughsuchanantechamberofhorrors？Didpoetofthedayeverhavehisheadsomaltreated？Tobedippedintherain-watertub，sousedagainandagain；tobeheldunderthespoutandpumpedon；toberubbedfuriouslywithroughrollertowels；tobedriedwithhotflannels！Andisitnotwell-nighincrediblethatatthecloseofsuchanhourtheendsofthelonghairshouldstillstandoutstraight，thebraidshavingbeenturneduptwoinchesbyAlice，andtiedhardinthatpositionwithlinenthread？

"Getouttheskirt-board，Jane，"criedMiranda，towhomoppositionservedasatonic，"andmovethatflat-ironontothefronto’thestove。Rebecca，setdowninthatlowchairbesidetheboard，andJane，youspreadoutherhaironitandcoveritupwithbrownpaper。Don’tcringe，Rebecca；theworst’sover，andyou’veborneuprealgood！I’llbecarefulnottopullyourhairnorscorchyou，andoh，HOWI’dliketohaveAliceRobinsonacrostmykneeandagoodstripo’shingleinmyrighthand！

There，you’reallironedoutandyourAuntJanecanputonyourwhitedressandbraidyourhairupagaingoodandtight。Perhapsyouwon’tbethehombliestofthestates，afterall；butwhenI

seeyoucomin’intobreakfastIsaidtomyself：IguessifMainelookedlikethat，itwouldn’tnevera’beenadmittedintotheUnion！’"

WhenUncleSamandthestagecoachdrewuptothebrickhousewithagrandswingandaflourish，thegoddessofLibertyandmostoftheStateswerealreadyintheirplacesonthe"harricanedeck。"

Wordsfailtodescribethegallantbearingofthehorses，theirheadstallsgaylytrimmedandtheirharnessesdottedwithlittleflags。Thestagewindowswerehunginbunting，andfromwithinbeamedColumbia，lookingoutfromthebrightframeasifproudofherfreightofloyalchildren。Patrioticstreamersfloatedfromwhip，fromdash-boardandfromrumble，andtheeffectofthewholewassomethingtostimulatethemostphlegmaticvoter。

RebeccacameoutonthestepsandAuntJanebroughtachairtoassistintheascent。MissDearbornpeepedfromthewindow，andgaveadespairinglookatherfavorite。

Whathadhappenedtoher？Whohaddressedher？Hadherheadbeenputthroughawringing-machine？Whywerehereyesredandswollen？MissDearborndeterminedtotakeherbehindthetreesinthepinegroveandgivehersomefinishingtouches；touchesthatherskillfulfingersfairlyitchedtobestow。

Thestagestarted，andastheroadsidepageantgrewgayerandgayer，Rebeccabegantobrightenandlookprettier，formostofherbeautifyingcamefromwithin。Thepeople，walking，driving，orstandingontheirdoorsteps，cheeredUncleSam’scoachwithitsfreightofgossamer-muslined，fluttering-ribbonedgirls，andjustbehind，thegorgeouslydecoratedhaycart，drivenbyAbijahFlagg，bearingthejollybutinharmoniousfife-and-drumcorps。

Waseversuchagoldenday！Suchcrystalair！Suchmellowsunshine！SuchamerryUncleSam！

Thestagedrewupatanappointedspotnearapinegrove，andwhilethecrowdwasgathering，thechildrenwaitedforthehourtoarrivewhentheyshouldmarchtotheplatform；thehourtowardwhichtheyseemedtohavebeenmovingsincethedawnofcreation。

AssoonaspossibleMissDearbornwhisperedtoRebecca："Comebehindthetreeswithme；Iwanttomakeyouprettier！"

Rebeccathoughtshehadsufferedenoughfromthatprocessalreadyduringthelasttwelvehours，butsheputoutanobedienthandandthetwowithdrew。

NowMissDearbornwas，Ifear，averyindifferentteacher。Dr。

Mosesalwayssaidso，andLibbieMoses，whowantedherschool，saiditwasapityshehadn’tenjoyedmoresocialadvantagesinheryouth。LibbieherselfhadtakenmusiclessonsinPortland；

andspentanightattheProfileHouseintheWhiteMountains，andhadvisitedhersisterinLowell，Massachusetts。Theseexperiencesgaveher，inherownmind，andinthemindofherintimatefriends，ahorizonsoboundlessthatherviewofsmaller，humblermatterswasatrifledistorted。

MissDearborn’sstockintradewassmall，herprincipalvirtuesbeingdevotiontochildrenandabilitytogaintheirlove，andapowerofevolvingaschoolroomordersonatural，cheery，serene，andpeacefulthatitgavethebeholderacertainsenseofbeinginadistrictheaven。Shewaspoorinarithmeticandweakingeometry，butifyougaveherarose，abitofribbon，andaseven-by-ninelooking-glassshecouldmakeherselfasprettyasapinkintwominutes。

Safelyshelteredbehindthepines，MissDearbornbegantopracticemysteriousfemininearts。SheflewatRebecca’stightbraids，openedthestrandsandrebraidedthemloosely；bitandtorethered，white，andblueribbonintwoandtiedthebraidsseparately。Thenwithnimblefingersshepulledoutlittletendrilsofhairbehindtheearsandaroundthenapeoftheneck。

AfteraglanceofacutedisapprovaldirectedatthestiffballoonskirtshekneltonthegroundandgaveastrenuousembracetoRebecca’sknees，murmuring，betweenherhugs，"Starchmustbecheapatthebrickhouse！"

