re. It was half an hour after sunset and the Big Dipper light,
the most important one along the whole coast, was not lighted. What
would she do? What _could_ she do?

The answer came swift and dear into Mary Margaret's steady, sensible
little mind. She must go to the Big Dipper and light the lamps!

But could she? Difficulties came crowding thick and fast into her
thoughts. It was going to snow; the soft broad flakes were falling
already. Could she row the two miles to the Big Dipper in the darkness
and the snow? If she could, dare she leave Nellie all alone in the
house? Oh, she couldn't! Somebody at the Harbour Head would surely
notice that the Big Dipper light was unlighted and would go over to
investigate the cause. But suppose they shouldn't? If the snow came
thicker they might never notice the absence of the light. And suppose
there was a ship away out there, as there nearly always was, with the
dangerous rocks and shoals of the outer harbour to pass, with precious
lives on board and no guiding beacon on the Big Dipper.

Mary Margaret hesitated no longer. She must go.

Bravely, briskly and thoughtfully she made her preparations. First,
the fire was banked and the draughts dosed; then she wrote a little
note for her mother and laid it on the table. Finally she wakened
Nellie.

"Nellie," said Mary Margaret, speaking very kindly and determinedly,
"there is no light on the Big Dipper and I've got to row over and see
about it. I'll be back as quickly as I can, and Mother and Uncle
Martin will soon be here. You won't be afraid to stay alone, will you,
dearie? You mustn't be afraid, because I have to go. And, Nellie, I'm
going to tie you in your chair; it's necessary, because I can't lock
the door, so you mustn't cry; nothing will hurt you, and I want you to
be a brave little girl and help sister all you can."

Nellie, too sleepy and dazed to understand very clearly what Mary
Margaret was about, submitted to be wrapped up in quilts and bound
securely in her chair. Then Mary Margaret tied the chair fast to the
wall so that Nellie couldn't upset it. That's safe, she thought.
Nellie can't run out now or fall on the stove or set herself afire.

Mary Margaret put on her jacket, hood and mittens, and took Uncle
Martin's lantern. As she went out and closed the door, a little wail
from Nellie sounded on her ear. For a moment she hesitated, then the
blackness of the Big Dipper confirmed her resolution. She must go.
Nellie