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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/2726-0.txt b/2726-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f097a8 --- /dev/null +++ b/2726-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8669 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Eight Cousins, by Louisa M. Alcott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Eight Cousins + +Author: Louisa M. Alcott + +Posting Date: December 6, 2008 [EBook #2726] +Release Date: July, 2001 +Last Updated: March 10, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EIGHT COUSINS *** + + + + +Produced by David Reed + + +********************************************************************** +THIS EBOOK WAS ONE OF PROJECT GUTENBERG'S EARLY FILES PRODUCED AT A +TIME WHEN PROOFING METHODS AND TOOLS WERE NOT WELL DEVELOPED. THERE IS +AN IMPROVED EDITION OF THIS TITLE WHICH MAY BE VIEWED AT EBOOK (#38567) +********************************************************************** + + + + + +EIGHT COUSINS + +By Louisa M. Alcott + + + + +Preface + +The Author is quite aware of the defects of this little story, many of +which were unavoidable, as it first appeared serially. But, as Uncle +Alec's experiment was intended to amuse the young folks, rather than +suggest educational improvements for the consideration of the elders, +she trusts that these shortcomings will be overlooked by the friends of +the Eight Cousins, and she will try to make amends in a second volume, +which shall attempt to show The Rose in Bloom. + +L.M.A. + + + + +Chapter 1--Two Girls + +Rose sat all alone in the big best parlor, with her little handkerchief +laid ready to catch the first tear, for she was thinking of her +troubles, and a shower was expected. She had retired to this room as a +good place in which to be miserable; for it was dark and still, full of +ancient furniture, sombre curtains, and hung all around with portraits +of solemn old gentlemen in wigs, severe-nosed ladies in top-heavy caps, +and staring children in little bob-tailed coats or short-waisted frocks. +It was an excellent place for woe; and the fitful spring rain that +pattered on the window-pane seemed to sob, “Cry away: I'm with you.” + +Rose really did have some cause to be sad; for she had no mother, and +had lately lost her father also, which left her no home but this with +her great-aunts. She had been with them only a week, and, though the +dear old ladies had tried their best to make her happy, they had not +succeeded very well, for she was unlike any child they had ever seen, +and they felt very much as if they had the care of a low-spirited +butterfly. + +They had given her the freedom of the house, and for a day or two +she had amused herself roaming all over it, for it was a capital old +mansion, and was full of all manner of odd nooks, charming rooms, and +mysterious passages. Windows broke out in unexpected places, little +balconies overhung the garden most romantically, and there was a long +upper hall full of curiosities from all parts of the world; for the +Campbells had been sea-captains for generations. + +Aunt Plenty had even allowed Rose to rummage in her great china closet +a spicy retreat, rich in all the “goodies” that children love; but Rose +seemed to care little for these toothsome temptations; and when that +hope failed, Aunt Plenty gave up in despair. + +Gentle Aunt Peace had tried all sorts of pretty needle-work, and planned +a doll's wardrobe that would have won the heart of even an older child. +But Rose took little interest in pink satin hats and tiny hose, though +she sewed dutifully till her aunt caught her wiping tears away with the +train of a wedding-dress, and that discovery put an end to the sewing +society. + +Then both old ladies put their heads together and picked out the model +child of the neighbourhood to come and play with their niece. But +Ariadne Blish was the worst failure of all, for Rose could not bear the +sight of her, and said she was so like a wax doll she longed to give +her a pinch and see if she would squeak. So prim little Ariadne was sent +home, and the exhausted aunties left Rose to her own devices for a day +or two. + +Bad weather and a cold kept her in-doors, and she spent most of her time +in the library where her father's books were stored. Here she read a +great deal, cried a little, and dreamed many of the innocent bright +dreams in which imaginative children find such comfort and delight. This +suited her better than anything else, but it was not good for her, and +she grew pale, heavy-eyed and listless, though Aunt Plenty gave her iron +enough to make a cooking-stove, and Aunt Peace petted her like a poodle. + +Seeing this, the poor aunties racked their brains for a new amusement +and determined to venture a bold stroke, though not very hopeful of its +success. They said nothing to Rose about their plan for this Saturday +afternoon, but let her alone till the time came for the grand surprise, +little dreaming that the odd child would find pleasure for herself in a +most unexpected quarter. + +Before she had time to squeeze out a single tear a sound broke the +stillness, making her prick up her ears. It was only the soft twitter +of a bird, but it seemed to be a peculiarly gifted bird, for while she +listened the soft twitter changed to a lively whistle, then a trill, a +coo, a chirp, and ended in a musical mixture of all the notes, as if the +bird burst out laughing. Rose laughed also, and, forgetting her woes, +jumped up, saying eagerly, + +“It is a mocking-bird. Where is it?” + +Running down the long hall, she peeped out at both doors, but saw +nothing feathered except a draggle-tailed chicken under a burdock leaf. +She listened again, and the sound seemed to be in the house. Away she +went, much excited by the chase, and following the changeful song, it +led her to the china-closet door. + +“In there? How funny!” she said. But when she entered, not a bird +appeared except the everlastingly kissing swallows on the Canton china +that lined the shelves. All of a sudden Rose's face brightened, and, +softly opening the slide, she peered into the kitchen. But the music +had stopped, and all she saw was a girl in a blue apron scrubbing the +hearth. Rose stared about her for a minute, and then asked abruptly, + +“Did you hear that mocking-bird?” + +“I should call it a phebe-bird,” answered the girl, looking up with a +twinkle in her black eyes. + +“Where did it go?” + +“It is here still.” + +“Where?” + +“In my throat. Do you want to hear it?” + +“Oh, yes! I'll come in.” And Rose crept through the slide to the wide +shelf on the other side, being too hurried and puzzled to go round by +the door. + +The girl wiped her hands, crossed her feet on the little island of +carpet where she was stranded in a sea of soap-suds, and then, sure +enough, out of her slender throat came the swallow's twitter, the +robin's whistle, the blue-jay's call, the thrush's song, the wood-dove's +coo, and many another familiar note, all ending as before with the +musical ecstacy of a bobolink singing and swinging among the meadow +grass on a bright June day. + +Rose was so astonished that she nearly fell off her perch, and when the +little concert was over clapped her hands delightedly. + +“Oh, it was lovely! Who taught you?” + +“The birds,” answered the girl, with a smile, as she fell to work again. + +“It is very wonderful! I can sing, but nothing half so fine as that. +What is your name, please?” + +“Phebe Moore.” + +“I've heard of phebe-birds; but I don't believe the real ones could do +that,” laughed Rose, adding, as she watched with interest the scattering +of dabs of soft soap over the bricks, “May I stay and see you work? It +is very lonely in the parlor.” + +“Yes, indeed, if you want to,” answered Phebe, wringing out her cloth in +a capable sort of way that impressed Rose very much. + +“It must be fun to swash the water round and dig out the soap. I'd love +to do it, only aunt wouldn't like it, I suppose,” said Rose, quite taken +with the new employment. + +“You'd soon get tired, so you'd better keep tidy and look on.” + +“I suppose you help your mother a good deal?” + +“I haven't got any folks.” + +“Why, where do you live, then?” + +“I'm going to live here, I hope. Debby wants some one to help round, and +I've come to try for a week.” + +“I hope you will stay, for it is very dull,” said Rose, who had taken a +sudden fancy to this girl, who sung like a bird and worked like a woman. + +“Hope I shall; for I'm fifteen now, and old enough to earn my own +living. You have come to stay a spell, haven't you?” asked Phebe, +looking up at her guest and wondering how life could be dull to a girl +who wore a silk frock, a daintily frilled apron, a pretty locket, and +had her hair tied up with a velvet snood. + +“Yes, I shall stay till my uncle comes. He is my guardian now, and I +don't know what he will do with me. Have you a guardian?” + +“My sakes, no! I was left on the poor-house steps a little mite of +a baby, and Miss Rogers took a liking to me, so I've been there ever +since. But she is dead now, and I take care of myself.” + +“How interesting! It is like Arabella Montgomery in the 'Gypsy's Child.' +Did you ever read that sweet story?” asked Rose, who was fond of tales +of found-lings, and had read many. + +“I don't have any books to read, and all the spare time I get I run off +into the woods; that rests me better than stories,” answered Phebe, as +she finished one job and began on another. + +Rose watched her as she got out a great pan of beans to look over, and +wondered how it would seem to have life all work and no play. Presently +Phebe seemed to think it was her turn to ask questions, and said, +wistfully, + +“You've had lots of schooling, I suppose?” + +“Oh, dear me, yes! I've been at boarding school nearly a year, and I'm +almost dead with lessons. The more I got, the more Miss Power gave me, +and I was so miserable that I 'most cried my eyes out. Papa never gave +me hard things to do, and he always taught me so pleasantly I loved to +study. Oh, we were so happy and so fond of one another! But now he is +gone, and I am left all alone.” + +The tear that would not come when Rose sat waiting for it came now of +its own accord two of them in fact and rolled down her cheeks, telling +the tale of love and sorrow better than any words could do it. + +For a minute there was no sound in the kitchen but the little daughter's +sobbing and the sympathetic patter of the rain. Phebe stopped rattling +her beans from one pan to another, and her eyes were full of pity as +they rested on the curly head bent down on Rose's knee, for she saw that +the heart under the pretty locket ached with its loss, and the dainty +apron was used to dry sadder tears than any she had ever shed. + +Somehow, she felt more contented with her brown calico gown and +blue-checked pinafore; envy changed to compassion; and if she had dared +she would have gone and hugged her afflicted guest. + +Fearing that might not be considered proper, she said, in her cheery +voice, + +“I'm sure you ain't all alone with such a lot of folks belonging to +you, and all so rich and clever. You'll be petted to pieces, Debby says, +because you are the only girl in the family.” + +Phebe's last words made Rose smile in spite of her tears, and she looked +out from behind her apron with an April face, saying in a tone of comic +distress, + +“That's one of my troubles! I've got six aunts, and they all want +me, and I don't know any of them very well. Papa named this place the +Aunt-hill, and now I see why.” + +Phebe laughed with her as she said encouragingly, + +“Everyone calls it so, and it's a real good name, for all the Mrs. +Campbells live handy by, and keep coming up to see the old ladies.” + +“I could stand