Anna on the Farm by Mary Downing Hahn, Diane de Groat

hand, but she's very quiet. Mother is worried, and Anna knows why. At home they go to Saint Gregory's, a Catholic church, but today they're going to St John's with Aunt Aggie and Uncle George. It's an Episcopal church. There is no Catholic church in Beltsville. Mother isn't sure Catholics should go to St John's, but Father says it's almost the same as St. Gregory's. He was an Episcopalian before he married Mother, so he should know.
    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