nd if I
know aught of her parents she will remember this all her life, and will
not be so ready to bear false witness against her neighbor."

"I did not so much mind Amanda's slapping me," replied Anne soberly,
"but I thought when Aunt Martha shut me up that 'twas because she no
longer loved me."

"Tut, tut, and so you walked off into the wilderness. A very wrong thing
to do, Anne," and Captain Enos's voice was very grave. "Your running
away has made a sad talk in the settlement, and some of the people are
ready to say that we have not treated you well, or you would not have
fled from us."

Anne began to realize, for the first time, that she had acted very
selfishly. Thinking of nothing but her wish to go to Boston with Rose
she had made her best friends anxious and unhappy.

They were sitting on the broad sofa in the quiet sitting-room, and Anne
leaned against Uncle Enos and said quickly: "I ought to go straight back
to Province Town!" She said it in such a sharp voice that Uncle Enos
looked at her wonderingly, and saw that tears were very near falling.

"No, Anne," he answered kindly. "I want you to go with the Freemans, and
have a pleasant visit. Your father's ship will be in Boston in a few
weeks, and he will rejoice to find you there and will bring you safely
back to Province Town."

CHAPTER VII

THE BLACK-BEARDED MAN

Anne and Rose Freeman stood at the gate all ready to enter the
comfortable chaise with its broad seat and big wheels. The big brown
horse was apparently eager to start, but black Josephus held him firmly
until the girls and Mr. Freeman were seated, and then handed the reins
to Mr. Freeman.

"Good-bye, good-bye," called the girls, leaning out beyond the hood of
the chaise to wave to Aunt Hetty and Captain Freeman and Uncle Enos, who
had stayed to see the travelers start on the ride to Boston.

"A horse is useful," remarked Uncle Enos, thoughtfully, as he watched
them drive away, "but there's not one in Province Town settlement as
yet. We have little need of one, with so many good boats."

The summer morning was clear and bright, and not too warm. They had made
an early start, and the heavy dew still lingered on the trees and
flowers.

"How far shall we go to-day, father?" asked Rose.

"We will pass the night in Sandwich, if all goes well," replied Mr.
Freeman. "Your aunt has put us up a fine luncheon, and we will give Lady
a rest toward noon and enjoy it."

The sandy roads m