Thesevisitors，comingstraightfromforeignlandstothelittleMainevillage，broughtwiththemanamelessenchantmenttothechildren，andespeciallytoRebecca，whoseimaginationalwayskindledeasily。Theromanceofthatvisithadneverdiedinherheart，andamongthemanycareersthatdazzledheryouthfulvisionwasthatofconvertingsuchSyrianheathenasmightcontinueinidolworshipaftertheBurches’effortsintheirbehalfhadceased。ShethoughtattheageofeighteenshemightbesuitablyequippedforstormingsomeminorcitadelofMohammedanism；andMrs。Burchhadencouragedherintheidea，not，itistobefeared，becauseRebeccashowedanysurplusofvirtueorChristiangrace，butbecausehergiftoflanguage，hertactandsympathy，andhermusicaltalentseemedtofitherforthework。
ItchancedthatthequarterlymeetingoftheMaineMissionarySocietyhadbeenappointedjustatthetimewhenaletterfromMrs。BurchtoMissJaneSawyersuggestedthatRebeccashouldformachildren’sbranchinRiverboro。Mrs。Burch’srealideawasthattheyoungpeopleshouldsavetheirpenniesanddivertagentlestreamoffinancialaidintotheparentfund，thuslearningearlyinlifetobeusefulinsuchwork，eitherathomeorabroad。
Thegirlsthemselves，however，readintoherletternosuchmodestparticipationintheconversionoftheworld，andwishingtoeffectanorganizationwithoutdelay，theychoseanafternoonwheneveryhouseinthevillagewasvacant，andseizedupontheRobinsons’barnchamberastheplaceofmeeting。
Rebecca，AliceRobinson，EmmaJanePerkins，CandaceMilliken，andPersisWatson，eachwithherhymnbook，hadclimbedtheladderleadingtothehaymowahalfhourbeforeAbijahFlagghadheardthestrainsof"DaughtersofZion"floatingouttotheroad。
Rebecca，beinganexecutiveperson，hadcarried，besidesherhymnbook，asilvercall-bellandpencilandpaper。Ananimateddiscussionregardingoneoftwonamesforthesociety，TheJuniorHeraldsorTheDaughtersofZion，hadresultedinaunanimousvoteforthelatter，andRebeccahadbeenelectedpresidentatanearlystageofthemeeting。ShehadmodestlysuggestedthatAliceRobinson，asthegranddaughterofamissionarytoChina，wouldbemuchmoreeligible。
"No，"saidAlice，withentiregoodnature，"whoeverisELECTED
president，youWILLbe，Rebecca——you’rethatkind——soyoumightaswellhavethehonor；I’djustaslievesbesecretary，anyway。"
"Ifyoushouldwantmetobetreasurer，Icouldbe，aswellasnot，"saidPersisWatsonsuggestively；"foryouknowmyfatherkeepschinabanksathisstore——onesthatwillholdasmuchastwodollarsifyouwillletthem。Ithinkhe’dgiveusoneifI
happentobetreasurer。"
Thethreeprincipalofficerswerethuselectedatonefellswoopandwithanentireabsenceofthatredtapewhichcommonlyrendersorganizationsotiresome，CandaceMillikensuggestingthatperhapsshe’dbetterbevice-president，asEmmaJanePerkinswasalwayssobashful。
"Weoughttohavemoremembers，"sheremindedtheothergirls，"butifwehadinvitedthemthefirstdaythey’dhaveallwantedtobeofficers，especiallyMinnieSmellie，soit’sjustaswellnottoaskthemtillanothertime。IsThirzaMeservetoolittletojoin？"
"Ican’tthinkwhyanybodynamedMeserveshouldhavecalledababyThirza，"saidRebecca，somewhatoutoforder，thoughthemeetingwascarriedonwithsmallrecognitionofparliamentarylaws。"Italwaysmakesmewanttosay：
ThirzaMeserverHeavenpreserveher！
ThirzaMeserverDowedeserveher？
She’slittle，butshe’ssweet，andabsolutelywithoutguile。I
thinkweoughttohaveher。"
"Is’guile’thesameas’guilt？"inquiredEmmaJanePerkins。
"Yes，"thepresidentanswered；"exactlythesame，exceptoneiswrittenandtheotherspokenlanguage。"（Rebeccawasrathergoodatimbibinginformation，andamasterhandatimpartingit！）
"Writtenlanguageisforpoemsandgraduationsandoccasionslikethis——kindoflikeabestSunday-go-to-meetingdressthatyouwouldn’tliketogoblueberryinginforfearofgettingitspotted。"
"I’djustas’lievesget’guile’spottedasnot，"affirmedtheunimaginativeEmmaJane。"Ithinkit’sanawfulfoolishword；butnowwe’reallnamedandourofficerselected，whatdowedofirst？It’seasyenoughforMaryandMarthaBurch；theyjustplayatmissionaryingbecausetheirfolksworkatit，sameasLivingandIusedtomakebelievebeblacksmithswhenwewerelittle。"
"Itmustbenicermissionaryinginthoseforeignplaces，"saidPersis，"becauseon’Afric’sshoresandIndia’splainsandotherspotswhereSatanreigns’（that’sfather’sfavoritehymn）there’salwaysaheathenbowingdowntowoodandstone。Youcantakeawayhisidolsifhe’llletyouandgivehimabibleandthebeginning’sallmade。Butwho’llwebeginon？JethroSmall？"
"Oh，he’sentirelytoodirty，andfoolishbesides！"exclaimedCandace。"WhynotEthanHunt？Heswearsdreadfully。"
"Helivesonnutsandisahermit，andit’samiletohiscampthroughthethickwoods；mymother’llneverletmegothere，"
objectedAlice。"There’sUncleTutJudson。"
"He’stooold；he’smostahundredanddeafasapost，"
complainedEmmaJane。"Besides，hismarrieddaughterisaSabbath-schoolteacher——whydoesn’tsheteachhimtobehave？I
can’tthinkofanybodyjustrighttostarton！"
"Don’ttalklikethat，EmmaJane，"andRebecca’stonehadatingeofreproofinit。"WeareacopperatedbodynamedtheDaughtersofZion，and，ofcourse，we’vegottofindsomethingtodo。
