Anne

           NeverhadsuchjoyreignedinthenurseryoftheLargeFamily.Neverhadtheydreamedofsuchdelightsasresultedfromanintimateacquaintancewiththelittle-girl-who-was-not-a-beggar.Themerefactofhersufferingsandadventuresmadeherapricelesspossession.Everybodywantedtobetoldoverandoveragainthethingswhichhadhappenedtoher.Whenonewassittingbyawarmfireinabig,glowingroom,itwasquitedelightfultohearhowcolditcouldbeinanattic.Itmustbeadmittedthattheatticwasratherdelightedin,andthatitscoldnessandbarenessquitesankintoinsignificancewhenMelchisedecwasremembered,andoneheardaboutthesparrowsandthingsonecouldseeifoneclimbedonthetableandstuckone’sheadandshouldersoutoftheskylight.

           Ofcoursethethinglovedbestwasthestoryofthebanquetandthedreamwhichwastrue.Saratolditforthefirsttimethedayaftershehadbeenfound.SeveralmembersoftheLargeFamilycametotaketeawithher,andastheysatorcurleduponthehearth-rugshetoldthestoryinherownway,andtheIndiangentlemanlistenedandwatchedher.Whenshehadfinishedshelookedupathimandputherhandonhisknee.

           "Thatismypart,"shesaid."Nowwon’tyoutellyourpartofit,UncleTom?"Hehadaskedhertocallhimalways"UncleTom.""Idon’tknowyourpartyet,anditmustbebeautiful."