Anna on the Farm

by Mary Downing Hahn

  No matter what Father says, Mother isn't convinced. But Anna thinks it's an adventure to go to a different church. She wants to see how they do things there.

  Just as the horses pull the wagon into the churchyard, the steeple bell begins to ring. "Hurry," Aunt Aggie says. "We'll be late!"

  Anna and Theodore jump down from the wagon and race each other up the steps. Uncle George catches Theodore's arm at the door. "Walk into church," he says quietly.

  Anna is pleased that her family takes up a whole pew. Back home in the city she, Mother, and Father squeeze in at the end of someone else's pew.

  The church is small and crowded and warm. People wave little straw fans to cool themselves. Anna sees many of the people she met at the dinner and dance. They are quiet and serious today.

  Nell sits with her parents in the front row. Her shiny hair is piled on her head, making her look very grown up. Today she's wearing a pretty white dress with pink roses printed all over it.

  Emory Harrison sits a few rows behind Nell. He watches her while the minister preaches. Anna decides he's definitely in love with Nell. She wonders if a boy will look at her like that someday. She hopes so.

  Mother gives Anna a little poke with her finger. "Pay attention," she whispers. "Church is church."

  Anna frowns and sits up straight. So far the biggest difference is that Reverend Johnson speaks in English instead of Latin. She tries to listen to every word he says, but the church is hot and stuffy and it's hard to pay attention. A fly buzzes around her head. She swats it away, and it lands on Theodore's nose. He swats it, too. The fly flits from person to person, causing a stir wherever it lands. Anna covers her mouth to hide a smile.

  When church is over, groups of grownups gather outside to talk. The children scatter across the grass, laughing and calling to each other. Anna sees Nell with her family. She hurries to catch up with her so she can say good-bye.

  "You're leaving today?" Nell asks.

  "On the twelve-fifteen train," Anna says sadly. "But I hope to come back next year and stay longer. Maybe the whole summer."

  Nell smiles. "I'll take you riding on Silver Heels again. And I promise you'll go home dry."

  Anna hops from one foot to the other and claps her hands. "I love your horse," she cries. "When I get home I'm going to tell everyone about him and how we fell in the creek together. It was so much fun."

  Out of the corner of her eye, Anna sees Emory Harrison lingering in the graveyard as if he's memorizing the names on the tombstones. "Emory's right over there," she tells Nell. "I think he's waiting to say hello to you. He was looking at you all during church. I doubt he heard a word Reverend Johnson said."

  Nell blushes again. "Father says fifteen is too young to have a beau," she says. "If he catches Emory hanging around, he'll send him packing."

  Anna pictures poor Emory leaving Beltsville carrying a little straw suitcase like hers, all sad and downhearted. "How old do you have to be to have a beau?" she asks.

  "Eighteen," Nell says.

  "Three whole years," Anna says. "That's a long time. You'll be a grown-up lady by then."

  Nell sighs. "I know."

  "Anna," Father calls, "it's time to go."

  Anna seizes Nell's hand. "Will you write a letter to me?" she asks. "I promise I'll write back if you do."

  Nell squeezes Anna's hand. "I'll get your address from your aunt," she promises, "and then I'll write you a nice long letter."

  Anna hops up and down again. "Be sure and tell me all about Emory Harrison," she whispers. "No matter what your father says, I just know he's going to be your best beau."

  Nell laughs. "You may be right."

  Anna's father calls again. She gives Nell a good-bye hug and runs toward the wagon. For once she gets there ahead of Theodore. As she settles herself between Father and Mother, she sees Emory walking toward Nell, looking tall and handsome in his Sunday suit.

  Anna nudges Theodore. "Emory's in love with Nell," she says. "And Nell's in love with him. But don't tell anyone. It's a secret."

  Theodore makes a gagging sound to show what he thinks of such foolishness, but Anna smiles happily.

  At the depot, Anna and Theodore sit side by side on a baggage cart and stare down the tracks. Each hopes to be the first to spot the train, but they both see the smoke at the same time. They look at each other.

  "Here it comes," Anna says sadly.

  Theodore doesn't say anything. He jumps off the baggage cart and watches the train come closer and closer. Anna runs to join him, but he ignores her.

  "Someday I'll go away on a train, too," he says. "I'll go much farther than Baltimore. All the way across the country, maybe."

  Anna stares at Theodore. She wants to ask why he sounds so cross, but the train is making too much noise. The engine thunders to a stop, shaking the platform and sending up a cloud of steam. Passengers leave the cars.

  It's time to leave. Anna hugs and kisses her aunt and uncle. "Thank you for inviting me to the farm," she cries. "Maybe I can come back next summer and stay even longer."

  Everyone laughs except Mother, who blushes. "Anna," she whispers. "You mustn't invite yourself."

  "It's all right, Lizzie," Uncle George says, grinning down at Anna. "We'll always be glad to have Anna visit. It was a pleasure to have her with us."

  Anna looks at Theodore. He's still standing by himself, his hands jammed in his pockets, his head down. He isn't looking at Anna. This hurts her feelings.

  "Aren't you going to say good-bye to me?" she asks.

  "Good-bye," Theodore mutters. He still doesn't look at Anna.

  The conductor calls "All aboard for Baltimore!"