Foreignersaretheeasiest；there’saScotchfamilyatNorthRiverboro，anEnglishoneinEdgewood，andoneCubanmanatMillkin’sMills。"
"Haven’tforeignersgotanyreligionoftheirown？"inquiredPersiscuriously。
"Ye-es，Is’poseso；kindofaone；butforeigners’religionsareneverright——oursistheonlygoodone。"ThiswasfromCandace，thedeacon’sdaughter。
"Idothinkitmustbedreadful，beingbornwithareligionandgrowingupwithit，andthenfindingoutit’snouseandallyourtimewasted！"HereRebeccasighed，chewedastraw，andlookedtroubled。
"Well，that’syourpunishmentforbeingaheathen，"retortedCandace，whohadbeenbroughtupstrictly。
"ButIcan’tforthelifeofmeseehowyoucanhelpbeingaheathenifyou’reborninAfrica，"persistedPersis，whowaswellnamed。
"Youcan’t。"Rebeccawasclearonthispoint。"IhadthatalloutwithMrs。BurchwhenshewasvisitingAuntMiranda。Shesaystheycan’thelpbeingheathen，butifthere’sasinglemissionstationinthewholeofAfrica，they’reaccountableiftheydon’tgothereandgetsaved。"
"Arethereplentyofstagesandrailroads？"askedAlice；"becausetheremustbedreadfullylongdistances，andwhatiftheycouldn’tpaythefare？"
"Thatpartofitissodreadfullypuzzlywemustn’ttalkaboutit，please，"saidRebecca，hersensitivefacequiveringwiththeforceoftheproblem。Poorlittlesoul！Shedidnotrealizethathersuperiorsinageandintellecthadspentmanyasleeplessnightoverthatsame"accountabilityoftheheathen。"
"It’stoobadtheSimpsonshavemovedaway，"saidCandace。"It’ssoseldomyoucanfindarealbigwickedfamilylikethattosave，withonlyClaraBelleandSusangoodinit。"
"Andnumberscountforsomuch，"continuedAlice。"Mygrandmothersaysifmissionariescan’tconvertaboutsomanyinayeartheBoardadvisesthemtocomebacktoAmericaandtakeupsomeotherwork。"
"Iknow，"Rebeccacorroborated；"andit’sthesamewithrevivalists。AttheCentennialpicnicatNorthRiverboro，arevivalistsatoppositetoMr。LaddandAuntJaneandme，andhewastellingabouthiswonderfulsuccessinBangorlastwinter。
He’dconvertedahundredandthirtyinamonth，hesaid，oraboutfourandathirdaday。Ihadjustfinishedfractions，soIaskedMr。Laddhowthethirdofamancouldbeconverted。Helaughedandsaiditwasjusttheotherway；thatthemanwasathirdconverted。ThenheexplainedthatifyouweretryingtoconvinceapersonofhissinonaMonday，andcouldn’tquitefinishbysundown，perhapsyouwouldn’twanttositupallnightwithhim，andperhapshewouldn’twantyouto；soyou’dbeginagainonTuesday，andyoucouldn’tsayjustwhichdayhewasconverted，becauseitwouldbetwothirdsonMondayandonethirdonTuesday。"
"Mr。Laddisalwaysmakingfun，andtheBoardcouldn’texpectanygreatthingsofusgirls，newbeginners，"suggestedEmmaJane，whowasbeingconstantlywarnedagainsttautologybyherteacher。
"Ithinkit’sawfulrude，anyway，togorightoutandtrytoconvertyourneighbors；butifyouborrowahorseandgotoEdgewoodLowerCorner，orMilliken’sMills，Is’posethatmakesitForeignMissions。"
"Wouldweeachgoaloneorwaituponthemwithacommittee，astheydidwhentheyaskedDeaconTuttleforacontributionforthenewhearse？"askedPersis。
"Oh！Wemustgoalone，"decidedRebecca；"itwouldbemuchmorerefinedanddelicate。AuntMirandasaysthatonemanalonecouldnevergetasubscriptionfromDeaconTuttle，andthat’sthereasontheysentacommittee。ButitseemstomeMrs。Burchcouldn’tmeanforustotryandconvertpeoplewhenwe’renoneofusevenchurchmembers，exceptCandace。IthinkallwecandoistopersuadethemtogotomeetingandSabbathschool，orgivemoneyforthehearse，orthenewhorsesheds。Nowlet’sallthinkquietlyforaminuteortwowho’stheverymostheathenishandreperrehensiblestpersoninRiverboro。"
Afteraverybriefperiodofsilencethewords"JacobMoody"fellfromalllipswithentireaccord。
"Youareright，"saidthepresidenttersely；"andaftersinginghymnnumbertwohundredseventyfour，tobefoundonthesixty-sixthpage，wewilltakeupthequestionofpersuadingMr。
Moodytoattenddivineserviceortheminister’sBibleclass，henothavingbeeninthemeeting-houseforlo！thesemanyyears。
’DaughterofZion，thepowerthathathsavedtheeExtolledwiththeharpandthetimbrelshouldbe。’
"Singwithoutreading，ifyouplease，omittingthesecondstanza。
Hymntwoseventyfour，tobefoundonthesixty-sixthpageofthenewhymnbookoronpagethirtytwoofEmmaJanePerkins’soldone。"
II
ItisdoubtfuliftheRev。Mr。BurchhadeverfoundinSyriaapersonmoredifficulttopersuadethanthealready"gospel-hardened"JacobMoodyofRiverboro。
Tall，gaunt，swarthy，black-bearded——hismassesofgrizzled，uncombedhairandtheredscaracrosshisnoseandcheekaddedtohissinisterappearance。Histumble-downhousestoodonarockybitoflandbackoftheSawyerpasture，andtheacresofhisfarmstretchedoutonallsidesofit。Helivedalone，atealone，plowed，planted，sowed，harvestedalone，andwasmorethanwillingtodiealone，"unwept，unhonored，andunsung。"Theroadthatbordereduponhisfieldswascomparativelylittleusedbyanyone，andnotwithstandingthefactthatitwasthicklysetwithchokecherrytreesandblackberrybushesithadbeenforyearspracticallydesertedbythechildren。Jacob’sRedAstrakhanandGrannyGarlandtreeshungthickwithapples，butnoRiverboroorEdgewoodboystolethem；forterrifyingaccountsofthefatethathadovertakenoneurchinintimesagonehadbeenhandedalongfromboytoboy，protectingtheMoodyfruitfarbetterthananypolicepatrol。