Thisparticularlineofbeautyattained，thereensuedgreatpinchingsofruffles，herfingersthatcouldneverholdaferrulenorsnapchildren’searsbeingincomparablefluting-irons。

Nextthesashwasscornfullyuntiedandtightenedtosuggestsomethingresemblingawaist。Thechastenedbowsthathadbeensquat，dowdy，spiritless，weregiventweaks，flirts，bracinglittlepokesanddabs，till，acknowledgingamasterhand，theystoodup，piquant，pert，smart，alert！

Prideofbearingwasnowinfusedintotheflattenedlaceattheneck，andapin（removedatsomesacrificefromherowntoilette）

wasdarnedinatthebacktopreventanycowardlylapsing。Theshortwhitecottonglovesthatcalledattentiontothetannedwristandarmswerestrippedoffandputinherownpocket。Thenthewreathofpine-coneswasadjustedataheretoforeunimaginedangle，thehairwaspulledsoftlyintoafluffyframe，andfinally，asshemetRebecca’sgratefuleyesshegavehertwoapproving，triumphantkisses。Inasecondthesensitivefacelightedintohappiness；pleaseddimplesappearedinthecheeks，thekissedmouthwasasredasarose，andthelittlefrightthathadwalkedbehindthepine-treesteppedoutontheothersideRebeccathelovely。

AstotherelativevalueofMissDearborn’saccomplishments，thedecisionmustbelefttothegentlereader；butthoughitiscertainthatchildrenshouldbeproperlygroundedinmathematics，noheartoffleshcouldbeartohearMissDearborn’smethodsvilifiedwhohadseenherpatting，pulling，squeezingRebeccafromuglinessintobeauty。

Theyoungsuperintendentofdistrictschoolswasawitnessofthescene，andwhenlaterhenotedthechildrensurroundingColumbiaasbeesahoneysuckle，heobservedtoDr。Moses："Shemaynotbemuchofateacher，butIthinkshe’dbeconsiderableofawife！"

andsubsequenteventsprovedthathemeantwhathesaid！

II

Nowallwasready；themomentoffatewasabsolutelyathand；thefife-and-drumcorpsledthewayandtheStatesfollowed；butwhatactuallyhappenedRebeccaneverknew；shelivedthroughthehoursinawakingdream。Everylittledetailwasafacetoflightthatreflectedsparkles，andamongthemallshewasfairlydazzled。

Thebrassbandplayedinspiringstrains；themayorspokeeloquentlyongreatthemes；thepeoplecheered；thentheropeonwhichsomuchdependedwasputintothechildren’shands，theyappliedsuperhumanstrengthtotheirtask，andtheflagmounted，mounted，smoothlyandslowly，andslowlyunwoundandstretcheditselfuntilitssplendidsizeandbeautywererevealedagainstthemaplesandpinesandblueNewEnglandsky。

Thenaftercheersuponcheersandafterapatrioticchorusbythechurchchoirs，theStateofMainemountedtheplatform，vaguelyconsciousthatshewastoreciteapoem，thoughforthelifeofhershecouldnotrememberasingleword。

"Speakuploudandclear，Rebecky，"whisperedUncleSaminthefrontrow，butshecouldscarcelyhearherownvoicewhen，tremblingly，shebeganherfirstline。Afterthatshegatheredstrengthandthepoem"saiditself，"whilethedreamwenton。

ShesawAdamLaddleaningagainstatree；AuntJaneandAuntMirandapalpitatingwithnervousness；ClaraBelleSimpsongazingcross-eyedbutadoringfromaseatontheside；andinthefar，fardistance，ontheveryoutskirtsofthecrowd，atallmanstandinginawagon——atall，loose-jointedmanwithredupturnedmustaches，andagauntwhitehorseheadedtowardtheAcrevilleroad。

LoudapplausegreetedthestateofMaine，theslenderlittlewhite-cladfigurestandingonthemossyboulderthathadbeenusedasthecentreoftheplatform。Thesuncameupfrombehindagreatmapleandshonefullonthestar-spangledbanner，makingitmoredazzlingthanever，sothatitsbeautydrewalleyesupward。

AbnerSimpsonliftedhisvagrantshiftinggazetoitssoftyflutteringfoldsanditssplendidmassingofcolors，thinking：

"Idon’tknow’sanybody’doughttostealaflag——thethunderin’

idjutsseemtosetsuchstorebyit，andwhatisit，anyway？

Nothin；butasheeto’buntin！"

Nothingbutasheetofbunting？Helookedcuriouslyattheraptfacesofthemothers，theirbabiesasleepintheirarms；thepartedlipsandshiningeyesofthewhite-cladgirls；atCap’nLord，whohadbeeninLibbyprison，andNatStrout，whohadleftanarmatBullRun；atthefriendly，jostlingcrowdoffarmers，happy，eager，absorbed，theirthroatsreadytoburstwithcheers。

Thenthebreezeserved，andheheardRebecca’sclearvoicesaying：

"Forit’syourstar，mystar，allthestarstogether，Thatmakeourcountry’sflagsoproudTofloatinthebrightfallweather！"

