Chapter 16 Roses of Joy.
The day before Rebecca was to set off on her trip with Miss Maxwell, she went to the library with Emma, Jane and Hulda.
They had just finished studying and were on their way out when they stopped to look at the books in the glass case by the front entrance.
These shelves held the special fiction books that students were not allowed to read while they had their studies to concentrate on.
A new book called The Rose of Joy caught Rebecca's eye.
What does it mean? she wondered out loud.
The three girls stopped to talk about it for a minute.
Emma Jane thought it meant success.
Hulda said that her rose of joy would be spending a year in the city, dressed in the latest fashion.
Rebecca announced that it must mean love.
Imogene agreed that this was the best guess.
Rebecca and Imogene were still thinking about the title of the book that evening.
It kept both of them up, whispering well past the time they should be sleeping.
They talked on and on about the possible meanings.
Could it be helpfulness?
Could it be doing something perfectly like a painting or a poem?
I think it could be any of those things Emma Jane said sleepily before she drifted off to her dreamland.
Rebecca lay awake for hours afterward, wondering what the rose of joy truly was.
The next morning, she left for her vacation.
It was all so inspiring.
The ocean and the strange new sights worked their magic.
Within three days, Rebecca felt much better.
She and Miss Maxwell had wonderful talks and spent hours walking by the water.
The two got along very well.
During this time, Rebecca thought a lot about Mr. Ladd's essay competition.
She wanted to win, if only to prove that she was worthy of his friendship.
I'd like to talk with you about the topics I've been thinking about, Rebecca said to Miss Maxwell.
That way you can tell me which one you think I could write the best.
The subject is important, Miss Maxwell said.
I dare not choose one for you.
But I think of a new one every night.
I don't know how to pick.
You just need to choose one and get started.
I find that's always the best way.
Have you ever heard of the Rose of Joy?
Rebecca asked.
Yes, of course.
Where did you see that?
I saw it in the library the day before we left.
Do you know what it means?
I'm afraid it's very hard to explain.
Oh, please try, Miss Maxwell.
I've been thinking about it for so long.
Miss Maxwell told Rebecca that the poem dealt with themes of sorrow and joy.
She said that the title came from a line in the verse.
Rebecca listened closely to what her teacher said.
''That's it!''
Rebecca exclaimed.
''That's what I'll write my essay about.
I'm going to write about my very own Rose of Joy.''
And write it she did.
Rebecca's essay won the girl's prize and with it a hard-earned fifty dollars which she sent home to help with the mortgage.
There was even a ceremony at the school where Rebecca shook the governor's hand.
Her aunts, the Cobbs, and many other friends and family were in the audience to see her moment of glory.
She was nervous standing in front of all the people, but she was also very proud.
She had worked hard and absolutely deserved to win.
Chapter 17 The Vision Splendid.
In the year after Rebecca won the essay contest, Hulda graduated from school.
Now, it was just Emma, Jane and Rebecca who took the train during the warmer months and boarded in the winter.
Rebecca was extremely busy with her studies.
She expected to graduate at the end of the school year.
Her days at her aunt's house were often filled with hard work as well.
Rebecca did her very best to help them wherever she could.
Her Aunt Miranda's health had improved, and the two were getting along better than they ever had.
The days flew by.
Soon, classes were finished, and she was all set to graduate from the Wareham School.
On the day of her graduation, Rebecca woke, jumped out of bed, and looked out the window.
The sun was shining brightly in the sky.
Emma Jane opened her eyes and said, ''Oh, it's a beautiful day.
I'm so happy the weather is good.''
Rebecca laughed.
I'm thankful too.
Now.
If only I could get the class poem out of my head to make room for everything else I have to remember for today.
The excitement felt in their little room echoed all across town.
Mothers and fathers of the students had been arriving for a week.
The town was bustling with the events of the day.
The streets were filled with people wearing their best clothes.
The girls had been making Rebecca's dress for weeks.
They had only just finished it the night before.
That morning, the two girls dressed in the room for the last time.
"'Emma Jane was going to Miss Rebecca, "'who had been offered two different teaching positions.
"'One was as an assistant to a music teacher at another boarding school.
"'The other was as an assistant at the Edgewood High School.