the aunts, but there are dozens of cousins, dreadful +boys all of them, and I detest boys! Some of them came to see me last +Wednesday, but I was lying down, and when auntie came to call me I went +under the quilt and pretended to be asleep. I shall have to see them +some time, but I do dread it so.” And Rose gave a shudder, for, having +lived alone with her invalid father, she knew nothing of boys, and +considered them a species of wild animal. + +“Oh! I guess you'll like 'em. I've seen 'em flying round when they +come over from the Point, sometimes in their boats and sometimes +on horseback. If you like boats and horses, you'll enjoy yourself +first-rate.” + +“But I don't! I'm afraid of horses, and boats make me ill, and I hate +boys!” And poor Rose wrung her hands at the awful prospect before her. +One of these horrors alone she could have borne, but all together were +too much for her, and she began to think of a speedy return to the +detested school. + +Phebe laughed at her woe till the beans danced in the pan, but tried to +comfort her by suggesting a means of relief. + +“Perhaps your uncle will take you away where there ain't any boys. Debby +says he is a real kind man, and always bring heaps of nice things when +he comes.” + +“Yes, but you see that is another trouble, for I don't know Uncle Alec +at all. He hardly ever came to see us, though he sent me pretty things +very often. Now I belong to him, and shall have to mind him, till I am +eighteen. I may not like him a bit, and I fret about it all the time.” + +“Well, I wouldn't borrow trouble, but have a real good time. I'm sure I +should think I was in clover if I had folks and money, and nothing to +do but enjoy myself,” began Phebe, but got no further, for a sudden rush +and tumble outside made them both jump. + +“It's thunder,” said Phebe. + +“It's a circus!” cried Rose, who from her elevated perch had caught +glimpses of a gay cart of some sort and several ponies with flying manes +and tails. + +The sound died away, and the girls were about to continue their +confidences when old Debby appeared, looking rather cross and sleepy +after her nap. + +“You are wanted in the parlor, Miss Rose.” + +“Has anybody come?” + +“Little girls shouldn't ask questions, but do as they are bid,” was all +Debby would answer. + +“I do hope it isn't Aunt Myra; she always scares me out of my wits +asking how my cough is, and groaning over me as if I was going to die,” + said Rose, preparing to retire the way she came, for the slide, being +cut for the admission of bouncing Christmas turkeys and puddings, was +plenty large enough for a slender girl. + +“Guess you'll wish it was Aunt Myra when you see who has come. Don't +never let me catch you coming into my kitchen that way again, or I'll +shut you up in the big b'iler,” growled Debby, who thought it her duty +to snub children on all occasions. + + + +Chapter 2--The Clan + +Rose scrambled into the china-closet as rapidly as possible, and there +refreshed herself by making faces at Debby, while she settled her +plumage and screwed up her courage. Then she crept softly down the hall +and peeped into the parlor. No one appeared, and all was so still she +felt sure the company was upstairs. So she skipped boldly through the +half-open folding-doors, to behold on the other side a sight that nearly +took her breath away. + +Seven boys stood in a row all ages, all sizes, all yellow-haired and +blue-eyed, all in full Scotch costume, and all smiling, nodding, and +saying as with one voice, “How are you, cousin?” + +Rose gave a little gasp, and looked wildly about her as if ready to fly, +for fear magnified the seven and the room seemed full of boys. Before +she could run, however, the tallest lad stepped out of the line, saying +pleasantly, + +“Don't be frightened. This is the Clan come to welcome you; and I'm the +chief, Archie, at your service.” + +He held out his hand as he spoke, and Rose timidly put her own into a +brown paw, which closed over the white morsel and held it as the chief +continued his introductions. + +“We came in full rig, for we always turn out in style on grand +occasions. Hope you like it. Now I'll tell you who these chaps are, and +then we shall be all right. This big one is Prince Charlie, Aunt Clara's +boy. She has but one, so he is an extra good one. This old fellow is +Mac, the bookworm, called Worm for short. This sweet creature is Steve +the Dandy. Look at his gloves and top-knot, if you please. They are Aunt +Jane's lads, and a precious pair you'd better believe. These are the +Brats, my brothers, Geordie and Will, and Jamie the Baby. Now, my men, +step out and show your manners.” + +At this command, to Rose's great dismay, six more hands were offered, +and it was evident that she was expected to shake them all. It was a +trying moment to the bashful child; but, remembering that they were her +kinsmen come to welcome her, she tried her best to return the greeting +cordially. + +This impressive ceremony being over, the Clan broke ranks, and both +rooms instantly appeared to be pervaded with boys. Rose hastily retired +to the shelter of a big chair and sat there watching the invaders and +wondering when her aunt would come and rescue her. + +As if bound to do their duty manfully, yet rather oppressed by it, each +lad paused beside her chair in his wanderings, made a brief remark, +received a still briefer answer, and then sheered off with a relieved +expression. + +Archie came first, and, leaning over the chair-back, observed in a +paternal tone, + +“I'm glad you've come, cousin, and I hope you'll find the Aunt-hill +pretty jolly.” + +“I think I shall.” + +Mac shook his hair out of his eyes, stumbled over a stool, and asked +abruptly, + +“Did you bring any books with you?” + +“Four boxes full. They are in the library.” + +Mac vanished from the room, and Steve, striking an attitude which +displayed his costume effectively, said with an affable smile, + +“We were sorry not to see you last Wednesday. I hope your cold is +better.” + +“Yes, thank you.” And a smile began to dimple about Rose's mouth, as she +remembered her retreat under the bed-cover. + +Feeling that he had been received with distinguished marks of attention, +Steve strolled away with his topknot higher than ever, and Prince +Charlie pranced across the room, saying in a free and easy tone, + +“Mamma sent her love and hopes you will be well enough to come over for +a day next week. It must be desperately dull here for a little thing +like you.” + +“I'm thirteen and a half, though I do look small,” cried Rose, +forgetting her shyness in indignation at this insult to her newly +acquired teens. + +“Beg pardon, ma'am; never should have guessed it.” And Charlie went off +with a laugh, glad to have struck a spark out of his meek cousin. + +Geordie and Will came together, two sturdy eleven and twelve year +olders, and, fixing their round blue eyes on Rose, fired off a question +apiece, as if it was a shooting match and she the target. + +“Did you bring your monkey?” + +“No; he is dead.” + +“Are you going to have a boat?” + +“I hope not.” + +Here the two, with a right-about-face movement, abruptly marched away, +and little Jamie demanded with childish frankness, + +“Did you bring me anything nice?” + +“Yes, lots of candy,” answered Rose, whereupon Jamie ascended into her +lap with a sounding kiss and the announcement that he liked her very +much. + +This proceeding rather startled Rose, for the other lads looked and +laughed, and in her confusion she said hastily to the young usurper, + +“Did you see the circus go by?” + +“When? Where?” cried all the boys in great excitement at once. + +“Just before you came. At least I thought it was a circus, for I saw a +red and black sort of cart and ever so many little ponies, and--” + +She got no farther, for a general shout made her pause suddenly, as +Archie explained the joke by saying in the middle of his laugh, + +“It was our new dog-cart and the Shetland ponies. You'll never hear the +last of your circus, cousin.” + +“But there were so many, and they went so fast, and the cart was so very +red,” began Rose, trying to explain her mistake. + +“Come and see them all!” cried the Prince. And before she knew what was +happening, she was borne away to the barn and tumultuously introduced to +three shaggy ponies and the gay new dog-cart. + +She had never visited these regions before, and had her doubts as to the +propriety of her being there now, but when she suggested that “Auntie +might not like it,” there was a general cry of, + +“She told us to amuse you, and we can do it ever so much better out here +than poking round in the house.” + +“I'm afraid I shall get cold without my sacque,” began Rose, who wanted +to stay, but felt rather out of her element. + +“No, you won't! We'll fix you,” cried the lads, as one clapped his cap +on her head, another tied a rough jacket round her neck by the sleeves, +a third neatly smothered her in a carriage blanket, and a fourth threw +open the door of the old barouche that stood there, saying with a +flourish, + +“Step in, ma'am, and make yourself comfortable while we show you some +fun.” + +So Rose sat in state enjoying herself very much, for the lads proceeded +to dance a Highland Fling with a spirit and skill that made her clap her +hands and laugh as she had not done for weeks. + +“How is that, my lassie?” asked the Prince, coming up all flushed and +breathless when the ballet was over. + +“It was splendid! I never went to the theatre but once, and the dancing +was not half so pretty as this. What clever boys you must be!” said +Rose, smiling upon her kinsmen like a little queen upon her subjects. + +“Ah, we're a fine lot, and that is only the beginning of our larks. We +haven't got the pipes here or we'd, + + 'Sing for you, play for you + A dulcy melody,'” + +answered Charlie, looking much elated at her praise. + +“I did not know we were Scotch; papa never said anything about it, or +seemed to care about Scotland, except to have me sing the old ballads,” + said Rose, beginning to feel as if she had left America behind her +somewhere. + +“Neither did we till lately. We've been reading Scott's novels, and all +of a sudden we remembered that our grandfather was a Scotchman. So we +hunted up the old stories, got a bagpipe, put on our plaids, and went +in, heart and soul, for the glory of the Clan. We've been at it some +time now, and it's great fun. Our people like it, and I think we are a +pretty canny set.” + +Archie said this from the other coach-step, where he had perched, +while the rest climbed up before and behind to join in the chat as they +rested. + +“I'm Fitzjames and he's Roderick Dhu, and we'll give you the broadsword +combat some day. It's a great thing, you'd better believe,” added the +Prince. + +“Yes, and you should hear Steve play the pipes. He makes 'em skirl like +a good one,” cried Will from the box, eager to air the accomplishments +of his race. + +“Mac's the fellow to hunt up the old stories and tell us how to dress +right, and pick out rousing bits for us to speak and sing,” put in +Geordie, saying a good word for the absent Worm. + +“And what do you and Will do?” asked Rose of Jamie, who sat beside her +as if bound to keep her in sight till the promised gift had been handed +over. + +“Oh, I'm the little foot-page, and do errands, and Will and Geordie are +the troops when we march, and the stags when we hunt, and the traitors +when we want to cut any heads off.” + +“They are very obliging, I'm sure,” said Rose, whereat the “utility men” + beamed with modest pride and resolved to enact Wallace and Montrose as +soon as possible for their cousin's special benefit. + +“Let's have a game of tag,” cried the Prince, swinging himself up to a +beam with a sounding slap on Stevie's shoulder. + +Regardless of his