face at the
remembrance.

"Well, you are a better medicine than thoroughwort tea," said Lucia; and
Mrs. Horton opened the door just in time to hear this.

"Why, it is indeed so," she said, looking in surprise at her little
daughter, who seemed quite as well as usual. "Your father has just
passed, Rebecca, and I asked his permission for you to stay to dinner
with us, and he kindly agreed. I think now I must have a little
celebration that Lucia has recovered so quickly," and with a smiling nod
she left the two girls.

"I know what that means," declared Lucia, for the moment forgetting the
danger of discovery. "It means that we shall have rice cooked with
raisins, and perhaps guava jelly or sugared nuts."

Rebecca looked at her friend as if she could hardly believe her own
ears; for the dainties that Lucia named so carelessly were seldom
enjoyed in the remote settlement; and although Captain Horton took care
that his own pantry was well supplied it was not generally known among
his neighbors how many luxuries his family enjoyed.

"Surely you are but making believe," said Rebecca.

"No, truly, Rebby; we will likely have all those things to-day, since
Mother said 'twould be a celebration; and I am glad indeed that you are
here. You do not have things like that at your house, do you?" said
Lucia.

Rebecca could feel her cheeks flush, but she did not know why she felt
angry at what Lucia had said. It was true that the Westons, like most of
their neighbors, had only the plainest food, but she wished herself at
home to share the corn bread and baked fish that would be her mother's
noonday meal. She was silent so long that Lucia looked at her
questioningly; and when Mrs. Horton called them to dinner they went
down-stairs very quietly.

The table was set with plates of shining pewter. There was a loaf of
white bread, now but seldom seen in the settlement, and a fine omelet;
and, even as Lucia had said, there was boiled rice with raisins in it,
and guava jelly.

Rebecca was hungry, and here was a treat spread before her such, as
Lucia had truly said, she never had at home; but to Mrs. Horton's
surprise and Lucia's dismay, Rebecca declared that she must go home; and
taking her sunbonnet, with some stammering words of excuse she hastened
away.

"A very ill-bred child," declared Mrs. Horton, "and I shall be well
pleased if your father can take us away from this forsaken spot on his
next trip."

Lucia sat puzzled and h