if she could help it, she would never
again go to the Hortons' house. Rebecca was old enough to realize the
difference between loyalty and selfish indecision, and she was sure that
the Hortons were thinking more of their own comfort than of the good of
America.

"But Lucia is your best friend," said Anna; "she gave you those
beautiful silk mitts on your birthday."

Rebecca's face colored. She made no answer. The silk mitts, she
resolved, must be given back. Probably she would never have another
pair; but never mind, if she gave up Lucia's friendship she must give up
the mitts.

For a few minutes the little girls walked on in silence, but Luretta was
eager to talk about Trit, and very soon she and Anna were talking
happily of plans to teach the captured rabbit, and were no longer
troubled by Rebecca's decision not to ask the Hortons to the honey
party. If they thought of it at all it was to agree with Rebby: that
people with a cupboard full of dainties, when their neighbors had only
the coarsest fare, ought not to be asked to share the wild honey.

Mrs. Lyon welcomed the little girls in a most friendly manner, and Anna
was made happy when the minister's wife said that she really believed
that Anna's stitches were as tiny and as neatly set as those of Melvina
herself.

"Melvina is out-of-doors," she continued; "I have decided that she is
much stronger to be in the open air a portion of each day, and London
has made her a playhouse under the pines behind the house."

Both Anna and Luretta hoped that Mrs. Lyon would ask them to go and see
Melvina's playhouse, but as she did not they said their polite
"Good-day, Mrs. Lyon," curtsied, and followed Rebecca down the path.

The invitations had now all been given and accepted, and Luretta was
eager to get home, urging Anna to stop and see Trit, who was safe in the
same box that had been made for the other rabbits.

"You may both run ahead if you wish," said Rebby with quite a grown-up
manner, for she really felt a great deal older than her little sister,
"and I will go straight home and tell Mother that everybody is coming."

"Everybody except the Hortons," Luretta reminded her.

"Yes; I meant everyone whom we had asked," Rebby rejoined.

Off ran the two younger girls, and Rebecca followed more slowly.
Although she had intended to go directly home she now decided to take
the path along the bluff and see for herself that the liberty tree stood
safe, defiant of all ene