Perhapsnocircumstancescouldhaveextenuatedtheoldman’ssurlymannersorhislackofallcitizenlygracesandvirtues；
buthisneighborscommonlyrebukedhispresentwayoflivingandforgotthetroubledpastthathadbroughtitabout：thesharp-tonguedwife，theunlovinganddisloyalsons，thedaughter’shaplessfate，andalltheothersorrytricksthatfortunehadplayeduponhim——atleastthatwasthewayinwhichhehadalwaysregardedhisdisappointmentsandgriefs。
This，then，wasthepersonagewhosemoralrehabilitationwastobeaccomplishedbytheDaughtersofZion。Buthow？
"WhowillvolunteertovisitMr。Moody？"blandlyaskedthepresident。
VISITMR。MOODY！Itwasawondertheroofofthebarnchamberdidnotfall；itdid，indeedechothewordsandinsomewaymakethemsoundmoregrimandsatirical。
"Nobody’llvolunteer，RebeccaRowenaRandall，andyouknowit，"
saidEmmaJane。
"Whydon’twedrawlots，whennoneofuswantstospeaktohimandyetoneofusmust？"
ThissuggestionfellfromPersisWatson，whohadbeenpaleandthoughtfuleversincethefirstmentionofJacobMoody。（ShewasfondofGrannyGarlands；shehadoncemetJacob；and，astowhatbefell，well，weallhaveoursecrettragedies！）
"Wouldn’titbewickedtosettleitthatway？"
"It’sgamblersthatdrawlots。"
"PeoplediditintheBibleeversooften。"
"Itdoesn’tseemniceforamissionarymeeting。"
Theseremarksfellalltogetheruponthepresident’sbewilderedearthewhile（asshealwayssaidincompositions）——"thewhile"
shewastryingtoadjusttheethicsofthisunexpectedanddifficultdilemma。
"Itisaverypuzzlyquestion，"shesaidthoughtfully。"IcouldaskAuntJaneifwehadtime，butIsupposewehaven’t。Itdoesn’tseemnicetodrawlots，andyethowcanwesettleitwithout？Weknowwemeanright，andperhapsitwillbe。Alice，takethispaperandtearofffivenarrowpieces，alldifferentlengths。"
Atthismomentavoicefromadistancefloateduptothehaymow——avoicesayingplaintively："Willyouletmeplaywithyou，girls？Huldahhasgonetoride，andI’mallalone。"
Itwasthevoiceoftheabsolutely-without-guileThirzaMeserve，anditcameatanopportunemoment。
"Ifsheisgoingtobeamember，"saidPersis，"whynotlethercomeupandholdthelots？She’dberealhonestandnotfavoranybody。"
Itseemedanexcellentidea，andwasfollowedupsoquicklythatscarcelythreeminutesensuedbeforetheguilelessonewasholdingthefivescrapsinherhotlittlepalm，laboriouslychangingtheirplacesagainandagainuntiltheylookedexactlyalikeandallrathersoiledandwilted。
"Come，girls，draw！"commandedthepresident。"Thirza，youmustn’tchewgumatamissionarymeeting，itisn’tpolitenorholy。Takeitoutandstickitsomewheretilltheexercisesareover。"
ThefiveDaughtersofZionapproachedthespotsochargedwithfate，andextendedtheirtremblinghandsonebyone。Thenafteramoment’ssilentclutchoftheirpaperstheydrewnearertooneanotherandcomparedthem。
EmmaJanePerkinshaddrawntheshortone，becomingthusthedestinedinstrumentforJacobMoody’sconversiontoamoreseemlymanneroflife！
Shelookedaboutherdespairingly，asiftoseeksomepainlessandrespectablemethodofself-destruction。
"Dolet’sdrawoveragain，"shepleaded。"I’mtheworstofallofus。I’msuretomakeamessofittillIkindo’gettrainedin。"
Rebecca’sheartsankatthisfrankconfession，whichonlycorroboratedherownfears。
"I’msorry，Emmy，dear，"shesaid，"butouronlyexcusefordrawinglotsatallwouldbetohaveitsacred。Wemustthinkofitasakindofasign，almostlikeGodspeakingtoMosesintheburningbush。"
"Oh，IWISHtherewasaburningbushrighthere！"criedthedistractedandrecalcitrantmissionary。"HowquickI’dstepintoitwithoutevenstoppingtotakeoffmygarnetring！"
"Don’tbesuchascare-cat，EmmaJane！"exclaimedCandacebracingly。"JacobMoodycan’tkillyou，evenifhehasanawfultemper。Trotrightalongnowbeforeyougetmorefrightened。
Shallwegocrosslotswithher，Rebecca，andwaitatthepasturegate？ThenwhateverhappensAlicecanputitdownintheminutesofthemeeting。"
IntheseterriblecrisesoflifetimegallopswithsuchincrediblevelocitythatitseemedtoEmmaJaneonlyabreathbeforeshewasbeingdraggedthroughthefieldsbytheotherDaughtersofZion，theguilelesslittleThirzapantingintherear。
AttheentrancetothepastureRebeccagaveheranimpassionedembrace，andwhispering，"WHATEVERYOUDO，BECAREFULHOWYOU
LEADUP，"liftedoffthetoprailandpushedherthroughthebars。Thenthegirlsturnedtheirbacksreluctantlyonthepatheticfigure，andeachsoughtatreeunderwhosefriendlyshadeshecouldwatch，andperhapspray，untilthemissionaryshouldreturnfromherfieldoflabor。
AliceRobinson，whosecompositionswerealwaysmarked96or97，——100symbolizingsuchperfectionascouldbeattainedinthemortalworldofRiverboro，——Alice，notonlyDaughter，butScribeofZion，sharpenedherpencilandwroteafewwell-chosenwordsofintroduction，tobeusedwhentherecordsoftheafternoonhadbeenmadebyEmmaJanePerkinsandJacobMoody。
Rebecca’sheartbeattumultuouslyunderherginghamdress。Shefeltthatadramawasbeingenacted，andthoughunfortunatelyshewasnotthecentralfigure，shehadatleastamodestpartinit。
