“Do you suppose its mother is trying to find it?” she continued thoughtfully.
“And would it tell its brothers and sisters all its adventures, just as Mother said?” questioned Luretta.
“Why not?” Anna’s brown eyes sparkled. “Of course it would. Probably Trot is safe home by this time, and all the rabbit family are looking out for Trit.”
Anna looked hopefully toward Luretta. If Trit went free it must be Luretta’s gift. Anna felt that she had no right to decide.
“Let him go, Danna,” said Luretta softly; and very gently Anna released her clasp on the soft little rabbit. It looked quickly up, and with a bound it was across the trail and out of sight.
Both the girls drew a long breath.
“I will tell Paul about Trit’s mother and brothers and sisters,” said Luretta, as they started toward home. “Probably he will laugh; but I guess he will say they ought to be free.”
Both Anna and Luretta were very quiet on the walk home. Anna began to feel tired. It seemed to her that a great deal had happened since morning. She remembered the liberty pole, with a little guilty sense of having been more interested in the rabbits, and in Melvina and Luretta, than in the safety of the emblem of freedom. But she was glad that Luretta was no longer angry at her.
“You don’t care much about the rabbits, do you, Danna?” Luretta asked, as they stopped near Luretta’s house to say good-bye.
“I am glad they are free,” replied Anna. “It would be dreadful to have giants catch us, wouldn’t it?”