"Talkaboutstars！She’sgotacoupleofemrightinherhead，"

thoughtSimpson……"IfIeverseenayoungonelikethatlyin；onanybody’sdoorstepI’dhookherquicker’nawink，thoughI’vegotplentytohome，theLordknows！AndIwouldn’tswapheroffneither……Spunkylittlecreeter，too；settin；upinthewagonlookin’bout’sbigasapinto’cider，butkeepin’rightafterthegoods！……IvowI’mboutsicko’myjob！NeverWITH

thecrowd，allersJESTontheoutside，sifIwa’n’tasgood’stheybe！Ifitpaidwell，mebbeIwouldn’tmind，butthey’resothunderin’stingyroundhere，theydon’tleaveanythingdecentoutforyoutotakefromem，yetyou’rereskin’yourlibertyn’

reputationjestthesame！……Countin’thepoorpickin’sn’thetimeIloseinjailImightmost’swellbedonewithitn’workoutbytheday，asthefolkswantmeto；I’dmakebout’smuchn’

Idon’tknow’sitwouldbeanyharder！"

HecouldseeRebeccasteppingdownfromtheplatform，whilehisownred-headedlittlegirlstooduponherbench，wavingherhatwithonehand，herhandkerchiefwiththeother，andstampingwithbothfeet。

NowamansittingbesidethemayorrosefromhischairandAbnerheardhimcall：

"Threecheersforthewomenwhomadetheflag！"

"HIP，HIP，HURRAH！"

"ThreecheersfortheStateofMaine！"

"HIP，HIP，HURRAH！"

"Threecheersforthegirlthatsavedtheflagfromthehandsoftheenemy！"

"HIP，HIP，HURRAH！HIP，HIP，HURRAH！"

ItwastheEdgewoodminister，whosefull，vibrantvoicewasofthesorttomoveacrowd。Hiswordsrangoutintotheclearairandwerecarriedfromliptolip。Handsclapped，feetstamped，hatsswung，whiletheloudhuzzahsmightalmosthavewakenedtheechoesonoldMountOssipee。

Thetall，loose-jointedmansatdowninthewagonsuddenlyandtookupthereins。

"They’regettin’alittlemitepersonal，andIguessit’sbouttimeforyoutobegoin’，Simpson！"

Thetonewasjocular，buttheredmustachesdrooped，andthehalf-heartedcuthegavetostartthewhitemareonherhomewardjourneyshowedthathewasnotinhisusualdevil-may-caremood。

"Durnhisskin！"heburstoutinavindictiveundertone，asthemareswungintoherlonggait。"It’salie！Ithoughttwassomebody’swash！Ihain’tanenemy！"

Whilethecrowdattheraisingdispersedinhappyfamilygroupstotheirpicnicsinthewoods；whiletheGoddessofLiberty，UncleSam，Columbia，andtheproudStateslunchedgrandlyintheGrangehallwithdistinguishedguestsandscarredveteransoftwowars，thelonelymandrove，anddrove，anddrovethroughsilentwoodsanddull，sleepyvillages，neveralightingtoreplenishhiswardrobeorhisstockofswappingmaterial。

Atduskhereachedamiserabletumble-downhouseontheedgeofapond。

Thefaithfulwifewiththesadmouthandthehabituallookofanxietyinherfadedeyescametothedooratthesoundofwheelsandwentdoggedlytothehorse-shedtohelphimunharness。

"Youdidn’texpecttoseemebacktonight，didye？"heaskedsatirically；"leastwisenotwiththissamehorse？Well，I’mhere！

Youneedn’tbescairttolookunderthewagonseat，therehain’tnothin’there，notevenmysupper，soIhopeyou’resuitedforonce！No，IguessIhain’tgoin’tobeanangelrightaway，neither。Therewa’n’tnothin’butflagslayin’roun’loosedownRiverboroway，n’whatevertheysay，Ihain’tsechahoundastostealaflag！"

ItwasnaturalthatyoungRiverboroshouldhavered，white，andbluedreamsonthenightafterthenewflagwasraised。A

strangerthing，perhaps，isthefactthatAbnerSimpsonshouldliedownonhishardbedwiththeflutterofbuntingbeforehiseyes，andawhirlofunaccustomedwordsinhismind。

"Forit’syourstar，mystar，allourstarstogether。"

"I’msickofgoin’italone，"hethought；"IguessI’lltrytheotherroadforaspell；"andwiththathefellasleep。

SeventhChronicleTHELITTLEPROPHET

I

"IguessYorkCountywillnevergetredofthatSimpsoncrew！"

exclaimedMirandaSawyertoJane。"IthoughtwhenthefamilymovedtoAcrevillewe’dseenthelastofem，butweain’t！Thebig，cross-eyed，stutterin’boyhasgotaplaceatthemillsinMaplewood；that’snearenoughtocomeovertoRiverboroonceinawhileofaSundaymornin’andsetinthemeetin’housestarin’atRebeccasameasheusedtodo，onlyit’sreskiernowbothofemareolder。ThenMrs。Foggmustgoandbringbackthebiggestgirltohelphertakecareofherbaby，——asiftherewa’n’tplentyofhelpnearerhome！NowIhearsaythattheyoungesttwinhascometostopthesummerwiththeCamesuptoEdgewoodLowerCorner。"

"Ithoughttwotwinswerealwaysthesameage，"saidRebecca，reflectively，asshecameintothekitchenwiththemilkpail。

"Sotheybe，"snappedMiranda，flushingandcorrectingherself。

"Butthatpasty-facedSimpsontwinlooksyoungerandissmallerthantheotherone。He’smeekasMosesandtheotheroneisasboldasabrasskettle；Idon’tseehowtheycometobetwins；

theyain’tamitealike。"

"Elijahwasalwayscalledthefightingtwin’atschool，"saidRebecca，"andElisha’sothernamewasNimbi-Pamby；butIthinkhe’sanicelittleboy，andI’mgladhehascomeback。Hewon’tlikelivingwithMr。Came，buthe’llbealmostnextdoortotheminister’s，andMrs。Baxterissuretolethimplayinhergarden。"

