counter,
and began packing up some boxes with a busy air.

"Ain't you going a piece with Rebecca, and carry her basket,
William?" Rose called back, when the two girls reached the door.

Rebecca clutched her arm. "Oh, don't," she gasped, and Rose giggled.

"Ain't you, William?" she said again.

Rebecca hurried out the door, but she heard William reply coldly that
he couldn't, he was too busy. She was half crying when Rose caught up
with her.

"William wanted to go bad enough, but he was too upset by what father
said. You mustn't mind father," Rose said, peering around into
Rebecca's bonnet. "Why, Rebecca, what is the matter?"

"I didn't go into that store a step to see William Berry. You know I
didn't," Rebecca cried out, with sudden passion. Her voice was hoarse
with tears; her face was all hot and quivering with shame and anger.

"Why, of course you didn't," Rose returned, in a bewildered way. "Who
said you did, Rebecca?"

"You know I didn't. I hated to go to the store this morning. I told
mother I didn't want to, but she didn't have a mite of sugar in the
house, and there wasn't anybody else to send. Ephraim ain't very
well, and Doctor Whiting says he ought not to walk very far. I had to
come, but I didn't come to see William Berry, and nobody has any call
to think I did."

"I don't know who said you did. I don't know what you mean, Rebecca."

"You acted as if you thought so. I don't want William Berry seeing me
home in broad daylight, when I've been to the store to trade, and you
needn't think that's what I came for, and he needn't."

"Good land, Rebecca Thayer, he didn't, and I was just in fun. He'd
have come with you, but he was so mad at what father said that he
backed out. William's just about as easy upset as you are. I didn't
mean any harm. Say, Rebecca, come into the house a little while,
can't you? I don't believe your mother is in any great hurry for the
sugar." Rose took hold of Rebecca's arm, but Rebecca jerked herself
away with a sob, and went down the road almost on a run.

"Well, I hope you're touchy enough, Rebecca Thayer," Rose called out,
as she stood looking after her. "Folks will begin to think you did
come to see William if you make such a fuss when nobody accuses you
of it, if you don't look out."

Rebecca hastened trembling down the road. She made no reply, but she
knew that Rose was quite right, and that she had attacked her with
futile reproaches in order to save herself from s