The visitors were warmly welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Freeman.
“I couldn’t be satisfied, after this fine saddle came, until I had taken a journey,” declared Aunt Anne Rose, with a happy little laugh. “And my boys were sure that they could keep house without us, so Silas and I started off. Having nieces to visit I felt as if I must come.”
“Anne Rose has never been in Boston before, and she thinks it must be as large as London itself,” said Mr. Pierce.
“There are indeed many places to see,” said Mrs. Freeman, “and it will be a great pleasure for us to show them to Mrs. Pierce.”
“There is Mistress Mason’s shop,” suggested Anne.
“And Governor Hancock’s fine house,” added Rose.
“And the wharves and shipyards,” said Frederick.
As they talked the little party moved toward the house. Rose ran to the kitchen to help Caroline prepare an early supper, and Mrs. Freeman sent Anne to show the visitors to the big spare chamber.
“I wear my fine hat every day,” said Anne, as she and Aunt Anne Rose went up the stairs together.
“I really think that we must take Anne back to Scituate with us,” said Mr. Pierce. “What do you say, Anne?”