gloves, Dandy tore after him, and the rest swarmed in +every direction as if bent on breaking their necks and dislocating their +joints as rapidly as possible. + +It was a new and astonishing spectacle to Rose, fresh from a prim +boarding-school, and she watched the active lads with breathless +interest, thinking their antics far superior to those of Mops, the dear +departed monkey. + +Will had just covered himself with glory by pitching off a high loft +head first and coming up all right, when Phebe appeared with a cloak, +hood, and rubbers, also a message from Aunt Plenty that “Miss Rose was +to come in directly.” + +“All right; we'll bring her!” answered Archie, issuing some mysterious +order, which was so promptly obeyed that, before Rose could get out of +the carriage, the boys had caught hold of the pole and rattled her out +of the barn, round the oval and up to the front door with a cheer that +brought two caps to an upper window, and caused Debby to cry aloud from +the back porch, + +“Them harum-scarum boys will certainly be the death of that delicate +little creter!” + +But the “delicate little creter” seemed all the better for her trip, and +ran up the steps looking rosy, gay, and dishevelled, to be received with +lamentation by Aunt Plenty, who begged her to go and lie down at once. + +“Oh, please don't! We have come to tea with our cousin, and we'll be as +good as gold if you'll let us stay, auntie,” clamoured the boys, who +not only approved of “our cousin” but had no mind to lose their tea, for +Aunt Plenty's name but feebly expressed her bountiful nature. + +“Well, dears, you can; only be quiet, and let Rose go and take her iron +and be made tidy, and then we will see what we can find for supper,” + said the old lady as she trotted away, followed by a volley of +directions for the approaching feast. + +“Marmalade for me, auntie.” + +“Plenty of plum-cake, please.” + +“Tell Debby to trot out the baked pears.” + +“I'm your man for lemon-pie, ma'am.” + +“Do have fritters; Rose will like 'em.” + +“She'd rather have tarts, I know.” + +When Rose came down, fifteen minutes later, with every curl smoothed and +her most beruffled apron on, she found the boys loafing about the long +hall, and paused on the half-way landing to take an observation, for +till now she had not really examined her new-found cousins. + +There was a strong family resemblance among them, though some of the +yellow heads were darker than others, some of the cheeks brown instead +of rosy, and the ages varied all the way from sixteen-year-old Archie +to Jamie, who was ten years younger. None of them were especially +comely but the Prince, yet all were hearty, happy-looking lads, and Rose +decided that boys were not as dreadful as she had expected to find them. + +They were all so characteristically employed that she could not help +smiling as she looked. Archie and Charlie, evidently great cronies, were +pacing up and down, shoulder to shoulder, whistling “Bonnie Dundee”; Mac +was reading in a corner, with his book close to his near-sighted eyes; +Dandy was arranging his hair before the oval glass in the hat-stand; +Geordie and Will investigating the internal economy of the moon-faced +clock; and Jamie lay kicking up his heels on the mat at the foot of the +stairs, bent on demanding his sweeties the instant Rose appeared. + +She guessed his intention, and forestalled his demand by dropping a +handful of sugar-plums down upon him. + +At his cry of rapture the other lads looked up and smiled involuntarily, +for the little kinswoman standing there above was a winsome sight with +her shy, soft eyes, bright hair, and laughing face. The black frock +reminded them of her loss, and filled the boyish hearts with a kindly +desire to be good to “our cousin,” who had no longer any home but this. + +“There she is, as fine as you please,” cried Steve, kissing his hand to +her. + +“Come on, Missy; tea is ready,” added the Prince encouragingly. + +“I shall take her in.” And Archie offered his arm with great dignity, an +honour that made Rose turn as red as a cherry and long to run upstairs +again. + +It was a merry supper, and the two elder boys added much to the fun by +tormenting the rest with dark hints of some interesting event which was +about to occur. Something uncommonly fine, they declared it was, but +enveloped in the deepest mystery for the present. + +“Did I ever see it?” asked Jamie. + +“Not to remember it; but Mac and Steve have, and liked it immensely,” + answered Archie, thereby causing the two mentioned to neglect Debby's +delectable fritters for several minutes, while they cudgelled their +brains. + +“Who will have it first?” asked Will, with his mouth full of marmalade. + +“Aunt Plenty, I guess.” + +“When will she have it?” demanded Geordie, bouncing in his seat with +impatience. + +“Sometime on Monday.” + +“Heart alive! what is the boy talking about?” cried the old lady from +behind the tall urn, which left little to be seen but the topmost bow of +her cap. + +“Doesn't auntie know?” asked a chorus of voices. + +“No; and that's the best of the joke, for she is desperately fond of +it.” + +“What colour is it?” asked Rose, joining in the fun. + +“Blue and brown.” + +“Is it good to eat?” asked Jamie. + +“Some people think so, but I shouldn't like to try it,” answered +Charlie, laughing so he split his tea. + +“Who does it belong to?” put in Steve. + +Archie and the Prince stared at one another rather blankly for a minute, +then Archie answered with a twinkle of the eye that made Charlie explode +again, + +“To Grandfather Campbell.” + +This was a poser, and they gave up the puzzle, though Jamie confided +to Rose that he did not think he could live till Monday without knowing +what this remarkable thing was. + +Soon after tea the Clan departed, singing “All the blue bonnets are over +the border,” at the tops of their voices. + +“Well, dear, how do you like your cousins?” asked Aunt Plenty, as the +last pony frisked round the corner and the din died away. + +“Pretty well, ma'am; but I like Phebe better.” An answer which caused +Aunt Plenty to hold up her hands in despair and trot away to tell sister +Peace that she never should understand that child, and it was a mercy +Alec was coming soon to take the responsibility off their hands. + +Fatigued by the unusual exertions of the afternoon, Rose curled herself +up in the sofa corner to rest and think about the great mystery, little +guessing that she was to know it first of all. + +Right in the middle of her meditations she fell asleep and dreamed she +was at home again in her own little bed. She seemed to wake and see her +father bending over her; to hear him say, “My little Rose”; to answer, +“Yes, papa”; and then to feel him take her in his arms and kiss her +tenderly. So sweet, so real was the dream, that she started up with a +cry of joy to find herself in the arms of a brown, bearded man, who held +her close, and whispered in a voice so like her father's that she clung +to him involuntarily, + +“This is my little girl, and I am Uncle Alec.” + + + +Chapter 3--Uncles + +When Rose woke next morning, she was not sure whether she had dreamed +what occurred the night before, or it had actually happened. So she +hopped up and dressed, although it was an hour earlier than she usually +rose, for she could not sleep any more, being possessed with a strong +desire to slip down and see if the big portmanteau and packing cases +were really in the hall. She seemed to remember tumbling over them when +she went to bed, for the aunts had sent her off very punctually, because +they wanted their pet nephew all to themselves. + +The sun was shining, and Rose opened her window to let in the soft May +air fresh from the sea. As she leaned over her little balcony, watching +an early bird get the worm, and wondering how she should like Uncle +Alec, she saw a man leap the garden wall and come whistling up the path. +At first she thought it was some trespasser, but a second look showed +her that it was her uncle returning from an early dip into the sea. She +had hardly dared to look at him the night before, because whenever she +tried to do so she always found a pair of keen blue eyes looking at her. +Now she could take a good stare at him as he lingered along, looking +about him as if glad to see the old place again. + +A brown, breezy man, in a blue jacket, with no hat on the curly head, +which he shook now and then like a water dog; broad-shouldered, alert in +his motions, and with a general air of strength and stability about him +which pleased Rose, though she could not explain the feeling of comfort +it gave her. She had just said to herself, with a sense of relief, “I +guess I shall like him, though he looks as if he made people mind,” when +he lifted his eyes to examine the budding horse-chestnut overhead, +and saw the eager face peering down at him. He waved his hand to her, +nodded, and called out in a bluff, cheery voice, + +“You are on deck early, little niece.” + +“I got up to see if you had really come, uncle.” + +“Did you? Well, come down here and make sure of it.” + +“I'm not allowed to go out before breakfast, sir.” + +“Oh, indeed!” with a shrug. “Then I'll come aboard and salute,” he +added; and, to Rose's great amazement, Uncle Alec went up one of the +pillars of the back piazza hand over hand, stepped across the roof, +and swung himself into her balcony, saying, as he landed on the wide +balustrade: “Have you any doubts about me now, ma'am?” + +Rose was so taken aback, she could only answer with a smile as she went +to meet him. + +“How does my girl do this morning?” he asked, taking the little cold +hand she gave him in both his big warm ones. + +“Pretty well, thank you, sir.” + +“Ah, but it should be very well. Why isn't it?” + +“I always wake up with a headache, and feel tired.” + +“Don't you sleep well?” + +“I lie awake a long time, and then I dream, and my sleep does not seem +to rest me much.” + +“What do you do all day?” + +“Oh, I read, and sew a little, and take naps, and sit with auntie.” + +“No running about out of doors, or house-work, or riding, hey?” + +“Aunt Plenty says I'm not strong enough for much exercise. I drive out +with her sometimes, but I don't care for it.” + +“I'm not surprised at that,” said Uncle Alec, half to himself, adding, +in his quick way: “Who have you had to play with?” + +“No one but Ariadne Blish, and she was such a goose I couldn't bear +her. The boys came yesterday, and seemed rather nice; but, of course, I +couldn't play with them.” + +“Why not?” + +“I'm too old to play with boys.” + +“Not a bit of it; that's just what you need, for you've been +molly-coddled too much. They are good lads, and you'll be mixed up with +them more or less for years to come, so you may as well be friends and +playmates at once. I will look you up some girls also, if I can find a +sensible one who is not spoilt by her nonsensical education.” + +“Phebe is sensible, I'm sure, and I like her, though I only saw her +yesterday,” cried Rose, waking up suddenly. + +“And who is Phebe, if you please?” + +Rose eagerly told all she knew, and Uncle Alec listened, with an odd +smile lurking about his mouth, though his eyes were quite sober as he +watched the face before him. + +“I'm glad to see that you are not aristocratic in your tastes, but I +don't quite make out why you like this young lady from the poor-house.” + +“You may laugh at me, but I do. I can't tell why, only she seems so +happy and busy, and sings so beautifully, and is strong enough to scrub +and sweep, and hasn't any troubles to plague her,” said Rose, making a +funny jumble of reasons in her efforts to explain. + +“How do you know that?” + +“Oh, I was telling her about mine, and asked if she had any, and she +said, 'No, only I'd like to go to school, and I mean to