Rebby nodded smilingly. For the moment she had entirely forgotten the
uncomfortable secret that Lucia had confided in her, and was thinking
only that it was really a wonderful thing to have a fourteenth birthday.

While the four little girls were talking happily in the living-room,
Mrs. Weston was trying to think up some sort of a birthday treat for
them. There was no white sugar in the house, or, for that matter, in the
entire settlement. But the Westons had a small store of maple sugar,
made from the sap of the maple trees, and Mrs. Weston quickly decided
that this should be used for Rebecca's birthday celebration. She hurried
to the pantry, and when an hour later she opened the door and called the
girls to the kitchen they all exclaimed with delight.

The round table was covered with a shining white cloth, and Mrs. Weston
had set it with her fine blue plates, that she had brought from Boston
when she came to Machias, and that were seldom used.

By each plate stood a lustre mug filled with milk, and in the centre of
the table was a heart-shaped cake frosted with maple sugar.

"Oh, Mother! This is my very best birthday!" Rebecca declared happily,
and as the other girls seated themselves at the table she stood with
bowed head to say the "grace" of thanks before cutting her birthday
cake.

Anna wished to herself that Melvina Lyon might have been one of the
guests, and shared the delicious cake. She wondered just how Melvina
would behave on such an occasion; and was so careful with her crumbs,
and so polite in her replies to the other girls that Lucia and Rebecca
began to laugh, thinking Anna was making believe for their amusement.

Before the little girls left the table Mr. Weston appeared at the
kitchen door, and was quite ready to taste the cake, and again remind
Rebecca of the gift the _Polly_ was bringing.

"Let me whisper, Father," she responded, drawing his head down near her
own. "It's _beads_!" she whispered, and when her father laughed she was
sure she was right, and almost as happy as if the longed-for gift was
around her neck.

"Well, Paul and I found the liberty tree," said Mr. Weston, "and I cut
it down and trimmed it save for its green plume. Paul is towing it
downstream now; and when we set it up 'twill be a credit to the town."

Lucia rose quickly. "I must be going home," she said, a little flush
coming into her cheeks. "I have enjoyed the afternoon very much," she
added politely; for if Melvi