in the house in the
woods, and had said that it was really Amanda Cary's fault more than
Anne's that she had run away, Mr. Nelson was quite ready to forgive her.

"I am glad indeed that my little girl has a good friend in Mrs. Pierce,"
said Mr. Nelson, after he had read Aunt Anne Rose's letter, "but I
think we must go to Province Town at the first opportunity."

Anne now felt that there was nothing to wish for. With her dear father
safe on shore, and the prospect of soon sailing away to Province Town
she was quite happy.

"You must make Rose a fine present, Anne," he said one day as they came
down King Street.

"I heard her say once that she hoped some day to have a gold ring,"
replied Anne.

"You shall give her one," said Mr. Nelson.

"I'll give it to her when I say good-bye," said Anne as they walked
toward home.

"That may be to-morrow," responded Mr. Nelson, "for Mr. Freeman says
that not a boat from Truro, Wellfleet or Province Town has come in to
Boston for a week, so if the wind favors, 'tis like to-morrow will give
us a chance for a passage."

Rose was on the porch, and as she watched Anne come up the path thought
to herself that she would be very lonely without the little maid from
Province Town.

"Captain Starkweather from Province Town is at father's wharf," she
said, "and I had half a mind to tell him not to take any passengers
back to Province Town, for father says he will start back when the tide
serves very early to-morrow morning."

Mr. Nelson hurried away to the wharves, and Anne and Rose went up to the
attic for Anne's book. "For I suppose we must pack up your things
to-night," Rose said. "Your father has bought you a fine portmanteau.
It's in your room now."

Anne picked up the book, and was eager to hurry to her room to see the
new bag, but Rose detained her a moment.

"Why, Anne," she exclaimed, "you have left out the most important
thing."

"What did I leave out?" questioned Anne.

"Why, about Amanda!" replied Rose. "You started this on purpose for
Mistress Stoddard, so that she could know all about your running away."

"Oh," said Anne, in a tone of relief, "then I haven't forgotten
anything. You see, Rose, Amanda told Aunt Martha all about it, so it's
all right."

Rose looked at her little friend for a moment as if she were going to
scold her, then she began to smile, and leaning down kissed the little
girl's cheek.

"You know how to be a friend, Anne," she said, "and I'm