"Iwonderwhytheboy’sstayin’withCassiusCame，"saidJane。

"Tobesuretheyhaven’tgotanyoftheirown，butthechild’stooyoungtobemuchuse。"

"Iknowwhy，"remarkedRebeccapromptly，"forIheardallaboutitovertoWatson’swhenIwasgettingthemilk。Mr。CametradedsomethingwithMr。Simpsontwoyearsagoandgotthebestofthebargain，andUncleJerrysayshe’stheonlymanthateverdid，andheoughttohaveamonumentputuptohim。SoMr。CameowesMr。Simpsonmoneyandwon’tpayit，andMr。Simpsonsaidhe’dsendoverachildandboardpartofitout，andtaketherestinstock——apigoracalforsomething。"

"That’sallstuffandnonsense，"exclaimedMiranda；"nothin’intheworldbutstore-talk。Yougitaclumpo’men-folkssettin’

roundWatson’sstove，oroutonthebenchatthedoor，an’

they’llmakeupstoriesasfastastheirtonguescanwag。Themandon’tlivethat’ssmartenoughtocheatAbnerSimpsoninatrade，andwhoeverheardofanybody’sowin’himmoney？Tain’tsupposablethatawomanlikeMrs。CamewouldallowherhusbandtobeindebttoamanlikeAbnerSimpson。It’sasightlikelierthatsheheardthatMrs。Simpsonwasailin’andsentfortheboysoastohelpthefamilyalong。ShealwayshadMrs。Simpsontowashforheronceamonth，ifyourememberJane？"

Therearesomefactssoshroudedinobscuritythatthemostskillfulandpatientinvestigatorcannotdragthemintothelightofday。Therearealso（butonlyoccasionally）certainmotives，acts，speeches，linesofconduct，thatcanneverbewhollyandsatisfactorilyexplained，eveninavillagepost-officeorontheloafers’benchoutsidethetaverndoor。

CassiusCamewasacloseman，closeofmouthandcloseofpurse；

andallthatRiverboroeverknewastothethreemonths’visitoftheSimpsontwinwasthatitactuallyoccurred。Elisha，otherwiseNimbi-Pamby，came；Nimbi-Pambystayed；andNimbi-Pamby，whenhefinallyrejoinedhisowndomesticcircle，didnotgoempty-handed（sotospeak），forhewasaccompaniedonhishomewardtravelsbyalarge，red，bony，somewhattruculentcow，whowastiedonbehindthewagon，andwhomadethejourneyalivelyandeventfulonebyhertotallackofdesiretoproceedovertheroadfromEdgewoodtoAcreville。Butthat，thecow’stale，belongstoanothertimeandplace，andthecoward’stalemustcomefirst；

forElishaSimpsonwasheldtobesadlylackinginthemanlyqualityofcourage。

Itwasthenewminister’swifewhocalledNimbi-PambytheLittleProphet。HisfullnamewasElishaJeremiahSimpson，butoneseldomhearditatfulllength，since，ifheescapedtheignominyofNimbi-Pamby，Lishewasquiteenoughforanurchinjustinhisfirsttrousersandthoseassumedsomewhatprematurely。Hewas"

Lishe，"therefore，tothevillage，buttheLittleProphettotheyoungminister’swife。

RebeccacouldseetheCames’brownfarmhousefromMrs。Baxter’ssitting-roomwindow。Thelittle-traveledroadwithstripsoftuftedgreenbetweenthewheeltrackscurleddustilyuptotheverydoorstep，andinsidethescreendoorofpinkmosquitonettingwasawonderfuldrawn-inrug，shapedlikeahalfpie，with"Welcome"insaffronlettersonagreenground。

RebeccalikedMrs。CassiusCame，whowasafriendofherAuntMiranda’sandoneofthefewpersonswhoexchangedcallswiththatsomewhatunsociablelady。TheCamefarmwasnotalongwalkfromthebrickhouse，forRebeccacouldgoacrossthefieldswhenhaying-timewasover，andherdelightatbeingsentonanerrandinthatdirectioncouldnotbemeasured，nowthatthenewministerandhiswifehadgrowntobesucharesourceinherlife。ShelikedtoseeMrs。CameshaketheWelcomerug，flingingthecheerywordoutintothesummersunshinelikeabrightgreetingtotheday。Shelikedtoseehergotothescreendooradozentimesinamorning，openitacrackandchaseanimaginaryflyfromthesacredprecinctswithin。Shelikedtoseehercomeupthecellarstepsintothesidegarden，appearingmysteriouslyasfromthebowelsoftheearth，carryingashiningpanofmilkinbothhands，anddisappearingthroughthebedsofhollyhocksandsunflowerstothepig-penorthehen-house。

RebeccawasnotfondofMr。Came，andneitherwasMrs。Baxter，norElisha，forthatmatter；infactMr。Camewasratheradifficultpersontogrowfondof，withhisfieryredbeard，hisfreckledskin，andhisgruffwayofspeaking；fortherewerenochildreninthebrownhousetosmooththecreasesfromhisforeheadortheroughnessfromhisvoice。

II

Thenewminister’swifewassittingundertheshadeofhergreatmapleearlyonemorning，whenshefirstsawtheLittleProphet。A

tinyfigurecamedownthegrass-grownroadleadingacowbyarope。Ifithadbeenasmallboyandasmallcow，amiddle-sizedboyandanordinarycow，oragrownmanandabigcow，shemightnothavenoticedthem；butitwasthecombinationofaninfinitesimalboyandahugecowthatattractedherattention。