TheshortlothadnotfallentotheproperestDaughter，thatshequiterealized；yetwouldanyoneofthemsucceedinwinningJacobMoody’sattention，inengaginghiminpleasantconversation，andfinallyinbringinghimtoarealizationofhismistakenwayoflife？Shedoubted，butatthesamemomentherspiritsroseatthethoughtofthedifficultiesinvolvedintheundertaking。
DifficultiesalwaysspurredRebeccaon，buttheydauntedpoorEmmaJane，whohadnolittlethrillsofexcitementandwonderandfearandlongingtosustainherlaggingsoul。Thatherinterviewwastobeenteredas"minutes"byasecretaryseemedtoherthelaststraw。Herblueeyeslookedlighterthanusualandhadtheglazeofchinasaucers；herusuallypinkcheekswerepale，butshepressedon，determinedtobeafaithfulDaughterofZion，andabovealltobeworthyofRebecca’sadmirationandrespect。
"Rebeccacandoanything，"shethought，withenthusiasticloyalty，"andImustn’tbeanystupiderthanIcanhelp，orshe’llchooseoneoftheothergirlsforhermostintimatefriend。"So，musteringallhercourage，sheturnedintoJacobMoody’sdooryard，wherehewaschoppingwood。
"It’sapleasantafternoon，Mr。Moody，"shesaidinapolitebuthoarsewhisper，Rebecca’swords，"LEADUP！LEADUP！ringinginclariontonesthroughherbrain。
JacobMoodylookedathercuriously。"Goodenough，Iguess，"hegrowled；"butIdon’tneverhavetimetolookatafternoons。"
EmmaJaneseatedherselftimorouslyontheendofalargelognearthechoppingblock，supposingthatJacob，likeotherhosts，wouldpauseinhistasksandchat。
"Theblockiskindoflikeanidol，"shethought；"IwishIcouldtakeitawayfromhim，andthenperhapshe’dtalk。"
AtthismomentJacobraisedhisaxeandcamedownontheblockwithsuchastunningblowthatEmmaJanefairlyleapedintotheair。
"You’dbetterlookout，Sissy，oryou’llgitchipsintheeye！"
saidMoody，grimlygoingonwithhiswork。
TheDaughterofZionsentupasilentprayerforinspiration，butnonecame，andshesatsilent，givingnervousjumpsinspiteofherselfwhenevertheaxefelluponthelogJacobwascutting。
Finally，thehostbecametiredofhisdumbvisitor，andleaningonhisaxehesaid，"Lookhere，Sis，whathaveyoucomefor？
What’syourerrant？Doyouwantapples？Orcider？Orwhat？Speakout，orGITout，oneort’other。"
EmmaJane，whohadwrungherhandkerchiefintoaclammyball，gaveitalastdespairingwrench，andfaltered："Wouldn’tyoulike——hadn’tyoubetter——don’tyouthinkyou’doughttobemoreconstantatmeetingandSabbathschool？"
Jacob’saxealmostdroppedfromhisnervelesshand，andheregardedtheDaughterofZionwithunspeakablerageanddisdain。
Then，thebloodmountinginhisface，hegatheredhimselftogether，andshouted："Youtakeyourselfoffthatlogandouto’
thisdooryarddouble-quick，youimperdentsanct’omusyoungone！
YoujustletmeketchBillPerkins’childtryingtoteachmewhereIshallgo，atmyage！Scuttle，Itellye！AndifIseeyourpiouscantin’littlemuginsidemyfenceag’inonsechabusinessI’llchaseyedownthehillorsetthedogonye！SCOOT，ITELLYE！"
EmmaJaneobeyedorderssummarily，takingherselfoffthelog，outthedooryard，andotherwisescuttlingandscootingdownthehillatapacenevercontemplatedevenbyJacobMoody，whostoodregardingherflyingheelswithasardonicgrin。
Downshestumbled，thetearscoursingoverhercheeksandminglingwiththedustofherflight；blightedhope，shame，fear，rage，alltearingherbosominturn，tillwithahystericalshriekshefelloverthebarsandintoRebecca’sarmsoutstretchedtoreceiveher。TheotherDaughterswipedhereyesandsupportedheralmostfaintingform，whileThirza，thoroughlyfrightened，burstintosympathetictears，andrefusedtobecomforted。
Noquestionswereasked，foritwasfeltbyallpartiesthatEmmaJane’sdemeanorwasansweringthembeforetheycouldbeframed。
"Hethreatenedtosetthedogonme！"shewailedpresently，when，astheynearedtheSawyerpasture，shewasabletocontrolhervoice。"Hecalledmeapious，cantin’youngone，andsaidhe’dchasemeouto’thedooryardifIevercameagain！Andhe’lltellmyfather——Iknowhewill，forhehateshimlikepoison。"
AllatoncetheadultpointofviewdawneduponRebecca。Sheneversawituntilitwastooobvioustobeignored。HadtheydonewrongininterviewingJacobMoody？WouldAuntMirandabeangry，aswellasMr。Perkins？
"Whywashesodreadful，Emmy？"shequestionedtenderly。"Whatdidyousayfirst？Howdidyouleaduptoit？"
EmmaJanesobbedmoreconvulsively，andwipedhernoseandeyesimpartiallyasshetriedtothink。
"IguessIneverledupatall；notamite。Ididn’tknowwhatyoumeant。Iwassentonanerrant，andIwentanddoneitthebestIcould！（EmmaJane’sgrammaralwayslapsedinmomentsofexcitement。）AndthenJakeroaredatmelikeSquireWinship’sbull……Andhecalledmyfaceamug……Youshutupthatsecretarybook，AliceRobinson！IfyouwritedownasinglewordI’llneverspeaktoyouagain……AndIdon’twanttobeamember’anotherminuteforfearofdrawinganothershortlot。
I’vegotenoughoftheDaughtersorZiontolastmetheresto’
mylife！Idon’tcarewhogoestomeetin’andwhodon’t。"
ThegirlswereatthePerkins’sgatebythistime，andEmmaJanewentsadlyintotheemptyhousetoremovealltracesofthetragedyfromherpersonbeforehermothershouldcomehomefromthechurch。
Theotherswendedtheirwayslowlydownthestreet，feelingthattheirpromisingmissionarybranchhaddiedalmostassoonasithadbudded。
