her would not
consent to her going out until she appeared more like her usual self
than she had at breakfast time. So she brushed her hair neatly, bathed
her face, and just before Anna's return home, came into the kitchen.

"My head does not ache at all, Mother," she announced, "and I feel as
well as ever."

Mrs. Weston looked at Rebby in astonishment. "I declare!" she exclaimed,
"if thoroughwort tea doesn't beat all! But I never knew it to act as
quickly before. Well, I must take time and go to the swamp for a good
supply of it before this month goes. 'Tis best when gathered in May."

"May I not walk over and see Lucia?" Rebby asked a little fearfully,
wondering what she could do if her mother refused.

"Why, yes; it will very likely do you good. But walk slowly, dear
child," responded Mrs. Weston, taking Rebecca's sunbonnet from its peg
behind the door and tying the strings under Rebby's round chin.

"When the _Polly_ comes into harbor you will have the gold beads from
your Grandmother Weston, in Boston; but how Danna guessed it is more
than I can imagine," she said, and Rebecca started down the path. Mrs.
Weston stood for a moment in the doorway looking after her. She was more
disturbed by Rebecca's sudden illness than she wished to acknowledge.

"I wish indeed that the _Polly_ and _Unity_ would come; perchance it is
the lack of proper food that ails the children: too much Indian meal,
and no sweets or rice or dried fruits," she thought anxiously. "And to
think 'tis England, our own kinsfolk, who can so forget that we learned
what justice and loyalty mean from England herself," she said aloud, as
she returned to her household duties. For Mrs. Weston, like so many of
the American colonists, had been born in an English village, and knew
that the trouble between England and her American colonies was caused
by the injustice of England's king, and his refusal to listen to wise
advisers.

Lucia Horton's home lay in an opposite direction from the blacksmith
shop. It stood very near the shore, and from its upper windows there was
a good view of the harbor. It had no yard or garden in front, as did so
many of the simple houses of the settlement, and the front door opened
directly on the rough road which led along the shore.

Rebecca rapped on the door a little timidly, and when Mrs. Horton opened
it and said smilingly: "Why, here is the very girl I have been wanting
to see. Come right in, Rebecca Flora," she was rathe