Freeman sent them all off. Millicent was quite happy
to stay with Frederick and watch him finish the wooden doll, while Rose
and Anne, with Aunt Anne Rose between them, started off to visit
Mistress Mason's shop, where Mrs. Pierce insisted on buying the largest
of the fine dolls as a present for little Millicent, a pink silk sash
for Anne and a lace collar for Rose.

"I want you girls to think often of your new aunt," she said. "And I am
hoping that when Anne's father comes he will decide to bring her to
visit us. I have written a letter to him, Anne, and I will give it to
you. You must hand it to him, and tell him that you would like to come."

"Yes, ma'am," answered the little girl, but not very eagerly. For Anne
was now counting the hours until the "Yankee Hero" should reach Boston
harbor, and when she and her dear father could sail off to Province Town
and tell Aunt Martha all about the wonderful visit, and give Amanda the
blue silk sash. She almost wished that Aunt Anne Rose had not told her
about the letter.

CHAPTER XVII

THE STRANGE SCHOONER

On the morning when Mr. and Mrs. Pierce started for home, Rose and Anne
went to Mistress Mason's shop on an errand. As they walked along the
street Rose exclaimed suddenly: "Anne, look! There is one of father's
best friends!" And Anne looked up to see a gentleman, wearing a cocked
hat and red cloak, coming toward them. He was very erect and his wig was
tied with a narrow ribbon.

"Good-morning, Mistress Rose," he said, and Anne thought to herself that
his voice was very kind and pleasant.

"Good-morning, Mr. Adams," Rose responded. "This is Anne Nelson from
Province Town."

The friendly smile now rested on Anne. "Let me see; was there not a
little maid from Province Town who helped the cause of Liberty by
carrying a message to Newburyport?" he asked, clasping her hand.

Anne looked up at him and smiled. "I went with Uncle Enos," she
answered.

"So you did! And now you are a visitor in Boston, as I am myself, for my
family are now living in Dedham," he responded pleasantly, and, with a
friendly message for Mr. Freeman, he bade the girls good-bye, and walked
on.

"That is Mr. Samuel Adams," explained Rose; "he came from Philadelphia
but a few days ago. He signed the Declaration of Independence, Anne. And
father says had it not been for Samuel Adams 'twould have been years
before Congress would have come to so great a decision."

"And to think he knew o