"Goodby，"saidRebecca，swallowinglumpsofdisappointmentandchagrinasshesawthewholeinspiringplanbreakandvanishintothinairlikeaniridescentbubble。"It’salloverandwewon’tevertryitagain。I’mgoingintodoovercastingashardasI
can，becauseIhatethattheworst。AuntJanemustwritetoMrs。
Burchthatwedon’twanttobehomemissionaries。Perhapswe’renotbigenough，anyway。I’mperfectlycertainit’snicertoconvertpeoplewhenthey’reyelloworbrownoranycolorbutwhite；andIbelieveitmustbeeasiertosavetheirsoulsthanitistomakethemgotomeeting。"
ThirdChronicleREBECCA’STHOUGHTBOOK
I
The"Sawyergirls’"barnstillhaditshaymowinRebecca’stime，althoughthehaywasadozenyearsoldormore，and，intheopinionoftheoccasionalvisitinghorse，sadlyjuicelessandwantinginflavor。Itstillsheltered，too，oldDeaconIsraelSawyer’scarryallandmowing-machine，withhispung，hissleigh，andadozenothersurvivalsofanearlierera，whenthebroadacresofthebrickhousewenttomakeoneofthefinestfarmsinRiverboro。
Therewerenohorsesorcowsinthestallsnowadays；nopiggruntingcomfortablyoffuturespareribsinthesty；nohenstopecktheplantsinthecherishedgardenpatch。TheSawyergirlsweregettingoninyears，and，mindfulthatcareoncekilledacat，theyorderedtheirliveswiththeviewofescapingthatparticulardoom，atleast，andsucceededfairlywelluntilRebecca’sadventmadeexistenceatriflemoresensational。
Onceamonthforyearsuponyears，MissMirandaandMissJanehadputtowelsovertheirheadsandmadeasolemnvisittothebarn，takingofftheenameledclothcoverings（occasionallycalled"emmanuelcovers"inRiverboro），dustingtheancientimplements，andsometimessweepingtheheaviestofthecobwebsfromthecorners，orgivingabrushtothefloor。
DeaconIsrael’stotteringladderstillstoodinitsaccustomedplace，proppedagainstthehaymow，andtheheavenlystairwayleadingtoeternalgloryscarcelylookedfairertoJacobofoldthanthistoRebecca。Bymeansofitsdustyroundsshemounted，mounted，mountedfarawayfromtimeandcareandmaidenaunts，farawayfromchildishtasksandchildishtroubles，tothebarnchamber，aplacesofullofgoldendreams，happyreveries，andvaguelongings，that，asherlittlebrownhandsclungtothesidesoftheladderandherfeettrodtheroundscautiouslyinherascent，herheartalmoststoppedbeatinginthesheerjoyofanticipation。
Oncehavinggainedtheheights，thenextthingwastounlatchtheheavydoorsandgivethemagentleswingoutward。Then，oh，evernewParadise！Then，oh，everlovelygreenandgrowingworld！ForRebeccahadthatsomethinginhersoulthat"GivestoseasandsunsetskiesTheunspentbeautyofsurprise。"
AtthetopofGuideBoardhillshecouldseeAliceRobinson’sbarnwithitsshiningweathervane，ahugeburnishedfishthatswamwiththewindandforetoldthedaytoallRiverboro。Themeadow，withitssunnyslopesstretchinguptothepinewoods，wassometimesaflowingsheetofshimmeringgrass，sometimes——whendaisiesandbuttercupswereblooming——avisionofwhiteandgold。Sometimestheshornstubblewouldbedottedwith"thehappyhillsofhay，"andalittlelatertherockmapleontheedgeofthepineswouldstandoutlikeagoldenballagainstthegreen；itsneighbor，thesugarmaple，glowingbesideit，braveinscarlet。
ItwasononeoftheseautumndayswithawintrynipintheairthatAdamLadd（Rebecca’sfavorite"Mr。Aladdin"），aftersearchingforherinfieldandgarden，suddenlynoticedtheopendoorsofthebarnchamber，andcalledtoher。Atthesoundofhisviceshedroppedherpreciousdiary，andflewtotheedgeofthehaymow。Heneverforgotthevisionofthestartledlittlepoetess，bookinonemittenedhand，pencilintheother，darkhairallruffled，withthepicturesqueadditionofanoccasionalgladeofstraw，hercheekscrimson，hereyesshining。
"ASapphoinmittens！"hecriedlaughingly，andathereagerquestiontoldhertolookuptheunknownladyintheschoolencyclopedia，whenshewasadmittedtotheFemaleSeminaryatWareham。
Now，allbeingready，Rebeccawenttoacornerofthehaymow，andwithdrewathickblank-bookwithmottledcovers。Outofherginghamapronpocketcameapencil，abitofrubber，andsomepiecesofbrownpaper；thensheseatedherselfgravelyonthefloor，anddrewaninvertedsoapboxnearertoherforatable。
Thebookwasreverentlyopened，andtherewasaseriousreadingoftheextractsalreadycarefullycopiedtherein。Mostofthemwereapparentlytothewriter’sliking，fordimplesofpleasureshowedthemselvesnowandthen，andsmilesofobviousdelightplayedaboutherface；butonceinawhiletherewasaknittingofthebrowsandasighofdiscouragement，showingthattheartistinthechildwasnotwhollysatisfied。
Thencamethecrucialmomentwhenthebuddingauthorwassupposedlytoberackedwiththethroesofcomposition；butseeminglytherewerenothroes。Othergirlscouldwieldthedarningorcrochetorknittingneedle，andsendthetattingshuttlethroughloopsofthefinestcotton；hemstitch，oversew，braidhairinthirteenstrands，butthepencilwasneverobedientintheirfingers，andthepenandink-potwereahorrorfromearlychildhoodtotheendoftime。
NotsowithRebecca；herpencilmovedaseasilyashertongue，andnomorestrikingsimilecouldpossiblybeused。HerhandwritingwasnotSpencerian；shehadneithertime，norpatience，itistobefeared，forcopybookmethods，andherunformedcharacterswerefrequentlythedespairofherteachers；
