"You've got to spunk up an' go, if you don't feel like it," said her
mother. "You'll feel better for it afterwards. There ain't no use in
givin' up so. I'm goin' to get you a new crimson woollen dress, an'
I'm goin' to have you go out more'n you've done lately."
"I--don't want a new dress," returned Rebecca, with wild sobs.
"Well, I'm goin' to get you one to-morrow," said her mother. "Now go
an' wash your face an' do up your hair, an' get ready. You can wear
your brown dress, with the cherry ribbon in your hair, to-night."
"I don't--feel fit to, mother," moaned Rebecca, piteously.
But Deborah would not listen to her. She made her get ready for the
husking-party, and looked at her with pride when she stood all
dressed to go, in the kitchen.
"You look better than you've done for some time," said she, "an' that
brown dress don't look bad, either, if you have had it three winters.
I'm goin' to get you a nice new crimson woollen this winter. I've had
my mind made up to for some time."
After Rebecca had gone and Ephraim had said his catechism and gone to
bed, Deborah sat and knitted, and planned to get the crimson dress
for Rebecca the next day.
She looked over at Caleb, who sat dozing by the fire. "I'll go
to-morrow, if he ain't got to spend all that last interest-money for
the parish taxes an' cuttin' that wood," said she.
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