“The little maid has told me all about it. You were not greatly to blame, Jimmie. And the trip turned out all right.”
“I saw my father,” said Anne, and then ran away toward home, leaving Captain Enos to tell of the visit to Boston.
Aunt Martha had seen the sloop come to anchor, and was waiting at the door to welcome Anne.
“Uncle Enos and I have a secret with my father,” Anne whispered to Mrs. Stoddard, “and we have been to Newburyport.” And then the story of the wonderful trip was told, and Anne showed Mrs. Stoddard how she had curtseyed to the squire.
“Well! Well!” exclaimed the good woman in amazement. “It does seem as if you had all sorts of adventures, Anne. To think of Enos undertaking such a thing. I’m proud of you both. ’twill be a fine story to tell your grandchildren, Anne. How you carried news from Boston patriots to Newburyport. But do not speak of it till we are through with all these troublous days.” And again Anne promised to keep silent.
“To think you should run off like that, child,” continued Aunt Martha. “When Jimmie Starkweather came up and told me you were gone I could scarce believe him till I had climbed the stairs to the loft and found no trace of you. But I am right glad you wore your shoes and stockings. Where did the blue cape come from?”
By this time they were in the kitchen, and Anne had put down the box that held her hat.
“Mrs. Freeman gave it to me,” she replied, “and see! I have a new hat!” and she opened the box and took out the pretty hat.
“I thought thy uncle would take thee straight to Mistress Freeman,” said Mrs. Stoddard.
“And we found my father,” went on Anne happily, “and he sent thee this,” and she drew the gold piece from her pocket and gave it to Mrs. Stoddard.