Shecouldnotguessthechild’syears，sheonlyknewthathewassmallforhisage，whateveritwas。

Thecowwasadarkredbeastwithacrumpledhorn，awhitestaronherforehead，andalargesurprisedsortofeye。Shehad，ofcourse，twoeyes，andbothweresurprised，buttheleftonehadanaddedhintofamazementinitbyvirtueofafewwhitehairslurkingaccidentallyinthecentreoftheeyebrow。

Theboyhadathinsensitivefaceandcurtlybrownhair，shorttrouserspatchedonbothknees，andaraggedstrawhatonthebackofhishead。Hepatteredalongbehindthecow，sometimesholdingtheropewithbothhands，andgettingoverthegroundinajerkyway，astheanimallefthimnotimetothinkofasmoothpathforbarefeet。

TheCamepasturewasagoodhalf-miledistant，andthecowseemedinnohurrytoreachit；accordinglysheforsooktheroadnowandthen，andrambledinthehollows，wherethegrasswassweetertoherwayofthinking。Shestartedononeoftheseexploringexpeditionsjustasshepassedtheminister’sgreatmaple，andgaveMrs。Baxtertimetocallouttothelittlefellow，"Isthatyourcow？"

Elishablushedandsmiled，andtriedtospeakmodestly，buttherewasaquiverofprideinhisvoiceasheansweredsuggestively：

"It’s——nearlymycow。"

"Howisthat？"askedMrs。Baxter。

"Why，Mr。CamesayswhenIdrivehertwenty-ninemoretimestopasturethouthergettin’herfootovertheropeorthoutmybein’afraid，she’sgoin’tobemytrulycow。Areyoufraidofcows？"

"Ye-e-es，"Mrs。Baxterconfessed，"Iam，justalittle。Yousee，Iamnothingbutawoman，andboyscan’tunderstandhowwefeelaboutcows。"

"Ican！They’reawfulbigthings，aren’tthey？"

"Perfectlyenormous！I’vealwaysthoughtacowcomingtowardsyouoneofthebiggestthingsintheworld。"

"Yes；me，too。Don’tlet’sthinkaboutit。Dotheyhookpeoplesoveryoften？"

"Noindeed，infactonescarcelyeverhearsofsuchacase。"

"Iftheysteppedonyourbarefootthey’dscrunchit，wouldn’tthey？"

"Yes，butyouarethedriver；youmustn’tletthemdothat；youareafree-willboy，andtheyarenothingbutcows。"

"Iknow；butp’rapsthereisfree-willcows，andiftheyjustWOULDdoityoucouldn’thelpbeingscrunched，foryoumustn’tletgooftheropenorrun，Mr。Camesays。

"No，ofcoursethatwouldneverdo。"

"Whereyouusedtolivedidallthecowsgodownintotheboggyplaceswhenyoudroveemtopasture，ordidsomewalkintheroad？"

"Thereweren’tanycowsoranypastureswhereIusedtolive；

that’swhatmakesmesofoolish；whydoesyourcowneedarope？"

"Shedon’tliketogotopasture，Mr。Camesays。Sometimesshe’ddrutherstaytohome，andsowhenshegetspartwaysheturnsroundandcomesbackwards。"

"Dearme！"thoughtMrs。Baxter，"whatbecomesofthisboy-miteifthecowhasaspellofgoingbackwards？——Doyouliketodriveher？"sheasked。

"N-no，noterzackly；butyousee，it’llbemycowifIdrivehertwenty-ninemoretimesthouthergettin’herfootovertheropeandthoutmybein’afraid，"andabeamingsmilegaveatransientbrightnesstohisharassedlittleface。"Willshefeedintheditchmuchlonger？"heasked。"ShallIsayHurrap’？That’swhatMr。Camesays——HURRAP！’likethat，anditmeanstohurryup。"

Itwasratherafeeblewarningthathesoundedandthecowfedonpeacefully。Thelittlefellowlookedupattheminister’swifeconfidingly，andthenglancedbackatthefarmtoseeifCassiusCamewerewatchingtheprogressofevents。

"Whatshallwedonext？"heasked。

Mrs。Baxterdelightedinthatwarm，cosylittle’WE；’ittookherintothefirmsopleasantly。Shewasaweakpropindeedwhenitcametocows，butallthecourageinhersoulrosetoarmswhenElishasaid，"WhatshallWEdonext？"Shebecamealert，ingenious，strong，ontheinstant。

"Whatisthecow’sname？"sheasked，sittingupstraightintheswing-chair。

"Buttercup；butshedon’tseemtoknowitverywell。Sheain’tamitelikeabuttercup。"

"Nevermind；youmustshout’Buttercup！’atthetopofyourvoice，andtwitchtheropeHARD；thenI’llcall，’Hurrap！’withallmymightatthesamemoment。Andifshestartsquicklywemustn’trunnorseemfrightened！"

Theydidthis；itworkedtoacharm，andMrs。BaxterlookedaffectionatelyafterherLittleProphetasthecowpulledhimdownToryHill。

ThelovelyAugustdaysworeon。RebeccawasoftenattheparsonageandsawElishafrequently，butButtercupwasseldompresentattheirinterviews，astheboynowdrovehertothepastureveryearlyinthemorning，thejourneythitherbeingoneofconsiderablelengthandhermethodofreachingthegoalbeingexceedinglyroundabout。

