"
What Thoughts came out of the knothole to Rebecca Mary she never
told to any one. It was nearly dark when she went away, planting
her feet firmly, holding her head straight--Rebecca Mary Plummer.
She went to find Aunt Olivia and tell her. On the way, she
stopped to get Aunt Olivia's shawl, for it was getting chilly out
on the porch. Significantly the first thing Rebecca Mary did
after she began to grow up was to get the shawl and lay it over
Aunt Olivia's spare shoulders. The second thing was to bend to
the scant gray hair and lightly rub it with her cheek. It was a
Rebecca Mary kiss.
Out in front of the rocking chair, still straight and firm, she
told Aunt Olivia.
"It's over--I think I put everything in," she said. "I thought
you ought to know, so I came to tell you. I'm ready to grow up."
After all, if Rebecca Mary had known, her "programme" had not
ended with Article VI. Here was another. Take the pencil in your
steady little fingers, Rebecca Mary, and write:
Article VII.--Growing up. (Do not break Aunt Olivia's heart.)
Un-Plummered
Aunt Olivia sighed. It was the third time since she had begun to
let Rebecca Mary down. The third sigh was the longest one. Oh, this
letting down of children who would grow up!
"I won't do it!" Aunt Olivia rebelled, fiercely, but she took up her
scissors again at Duty's nudge.
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