. Weston, "and that you may decide how it shall be disposed of."

"I don't care," Rebby responded, a little faintly. "Only, of course,
Paul ought to have half, because he helped."

"Yes, of course; but even then your share will be a good quantity," said
Mrs. Weston. Before Rebecca could speak Anna came running into the room,
her brown eyes shining, and her curls, now long enough to dance about
her face, falling over her brown cheeks.

As she ate her porridge her mother questioned her about the adventure of
the previous day, and for a time Rebby forgot her own worries in
listening to Anna's account of her journey in the leaking boat, and of
her leap to safety.

"It was not mischief, was it, Mother, to try and capture Trit?" she
concluded.

"No, indeed, dear child. Who could foresee such an adventure?" replied
Mrs. Weston. "And we are all proud that you did so well; that you did
not wander into the forest, where you would surely have been lost. I was
just asking Rebby what use we would make of the honey. Of course we want
to share it with our neighbors. 'Tis rare good fortune to have such a
store of sweets."

"Let's have a honey party," suggested Anna. "Could we not, Mother?"

"Why, that is a splendid idea!" declared Mrs. Weston. "'Twill cheer up
the whole settlement to be asked to a party. To be sure I can offer them
only honey; but perhaps 'twill take their minds from the _Polly_, and
from England's injustice toward us. Rebecca, you and Anna shall start
out at once and ask the neighbors as far as Mr. Lyon's house. That will
bring as many as twenty people. And tell each one to bring a cup and
spoon, as I have no extra dishes."

As soon as Anna had finished her breakfast the two girls put on their
sunbonnets and started on their pleasant errand. The neighbors were to
be asked to come the next afternoon for a taste of wild honey, and Mrs.
Weston again cautioned them to be sure and speak of the cup and spoon
that each guest was to bring.

"I wish I could offer them a dish of tea," thought Mrs. Weston, and then
reproached herself for the thought, for was not the tea tax one of
England's sins against the colonies, and had not loyal women refused to
brew a single cup until America gained her rights?

Mr. Foster was busy in his blacksmith shop. The mill men could be idle,
but Worden Foster hammered busily away day in and day out. His hay-forks
were always in demand, and he made many stout locks and keys, as well as