Brewster, with Rose
Freeman," said Amanda.

"O-oh! So that's the trouble, is it?" said Amos. "Well, she'll come
back, so don't cry," and he stepped past her and ran down toward the
beach.

At Mrs. Stoddard's Mrs. Cary was repeating Amanda's story.

"I cannot understand it," said Mrs. Stoddard. "You know well, Mistress
Cary, that Anne is a pleasant child, and she and Amanda started out as
friendly as need be. Did Amanda say what began the trouble?"

Mrs. Cary shook her head. "No, she is at home crying her heart out about
it, poor child."

"I know not what to say," and Mrs. Stoddard's usually smiling face was
very grave. "Anne is not home yet, but I will question her. You may be
sure, Mistress Cary, that I will not let it pass. Her father leaves her
in my care when he is away, and perhaps I am too indulgent, for I love
the child."

It was an hour later when Anne came and peered in at the open door. Mrs.
Cary had gone home. Mrs. Stoddard looked at the little girl, but not
with her usual smile.

"Where is Amanda's basket?" she asked sharply. "Do not stand there; come
in." Anne obeyed. "Now, tell me why you pushed Amanda down, and slapped
her, and ran off with the basket of food? Mrs. Cary has been here and
told me all about it. A nice story indeed for me to hear. But like as
not it is my fault for indulging you in everything. But I shall be firm
now. Go up-stairs and stay until I call you; and as for that visit with
Rose Freeman, think no more of it. I shall not let you go. No, indeed,
after such a performance as this."

Anne thought to herself that she must be dreaming. "I shall wake up in a
minute," she said aloud, but Mrs. Stoddard did not hear her.

"Go right up-stairs," she repeated, and Anne, with a puzzled look over
her shoulder, went slowly up the narrow stairs.

CHAPTER II

ANNE DECIDES

"I don't know what to do," Anne whispered to herself, with a little sob,
as she looked out of the narrow window in her little room. Captain
Stoddard was coming briskly up the path; in a moment he would be
directly under the window. "I'll call to him, and if he answers I shall
know that I am awake," she decided, and leaning out she called softly:
"Uncle Enos! Uncle Enos!"

Captain Stoddard looked up, and answered briskly: "Anne Nelson, ahoy!"

"Uncle Enos, listen!" and Anne leaned out still farther. "I went toward
the outer beach with Amanda Cary, and she slapped me and ran off. And
when I came home Aunt