some day.” + +“So she doesn't call desertion, poverty, and hard work, troubles? She's +a brave little girl, and I shall be proud to know her.” And Uncle Alec +gave an approving nod, that made Rose wish she had been the one to earn +it. + +“But what are these troubles of yours, child?” he asked, after a minute +of silence. + +“Please don't ask me, uncle.” + +“Can't you tell them to me as well as to Phebe?” + +Something in his tone made Rose feel that it would be better to speak +out and be done with it, so she answered, with sudden colour and averted +eyes, + +“The greatest one was losing dear papa.” + +As she said that, Uncle Alec's arm came gently round her, and he drew +her to him, saying, in the voice so like papa's, + +“That is a trouble which I cannot cure, my child; but I shall try to +make you feel it less. What else, dear?” + +“I am so tired and poorly all the time, I can't do anything I want to, +and it makes me cross,” sighed Rose, rubbing the aching head like a +fretful child. + +“That we can cure and we will,” said her uncle, with a decided nod +that made the curls bob on his head, to that Rose saw the gray ones +underneath the brown. + +“Aunt Myra says I have no constitution, and never shall be strong,” + observed Rose, in a pensive tone, as if it was rather a nice thing to be +an invalid. + +“Aunt Myra is a ahem! an excellent woman, but it is her hobby to believe +that everyone is tottering on the brink of the grave; and, upon my life, +I believe she is offended if people don't fall into it! We will show her +how to make constitutions and turn pale-faced little ghosts into rosy, +hearty girls. That's my business, you know,” he added, more quietly, for +his sudden outburst had rather startled Rose. + +“I had forgotten you were a doctor. I'm glad of it, for I do want to be +well, only I hope you won't give me much medicine, for I've taken quarts +already, and it does me no good.” + +As she spoke, Rose pointed to a little table just inside the window, on +which appeared a regiment of bottles. + +“Ah, ha! Now we'll see what mischief these blessed women have been at.” + And, making a long arm, Dr. Alec set the bottles on the wide railing +before him, examined each carefully, smiled over some, frowned over +others, and said, as he put down the last: “Now I'll show you the best +way to take these messes.” And, as quick as a flash, he sent one after +another smashing down into the posy-beds below. + +“But Aunt Plenty won't like it; and Aunt Myra will be angry, for she +sent most of them!” cried Rose, half frightened and half pleased at such +energetic measures. + +“You are my patient now, and I'll take the responsibility. My way of +giving physic is evidently the best, for you look better already,” he +said, laughing so infectiously that Rose followed suit, saying saucily, + +“If I don't like your medicines any better than those, I shall throw +them into the garden, and then what will you do?” + +“When I prescribe such rubbish, I'll give you leave to pitch it +overboard as soon as you like. Now what is the next trouble?” + +“I hoped you would forget to ask.” + +“But how can I help you if I don't know them? Come, let us have No. 3.” + +“It is very wrong, I suppose, but I do sometimes wish I had not quite so +many aunts. They are all very good to me, and I want to please them; but +they are so different, I feel sort of pulled to pieces among them,” said +Rose, trying to express the emotions of a stray chicken with six hens +all clucking over it at once. + +Uncle Alec threw back his head and laughed like a boy, for he could +entirely understand how the good ladies had each put in her oar and +tried to paddle her own way, to the great disturbance of the waters and +the entire bewilderment of poor Rose. + +“I intend to try a course of uncles now, and see how that suits your +constitution. I'm going to have you all to myself, and no one is to give +a word of advice unless I ask it. There is no other way to keep order +aboard, and I am captain of this little craft, for a time at least. What +comes next?” + +But Rose stuck there, and grew so red, her uncle guessed what that +trouble was. + +“I don't think I can tell this one. It wouldn't be polite, and I feel +pretty sure that it isn't going to be a trouble any more.” + +As she blushed and stammered over these words, Dr. Alec turned his eyes +away to the distant sea, and said so seriously, so tenderly, that she +felt every word and long remembered them, + +“My child, I don't expect you to love and trust me all at once, but I do +want you to believe that I shall give my whole heart to this new duty; +and if I make mistakes, as I probably shall, no one will grieve over +them more bitterly than I. It is my fault that I am a stranger to you, +when I want to be your best friend. That is one of my mistakes, and I +never repented it more deeply than I do now. Your father and I had a +trouble once, and I thought I could never forgive him; so I kept away +for years. Thank God, we made it all up the last time I saw him, and he +told me then, that if he was forced to leave her he should bequeath his +little girl to me as a token of his love. I can't fill his place, but +I shall try to be a father to her; and if she learns to love me half as +well as she did the good one she has lost, I shall be a proud and happy +man. Will she believe this and try?” + +Something in Uncle Alec's face touched Rose to the heart, and when he +held out his hand with that anxious troubled look in his eyes, she was +moved to put up her innocent lips and seal the contract with a confiding +kiss. The strong arm held her close a minute, and she felt the broad +chest heave once as if with a great sigh of relief; but not a word was +spoken till a tap at the door made both start. + +Rose popped her head through the window to say “come in,” while Dr. Alec +hastily rubbed the sleeve of his jacket across his eyes and began to +whistle again. + +Phebe appeared with a cup of coffee. + +“Debby told me to bring this and help you get up,” she said, opening her +black eyes wide, as if she wondered how on earth “the sailor man” got +there. + +“I'm all dressed, so I don't need any help. I hope that is good and +strong,” added Rose, eyeing the steaming cup with an eager look. + +But she did not get it, for a brown hand took possession of it as her +uncle said quickly, + +“Hold hard, my lass, and let me overhaul that dose before you take it. +Do you drink all this strong coffee every morning, Rose?” + +“Yes, sir, and I like it. Auntie says it 'tones' me up, and I always +feel better after it.” + +“This accounts for the sleepless nights, the flutter your heart gets +into at the least start, and this is why that cheek of yours is pale +yellow instead of rosy red. No more coffee for you, my dear, and by and +by you'll see that I am right. Any new milk downstairs, Phebe?” + +“Yes, sir, plenty right in from the barn.” + +“That's the drink for my patient. Go bring me a pitcherful, and another +cup; I want a draught myself. This won't hurt the honeysuckles, for they +have no nerves to speak of.” And, to Rose's great discomfort, the coffee +went after the medicine. + +Dr. Alec saw the injured look she put on, but took no notice, and +presently banished it by saying pleasantly, + +“I've got a capital little cup among my traps, and I'll give it to you +to drink your milk in, as it is made of wood that is supposed to improve +whatever is put into it something like a quassia cup. That reminds me; +one of the boxes Phebe wanted to lug upstairs last night is for you. +Knowing that I was coming home to find a ready-made daughter, I picked +up all sorts of odd and pretty trifles along the way, hoping she would +be able to find something she liked among them all. Early to-morrow +we'll have a grand rummage. Here's our milk! I propose the health of +Miss Rose Campbell and drink it with all my heart.” + +It was impossible for Rose to pout with the prospect of a delightful +boxful of gifts dancing before her eyes; so, in spite of herself, she +smiled as she drank her own health, and found that fresh milk was not a +hard dose to take. + +“Now I must be off, before I am caught again with my wig in a toss,” + said Dr. Alec, preparing to descend the way he came. + +“Do you always go in and out like a cat, uncle?” asked Rose, much amused +at his odd ways. + +“I used to sneak out of my window when I was a boy, so I need not +disturb the aunts, and now I rather like it, for it's the shortest road, +and it keeps me limber when I have no rigging to climb. Good-bye till +breakfast.” And away he went down the water-spout, over the roof, and +vanished among the budding honey-suckles below. + +“Ain't he a funny guardeen?” exclaimed Phebe, as she went off with the +cups. + +“He is a very kind one, I think,” answered Rose, following, to prowl +round the big boxes and try to guess which was hers. + +When her uncle appeared at sound of the bell, he found her surveying +with an anxious face a new dish that smoked upon the table. + +“Got a fresh trouble, Rosy?” he asked, stroking her smooth head. + +“Uncle, are you going to make me eat oatmeal?” asked Rose, in a tragic +tone. + +“Don't you like it?” + +“I de-test it!” answered Rose, with all the emphasis which a turned-up +nose, a shudder, and a groan could give to the three words. + +“You are not a true Scotchwoman, if you don't like the 'parritch.' It's +a pity, for I made it myself, and thought we'd have such a good time +with all that cream to float it in. Well, never mind.” And he sat down +with a disappointed air. + +Rose had made up her mind to be obstinate about it, because she did +heartily “detest” the dish; but as Uncle Alec did not attempt to make +her obey, she suddenly changed her mind and thought she would. + +“I'll try to eat it to please you, uncle; but people are always saying +how wholesome it is, and that makes me hate it,” she said, half-ashamed +at her silly excuse. + +“I do want you to like it, because I wish my girl to be as well and +strong as Jessie's boys, who are brought up on this in the good old +fashion. No hot bread and fried stuff for them, and they are the biggest +and bonniest lads of the lot. Bless you, auntie, and good morning!” + +Dr. Alec turned to greet the old lady, and, with a firm resolve to eat +or die in the attempt, Rose sat down. + +In five minutes she forgot what she was eating, so interested was she in +the chat that went on. It amused her very much to hear Aunt Plenty call +her forty-year-old nephew “my dear boy”; and Uncle Alec was so full +of lively gossip about all creation in general, and the Aunt-hill in +particular, that the detested porridge vanished without a murmur. + +“You will go to church with us, I hope, Alec, if you are not too tired,” + said the old lady, when breakfast was over. + +“I came all the way from Calcutta for that express purpose, ma'am. Only +I must send the sisters word of my arrival, for they don't expect me +till to-morrow, you know, and there will be a row in church if those +boys see me without warning.” + +“I'll send Ben up the hill, and you can step over to Myra's yourself; it +will please her, and you will have plenty of time.” + +Dr. Alec was off at once, and they saw no more of him till the old +barouche was at the door, and Aunt Plenty just rustling downstairs in +her Sunday best, with Rose like a little black shadow behind her. + +Away they drove in state, and all the way Uncle Alec's hat was more off +his head than on, for everyone they met smiled and bowed, and gave him +as blithe a greeting as the day permitted. + +It was evident that the warning had been a wise one, for, in spite of +time and place, the lads were in such a ferment that their elders sat +in momentary dread of an unseemly outbreak somewhere. It was simply +impossible to keep those fourteen eyes off