een warned to bring pinafores to wear.

There was a pleasant air of excitement all through the little settlement
as the people, dressed in their simple best, walked along the path
leading to the Westons'. The minister and his wife, each holding Melvina
by the hand, were among the first comers.

"It was a friendly thought to ask your neighbors to share your good
fortune," said Mr. Lyon as he greeted Mrs. Weston.

"To tell the truth, 'twas Anna who first thought of it," she responded,
and was well pleased when Mrs. Lyon declared that she was not surprised
to hear it, as she considered Anna a very thoughtful and generous child.

Rebecca had forgotten for the time her own sense of unworthiness, and
was smiling happily as friend after friend arrived, when suddenly her
smile vanished. For coming up the path in a fine dress of pale yellow
muslin and wearing a flower-trimmed hat was Lucia Horton. No one but
Rebecca, of course, was surprised to see Lucia. It was to be expected
that she would be a guest at Rebecca's house. Anna and Luretta did not
see Lucia's arrival, but Rebby stood quite still, pale and angry, and
watched Lucia smiling and speaking to the neighbors. Then Lucia came
straight toward Rebecca, and, making an ugly face at her, exclaimed:

"Who is afraid of you, anyway, Rebecca Flora Weston?"

CHAPTER XV

REBBY AND LUCIA

Rebby was too astonished at Lucia's unexpected appearance to make any
response to this rude salutation; and, with another scornful glance,
Lucia went on her way to where Mrs. Lyon and Mrs. Weston were talking
together, and took a seat beside them, and was cordially welcomed by
Rebecca's mother, who, of course, knew nothing of the trouble between
the two girls.

"Lucia has forgotten her cup and spoon, Rebby; bring her your lustre
mug," called Mrs. Weston.

For a moment Rebby pretended not to hear. She was filling the cups with
cool spring water, and not until her mother called the second time did
she start toward the house for her cherished lustre mug. She was ready
to cry at the thought of Lucia's insulting words, and now she must carry
the pretty mug to her, and serve her as though she were a welcome
guest.

"I won't let her know that I care; and I must be polite because she is a
guest, even if she wasn't invited," thought Rebby, as carrying the
lustre mug and a birch-bark plate with a square of honeycomb and a
brownish c