butwriteshecould，writeshewould，writeshemustanddid，inseasonandout；fromthetimeshemadepothooksatsix，tillnow，writingwastheeasiestofallpossibletasks；tobeindulgedinassolaceandbalmwhentheterrorsofexamplesinleastcommonmultiplethreatenedtodethronethereason，ortherulesofgrammarloomedhugeandunconquerableinthenearhorizon。
Astospelling，itcametoherinthemainbyfreegrace，andnotbytraining，andthoughsheslippedattimesfromthebeatenpath，herextraordinaryearandgoodvisualmemorykeptherfrommanyorflagrantmistakes。Itwasherintention，especiallywhensayingherprayersatnight，tolookupalldoubtfulwordsinhersmalldictionary，beforecopyingherThoughtsintothesacredbookfortheinspirationofposterity；butwhengeniusburnedwithabrilliantflame，andparticularlywhenshewasinthebarnandthedictionaryinthehouse，impulseasusualcarriedtheday。
TheresitsRebecca，then，intheopendooroftheSawyersbarnchamber——thesunsetdoor。Howmanyatimehadhergrandfather，thegooddeacon，satjustunderneathinhistipped-backchair，whenMrs。Israel’stemperwasuncertain，andtheserenityofthebarnwasincomfortingcontrasttohisownfireside！
Theopendoorsswingingouttothepeacefullandscape，thesolaceofthepipe，notallowedinthe"settin’-room"——howbeautifullythesesimpleagentshaveministeredtothefamilypeaceindaysagone！"IfIhadn’thadmybarnandmystoreBOTH，Icouldn’tneverhavelivedinholymatrimonywithMaryliza！"oncesaidMr。
Watsonfeelingly。
Butthedeacon，lookingonhiswavinggrassfields，histasselingcornandhistimberlands，brightandhonestaswerehiseyes，neversawsuchvisionsasRebecca。Thechild，transplantedfromherhomefarmatSunnybrook，fromthecareoftheoverworkedbuteasy-goingmother，andthecompanionshipofthescantilyfed，scantilyclothed，happy-go-luckybrothersandsisters——shehadindeedfallenonshadydaysinRiverboro。Theblindswereclosedineveryroomofthehousebuttwo，andthesamemighthavebeensaidofMissMiranda’smindandheart，thoughMissJanehadafewwindowsopeningtothesun，andRebeccaalreadyhadherunconscioushandonseveralothers。Brickhouseruleswererigidandmanyforalittlecreaturesofulloflife，butRebecca’sgayspiritcouldnotbepinionedinastraitjacketforlongatatime；itescapedsomehowandwingeditsmerrywayintothesunshineandfreeair；ifshewerenotallowedtosingintheorchard，likethewildbirdshewas，shecouldstillsinginthecage，likethecanary。
II
Ifyouhadopenedthecarefullyguardedvolumewiththemottledcovers，youwouldfirsthaveseenawonderfultitlepage，constructedapparentlyonthesamelinesasanobituary，ortheinscriptiononatombstone，saveforthequantityandvarietyofinformationcontainedinit。Muchofthematterwouldseemtothecaptiouscriticbetteradaptedtothebodyofthebookthantothetitlepage，butRebeccawasapparentlyanxiousthattheprincipalpersonagesinherchronicleshouldbewelldescribedattheoutset。
Sheseemstohavehadaconvictionthatheredityplaysitspartintheevolutionofgenius，andherbeliefthattheworldwillbeinspiredbythepossessionofherThoughtsistooartlesstobeoffensive。Sheevidentlyhasrespectforrichmaterialconfidedtoherteacher，andonecanimagineMissDearborn’swoehadshebeenconfrontedbyRebecca’schosenliteraryexecutorandbiddentodelivercertain"ValuablePoetryandThoughts，"thepropertyofposterity"unlesscarelesslydestroyed。"
THOUGHTBOOKofRebeccaRowenaRandallReallyofSunnybrookFarmButtemporilyofTheBrickHouseRiverboro。
OwnnieceofMissMirandaandJaneSawyerSecondofsevenchildrenofherfather，Mr。L。D。M。Randall（NowatrestinTemperancecemmetaryandtherewillbeamonumentassoonaswepayoffthemortgageonthefarm）
AlsoofhermotherMrs。AureliaRandallIncaseofDeaththebestoftheseThoughtsMaybeprintedinmyRemerniscencesFortheSundaySchoolLibraryatTemperance，MaineWhichneedsmorebooksfearfullyAndIherebyWillandTestamentthemtoMr。AdamLaddWhobought300cakesofsoapfrommeAndthussecuredapremiumAGreatlyNeededBanquetLampFormyfriendstheSimpsons。
HeistheonlyonethatincouragesMywritingRemerniscencesandMyteacherMissDearbornwillHavemuchvaluablePoetryandThoughtsTogivehimunlesscarelesslydestroyed。
ThepicturesarebythesamehandthatWrotetheThoughts。
ITISNOTNOWDECIDEDWHETHERREBECCAROWENARANDALLWILLBEA
PAINTERORANAUTHOR，BUTAFTERHERDEATHITWILLBEKNOWNWHICH
SHEHASBEEN，IFANY。
FINIS
Fromthetitlepage，withitswealthofdetail，anditsunnecessaryandirrelevantinformation，thebookripplesonlikeabrook，andtothewearyreaderofproblemnovelsitmayhavesomethingofthebrook’srefreshingquality。
OURDIARIESMay，187——
AllthegirlsarekeepingadiarybecauseMissDearbornwasverymuchashamedwhentheschooltrusteestoldherthatmostofthegirls’andalloftheboys’compositionsweredisgraceful，andmustbeimproveduponnextterm。Sheaskedtheboystowriteletterstoheronceaweekinsteadofkeepingadiary，whichtheythoughtwasgirlishlikeplayingwithdolls。Theboysthoughtitwasdreadfultohavetowriteletterseverysevendays，butshetoldthemitwasnothalfasbadforthemasitwasforherwhohadtoreadthem。
