第7章

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！"