.

"Coral beads!" said Aunt Martha. "Mistress Starkweather said that she
thought when her husband brought them home she would keep them for a
little girl of her own; but since she has but six boys, she says she knows
of no little girl to whom she would rather give them than to thee, Anne.
And you must go down to-morrow before school begins and thank her
properly."

"Coral beads!" repeated Anne, holding up the pink beads and touching them
softly. "May I put them around my neck, Aunt Martha?"

"Indeed you may, child. See, here is a clasp of bright gold to hold them,"
and Mrs. Stoddard fastened the beads around Anne's neck.

"'Tis a fine gift," said Captain Enos admiringly, "and shows a kind heart
in Mistress Starkweather."

"I wish my father could see," said Anne. "When he knows about my scarlet
stockings and leather shoes, and the white kitten, and that I go to school
and have coral beads, he will think I am the luckiest girl in the world."

"We will write him all that," said Captain Enos.

Just then the wooden latch of the kitchen door rattled and the door swung
open.

"It's Amanda!" exclaimed Anne, and Amanda Cary stepped inside and
carefully closed the door behind her.

"See, Amanda!" exclaimed Anne happily, "I have had a fine present.
Mistress Starkweather gave me these," and she touched the pink beads, "and
this!" and she pointed to the sweet-smelling box of sandalwood.

Amanda's thin face brightened. "I've got some coral beads just like
yours," she said; "my father got them 'way off across the ocean. When I
grow older and times are better, my mother says I shall have a white dress
and can wear my coral beads then."

The two little girls played with the doll and kitten and Captain Enos kept
on with his work.

"I wish I had a doll," he heard Amanda say. "I have asked Amos to make me
one, but he is not clever at whittling out things."

Captain Enos nodded to himself smilingly. Since Anne and Amos and Amanda
had been carried down the harbor to House Point Island together, and he
had heard how pleasant Amanda had been to Anne, he had liked the Cary
children better, and had quite forgiven their old-time teasing ways. After
Amanda had started for home he called Anne to him and said, "I have
another secret!"

"Yes!" said Anne, with a gay little laugh.

"Would you like to make Amanda Cary a present?" he questioned.

"I could not give her my doll," answered Anne, her bright face growing
sober. "'Tis all I