Mr。Camehadpointedoutthenecessityofgettingherintothepastureatleastafewminutesbeforeshehadtobetakenoutagainatnight，andthoughRebeccadidn’tlikeMr。Came，shesawthecommonsenseofthisremark。SometimesMrs。BaxterandRebeccacaughtaglimpseofthetwoatsundown，astheyreturnedfromthepasturetothetwilightmilking，Buttercupchewingherpeacefulcud，hersoftwhitebagofmilkhangingfull，hersurprisedeyerollinginitsaccustomed"finefrenzy。"Thefrenziedrolldidnotmeananything，theyusedtoassureElisha；

butifitdidn’t，itwasanawfulpityshehadtodoit，Rebeccathought；andMrs。Baxteragreed。Tohaveanexpressionofeyethatmeantmurder，andyettobeaperfectlyvirtuousandwell-meaninganimal，thiswasacalamityindeed。

Mrs。BaxterwaslookingatthesunoneeveningasitdroppedlikeaballofredfireintoWilkins’swoods，whentheLittleProphetpassed。

"It’sthetwenty-ninthnight，"hecalledjoyously。

"Iamsoglad，"sheanswered，forshehadoftenfearedsomeaccidentmightpreventhisclaimingthepromisedreward。"ThentomorrowButtercupwillbeyourowncow？"

"Iguessso。That’swhatMr。Camesaid。He’sofftoAcrevillenow，buthe’llbehometonight，andfather’sgoingtosendmynewhatbyhim。WhenButtercup’smyowncowIwishIcouldchangehernameandcallherRedRover，butp’r’apshermotherwouldn’tlikeit。Whensheb’longstome，mebbeIwon’tbesofraidofgettin’

hookedandscrunched，becauseshe’llknowshe’smine，andshe’llgobetter。Ihaven’tlethergetsnarledupintheropeonesingletime，andIdon’tshowI’mafraid，doI？"

"Ishouldneversuspectitforaninstant，"saidMrs。Baxterencouragingly。"I’veoftenenviedyouyourbold，bravelook！"

Elishaappeareddistinctlypleased。"Ihaven’tcried，either，whenshe’sdraggedmeoverthepasturebarsandpeeledmylegs。

BillPetes’slittlebrotherCharliesaysheain’tafraidofanything，notevenbears。Hesayshewouldwalkrightupcloseandcuffemiftheydaredtoyip；butIain’tlikethat！Heain’tscaredofelephantsortigersorlionseither；hesaysthey’reallthesameasfrogsorchickenstohim！"

RebeccatoldherAuntMirandathateveningthatitwastheProphet’stwenty-ninthnight，andthatthebigredcowwastobehisonthemorrow。

"Well，Ihopeit’llturnoutthatway，"shesaid。"ButIain’tamitesurethatCassiusCamewillgiveupthatcowwhenitcomestothepoint。Itwon’tbethefirsttimehe’striedtocrawloutofabargainwithfolksagooddealbiggerthanLisha，forhe’sterribleclose，Cassiusis。Tobesurehe’sstiffinhisjointsandhe’sgladenoughtohaveaboytotakethecowtothepastureinsummertime，buthealwayshashiredhelpwhenitcomesharvestin’。SoLisha’llbenousefromthison；andIdaresaythecowisAbnerSimpson’sanyway。Ifyouwantawalktonight，I

wishyou’dgoupthereandaskMis’Cameifshe’lllendmean’

yourAuntJanehalfheryeast-cake。Tellherwe’llpayitbackwhenwegetoursaSaturday。Don’tyouwanttotakeThirzaMeservewithyou？She’saloneasusualwhileHuldy’sentertainin’

beauxonthesideporch。Don’tstaytoolongattheparsonage！"

III

Rebeccawasusedtothissortoferrand，forthewholevillageofRiverborowouldsometimesberockedtotheverycentreofitsbeingbysimultaneousdesireforayeast-cake。Asthenearestrepositorywasamileandahalfdistant，astheyeast-cakewasvaluedattwocentsandwouldn’tkeep，asthedemandwasuncertain，beingdependententirelyonafluctuatingdesirefor"rizbread，"thestorekeeperrefusedtoordermorethanthreeyeast-cakesadayathisownrisk。Sometimestheyremainedonhishandsadeadloss；sometimeseightortenpersonswould"hitchup"anddrivefromdistantfarmsforthecovetedarticle，onlytobemetwiththeflat，"No，I’mallouto’yeast-cake；Mis’

Simmonstookthelast；mebbeyoucanborryhalfo’hern，shehain’tmuchofabread-eater。"

SoRebeccaclimbedthehillstoMrs。Came’s，knowingthatherdailybreaddependedonthesuccessfulissueofthecall。

Thirzawasbarefooted，andtoughasherlittlefeetwere，thelongwalkoverthestubblefieldstiredher。WhentheycamewithinsightoftheCamebarn，shecoaxedRebeccatotakeashortcutthroughtheturnipsgrowinginlong，beautifullyweededrows。

"YouknowMr。Cameisawfullycross，Thirza，andcan’tbearanybodytotreadonhiscropsortouchatreeorabushthatbelongstohim。I’mkindofafraid，butcomealongandmindyoustepsoftlyinbetweentherowsandholdupyourpetticoat，soyoucan’tpossiblytouchtheturnipplants。I’lldothesame。

Skipalongfast，becausethenwewon’tleaveanydeepfootprints。"

Thechildrenpassedsafelyandnoiselesslyalong，theirpleasureatrifleenhancedbythefeltdangersoftheirprogress。Rebeccaknewthattheyweredoingnoharm，butthatdidnotpreventherhopingtoescapethegimleteyeofMr。Came。