Uncle Alec, and the dreadful +things that were done during sermon-time will hardly be believed. + +Rose dared not look up after a while, for these bad boys vented their +emotions upon her till she was ready to laugh and cry with mingled +amusement and vexation. Charlie winked rapturously at her behind his +mother's fan; Mac openly pointed to the tall figure beside her; Jamie +stared fixedly over the back of his pew, till Rose thought his round +eyes would drop out of his head; George fell over a stool and dropped +three books in his excitement; Will drew sailors and Chinamen on his +clean cuffs, and displayed them, to Rose's great tribulation; Steve +nearly upset the whole party by burning his nose with salts, as he +pretended to be overcome by his joy; even dignified Archie disgraced +himself by writing in his hymn book, “Isn't he blue and brown?” and +passing it politely to Rose. + +Her only salvation was trying to fix her attention upon Uncle Mac +a portly, placid gentleman, who seemed entirely unconscious of the +iniquities of the Clan, and dozed peacefully in his pew corner. This was +the only uncle Rose had met for years, for Uncle Jem and Uncle Steve, +the husbands of Aunt Jessie and Aunt Clara, were at sea, and Aunt Myra +was a widow. Uncle Mac was a merchant, very rich and busy, and as quiet +as a mouse at home, for he was in such a minority among the women folk +he dared not open his lips, and let his wife rule undisturbed. + +Rose liked the big, kindly, silent man who came to her when papa died, +was always sending her splendid boxes of goodies at school, and often +invited her into his great warehouse, full of teas and spices, wines and +all sorts of foreign fruits, there to eat and carry away whatever she +liked. She had secretly regretted that he was not to be her guardian; +but since she had seen Uncle Alec she felt better about it, for she did +not particularly admire Aunt Jane. + +When church was over, Dr. Alec got into the porch as quickly as +possible, and there the young bears had a hug all round, while the +sisters shook hands and welcomed him with bright faces and glad hearts. +Rose was nearly crushed flat behind a door in that dangerous passage +from pew to porch; but Uncle Mac rescued her, and put her into the +carriage for safe keeping. + +“Now, girls, I want you to come and dine with Alec; Mac also, of course. +But I cannot ask the boys, for we did not expect this dear fellow till +tomorrow, you know, so I made no preparations. Send the lads home, and +let them wait till Monday, for really I was shocked at their behaviour +in church,” said Aunt Plenty, as she followed Rose. + +In any other place the defrauded boys would have set up a howl; as it +was, they growled and protested till Dr. Alec settled the matter by +saying, + +“Never mind, old chaps, I'll make it up to you to-morrow, if you sheer +off quietly; if you don't, not a blessed thing shall you have out of my +big boxes.” + + + +Chapter 4--Aunts + +All dinner-time Rose felt that she was going to be talked about, and +afterward she was sure of it, for Aunt Plenty whispered to her as they +went into the parlour, + +“Run up and sit awhile with Sister Peace, my dear. She likes to have you +read while she rests, and we are going to be busy.” + +Rose obeyed, and the quiet rooms above were so like a church that she +soon composed her ruffled feelings, and was unconsciously a little +minister of happiness to the sweet old lady, who for years had sat there +patiently waiting to be set free from pain. + +Rose knew the sad romance of her life, and it gave a certain tender +charm to this great-aunt of hers, whom she already loved. When Peace was +twenty, she was about to be married; all was done, the wedding dress lay +ready, the flowers were waiting to be put on, the happy hour at hand, +when word came that the lover was dead. They thought that gentle Peace +would die, too; but she bore it bravely, put away her bridal gear, took +up her life afresh, and lived on a beautiful, meek woman, with hair as +white as snow and cheeks that never bloomed again. She wore no black, +but soft, pale colours, as if always ready for the marriage that had +never come. + +For thirty years she had lived on, fading slowly, but cheerful, busy, +and full of interest in all that went on in the family; especially the +joys and sorrows of the young girls growing up about her, and to them +she was adviser, confidante, and friend in all their tender trials and +delights. A truly beautiful old maiden, with her silvery hair, tranquil +face, and an atmosphere of repose about her that soothed whoever came to +her! + +Aunt Plenty was utterly dissimilar, being a stout, brisk old lady, with +a sharp eye, a lively tongue, and a face like a winter-apple. Always +trotting, chatting, and bustling, she was a regular Martha, cumbered +with the cares of this world and quite happy in them. + +Rose was right; and while she softly read psalms to Aunt Peace, the +other ladies were talking about her little self in the frankest manner. + +“Well, Alec, how do you like your ward?” began Aunt Jane, as they all +settled down, and Uncle Mac deposited himself in a corner to finish his +doze. + +“I should like her better if I could have begun at the beginning, and +so got a fair start. Poor George led such a solitary life that the child +has suffered in many ways, and since he died she has been going on worse +than ever, judging from the state I find her in.” + +“My dear boy, we did what we thought best while waiting for you to wind +up your affairs and get home. I always told George he was wrong to bring +her up as he did; but he never took my advice, and now here we are with +this poor dear child upon our hands. I, for one, freely confess that +I don't know what to do with her any more than if she was one of those +strange, outlandish birds you used to bring home from foreign parts.” + And Aunt Plenty gave a perplexed shake of the head which caused great +commotion among the stiff loops of purple ribbon that bristled all over +the cap like crocus buds. + +“If my advice had been taken, she would have remained at the excellent +school where I placed her. But our aunt thought best to remove her +because she complained, and she has been dawdling about ever since she +came. A most ruinous state of things for a morbid, spoilt girl like +Rose,” said Mrs. Jane, severely. + +She had never forgiven the old ladies for yielding to Rose's pathetic +petition that she might wait her guardian's arrival before beginning +another term at the school, which was a regular Blimber hot-bed, and +turned out many a feminine Toots. + +“I never thought it the proper school for a child in good circumstances +an heiress, in fact, as Rose is. It is all very well for girls who are +to get their own living by teaching, and that sort of thing; but all +she needs is a year or two at a fashionable finishing school, so that at +eighteen she can come out with eclat,” put in Aunt Clara, who had been a +beauty and a belle, and was still a handsome woman. + +“Dear, dear! how short-sighted you all are to be discussing education +and plans for the future, when this unhappy child is so plainly marked +for the tomb,” sighed Aunt Myra, with a lugubrious sniff and a solemn +wag of the funereal bonnet, which she refused to remove, being afflicted +with a chronic catarrh. + +“Now, it is my opinion that the dear thing only wants freedom, rest, and +care. There is look in her eyes that goes to my heart, for it shows that +she feels the need of what none of us can give her a mother,” said Aunt +Jessie, with tears in her own bright eyes at the thought of her boys +being left, as Rose was, to the care of others. + +Uncle Alec, who had listened silently as each spoke, turned quickly +towards the last sister, and said, with a decided nod of approval, + +“You've got it, Jessie; and, with you to help me, I hope to make the +child feel that she is not quite fatherless and motherless.” + +“I'll do my best, Alec; and I think you will need me, for, wise as you +are, you cannot understand a tender, timid little creature like Rose as +a woman can,” said Mrs. Jessie, smiling back at him with a heart full of +motherly goodwill. + +“I cannot help feeling that I, who have had a daughter of my own, can +best bring up a girl; and I am very much surprised that George did +not entrust her to me,” observed Aunt Myra, with an air of melancholy +importance, for she was the only one who had given a daughter to +the family, and she felt that she had distinguished herself, though +ill-natured people said that she had dosed her darling to death. + +“I never blamed him in the least, when I remember the perilous +experiments you tried with poor Carrie,” began Mrs. Jane, in her hard +voice. + +“Jane Campbell, I will not hear a word! My sainted Caroline is a sacred +object,” cried Aunt Myra, rising as if to leave the room. + +Dr. Alec detained her, feeling that he must define his position at once, +and maintain it manfully if he hoped to have any success in his new +undertaking. + +“Now, my dear souls, don't let us quarrel and make Rose a bone of +contention though, upon my word, she is almost a bone, poor little lass! +You have had her among you for a year, and done what you liked. I cannot +say that your success is great, but that is owing to too many fingers in +the pie. Now, I intend to try my way for a year, and if at the end of it +she is not in better trim than now, I'll give up the case, and hand her +over to someone else. That's fair, I think.” + +“She will not be here a year hence, poor darling, so no one need dread +future responsibility,” said Aunt Myra, folding her black gloves as if +all ready for the funeral. + +“By Jupiter! Myra, you are enough to damp the ardour of a saint!” cried +Dr. Alec, with a sudden spark in his eyes. “Your croaking will worry +that child out of her wits, for she is an imaginative puss, and will +fret and fancy untold horrors. You have put it into her head that she +has no constitution, and she rather likes the idea. If she had not had a +pretty good one, she would have been 'marked for the tomb' by this +time, at the rate you have been going on with her. I will not have any +interference please understand that; so just wash your hands of her, and +let me manage till I want help, then I'll ask for it.” + +“Hear, hear!” came from the corner where Uncle Mac was apparently wrapt +in slumber. + +“You were appointed guardian, so we can do nothing. But I predict that +the girl will be spoilt, utterly spoilt,” answered Mrs. Jane, grimly. + +“Thank you, sister. I have an idea that if a woman can bring up two boys +as perfectly as you do yours, a man, if he devotes his whole mind to it, +may at least attempt as much with one girl,” replied Dr. Alec, with a +humorous look that tickled the others immensely, for it was a well-known +fact in the family that Jane's boys were more indulged than all the +other lads put together. + +“I am quite easy, for I really do think that Alec will improve the +child's health; and by the time his year is out, it will be quite soon +enough for her to go to Madame Roccabella's and be finished off,” said +Aunt Clara, settling her rings, and thinking, with languid satisfaction, +of the time when she could bring out a pretty and accomplished niece. + +“I suppose you will stay here in the old place, unless you think of +marrying, and it's high time you did,” put in Mrs. Jane, much nettled at +her brother's last hit. + +“No, thank you. Come and have a cigar, Mac,” said Dr. Alec, abruptly. + +“Don't marry; women enough in the family already,” muttered Uncle Mac; +and then the gentlemen hastily fled. + +“Aunt Peace would like to see you all, she says,” was the message Rose +brought before the ladies could begin again. + +“Hectic, hectic! dear me, dear me!” murmured Aunt