Chapter 10 The Wonderful Lamp.
The lamp arrived at the Simpsons' house on Thanksgiving Day, just as Mr Aladdin had promised it would.
Cecil Simpson took it out of the large packing crate himself and set it up in the living room.
The whole family gathered around to see the lamp.
Over at the Brick House, Thanksgiving dinner had just finished.
As they had for the past twenty-five years.
Miranda and Jane had invited Mr and Mrs Cobb to celebrate the holiday with them.
With the dinner dishes washed, Rebecca sat with a book and tried to read.
More than anything else, she wanted to go see the Simpsons' lamp.
The idea of it lighting up their house with all its glory sparkled in her imagination.
It was nearly five o'clock when she finally asked her Aunt Miranda if she could go to the Simpsons' house.
Why do you want to run around with those Simpson children on Thanksgiving Day?
Miranda asked.
For once, it might be a good idea to just sit still.
The Simpsons have a new lamp, and Emma Jane and I promised to go see it.
We thought we'd make it a party, Rebecca replied.
Where did they get a brand new lamp?
They got it as a prize for selling soap, Rebecca answered.
They've been working hard all year.
Remember, Emma Jane and I helped them the weekend that you and Aunt Jane were in Portland.
I don't remember, but that's fine.
I guess you can go for an hour.
Just be careful.
It gets mighty dark by six o'clock this time of year.
Miranda looked closely at Rebecca.
What's that making your pocket sag?
It's my nuts and raisins from dinner, Rebecca replied.
Why didn't you eat them?
Because I was full and thought they would be good for the party, Rebecca said softly.
She hated being scolded in front of company, especially Mr. and Mrs. Cobb.
Aunt Jane said quickly, They were your own, Rebecca.
If you want to save them to share with your friends, that's just fine.
It is Thanksgiving after all.
Rebecca smiled and thanked her aunts before running off to call on Emma Jane.
Mr. and Mrs. Cobb gave her a warm hug before she left.
They said they had never seen a girl improve so fast in such a short period of time.
There's plenty of room left for improvement, Aunt Miranda said.
She's always falling into mischief of all the foolish things selling soap for lamps.
Well, the Simpsons must have done a good job of it, Mrs. Cobb said.
Adam Ladd from North Riverboro said the girl who sold him the soap was charming and quite remarkable.
It must have been Clara Bell Simpson, although I'd never call her remarkable, Miranda replied.
Is Adam at home again?
Yes, Mrs. Cobb replied.
He's been staying with his aunt.
She told me that Adam was so impressed with the girl who sold him the soap that he's planning on bringing her a Christmas present.
Apparently he was completely taken by the child's dark hair and eyes, Mrs. Cobb said.
Well, that's strange, Miranda said, especially considering that Clara Bell has crossed eyes and red hair.
Jane changed the subject then and asked after the Cobb's zone farm.
She knew almost immediately that Mr Ladd must have met Rebecca, who else had brilliant eyes and a remarkable way about her.
Meanwhile, Rebecca met Emma Jane at the corner.
They hugged each other quickly and started off toward the Simpsons.
I've got terrible news, Emma Jane whispered.
No, oh no, Rebecca cried.
Please don't tell me the lamp broke on the way there.
It's not broken, Imogene said.
It's that the Simpsons have no wicks and no lamp oil.
My mother's given me some oil, but Cecil had to go down to the neighbor's house to see if he could borrow a wick.
Let's not worry about how they'll keep the lamp lit right now.
I've got nuts, berries, and apples for the party, Rebecca said.
Yes, and I've got peppermints and maple sugar, Emma Jane added.
The Simpsons finally had a real Thanksgiving dinner tonight.
The doctor gave them sweet potatoes and cranberries and turnips.
Father sent some spare ribs, and Mrs. Cobb gave them a chicken and some mincemeat.
The two girls knocked quietly at the door.
Seesaw let them in, and they saw the lamp at once.
It was beautiful.
Rebecca gasped and said, It's perfect.
The party was great fun.
The lamp stood on its table in the corner, looking glorious.
Each child took a turn standing in front of it.
The brass shone like gold.
The crimson paper glowed like ruby.
They were all just so thrilled.
Emma Jane held tightly to Rebecca's hand.
Soon it came time to leave.
Rebecca had to drag herself away.
I'll turn the lamp off the minute I think you're home, Clara Bell promised.
I wonder how long it will burn with the small bit of oil we have.
At that moment, Seesaw came into the room and said, You needn't worry about having no oil.
There's a great keg of it out by the shed.
Someone from North Riverboro sent it.
Rebecca squeezed Emma Jane's hand tightly.
I bet it was Mr. Aladdin, she whispered.
Cecil took the girls out to the gate and asked if he could walk them home.
Rebecca and Emma thanked him, but said they'd be fine on their own.
As usual, the girls parted at the crossroads.
When Rebecca got home, she found her aunt's knitting in the living room.
She quickly told them that the party was wonderful.
'Aunt Jane, Aunt Miranda, if you come to the window you can see the lamp shining all red at the Simpsons' house'.
"'It'll probably set that house right on fire,' Aunt Miranda said.
Jane went to the window to look at the lamp with Rebecca.
She wanted to ask her niece about who had really sold the three hundred cakes of soap.
"'Rebecca, who was it that sold the soap to Mr. Ladd in North Riverboro?
Was it the Simpsons' sisters, or was it you?'
Mr. Who?
Rebecca asked.
Mr. Ladd in North Riverboro.
Is that his real name?
She asked.
Laughing to herself, she said quietly, I didn't make such a bad guess then.
Rebecca, Aunt Jane said sturdily.
I asked, who sold the soap to Adam Ladd?
Adam Ladd, the girl giggled again.
He's a lad, too.
What fun.
Rebecca?
Rebecca?
I'm sorry, Aunt Jane.
Emma Jane and I sold the soap to Mr. Ladd.
Did you tease him or make him buy all that soap?
Now, Aunt Jane, how could I make a grown-up buy all that soap if he didn't want to?
He said it was a present for his aunt.
Jane didn't quite know what to say.
She looked at Rebecca and saw her hair falling out of its braids and her eyes sparkling.
Her niece was sensitive and sweet as a rose, but as strong as an oak tree at the same time.
Rebecca, she said with a sigh, you look like you've got the energy of that lamp burning inside you.
I wish you could take things easier.
I do worry.
Rebecca nodded.
The two stood at the window for a long time after that and watched the faint light in the distance.