Astheynearedtheouteredgeoftheturnippatchtheypausedsuddenly，petticoatsinair。

Agreatclumpofelderberrybusheshidthemfromthebarn，butfromtheothersideoftheclumpcamethesoundofconversation：

thetimidvoiceoftheLittleProphetandthegrufftonesofCassiusCame。

Rebeccawasafraidtointerrupt，andtoohonesttowishtooverhear。Shecouldonlyhopethemanandtheboywouldpassontothehouseastheytalked，soshemotionedtotheparalyzedThirzatotaketwomorestepsandstandwithherbehindtheelderberrybushes。Butno！InamomenttheyheardMr。Camedragastooloverbesidethegrindstoneashesaid：

"Well，nowElishaJeremiah，we’lltalkabouttheredcow。Yousayyou’vedroveheramonth，doye？Andthetradebetweenuswasthatifyoucoulddriveheramonth，withouthergettingtheropeoverherfootandwithoutbein’afraid，youwastohaveher。

That’sstraight，ain’tit？"

TheProphet’sfaceburnedwithexcitement，hisginghamshirtroseandfellasifhewerebreathinghard，butheonlynoddedassentandsaidnothing。

"Now，"continuedMr。Came，"haveyoumadeouttokeeptheropefromunderherfeet？"

"Sheain’tgott-t-tangledupones-singletime，"saidElisha，stutteringinhisexcitement，butlookingupwithsomecouragefromhisbaretoes，withwhichhewasassiduouslythreadingthegrass。

"Sofar，sogood。Nowboutbein’afraid。Asyouseemsocertainofgettin’thecow，Isupposeyouhain’tbeenaspeckscared，hevyou？Honorbright，now！"

"I——I——notbutjustalittlemite。I"——

"Holdupaminute。Ofcourseyoudidn’tSAYyouwasafraid，anddidn’tSHOWyouwasafraid，andnobodyknewyouWASafraid，butthatain’tthewaywefixeditup。Youwastocallthecowyour’nifyoucoulddrivehertothepastureforamonthwithoutBEIN’

afraid。Ownupsquarenow，hevyoube’nafraid？"

Alongpause，thenafaint，"Yes。"

"Where’syourmanners？"

"Imeanyes，sir。"

"Howoften？Ifithain’tbe’ntoomanytimesmebbeI’llletyeoff，thoughyou’reareg’largirl-boy，and’llberunnin’awayfromthecatbimeby。Hasitbe’n——twice？"

"Yes，"andtheLittleProphet’svoicewasveryfaintnow，andhadadecidedtearinit。

"Yeswhat？"

"Yes，sir。"

"Hasitbe’nfourtimes？"

"Y-es，sir。"Moreheavingoftheginghamshirt。

"Well，youAIRathunderin’coward！Howmanytimes？Speakupnow。"

Morediggingofthebaretoesintheearth，andonepremonitoryteardropstealingfromunderthedowncastlids，then，——

"Alittle，mosteveryday，andyoucankeepthecow，"wailedtheProphet，asheturnedabruptlyandfledbehindtheshed，whereheflunghimselfintothegreendepthsofatansybed，andgavehimselfuptounmanlysobs。

CassiusCamegaveasortofshamefacedguffawattheabruptdepartureoftheboy，andwentonintothehouse，whileRebeccaandThirzamadeastealthycircuitofthebarnandapoliteandcircumspectentrancethroughtheparsonagefrontgate。

Rebeccatoldtheminister’swifewhatshecouldrememberoftheinterviewbetweenCassiusCameandElishaSimpson，andtender-heartedMrs。BaxterlongedtoseekandcomfortherLittleProphetsobbinginthetansybed，thebrandofcowardonhisforehead，andwhatwasmuchworse，thefearinhisheartthathedeservedit。

RebeccacouldhardlybepreventedfrombeardingMr。CameandopenlyespousingthecauseofElisha，forshewasanimpetuous，reckless，valiantcreaturewhenaweakervesselwasattackedorthreatenedunjustly。

Mrs。BaxteracknowledgedthatMr。Camehadbeentrue，inaway，tohiswordandbargain，butsheconfessedthatshehadneverheardofsocruelandhardabargainsincethedaysofShylock，anditwasalltheworseforbeingmadewithachild。

Rebeccahurriedhome，hervisitquitespoiledandhererrandquiteforgottentillshereachedthebrickhousedoor，whereshetoldheraunts，withhercustomarypicturesquenessofspeech，thatshewouldrathereatbuttermilkbreadtillshediedthanpartakeoffoodmixedwithoneofMr。Came’syeast-cakes；thatitwouldchokeher，evenintheshapeofgoodraisedbread。

"That’sallveryfine，Rebecky，"saidherAuntMiranda，whohadapin-prickforalmosteverybubble；"butdon’tforgetthere’stwoothermouthstofeedinthishouse，andyoumightatleastgiveyourauntandmetheprivilegeofchokin’ifwefeeltowantto！"

IV

Mrs。BaxterfinallyheardfromMrs。Came，throughwhomallinformationwassuretofilterifyougaveittime，thatherhusbanddespisedacoward，thatheconsideredElishaaregularmother’s-apron-stringboy，andthathewas"learnin’"himtobebrave。

BillPeters，thehiredman，nowdroveButtercuptopasture，thoughwheneverMr。CamewenttoModerationorBonnieEagle，asheoftendid，Mrs。BaxternoticedthatElishatookthehiredman’splace。Sheoftenjoinedhimontheseanxiousexpeditions，and，aliketerrorinboththeirsouls，theyattemptedtotraintheredcowandgivehersomeideaofobedience。