Myra, as the shadow +of her gloomy bonnet fell upon Rose, and the stiff tips of a black glove +touched the cheek where the colour deepened under so many eyes. + +“I am glad these pretty curls are natural; they will be invaluable by +and by,” said Aunt Clara, taking an observation with her head on one +side. + +“Now that your uncle has come, I no longer expect you to review the +studies of the past year. I trust your time will not be entirely wasted +in frivolous sports, however,” added Aunt Jane, sailing out of the room +with the air of a martyr. + +Aunt Jessie said not a word, but kissed her little niece, with a look +of tender sympathy that made Rose cling to her a minute, and follow her +with grateful eyes as the door closed behind her. + +After everybody had gone home, Dr. Alec paced up and down the lower +hall in the twilight for an hour, thinking so intently that sometimes +he frowned, sometimes he smiled, and more than once he stood still in a +brown study. All of a sudden he said, half aloud, as if he had made up +his mind, + +“I might as well begin at once, and give the child something new to +think about, for Myra's dismals and Jane's lectures have made her as +blue as a little indigo bag.” + +Diving into one of the trunks that stood in a corner, he brought up, +after a brisk rummage, a silken cushion, prettily embroidered, and a +quaint cup of dark carved wood. + +“This will do for a start,” he said, as he plumped up the cushion and +dusted the cup. “It won't do to begin too energetically, or Rose will be +frightened. I must beguile her gently and pleasantly along till I've won +her confidence, and then she will be ready for anything.” + +Just then Phebe came out of the dining-room with a plate of brown bread, +for Rose had been allowed no hot biscuit for tea. + +“I'll relieve you of some of that,” said Dr. Alec, and, helping himself +to a generous slice, he retired to the study, leaving Phebe to wonder at +his appetite. + +She would have wondered still more if she had seen him making that brown +bread into neat little pills, which he packed into an attractive ivory +box, out of which he emptied his own bits of lovage. + +“There! if they insist on medicine, I'll order these, and no harm will +be done. I will have my own way, but I'll keep the peace, if possible, +and confess the joke when my experiment has succeeded,” he said to +himself, looking very much like a mischievous boy, as he went on with +his innocent prescriptions. + +Rose was playing softly on the small organ that stood in the upper hall, +so that Aunt Peace could enjoy it; and all the while he talked with the +old ladies, Uncle Alec was listening to the fitful music of the child, +and thinking of another Rose who used to play for him. + +As the clock struck eight, he called out, + +“Time for my girl to be abed, else she won't be up early, and I'm full +of jolly plans for to-morrow. Come and see what I've found for you to +begin upon.” + +Rose ran in and listened with bright attentive face, while Dr. Alec said +impressively, + +“In my wanderings over the face of the earth, I have picked up some +excellent remedies, and, as they are rather agreeable ones, I think you +and I will try them. This is a herb-pillow, given to me by a wise old +woman when I was ill in India. It is filled with saffron, poppies, and +other soothing plants; so lay your little head on it to-night, sleep +sweetly without a dream, and wake to-morrow without a pain.” + +“Shall I really? How nice it smells.” And Rose willingly received +the pretty pillow, and stood enjoying its faint, sweet odour, as she +listened to the doctor's next remedy. + +“This is the cup I told you of. Its virtue depends, they say, on the +drinker filling it himself; so you must learn to milk. I'll teach you.” + +“I'm afraid I never can,” said Rose; but she surveyed the cup with +favour, for a funny little imp danced on the handle, as if all ready to +take a header into the white sea below. + +“Don't you think she ought to have something more strengthening than +milk, Alec? I really shall feel anxious if she does not have a tonic of +some sort,” said Aunt Plenty, eyeing the new remedies suspiciously, for +she had more faith in her old-fashioned doses than all the magic cups +and poppy pillows of the East. + +“Well, ma'am, I'm willing to give her a pill, if you think best. It is +a very simple one, and very large quantities may be taken without harm. +You know hasheesh is the extract of hemp? Well, this is a preparation of +corn and rye, much used in old times, and I hope it will be again.” + +“Dear me, how singular!” said Aunt Plenty, bringing her spectacles to +bear upon the pills, with a face so full of respectful interest that it +was almost too much for Dr. Alec's gravity. + +“Take one in the morning, and a good-night to you, my dear,” he said, +dismissing his patient with a hearty kiss. + +Then, as she vanished, he put both hands into his hair, exclaiming, with +a comical mixture of anxiety and amusement, + +“When I think what I have undertaken, I declare to you, aunt, I feel +like running away and not coming back till Rose is eighteen!” + + + +Chapter 5--A Belt and a Box + +When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first +person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room +opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care. When he heard her +step, he turned about and began to sing, + +“Where are you going, my pretty maid?” + +“I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and +then they finished the verse together in fine style. + +Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that +it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, +and an astonished voice exclaimed, + +“What in the world are you doing about so early?” + +“Clearing our pipes for the day, ma'am. Look here, auntie, can I have +this room?” said Dr. Alec, making her a sailor's bow. + +“Any room you like, except sister's.” + +“Thanks. And may I go rummaging round in the garrets and glory-holes to +furnish it as I like?” + +“My dear boy, you may turn the house upside down if you will only stay +in it.” + +“That's a handsome offer, I'm sure. I'll stay, ma'am; here's my little +anchor, so you will get more than you want of me this time.” + +“That's impossible! Put on your jacket, Rose. Don't tire her out +with antics, Alec. Yes, sister, I'm coming!” and the cabbage vanished +suddenly. + +The first milking lesson was a droll one; but after several scares and +many vain attempts, Rose at last managed to fill her cup, while Ben +held Clover's tail so that it could not flap, and Dr. Alec kept her +from turning to stare at the new milkmaid, who objected to both these +proceedings very much. + +“You look chilly in spite of all this laughing. Take a smart run round +the garden and get up a glow,” said the doctor, as they left the barn. + +“I'm too old for running, uncle; Miss Power said it was not lady-like +for girls in their teens,” answered Rose, primly. + +“I take the liberty of differing from Madame Prunes and Prisms, and, as +your physician, I order you to run. Off with you!” said Uncle Alec, with +a look and a gesture that made Rose scurry away as fast as she could go. + +Anxious to please him, she raced round the beds till she came back to +the porch where he stood, and, dropping down upon the steps, she sat +panting, with cheeks as rosy as the rigolette on her shoulders. + +“Very well done, child; I see you have not lost the use of your limbs +though you are in your teens. That belt is too tight; unfasten it, then +you can take a long breath without panting so.” + +“It isn't tight, sir; I can breathe perfectly well,” began Rose, trying +to compose herself. + +Her uncle's only answer was to lift her up and unhook the new belt of +which she was so proud. The moment the clasp was open the belt flew +apart several inches, for it was impossible to restrain the involuntary +sigh of relief that flatly contradicted her words. + +“Why, I didn't know it was tight! it didn't feel so a bit. Of course it +would open if I puff like this, but I never do, because I hardly ever +run,” explained Rose, rather discomfited by this discovery. + +“I see you don't half fill your lungs, and so you can wear this absurd +thing without feeling it. The idea of cramping a tender little waist +in a stiff band of leather and steel just when it ought to be growing,” + said Dr. Alec, surveying the belt with great disfavour as he put the +clasp forward several holes, to Rose's secret dismay, for she was proud +of her slender figure, and daily rejoiced that she wasn't as stout +as Luly Miller, a former schoolmate, who vainly tried to repress her +plumpness. + +“It will fall off if it is so loose,” she said anxiously, as she stood +watching him pull her precious belt about. + +“Not if you keep taking long breaths to hold it on. That is what I want +you to do, and when you have filled this out we will go on enlarging it +till your waist is more like that of Hebe, goddess of health, and less +like that of a fashion-plate the ugliest thing imaginable.” + +“How it does look!” and Rose gave a glance of scorn at the loose belt +hanging round her trim little waist. “It will be lost, and then I shall +feel badly, for it cost ever so much, and is real steel and Russia +leather. Just smell how nice.” + +“If it is lost I'll give you a better one. A soft silken sash is much +fitter for a pretty child like you than a plated harness like this; and +I've got no end of Italian scarfs and Turkish sashes among my traps. Ah! +that makes you feel better, doesn't it?” and he pinched the cheek that +had suddenly dimpled with a smile. + +“It is very silly of me, but I can't help liking to know that” here she +stopped and blushed and held down her head, ashamed to add, “you think I +am pretty.” + +Dr. Alec's eyed twinkled, but he said very soberly, + +“Rose, are you vain?” + +“I'm afraid I am,” answered a very meek voice from behind the veil of +hair that hid the red face. + +“That is a sad fault.” And he sighed as if grieved at the confession. + +“I know it is, and I try not to be; but people praise me, and I can't +help liking it, for I really don't think I am repulsive.” + +The last word and the funny tone in which it was uttered were too +much for Dr. Alec, and he laughed in spite of himself, to Rose's great +relief. + +“I quite agree with you; and in order that you may be still less +repulsive, I want you to grow as fine a girl as Phebe.” + +“Phebe!” and Rose looked so amazed that her uncle nearly went off again. + +“Yes, Phebe; for she has what you need health. If you dear little girls +would only learn what real beauty is, and not pinch and starve and +bleach yourselves out so, you'd save an immense deal of time and money +and pain. A happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty +for man or woman. Do you understand that, my dear?” + +“Yes, sir,” answered Rose, much taken down by this comparison with the +girl from the poor-house. It nettled her sadly, and she showed that it +did by saying quickly, + +“I suppose you would like to have me sweep and scrub, and wear an old +brown dress, and go round with my sleeves rolled up, as Phebe does?” + +“I should very much, if you could work as well as she does, and show as +strong a pair of arms as she can. I haven't seen a prettier picture for +some time than she made of herself this morning, up to the elbows in +suds, singing like a blackbird whilst she scrubbed on the back stoop.” + +“Well, I do think you are the queerest man that ever lived!” was all +Rose could find to say after this display of bad taste. + +“I haven't begun to show you my oddities yet, so you must make up your +mind to worse shocks than this,” he said, with such a whimsical look +that she was glad the sound of a bell prevented her showing more