hardly daring to think what would become
of her. Supposing Lucia should tell, she thought despairingly, saying
over and over to herself, "Traitor! Traitor!" So that when Anna came
softly into the room a little later she found her sister with flushed
face and tear-stained eyes, and ran back to the kitchen to tell her
mother that Rebby was very ill.

It was an anxious and unhappy morning for Rebby and for her mother, for
Mrs. Weston became worried at the sight of her daughter's flushed
cheeks and frightened eyes. She decided that it was best for Rebecca to
remain in bed; and, had it not been for the frequent doses of bitter
herb tea which her mother insisted on her drinking, Rebby would have
been well satisfied to hide herself away from everyone.

Anna helped her mother about the household work, thinking to herself
that probably Melvina Lyon was doing the same. After the dishes had been
washed and set away Mrs. Weston suggested that Anna should run down to
Luretta Foster's.

"'Twill be best to keep the house quiet this morning, and you can see
the rabbits," she added.

"But, Mother! I am not noisy. Do I not step quietly, and more softly?"
pleaded Anna. She was quite ready to run off to her friend's, but she
was sure her mother must notice that she was no longer the noisy girl
who ran in and out of the house singing and laughing.

"Well, my dear child, you have been 'Anna,' not 'Dan,' for a week past.
And I know not what has turned you into so quiet and well-behaved a
girl," responded her mother. "But run along, and be sure and inquire if
there be any news of the rascal who made way with the liberty tree."

Anna started off very sedately, measuring her steps and holding her head
a little on one side as she had noticed that Melvina sometimes did. She
was thinking of Rebby, and what a pity it was to have to stay indoors
when the sun was so warm, and when there were so many pleasant things to
do. "I will go over on the hill and get her some young checkerberry
leaves," resolved Anna, remembering how Rebby liked their sharp flavor.
Then she remembered that the rabbits were to be named that morning; and,
forgetting all about Melvina, she ran swiftly along the path, beginning
to sing in her old-time manner.

Luretta was watching for her, and smiled happily when she heard Anna's
voice. "Oh! She's going to stay 'Danna,' and not be like that stuck-up
Melvina Lyon," she thought with delight; for Luretta did not think Anna
wou