, holding on her bonnet. "You done your
best and it can't be helped, I only wish't I'd let you wear your black
hat as you wanted to; and I wish't we'd never come such a day! The shawl
has broke the stems of the velvet geraniums in my bonnet, and the wind
has blowed away my shawl pin and my back comb. I'd like to give up and
turn right back this minute, but I don't like to borrer Perkins's hoss
again this month. When we get up in the woods you can smooth your hair
down and tie the rigolette over your head and settle what's left of my
bonnet; it'll be an expensive errant, this will!"

* * * * *

II

It was not till next morning that Rebecca's heart really began its song
of thanksgiving. Her Aunt Miranda announced at breakfast, that as Mrs.
Perkins was going to Milliken's Mills, Rebecca might go too, and buy a
serviceable hat.

"You mustn't pay over two dollars and a half, and you mustn't get the
pink bird without Mrs. Perkins says, and the milliner says, that it
won't fade nor moult. Don't buy a light-colored felt because you'll get
sick of it in two or three years same as you did the brown one. I always
liked the shape of the brown one, and you'll never get another trimmin'
that'll wear like them quills."

"I hope not!" thought Rebecca.

"If you had put your elastic under your chin, same as you used to, and
not worn it behind because you think it's more grown-up an' fash'onable,
the wind never'd a' took the hat off your head, and you wouldn't a' lost
it; but the mischief's done and you can go right over to Mis' Perkins
now, so you won't miss her nor keep her waitin'. The two dollars and a
half is in an envelope side o' the clock."

Rebecca swallowed the last spoonful of picked-up codfish on her plate,
wiped her lips, and rose from her chair happier than the seraphs in
Paradise.

The porcupine quills had disappeared from her life, and without any
fault or violence on her part. She was wholly innocent and virtuous, but
nevertheless she was going to have a new hat with the solferino breast,
should the adored object prove, under rigorous examination, to be
practically indestructible.

"Whene'er I take my walks abroad, How many hats I'll see; But if they're
trimmed with hedgehog quills They'll not belong to me!"

So she improvised, secretly and ecstatically, as she went towards the
side entry.

"There's 'Bijah Flagg drivin' in," said Miss Miranda, going to the
window. "Step out and see what he's got, Jane; som