“I planned to teach the child a little before school begins,” explained Mrs. Stoddard, “from Captain Enos’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress.’ His mother bought the book in Boston, and he treasures it.”
“And no wonder,” replied Mrs. Starkweather; “beside the Bible there are few books in any household in the settlement. I doubt if the minister can lay claim to a half dozen. He has his knowledge in his head.”
“And so should all people have,” said Mrs. Stoddard. “Anne, go to the big red chest in my bedroom and take out the book that lays there and fetch it to me. Mayhap Mistress Starkweather would like to see it.”
Anne quickly obeyed. The big red chest was one that Captain Enos had carried when he went on whaling voyages. It had handles of twisted rope, and a huge padlock swung from an iron loop in front. Anne lifted the top and reached in after the book; but the chest was deep; there were only a few articles on the bottom of the chest, and she could not reach it. So she pushed the lid back until it rested against the wall, and stepped into the chest, stooping down to pick up the book. As she leaned over, bang,—down came the lid to the chest, shutting Anne closely in. For an instant the child was too frightened to move, as she lay on her face in the big chest; then she tried to sit up, and found she could not. She tried to call “Aunt Martha,” but her voice sounded thick and muffled.
In the kitchen the two neighbors sat waiting for Anne and the book.
“Anne! Anne!” called Mrs. Stoddard. “Why, the child is usually so spry. I wonder what keeps her,” and she went into the bedroom.
“Did Anne slip out while we talked?” she called back to Mrs. Starkweather. “She’s not here.”
Just then there came a sound from the chest. “Pity’s sake!” exclaimed Mrs. Stoddard. “I do believe Anne is in the chest,” and she hastened to swing back the big lid and to lift the half-stifled child out.
“Did you ever!” she said. “How came you in the chest, child?”
“I got in to get the book and the lid fell on me,” half whispered Anne, clinging to Mrs. Stoddard’s skirts.