plainly +what a blow her little vanities had already received. + +“You will find your box all open up in auntie's parlor, and there you +can amuse her and yourself by rummaging to your heart's content; I've +got to be cruising round all the morning getting my room to rights,” + said Dr. Alec, as they rose from breakfast. + +“Can't I help you, uncle?” asked Rose, quite burning to be useful. + +“No, thank you, I'm going to borrow Phebe for a while, if Aunt Plenty +can spare her.” + +“Anybody anything, Alec. You will want me, I know, so I'll give orders +about dinner and be all ready to lend a hand”; and the old lady bustled +away full of interest and good-will. + +“Uncle will find that I can do some things that Phebe can't, so now!” + thought Rose, with a toss of the head as she flew to Aunt Peace and the +long-desired box. + +Every little girl can easily imagine what an extra good time she had +diving into a sea of treasures and fishing up one pretty thing after +another, till the air was full of the mingled odours of musk and +sandalwood, the room gay with bright colours, and Rose in a rapture of +delight. She began to forgive Dr. Alec for the oatmeal diet when she saw +a lovely ivory workbox; became resigned to the state of her belt when +she found a pile of rainbow-coloured sashes; and when she came to some +distractingly pretty bottles of attar of rose, she felt that they almost +atoned for the great sin of thinking Phebe the finer girl of the two. + +Dr. Alec meanwhile had apparently taken Aunt Plenty at her word, and was +turning the house upside down. A general revolution was evidently going +on in the green-room, for the dark damask curtains were seen bundling +away in Phebe's arms; the air-tight stove retiring to the cellar on +Ben's shoulder; and the great bedstead going up garret in a fragmentary +state, escorted by three bearers. Aunt Plenty was constantly on the trot +among her store-rooms, camphor-chests, and linen-closets, looking as if +the new order of things both amazed and amused her. + +Half the peculiar performances of Dr. Alec cannot be revealed; but as +Rose glanced up from her box now and then she caught glimpses of him +striding by, bearing a bamboo chair, a pair of ancient andirons, a queer +Japanese screen, a rug or two, and finally a large bathing-pan upon his +head. + +“What a curious room it will be,” she said, as she sat resting and +refreshing herself with “Lumps of Delight,” all the way from Cairo. + +“I fancy you will like it, deary,” answered Aunt Peace, looking up with +a smile from some pretty trifle she was making with blue silk and white +muslin. + +Rose did not see the smile, for just at that moment her uncle paused +at the door, and she sprang up to dance before him, saying, with a face +full of childish happiness, + +“Look at me! look at me! I'm splendid I don't know myself. I haven't put +these things on right, I dare say, but I do like them so much!” + +“You look as gay as a parrot in your fez and cabaja, and it does my +heart good to see the little black shadow turned into a rainbow,” + said Uncle Alec, surveying the bright figure before him with great +approbation. + +He did not say it, but he thought she made a much prettier picture than +Phebe at the wash-tub, for she had stuck a purple fez on her blonde +head, tied several brilliant scarfs about her waist, and put on a truly +gorgeous scarlet jacket with a golden sun embroidered on the back, a +silver moon on the front, and stars of all sizes on the sleeves. A pair +of Turkish slippers adorned her feet, and necklaces of amber, coral, and +filigree hung about her neck, while one hand held a smelling-bottle, and +the other the spicy box of oriental sweetmeats. + +“I feel like a girl in the 'Arabian Nights,' and expect to find a magic +carpet or a wonderful talisman somewhere. Only I don't see how I ever +can thank you for all these lovely things,” she said, stopping her +dance, as if suddenly oppressed with gratitude. + +“I'll tell you how by leaving off the black clothes, that never should +have been kept so long on such a child, and wearing the gay ones I've +brought. It will do your spirits good, and cheer up this sober old +house. Won't it, auntie?” + +“I think you are right, Alec, and it is fortunate that we have not +begun on her spring clothes yet, for Myra thought she ought not to wear +anything brighter than violet, and she is too pale for that.” + +“You just let me direct Miss Hemming how to make some of these things. +You will be surprised to see how much I know about piping hems and +gathering arm-holes and shirring biases,” began Dr. Alec, patting a pile +of muslin, cloth and silk with a knowing air. + +Aunt Peace and Rose laughed so that he could not display his knowledge +any farther, till they stopped, when he said good-naturedly, + +“That will go a great way toward filling out the belt, so laugh away, +Morgiana, and I'll go back to my work, or I never shall be done.” + +“I couldn't help it, 'shirred biases' were so very funny!” Rose said, +as she turned to her box after the splendid laugh. “But really, auntie,” + she added soberly, “I feel as if I ought not to have so many nice +things. I suppose it wouldn't do to give Phebe some of them? Uncle might +not like it.” + +“He would not mind; but they are not suitable for Phebe. Some of the +dresses you are done with would be more useful, if they can be made over +to fit her,” answered Aunt Peace in the prudent, moderate tone which is +so trying to our feelings when we indulge in little fits of charitable +enthusiasm. + +“I'd rather give her new ones, for I think she is a little bit proud +and might not like old things. If she was my sister it would do, because +sisters don't mind, but she isn't, and that makes it bad, you see. I +know how I can manage beautifully; I'll adopt her!” and Rose looked +quite radiant with this new idea. + +“I'm afraid you could not do it legally till you are older, but you +might see if she likes the plan, and at any rate you can be very kind to +her, for in one sense we are all sisters, and should help one another.” + +The sweet old face looked at her so kindly that Rose was fired with a +desire to settle the matter at once, and rushed away to the kitchen, +just as she was. Phebe was there, polishing up the antique andirons so +busily that she started when a voice cried out: “Smell that, taste this, +and look at me!” + +Phebe sniffed attar of rose, crunched the “Lump of Delight” tucked into +her mouth, and stared with all her eyes at little Morgiana prancing +about the room like a brilliant paroquet. + +“My stars, ain't you splendid!” was all she could say, holding up two +dusty hands. + +“I've got heaps of lovely things upstairs, and I'll show them all to +you, and I'd go halves, only auntie thinks they wouldn't be useful, so +I shall give you something else; and you won't mind, will you? because I +want to adopt you as Arabella was in the story. Won't that be nice?” + +“Why, Miss Rose, have you lost your wits?” + +No wonder Phebe asked, for Rose talked very fast, and looked so odd in +her new costume, and was so eager she could not stop to explain. Seeing +Phebe's bewilderment, she quieted down and said, with a pretty air of +earnestness, + +“It isn't fair that I should have so much and you so little, and I want +to be as good to you as if you were my sister, for Aunt Peace says we +are all sisters really. I thought if I adopted you as much as I can now, +it would be nicer. Will you let me, please?” + +To Rose's great surprise, Phebe sat down on the floor and hid her face +in her apron for a minute without answering a word. + +“Oh, dear, now she's offended, and I don't know what to do,” thought +Rose, much discouraged by this reception of her offer. + +“Please, forgive me; I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, and hope you +won't think--” she faltered presently, feeling that she must undo the +mischief, if possible. + +But Phebe gave her another surprise, by dropping the apron and showing +a face all smiles, in spite of tears in the eyes, as she put both arms +round Rose and said, with a laugh and sob, + +“I think you are the dearest girl in the world, and I'll let you do +anything you like with me.” + +“Then you do like the plan? You didn't cry because I seemed to be kind +of patronising? I truly didn't mean to be,” cried Rose, delighted. + +“I guess I do like it! and cried because no one was ever so good to me +before, and I couldn't help it. As for patronising, you may walk on me +if you want to, and I won't mind,” said Phebe, in a burst of gratitude, +for the words, “we are sisters” went straight to her lonely heart and +nestled there. + +“Well, now, we can play I'm a good sprite out of the box, or, what is +better, a fairy godmother come down the chimney, and you are Cinderella, +and must say what you want,” said Rose, trying to put the question +delicately. + +Phebe understood that, for she had a good deal of natural refinement, +though she did come from the poor-house. + +“I don't feel as if I wanted anything now, Miss Rose, but to find some +way of thanking you for all you've done,” she said, rubbing off a tear +that went rolling down the bridge of her nose in the most unromantic +way. + +“Why, I haven't done anything but given you a bit of candy! Here, have +some more, and eat 'em while you work, and think what I can do. I must +go and clear up, so good-bye, and don't forget I've adopted you.” + +“You've given me sweeter things than candy, and I'm not likely to forget +it.” And carefully wiping off the brick-dust, Phebe pressed the little +hand Rose offered warmly in both her hard ones, while the black eyes +followed the departing visitor with a grateful look that made them very +soft and bright. + + + +Chapter 6--Uncle Alec's Room + +Soon after dinner, and before she had got acquainted with half her +new possessions, Dr. Alec proposed a drive, to carry round the first +instalment of gifts to the aunts and cousins. Rose was quite ready to +go, being anxious to try a certain soft burnous from the box, which +not only possessed a most engaging little hood, but had funny tassels +bobbing in all directions. + +The big carriage was full of parcels, and even Ben's seat was loaded +with Indian war clubs, a Chinese kite of immense size, and a pair of +polished ox-horns from Africa. Uncle Alec, very blue as to his clothes, +and very brown as to his face, sat bolt upright, surveying well +known places with interest, while Rose, feeling unusually elegant and +comfortable, leaned back folded in her soft mantle, and played she was +an Eastern princess making a royal progress among her subjects. + +At three of the places their calls were brief, for Aunt Myra's catarrh +was unusually bad; Aunt Clara had a room full of company; and Aunt +Jane showed such a tendency to discuss the population, productions, and +politics of Europe, Asia and Africa, that even Dr. Alec was dismayed, +and got away as soon as possible. + +“Now we will have a good time! I do hope the boys will be at home,” said +Rose, with a sigh of relief, as they wound yet higher up the hill to +Aunt Jessie's. + +“I left this for the last call, so that we might find the lads just in +from school. Yes, there is Jamie on the gate watching for us; now you'll +see the Clan gather; they are always swarming about together.” + +The instant Jamie saw the approaching guests he gave a shrill whistle, +which was answered by echoes from meadow, house and barn, as the cousins +came running from all directions, shouting, “Hooray for Uncle Alec!” + They went at the carriage like highwaymen, robbed it of every parcel, +took the occupants prisoners, and marched them into the house with great +exultation. + +“Little Mum! little Mum! here they are with lots of goodies! Come down +and see the fun right away! Quick!” bawled