TomakemydiaryalittledifferentIamgoingtocallitaTHOUGHTBook（writtenjustlikethat，withcapitals）。IhavethoughtsthatInevercanuseunlessIwritethemdown，forAuntMirandaalwayssays，Keepyourthoughtstoyourself。AuntJaneletsmetellhersome，butdoesnotlikemyqueeronesandmytruethoughtsaremostlyqueer。EmmaJanedoesnotmindhearingthemnowandthen，andthatismyonlychance。
IfMissDearborndoesnotlikethenameThoughtBookIwillcallitRemerniscences（writtenjustlikethatwithacapitalR）。
Remerniscencesarethingsyourememberaboutyourselfandwritedownincaseyoushoulddie。AuntJanedoesn’tliketoreadanyotherkindofbooksbutjustlivesofinterestingdeadpeopleandshesaysthatiswhatLongfellow（whowasborninthestateofMaineandweshouldbeveryproudofitandtrytowritelikehim）meantinhispoem：
"LivesofgreatmenallremindusWeshouldmakeourlivessublime，Anddeparting，leavebehindusFootprintsonthesandsoftime。"
IknowwhatthismeansbecausewhenEmmaJaneandIwenttothebeachwithUncleJerryCobbweranalongthewetsandandlookedattheshapesourbootsmade，justasiftheywerestampedinwax。EmmaJaneturnsinherleftfoot（splayfoottheboyscallit，whichisnotpolite）andSethStrouthadjustpatchedoneofmyshoesanditallcameoutinthesandpictures。WhenIlearnedThePsalmofLifeforFridayafternoonspeakingIthoughtI
shouldn’tliketoleaveapatchedfootprint，norhaveEmmaJane’slookcrookedonthesandsoftime，andrightawayIthoughtOh！
WhatasplendidthoughtformyThoughtBookwhenAuntJanebuysmeafifteen-centoneovertoWatson’sstore。
*************
REMERNISCENCES
June，187——
ItoldAuntJaneIwasgoingtobeginmyRemerniscences，andshesaysIamfullyoung，butIremindedherthatCandaceMilliken’ssisterdiedwhenshewasten，leavingnofootprintswhatever，andifIshoulddiesuddenlywhowouldwritedownmyRemerniscences？
AuntMirandasaysthesunandmoonwouldriseandsetjustthesame，anditwasnomatteriftheydidn’tgetwrittendown，andtogoupatticandfindherpiece-bag；butIsaiditwould，astherewasonlyoneofeverybodyintheworld，andnobodyelsecoulddotheirremerniscensingforthem。IfIshoulddietonightIknownowwhowoulddescribemeright。MissDearbornwouldsayonethingandbrotherJohnanother。EmmaJanewouldtrytodomejustice，buthasnowords；andIamgladAuntMirandanevertakesthepeninhand。
Mydictionaryissosmallithasnotmanygenteelwordsinit，andIcannotfindhowtospellRemerniscences，butIrememberfromthecoverofAuntJane’sbookthattherewasan"s"anda"c"closetogetherinthemiddleofit，whichIthoughtfoolishandnotneedful。
Allthegirlsliketheirdairiesverymuch，butMinnieSmelliegotAliceRobinson’swhereshehadhiditundertheschoolwoodpileandreaditallthrough。Shesaiditwasnoworsethanreadinganybody’scomposition，butwetoldheritwasjustlikepeekingthroughakeyhole，orlisteningatawindow，oropeningabureaudrawer。Shesaidshedidn’tlookatitthatway，andI
toldherthatunlesshereyesgotunscealedshewouldneverleaveanykindofasublimefootprintonthesandsoftime。ItoldheradiarywasverysacredasyougenerallypouredyourdeepestfeelingsintoitexpectingnobodytolookatitbutyourselfandyourindulgentheavenlyFatherwhoseeethallthings。
OfcourseitwouldnothurtPersisWatsontoshowherdiarybecauseshehasnotasacredplanandthisisthewayitgoes，forshereadsitoutloudtous：
"Aroseatsixthismorning——（youalwaysariseinadiarybutyousaygetupwhenyoutalkaboutit）。Atebreakfastathalfpastsix。Hadsodabiscuits，coffee，fishhashanddoughnuts。Wipedthedishes，fedthehensandmademybedbeforeschool。Hadagoodarithmeticlesson，butwentdowntwoinspelling。AthalfpastfourplayedhideandcoopintheSawyerpasture。Fedhensandwenttobedateight。"
Shesaysshecan’tputinwhatdoesn’thappen，butasIdon’tthinkherdiaryisinterestingshewillaskhermothertohavemeathashinsteadoffish，withpiewhenthedoughnutsgiveout，andshewillfeedthehensbeforebreakfasttomakeachange。Weareallgoingnowtotryandmakesomethinghappeneverysingledaysothediarieswon’tbesodullandthefootprintssocommon。
*************
ANUNCOMMONTHOUGHT
July187——
Wedugupourrosecakestoday，andthatgavemeagoodRemerniscence。Thewayyoumakerosecakesis，youtaketheleavesoffullblownrosesandmixthemwithalittlecinnamonandasmuchbrownsugarastheywillgiveyou，whichisneverhalfenoughexceptPersisWatson，whoseaffectionateparentslethergotothebarrelintheirstore。Thenyoudouplittlebitslikesedlitzpowders，firstinsoftpaperandtheninbrown，andburytheminthegroundandletthemstayaslongasyoupossiblycanholdout；thendigthemupandeatthem。EmmaJaneandI
stickuplittlesignsovertheholesinthegroundwiththedateweburiedthemandwhenthey’llbedoneenoughtodigup，butwecanneverwait。WhenAuntJanesawusshesaiditwasthefirstthingforchildrentolearn，——nottobeimpatient，——sowhenI
wenttothebarnchamberImadeapoem。
IMPATIENCE
Wedugourrosecakesupoh！alltoosoon。
Twasintheorchardjustatnoon。
TwasinabrightJulyforenoon。
Twasinthesunnyafternoon。
Twasunderneaththeharvestmoon。
Itwasnotthatwayatall；itwasafoggymorningbeforeschool，andIshouldthinkpoetscouldneverpossiblygettoheaven，foritissohardtosticktothetruthwhenyouarewritingpoetry。
