A Little Maid of Old Maine | Page 5

mother and ask permission to
go to the shore with Luretta Foster, a girl of about her own age. Mrs.
Weston gave her consent, and in a few moments the little girl was
running along the river path toward the blacksmith shop where a short
path led to Luretta's home.
Anna often thought that there could not be another little girl in all the
world as pretty as Luretta. Luretta was not as tall or as strongly made as
Anna; her eyes were as blue as the smooth waters of the harbor on a
summer's day; her hair was as yellow as the floss on an ear of corn, and
her skin was not tanned brown like Anna's, but was fair and delicate.
Beside her Anna looked more like a boy than ever. But Luretta admired
Anna's brown eyes and short curly hair, and was quite sure that there
was no other little girl who could do or say such clever things as Anna
Weston. So the two little girls were always well pleased with each
other's company, and to-day Luretta was quite ready to go down to the
shore and watch for the Polly. Mrs. Foster tied on the big sunbonnet

which Luretta always wore out-of-doors, and the two friends started
off.
"Will it not be fine if the Polly reaches harbor to-day?" said Anna. "My
father says she will bring sugar and molasses and spices, and it may be
the Unity will come sailing in beside her loaded with things from far
lands. Do you not wish our fathers were captains of fine sloops, Luretta,
so that perhaps we could go sailing off to Boston?"
But Luretta shook her head. "I'd much rather journey by land," she
answered; "but 'tis said the Polly is to bring a fine silk gown for
Mistress Lyon; 'tis a present from her sister in Boston, and two dolls for
Melvina Lyon. Why is it that ministers' daughters have so many gifts?"
and Luretta sighed. Her only doll was made of wood, and, though it
was very dear to her, Luretta longed for a doll with a china head and
hands, such as the fortunate little daughter of the minister already
possessed.
"I care not for Melvina Lyon, if she be a minister's daughter," Anna
responded bravely. "She can do nothing but sew and knit and make fine
cakes, and read from grown-up books. She is never allowed to go
fishing, or wade in the cove on warm days, or go off in the woods as I
do. I doubt if Melvina Lyon could tell the difference 'twixt a partridge
and heron, or if she could tell a spruce tree from a fir. And as for
presents, hers are of no account. They are but dolls, and silver thimbles
and silk aprons. Why! did not my father bring me home a fine beaver
skin for a hood, and a pair of duck's wings, and a pair of moccasins the
very last time he went north!" And Anna, out of breath, looked at her
friend triumphantly.
"But Melvina's things are all bought in stores in big towns, and your
presents are all from the woods, just as if you were a little Indian girl,"
objected Luretta, who greatly admired the ruffled gowns of Melvina's
dolls, such as no other little girl in the settlement possessed.
Anna made no response to this; but she was surprised that Luretta
should not think as she did about the value of her gifts, and rather
vexed that Melvina Lyon should be praised by her own particular

friend.
The girls had passed the sawmill and lumber yard, and now turned
from the well-traveled path to climb a hill where they could catch the
first glimpse of any sail entering the harbor. Farther along this bluff
stood the church, not yet quite finished, and beyond it the house of the
minister, the Reverend James Lyon, whose little daughter, Melvina,
was said to be the best behaved and the smartest girl in the settlement.
Although only ten years old Melvina had already "pieced" four
patchwork quilts and quilted them; and her neat stitches were the
admiration of all the women of the town. But most of the little girls
were a little in awe of Melvina, who never cared to play games, and
always brought her knitting or sewing when she came for an afternoon
visit.
Anna and Luretta sat down on the short grass, and for a few moments
talked of the Polly, and looked in vain for the glimmer of a sail.
"Look, Danna! Here comes Melvina now," whispered Luretta, whose
quick ears had caught the sound of steps.
Anna looked quickly around. "She's all dressed up," she responded.
"See, her skirts set out all around her like a wheel."
Melvina