"Ifsheonlywouldn’tlookatusthatwaywewouldgetalongrealnicelywithher，wouldn’twe？"prattledtheProphet，stragglingalongbyherside；"andsheisasplendidcow；shegivestwenty-onequartsaday，andMr。Camesaysit’smore’nhalfcream。"

Theminister’swifeassentedtoallthis，thinkingthatifButtercupwouldgiveupherhabitofturningcompletelyroundintheroadtorollhereyesandelevateherwhite-tippedeyebrow，shemightindeedbeanenjoyablecompanion；butinherpresentstateofdevelopmenthersocietywasnotagreeable，evendidshegivesixty-onequartsofmilkaday。Furthermore，whenMrs。

BaxterdiscoveredthatsheneverdidanyofthesereprehensiblethingswithBillPeters，shebegantobelievecowsmoreintelligentcreaturesthanshehadsupposedthemtobe，andshewasindignanttothinkButtercupcouldcountsoconfidentlyontheweaknessofasmallboyandatimidwoman。

Oneevening，whenButtercupwasmorethanusuallyexasperating，Mrs。BaxtersaidtotheProphet，whowasbracinghimselftokeepfrombeingpulledintoawaysidebrookwhereButtercuplovedtodabble，"Elisha，doyouknowanythingaboutthesuperiorityofmindovermatter？"

No，hedidn’t，thoughitwasnotafairtimetoaskthequestion，forhehadsatdownintheroadtogetabetterpurchaseontherope。

"Well，itdoesn’tsignify。WhatImeanisthatwecandiebutonce，anditisagloriousthingtodieforagreatprinciple。

Givemethatrope。Icanpulllikeanoxinmypresentframeofmind。Yourundownontheoppositesideofthebrook，takethatbigstickwaderightin——youarebarefooted，——brandishthestick，and，ifnecessary，domorethanbrandish。Iwouldgomyself，butitisbettersheshouldrecognizeyouashermaster，andIaminasmuchdangerasyouare，anyway。Shemaytrytohookyou，ofcourse，butyoumustkeepwavingthestick，——diebrandishing，Prophet，that’stheidea！Shemayturnandrunforme，inwhichcaseIshallruntoo；butIshalldierunning，andtheministercanburyusunderourfavoritesweet-appletree！"

TheProphet’ssoulwasfiredbythelovelylady’seloquence。

Theirspiritsmountedsimultaneously，andtheywereflushedwithasplendidcourageinwhichdeathlookedameanandpaltrythingcomparedwithvanquishingthatcow。Shehadalreadysteppedintothepool，buttheProphetwadedintowardsher，movingthealderbranchmenacingly。Shelookedupwiththefamiliarrolloftheeyethathaddonehersuchgoodserviceallsummer，butshequailedbeneaththesternjusticeandthenewvaloroftheProphet’sgaze。

Inthatmomentperhapsshefeltashamedofthemiseryshehadcausedthehelplessmite。Atanyrate，actuatedbyfear，surprise，orremorse，sheturnedandwalkedbackintotheroadwithoutasignofpassionorindignation，leavingtheboyandtheladyratherdisappointedattheireasyvictory。Tobepreparedforaviolentdeathandreceivenotevenascratchmadethemfearthattheymightpossiblyhaveoverestimatedthedanger。

Theywerebetterfriendsthaneverafterthat，theyoungminister’swifeandtheforlornlittleboyfromAcreville，sentawayfromhomeheknewnotwhy，unlessitwerethattherewaslittletoeatthereandconsiderablymoreattheCashCames’，astheywerecalledinEdgewood。CassiuswasfamiliarlyknownasUncleCash，partlybecausetherewasadispositioninEdgewoodtoabbreviateallChristiannames，andpartlybecausetheoldmanpaidcash，andexpectedtobepaidcash，foreverything。

Thelatesummergrewintoautumn，andtheminister’sgreatmapleflungaflamingboughofscarletoverMrs。Baxter’sswing-chair。

UncleCashfoundElishaveryusefulatpickinguppotatoesandapples，buttheboywasgoingbacktohisfamilyassoonastheharvestingwasover。

OneFridayeveningMrs。BaxterandRebecca，wrappedinshawlsand"fascinators，"weresittingonMrs。Came’sfrontstepsenjoyingthesunset。Rebeccawasinatremulousstateofhappiness，forshehadcomedirectlyfromtheSeminaryatWarehamtotheparsonage，andastheministerwasabsentatachurchconference，shewastostaythenightwithMrs。BaxterandgowithhertoPortlandnextday。

TheyweretogototheIslands，haveicecreamforluncheon，rideonahorse-car，andwalkbytheLongfellowhouse，aprogrammethatsounsettledRebecca’sneververysteadymindthatsheradiatedflashesandsparklesofjoy，makingMrs。Baxterwonderiffleshcouldbetranslucent，enablingthespirit-fireswithintoshinethrough？

Buttercupwasbeingmilkedonthegrassyslopenearthesheddoor。Asshewalkedtothebarn，aftergivingupherpailfulsofyellowmilk，shebentherneckandsnatchedahastybitefromapileofturnipslyingtemptinglynear。Inherhasteshetookmoreofamouthfulthanwouldbeconsideredgoodmannersevenamongcows，andasshedisappearedinthebarndoortheycouldseeaforestofgreentopshangingfromhermouth，whileshepainfullyattemptedtogrindupthemassofstolenmaterialwithoutallowingasingleturniptoescape。