"It is a good story," said Mrs. Starkweather. "True, it is said to be but
a dream, but I read it in my youth and liked it well. It has been a treat
to see it, Mrs. Stoddard. 'Tis seldom I have so care-free an afternoon.
Six boys to look after keep me busy," and the good woman rose from her
chair and with cordial words of good-bye started for home.

"I wish I could read this book," said Anne, turning the leaves over
carefully and wondering what the pictures meant.

"So you shall. We'll read a little now. Come, you shall spell out the
words, and I will speak them for you and tell you their meaning."

An hour later when Captain Enos stepped into the kitchen he declared that
he thought school had begun there; and while Mrs. Stoddard hurried about
to prepare supper Uncle Enos continued Anne's reading lesson.

"Perhaps I can read this book after I go to school," said Anne.

"That you can," answered the captain.

"And I will learn to write," said Anne, "and it may be I could send a
letter to my dear father."

"That is a good child," said Captain Enos, patting the dark head; "learn
to write and we'll set about starting the letter to your father as soon as
you have it ready."

"I shall have much to tell him," said Anne, smiling up into Uncle Enos's
kind face.

"And he'll have a good deal to tell you," replied Captain Enos. "I wish I
could see him myself. I'd like news of what's going on in Boston."

CHAPTER XI

CAPTAIN ENOS'S SECRETS

The playhouse under the pines was almost forgotten as the days grew
colder, and the fall rains came, with high winds; and Anne's scarlet
stocking was now long enough for Aunt Martha to "set the heel" and begin
to shape the foot. School had begun in Elder Haven's sitting-room, with
fourteen scholars, and Anne was learning to write.

"Master Haven says I write my own name nicely," she said at the end of the
first week, "and that by the time school closes he thinks I can write a
letter."

Captain Enos nodded approvingly. He and Anne were sitting before a bright
fire of driftwood in the pleasant kitchen, while Mrs. Stoddard had gone to
Mrs. Starkweather's for more scarlet yarn. Anne was knitting busily; her
wooden doll sat on the floor, and the white kitten was curled up close to
the little girl's feet. Captain Enos had several pieces of smooth cedar
wood on a stool near his chair, and was at work upon one with his sharp
jack-knife.

"Well, well!" he said, looking up from hi