  Father takes Anna's suitcase. Mother takes Anna's hand. "Come along, Anna. We have to board the train," she says.

  Theodore stands where he is, watching an ant crawl over his shoe as if that's more interesting than Anna. Anna allows Mother to lead her up the steps and into the train. She takes a seat by the window and sticks her head out to wave to Aunt Aggie and Uncle George. The train begins to move.

  At last Theodore looks up. To her amazement, Anna realizes he's crying. He runs along beside the train, waving to her. "Good-bye, Anna," he shouts, "good-bye, good-bye!"

  Anna begins to cry, too. "Good-bye, Theodore," she yells. "Good-bye!"

  Mother pulls Anna back into the car. "You'll get cinders in your eyes doing that!" she scolds.

  Father smiles. "I think Anna and Theodore will miss each other."

  Mother pats Anna's knee. "Soon you'll be home with your old friends," she says. "Rosa will return from the ocean next week. Once you have her to play with, you'll forget Theodore."

  Anna frowns at the thought of seeing snobby Rosa. All she'll do is brag about the ocean. No matter what Anna says about the farm, the beach will be better. Why can't Mother see what Rosa is really like?

  "Charlie Murphy has asked about you every single day," Father tells Anna. '"When is Anna coming home? When is Anna coming home?' He sounded like a scratched record, saying the same thing over and over again."

  Anna smiles. She'll be happy to see Charlie. But no matter what Mother thinks, she'll still miss Theodore. Maybe she'll write him a letter. Wouldn't that surprise him!

  Before Anna knows it, the train is in Baltimore and she and Mother and Father are riding the trolley home. As they walk up Warwick Avenue, Anna sees Mr. Leidig rolling up the awning over the door of his bakery shop. Inside, his assistant is covering the display cases with sheets. The shop is closing. Too bad. There will be no eclairs or ladyfingers today.

  "Guten tag," Mr. Leidig calls to Mother. "And good day to you, Anna," he adds. "How was your week at the farm?"

  "It was wonderful," Anna cries. "I rode a horse, I swam in a pond, I danced with Father, I—"

  Mother gives Annas hand a gentle squeeze. "You mustn't talk the poor man's ear off," she whispers.

  "But you didn't have a single chocolate eclair, did you?" Mr. Leidig asks.

  When Anna shakes her he
ad, Mr. Leidig runs into his shop and comes out with a white box tied shut with string. "Welcome home," he says and hands the box to Anna.

  Anna is amazed. "Thank you, Mr. Leidig," she whispers. She wants to open the box and eat the eclair right away, but she knows Mother will say sweets are for dessert.

  "I hope there's one for each of us," Father whispers to Mother.

  "Anna's a good girl," Mother says. "And well mannered. She'll be glad to share the eclair."

  Anna can tell by the weight of the box that Mr. Leidig has put at least three eclairs inside. She smiles. Sharing three eclairs will be easy.

  She passes Beatrice's house and then Rosa's house. Neither girl is home. Too bad they can't see Anna parading up the street, holding her white box.

  Just as Father unlocks the front door, Anna hears a shout. Charlie runs across the street, calling Anna's name. Quickly, Anna hands the precious box to Mother and races to meet him.

  They stop in the middle of the street and stare at each other. Anna has forgotten how many freckles Charlie has. He seems taller than she remembered, too. And his hair is even redder than she thought.

  "Guess what happened while you were away?" Charlie begins. "A house on Bentalou Street caught on fire. A streetcar hit the watermelon man's wagon and there were busted melons everywhere. Patrick broke his arm falling down the steps. A new family moved into the empty house on the corner. They have a girl named Dolly who knows swear words—"

  Anna yells, "Hush!" She feels as if she's been gone for years and everything has changed forever. "Don't you want to know what I did on the farm?"

  "Sure," Charlie says. "Did you see any snakes?"

  "Not one."

  Charlie looks disappointed. "Not even a little garter snake?"

  Anna shakes her head. "But I got chased by a smelly goat and a mean rooster. I rode a horse and fell in a creek. I wore boys' overalls, and I went barefoot every single day."

  Charlie's mouth falls open in surprise. "You wore overalls?"

  Anna giggles. "That's not all I did," she boasts. "I went swimming in my underwear!"

  Charlie whistles. "I wish I'd seen that! Woo, woo, Anna!" He grabs the ribbon in Anna's hair and runs off with it.

  "Come back here, Charlie Murphy!" Anna chases Charlie. Nothing has changed, after all. Anna is Anna, and Charlie is Charlie, friends forever.

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  Anna on the Farm is based on the childhood experiences of Mary Downing Hahn's mother, Anna Sherwood. She is pictured here on her aunt and uncle's farm about 1914, with Theodore Armiger (far left) and two other boys.

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  Praise for Anna All Year Round

  "Though set in a bygone era of gas street lamps and horse-drawn delivery carts, these episodes in the year Anna turns nine have timeless themes."

  —Publishers Weekly

  "Anna is a great girl, earnest and well-meaning, full of grit, determination, and heart."

  —Kirkus Reviews

  "Reading this book is like taking a quiet, peaceful carriage ride over the cobbled streets of an earlier time."

  —School Library Journal

  Clarion Books

  215 Park Avenue South

  New York, New York 10003

  www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com

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