t of a lamp, and where did they get
the money to pay for it? If Abner was at home, I should think he'd been
swappin' again," said Miss Miranda.

"The children got it as a prize for selling soap," replied Rebecca;
"they've been working for a year, and you know I told you that Emma
Jane and I helped them the Saturday afternoon you were in Portland."

"I didn't take notice, I s'pose, for it's the first time I ever heard
the lamp mentioned. Well, you can go for an hour, and no more. Remember
it's as dark at six as it is at midnight Would you like to take along
some Baldwin apples? What have you got in the pocket of that new dress
that makes it sag down so?"

"It's my nuts and raisins from dinner," replied Rebecca, who never
succeeded in keeping the most innocent action a secret from her aunt
Miranda; "they're just what you gave me on my plate."

"Why didn't you eat them?"

"Because I'd had enough dinner, and I thought if I saved these, it
would make the Simpsons' party better," stammered Rebecca, who hated to
be scolded and examined before company.

"They were your own, Rebecca," interposed aunt Jane, "and if you chose
to save them to give away, it is all right. We ought never to let this
day pass without giving our neighbors something to be thankful for,
instead of taking all the time to think of our own mercies."

The Burnham sisters nodded approvingly as Rebecca went out, and
remarked that they had never seen a child grow and improve so fast in
so short a time.

"There's plenty of room left for more improvement, as you'd know if she
lived in the same house with you," answered Miranda. "She's into every
namable thing in the neighborhood, an' not only into it, but generally
at the head an' front of it, especially when it's mischief. Of all the
foolishness I ever heard of, that lamp beats everything; it's just like
those Simpsons, but I didn't suppose the children had brains enough to
sell anything."

"One of them must have," said Miss Ellen Burnham, "for the girl that
was selling soap at the Ladds' in North Riverboro was described by Adam
Ladd as the most remarkable and winning child he ever saw."

"It must have been Clara Belle, and I should never call her
remarkable," answered Miss Miranda. "Has Adam been home again?"

"Yes, he's been staying a few days with his aunt. There's no limit to
the money he's making, they say; and he always brings presents for all
the neighbors. This time it was a full set of furs