lled 'slippers.'"

"'Twould be hard to wear shoes all the year," agreed Amanda, looking down
at her own stout leather shoes, "but I like them well now."

"I brought you a present from Boston," said Anne just as they reached the
Stoddards' door. "Rose Freeman gave it to me, and I saved it for you."

"Well, Amanda," said Mrs. Stoddard, as the two girls came into the
kitchen, "are you not glad to have Anne safe home again? 'twas quite a
journey to take."

"She likes Province Town better than Boston," answered Amanda smilingly.

"To be sure she does, and why not?" replied Mrs. Stoddard. "There are few
places where there is so much salt water to be seen as here, and no better
place for fishing. Now, Anne, I have a little surprise for you. I have
asked Mr. and Mrs. Starkweather and their six boys to come up this
evening, and your father and mother, Amanda, and you and Amos. The
evenings are getting fine and long now and we must begin to be
neighborly."

"Then I mustn't stay long now," said Amanda; "it will be pleasant to come
up here again in the evening."

Amanda tried on Anne's blue cape and hat, looked admiringly at Mrs.
Stoddard's shining gold piece and brown shawl, and then Anne handed her
the package of barley sugar.

"I will keep it," said Amanda, gratefully; "'twould seem ungrateful to eat
a present."

Mrs. Stoddard nodded. "Keep it until Sunday, Amanda," she said, "but then
it will be well to eat a part of it."

"But can she not taste it now?" asked Anne. "I am sure it is good. It came
out of a big glass jar in a shop."

"I see I must tell you two little girls a secret," said Mrs. Stoddard,
"but Amanda must not tell Amos."

"No, indeed," said Amanda quickly.

"It is about this evening," said Mrs. Stoddard; "I am going to make a fine
dish of molasses candy!"

"Oh, Aunt Martha!" "Oh, Mistress Stoddard!" exclaimed the little girls
together.

"It has been years since I tasted any myself," went on Mrs. Stoddard, "but
I remember well how it is made; and I do not believe one of you children
has ever tasted it."

"My mother has told us about it," said Amanda, "and said that when times
were better she would make us some."

"We all need cheering up," said Mrs. Stoddard, "and I am glad I can give
you children a treat to remember. Now, Amanda, you see why it will be best
not to eat your barley sugar until Sunday."

"I have good times every day since I gave you the white kitten," said
Amanda, as she bade A