EmmaJanethinksitisnobody’sbusinesswhenwedugtherosecakesup。Ilikethelineabouttheharvestmoonbest，butitwouldgiveawrongideaofourlivesandcharacterstothepeoplethatreadmyThoughts，fortheywouldthinkwewereuplatenights，soIhavefixeditlikethis：
IMPATIENCE
Wedugourrosecakesupoh！alltoosoon，Wethoughttheirsweetnesswouldbesuchaboon。
Wene’ersuspicionedtheywouldnotbedoneAfterthreedaysofautumnwindandsun。
Whydidwefromtheearthourtreasuresdraw？
Twasnotforfearthatratormolemightnaw，Anagedauntdothsayimpatiencewasthereason，Shesaysthatyouthiseveroutofseason。
ThatisjustasAuntJanesaidit，anditgavemethethoughtforthepoemwhichisratheruncommon。
*************
ADREADFULQUESTION
September，187——
WHICHHASBEENTHEMOSTBENEFERCENTINFLUENCEONCHARACTER——
PUNISHMENTORREWARD？
ThistrulydreadfulquestionwasgivenusbyDr。Moseswhenhevisitedschooltoday。HeisaSchoolCommittee；notawholeonebutIdonotknowthesingularnumberofhim。Hetolduswecouldaskourfamilieswhattheythought，thoughhewouldratherwewouldn’t，butwemustwriteourownwordsandhewouldhearthemnextweek。
Afterhewentoutandshutthedoorthescholarswereallplungedingloomandyoucouldhaveheardapindrop。AliceRobinsoncriedandborrowedmyhandkerchief，andtheboyslookedasiftheschoolhousehadbeenstruckbylightning。TheworstofallwaspoorMissDearborn，whowillloseherplaceifshedoesnotmakeusbetterscholarssoon，forDr。Moseshasadaughterallreadytoputrightintotheschoolandshecanboardathomeandsaveallherwages。LibbyMosesishername。
MissDearbornstaredoutthewindow，andhermouthandchinshooklikeAliceRobinson’s，forsheknew，ah！alltowell，whatthecomingweekwouldbringforth。
ThenIraisedmyhandforpermissiontospeak，andstoodupandsaid："MissDearborn，don’tyoumind！Justexplaintouswhatbenefercent’meansandwe’llwritesomethingrealinteresting；
forallofusknowwhatpunishmentis，andhaveseenothersgetrewards，anditisnotsobadasubjectassome。"AndDickCarterwhispered，"GOODONYOURHEAD，REBECCA！"whichmeanhewassorryforhertoo，andwouldtryhisbest，buthasnowords。
Thenteachersmiledandsaidbenefercentmeantgoodorhealthyforanybody，andwouldallrisewhothoughtpunishmentmadethebestscholarsandmenandwomen；andeverybodysatstockstill。
Andthensheaskedalltostandwhobelievedthatrewardsproducedthefinestresults，andtherewasamightysoundlikeuntotherushingofwaters，butreallywasourfeetscrapingthefloor，andthescholarsstoodup，anditlookedlikeanarmy，thoughitwasonlynineteen，becauseofthestrongbeliefthatwasinthem。ThenMissDearbornlaughedandsaidshewasthankfulforeverywhippingshehadwhenshewasachild，andLivingPerkinssaidperhapswehadn’tgottothethankfulage，orperhapsherfatherhadn’tusedastrap，andshesaidoh！no，itwashermotherwiththeopenhand；andDickCartersaidhewouldn’tcallthatpunishment，andSamSimpsonsaidsotoo。
IamgoingtowriteaboutthesubjectinmyThoughtBookfirst，andwhenImakeitintoacomposition，Icanleaveoutanythingaboutthefamilyornotgenteel，asthereismuchtorelateaboutpunishmentnotpleasantorniceandhardlypolite。
*************
PUNISHMENT
Punishmentisaverypuzzlything，butIbelieveinitwhenreallydeserved，onlywhenIpunishmyselfitdoesnotalwaysturnoutwell。WhenIleanedoverthenewbridge，andgotmydressallpaint，andAuntSarahCobbcouldn’tgetitout，Ihadtowearitspottedforsixmonthswhichhurtmypride，butwasright。IstayedathomefromAliceRobinson’sbirthdaypartyforapunishment，andwenttothecircusnextdayinstead，butAlice’spartiesareverycoldandstiff，asMrs。Robinsonmakestheboysstandonnewspapersiftheycomeinsidethedoor，andtheblindsarealwaysshut，andMrs。Robinsontellsmehowbadherlivercomplaintisthisyear。SoIthought，topayforthecircusandafewotherthings，Ioughttogetmorepunishment，andIthrewmypinkparasoldownthewell，asthemothersinthemissionarybooksthrowtheirinfantstothecrocodilesintheGangesriver。Butitgotstuckinthechainthatholdsthebucket，andAuntMirandahadtogetAbijahFlaggtotakeoutallthebrokenbitsbeforewecouldringupwater。
IpunishedmyselfthiswaybecauseAuntMirandasaidthatunlessIimprovedIwouldbenothingbutaBurdenandaBlight。
Therewasanoldmanusedtogobyourfarmcarryingalotofbrokenchairstobottom，andmotherusedtosay——"Poorman！Hisbackistooweakforsuchaburden！"andIusedtotakehimoutadoughnut，andthisisthepartIwanttogointotheRemerniscences。OnceItoldhimweweresorrythechairsweresoheavy，andhesaidTHEYDIDN’TSEEMSOHEAVYWHENHEHADETTHE
DOUGHNUT。ThisdoesnotmeanthatthedoughnutwasheavierthanthechairswhichiswhatbrotherJohnsaid，butitisabeautifulthoughtandshowshowthehumanraceshouldhavesympathy，andhelpbearburdens。
IknowaboutaBlight，fortherewasadreadfuleastwindoveratourfarmthatdestroyedallthelittleyoungcropsjustoutoftheground，andthefarmerscalledittheBlight。AndIwouldratherbehail，sleet，frost，orsnowthanaBlight，whichismeanandsecret，andwhichisthereasonIthrewawaythedearestthingonearthtome，thepinkparasolthatMissRossbroughtmefromParis，France。Ihavealsowrappedupmybeadpurseinthreepapersandputitawaymarkednottobeopenedtillaftermydeathunlessneededforaparty。
ImustnotbeBurden，ImustnotbeBlight，Theangelsinheavenwouldweepatthesight。
返回顶部