"'Miss Maxwell thought the second job would be better "'as it would further Rebecca's own education.
"'She would be able to take classes at the local college.
"'Emma,' Rebecca said as she looked at her friend, "'don't you dare cry.
I'm about to cry myself.'
She hugged her friend and said I must go now or else I'll miss the coach taking us all to the ceremony.
Rebecca sat high in the coach as the horses trotted along.
She saw Mr. Ladd and waved.
He waved back.
As he walked toward the school for the ceremony, he heard a tiny sob behind him.
Why, Emma Jane, is that you?
What's wrong? he asked kindly.
Oh, Mr Ladd, Rebecca maybe promised not to cry in front of her, but now that she's gone off, I just had to.
She's leaving a year early and I know she worked so hard to do that.
But I'm going to miss her so much.
The pair walked toward the old meeting house where the ceremony was to be held.
The inside was decorated with white, green, and yellow ribbons.
When Rebecca looked into the audience, she saw her sister Hannah and her brother John.
Her mother had stayed behind at Sunnybrook Farm to watch her other siblings.
There was no money for a new dress anyway.
The Cobbs were there as well.
Mr. Cobb was beaming with pride.
Rebecca knew Aunt Miranda couldn't come because her health was still too fragile, but she was surprised when she couldn't find Aunt Jane.
Rebecca sang at the top of her voice with the other students.
They sang their class song and the school's anthem.
The speeches went off without a hitch.
Even Rebecca's class poem went over well.
And then it was all over.
Each girl went forward to bow and receive her diploma.
Afterward, Rebecca found Mr. Ladd.
He was smiling at her.
Are you proud, sir? she asked him.
He looked at her and said, The proudest I've been in my life.
Just then Mr. and Mrs. Cobb came over.
She introduced them to Mr. Ladd and asked, Where is Aunt Jane?
I'm sorry, young miss, Mr. Cobb said.
We've got some sad news for you.
Is Aunt Miranda worse?
She looked at them.
Oh, she is.
I can see it in your eyes.
She had a stroke, dearie, yesterday morning.
Jane said we weren't to tell you until the ceremony was all over and done with.
Mrs. Cobb said, I'll go right home with you both, Rebecca said.
Poor Aunt Miranda to think of how poorly she must feel, and I've been so happy all day long.
Now, now, Mrs. Cobbs said, your aunt said that she's doing much better.
Jane made us promise that you'd not rush home.
Mr. Ladd said, I'll take you home tomorrow, Rebecca, if that's all right with Cobbs.
Thank you, Mr. Ladd, thank you, Rebecca said.
Rebecca had been home at the old brick house for several days before Aunt Miranda asked for her.
When she finally went upstairs, she was shocked at how sickly her aunt looked.
Her thin body looked frail under the sheets.
Come right in, child, Aunt Miranda said.
I'm not dead yet.
Rebecca stepped into the room and tried not to cry.
They spoke about her graduation and about Sunnybrook Farm.
In her own way, Aunt Miranda told Rebecca that she was very proud of her for finishing school.
And Rebecca, in her own way, told her aunt how thankful she was for all that she had given her.
Rebecca stayed by her aunt's side, holding her hand until the sun went down.
Then she and her aunts shared supper together one last time.
It was a quiet, peaceful evening.
When Jane and Rebecca woke the next morning, they found that Miranda had passed away in her sleep.
They wept together and knew they would miss her terribly.
Now, Rebecca, Aunt Jane asked, you aren't still upset with her about how she raised you? are you?
Oh, Aunt Jane, Rebecca replied, of course not.
Being here with the two of you made me who I am, and I'm proud of that, very proud.
Coming to the old brick house had certainly been the making of Rebecca.
The death of a loved one is so bittersweet, especially when one learns of their kindnesses.
For Miranda had willed the old brick house to Rebecca.
She and Jane had made plans for Rebecca's family to come and live there once they could sell Sunnybrook Farm and finally pay off their mortgage.
Life begins again with a whole new family to grow up within the walls of a great house.
And Rebecca?
Her own future was close at hand.
She had so many possibilities, good friends and the support of her dear Mr. Aladdin.
She leaned her head against the door and looked out across the lens.
Then she said, Bless the brick house.
Bless Aunt Miranda.
Bless everything that is to be.
