"I can't help feeling that if we just collect scraps of happiness," she said shyly, "and cut and stitch and tack happiness into the quilt, all in secret, that Miss Roxy'd feel warmer in it, though, of course, she'd never guess why." "Well," answered Candace, a little unconvinced but generously approving, "I think it couldn't do any harm to try." "And there's just one person we might tell, for she'd understand and help us get the right pieces without telling our secret, and that's teacher." This suggestion from Persis Watson. Rebecca clapped her hands delightedly. "Now here comes the greatest piece of news, and I've been saving it up till the end! I did tell Miss Dearborn, last evening. I couldn't help it, because I couldn't be sure my idea wasn't foolish till one other person had heard it--and what do you think she told me? She's engaged to be married! Miss Dearborn's engaged to be married!" This was chanted joyously while Rebecca skipped over the pine-needle carpet in circles and waved her arms triumphantly. A chorus of "Oh!" and "Ah!" and "Who to?" woke the echoes. Rebecca sat down again cross-legged and proceeded to the telling of a tale which from the beginning of the world has evoked the keenest joy in the narrator and the most rapt attention from the audience. "How did she happen to tell you first?" asked Persis with a spice of envy in her tone. "Just because I was there almost at the very identical minute when He went away." "Who? Her beau?" inquired Alice, blushing to the roots of her hair. "Yes; and she'd never tell Mrs. Bangs a thing like _that_!" (Mrs. Bangs was a lady of difficult temper with whom Miss Dearborn boarded as painlessly as possible.) "Don't you know how you feel when you're full to bursting with splendid news? That's how Miss Dearborn was. Do you remember the tall gentleman that came from Hartford two Saturday nights and went to meeting with her next day?" "Yes!" in chorus. "Was that him?" (Miss Dearborn spoke and taught good English; but there are some things that human beings are powerless to teach--or learn!) "Yes. His name is Robert Hunt, and teacher says he's an ab-so-lute-ly glorious man!" "I didn't know there was any glorious men," said Persis. "I wisht I'd looked at him harder in meetin'. When they goin' to be married?" "Not till next summer, though he's pleaded for an early date. (That's what she said.) She wants to teach here till the spring term's over so's to buy her wedding clothes, and aren't you glad we'll have her one more winter? Now, why doesn't somebody ask me what my news is?" "Gracious! Is there any more?" they cried.