Will and Geordie amidst a +general ripping off of papers and a reckless cutting of strings that +soon turned the tidy room into a chaos. + +Down came Aunt Jessie with her pretty cap half on, but such a beaming +face below it that one rather thought the fly-away head-gear an +improvement than otherwise. She had hardly time to greet Rose and the +doctor before the boys were about her, each clamouring for her to see +his gift and rejoice over it with him, for “little Mum” went halves in +everything. The great horns skirmished about her as if to toss her to +the ceiling; the war clubs hurtled over her head as if to annihilate +her; an amazing medley from the four quarters of the globe filled her +lap, and seven excited boys all talked to her at once. + +But she liked it; oh dear, yes! and sat smiling, admiring, and +explaining, quite untroubled by the din, which made Rose cover up her +ears and Dr. Alec threaten instant flight if the riot was not quelled. +That threat produced a lull, and while the uncle received thanks in one +corner, the aunt had some little confidences made to her in the other. + +“Well, dear, and how are things going with you now? Better, I hope, than +they were a week ago.” + +“Aunt Jessie, I think I'm going to be very happy, now uncle has come. +He does the queerest things, but he is so good to me I can't help +loving him”; and, nestling closer to little Mum, Rose told all that had +happened, ending with a rapturous account of the splendid box. + +“I am very glad, dear. But, Rose, I must warn you of one thing; don't +let uncle spoil you.” + +“But I like to be spoilt, auntie.” + +“I don't doubt it; but if you turn out badly when the year is over he +will be blamed, and his experiment prove a failure. That would be a +pity, wouldn't it? when he wants to do so much for you, and can do it if +his kind heart does not get in the way of his good judgment.” + +“I never thought of that, and I'll try not to be spoilt. But how can I +help it?” asked Rose anxiously. + +“By not complaining of the wholesome things he wants you to do; by +giving him cheerful obedience as well as love; and even making some +small sacrifices for his sake.” + +“I will, I truly will! and when I get in a worry about things may I come +to you? Uncle told me to, and I feel as if I shouldn't be afraid.” + +“You may, darling; this is the place where little troubles are best +cured, and this is what mothers are for, I fancy”; and Aunt Jessie drew +the curly head to her shoulder with a tender look that proved how well +she knew what medicine the child most needed. + +It was so sweet and comfortable that Rose sat still enjoying it till a +little voice said, + +“Mamma, don't you think Pokey would like some of my shells? Rose gave +Phebe some of her nice things, and it was very good of her. Can I?” + +“Who is Pokey?” asked Rose, popping up her head, attracted by the odd +name. + +“My dolly; do you want to see her?” asked Jamie, who had been much +impressed by the tale of adoption he had overheard. + +“Yes; I'm fond of dollies, only don't tell the boys, or they will laugh +at me.” + +“They don't laugh at me, and they play with my dolly a great deal; but +she likes me best”; and Jamie ran away to produce his pet. + +“I brought my old doll, but I keep her hidden because I am too big to +play with her, and yet I can't bear to throw her away, I'm so fond of +her,” said Rose, continuing her confidences in a whisper. + +“You can come and play with Jamie's whenever you like, for we believe in +dollies up here,” began Aunt Jessie, smiling to herself as if something +amused her. + +Just then Jamie came back, and Rose understood the smile, for his dolly +proved to be a pretty four-year-old little girl, who trotted in as fast +as her fat legs would carry her, and making straight for the shells, +scrambled up an armful, saying, with a laugh that showed her little +white teeth, + +“All for Dimmy and me, for Dimmy and me!” + +“That's my dolly; isn't she a nice one?” asked Jamie, proudly surveying +his pet with his hands behind him and his short legs rather far apart a +manly attitude copied from his brothers. + +“She is a dear dolly. But why call her Pokey?” asked Rose, charmed with +the new plaything. + +“She is such an inquisitive little body she is always poking that mite +of a nose into everything; and as Paul Pry did not suit, the boys fell +to calling her Pokey. Not a pretty name, but very expressive.” + +It certainly was, for, having examined the shells, the busy tot laid +hold of everything she could find, and continued her researches till +Archie caught her sucking his carved ivory chessmen to see if they were +not barley sugar. Rice paper pictures were also discovered crumpled up +in her tiny pocket, and she nearly smashed Will's ostrich egg by trying +to sit upon it. + +“Here, Jim, take her away; she's worse than the puppies, and we can't +have her round,” commanded the elder brother, picking her up and handing +her over to the little fellow, who received her with open arms and the +warning remark, + +“You'd better mind what you do, for I'm going to 'dopt Pokey like +Rose did Phebe, and then you'll have to be very good to her, you big +fellows.” + +“'Dopt away, baby, and I'll give you a cage to keep her in, or you won't +have her long, for she is getting worse than a monkey”; and Archie went +back to his mates, while Aunt Jessie, foreseeing a crisis, proposed that +Jamie should take his dolly home, as she was borrowed, and it was time +her visit ended. + +“My dolly is better than yours, isn't she? 'cause she can walk and talk +and sing and dance, and yours can't do anything, can she?” asked Jamie +with pride, as he regarded his Pokey, who just then had been moved to +execute a funny little jig and warble the well-known couplet, + + “'Puss-tat, puss-tat, where you been?' + 'I been Lunnin, to saw a Tween.”' + +After which superb display she retired, escorted by Jamie, both making a +fearful din blowing on conch shells. + +“We must tear ourselves away, Rose, because I want to get you home +before sunset. Will you come for a drive, Jessie?” said Dr. Alec, as the +music died away in the distance. + +“No, thank you; but I see the boys want a scamper, so, if you don't +mind, they may escort you home, but not go in. That is only allowed on +holidays.” + +The words were hardly out of Aunt Jessie's mouth when Archie said, in a +tone of command, + +“Pass the word, lads. Boot and saddle, and be quick about it.” + +“All right!” And in a moment not a vestige of boy remained but the +litter on the floor. + +The cavalcade went down the hill at a pace that made Rose cling to her +uncle's arm, for the fat old horses got excited by the antics of the +ponies careering all about them, and went as fast as they could pelt, +with the gay dog-cart rattling in front, for Archie and Charlie scorned +shelties since this magnificent equipage had been set up. Ben enjoyed +the fun, and the lads cut up capers till Rose declared that “circus” was +the proper name for them after all. + +When they reached the house they dismounted, and stood, three on each +side the steps, in martial attitudes, while her ladyship was handed out +with great elegance by Uncle Alec. Then the Clan saluted, mounted at +word of command, and with a wild whoop tore down the avenue in what they +considered the true Arab style. + +“That was splendid, now it is safely ended,” said Rose, skipping up +the steps with her head over her shoulder to watch the dear tassels bob +about. + +“I shall get you a pony as soon as you are a little stronger,” said Dr. +Alec, watching her with a smile. + +“Oh, I couldn't ride one of those horrid, frisky little beasts! They +roll their eyes and bounce about so, I should die of fright,” cried +Rose, clasping her hands tragically. + +“Are you a coward?” + +“About horses I am.” + +“Never mind, then; come and see my new room”; and he led the way +upstairs without another word. + +As Rose followed she remembered her promise to Aunt Jessie, and was +sorry she had objected so decidedly. She was a great deal more sorry +five minutes later, and well she might be. + +“Now, take a good look, and tell me what you think of it,” said Dr. +Alec, opening the door and letting her enter before him, while Phebe was +seen whisking down the backstairs with a dust-pan. + +Rose walked to the middle of the room, stood still, and gazed about her +with eyes that brightened as they looked, for all was changed. + +This chamber had been built out over the library to suit some fancy, and +had been unused for years, except at Christmas times, when the old house +overflowed. It had three windows one to the east, that overlooked the +bay; one to the south, where the horse-chestnuts waved their green +fans; and one to the west, towards the hill and the evening sky. A ruddy +sunset burned there now, filling the room with an enchanted glow; the +soft murmur of the sea was heard, and a robin chirped “Good-night!” + among the budding trees. + +Rose saw and heard these things first, and felt their beauty with a +child's quick instinct; then her eye took in the altered aspect of the +room, once so shrouded, still and solitary, now so full of light and +warmth and simple luxury. + +India matting covered the floor, with a gay rug here and there; +the antique andirons shone on the wide hearth, where a cheery blaze +dispelled the dampness of the long-closed room. Bamboo lounges and +chairs stood about, and quaint little tables in cosy corners; one +bearing a pretty basket, one a desk, and on a third lay several +familiar-looking books. In a recess stood a narrow white bed, with a +lovely Madonna hanging over it. The Japanese screen half-folded back +showed a delicate toilet service of blue and white set forth on a marble +slab, and near by was the great bath-pan, with Turkish towels and a +sponge as big as Rose's head. + +“Uncle must love cold water like a duck,” she thought, with a shiver. + +Then her eye went on to the tall cabinet, where a half-open door +revealed a tempting array of the drawers, shelves and “cubby holes,” + which so delight the hearts of children. + +“What a grand place for my new things,” she thought, wondering what her +uncle kept in that cedar retreat. + +“Oh me, what a sweet toilet table!” was her next mental exclamation, as +she approached this inviting spot. + +A round old-fashioned mirror hung over it, with a gilt eagle a-top, +holding in his beak the knot of blue ribbon that tied up a curtain +of muslin falling on either side of the table, where appeared little +ivory-handled brushes, two slender silver candle-sticks, a porcelain +match-box, several pretty trays for small matters, and, most imposing of +all, a plump blue silk cushion, coquettishly trimmed with lace, and pink +rose-buds at the corners. + +That cushion rather astonished Rose; in fact, the whole table did, and +she was just thinking, with a sly smile, + +“Uncle is a dandy, but I never should have guessed it,” when he opened +the door of a large closet, saying, with a careless wave of the hand, + +“Men like plenty of room for their rattle-traps; don't you think that +ought to satisfy me?” + +Rose peeped in and gave a start, though all she saw was what one usually +finds in closets clothes and boots, boxes and bags. Ah! but you see +these clothes were small black and white frocks; the row of little boots +that stood below had never been on Dr. Alec's feet; the green bandbox +had a gray veil straying out of it, and yes! the bag hanging on the door +was certainly her own piece-bag, with a hole in one corner. She gave +a quick look round the room and understood now why it had seemed too +dainty for a man, why her Testament and Prayer Book were on the table +by the bed, and what those rose-buds meant on the blue cushion. It came +upon her in one delicious burst that this little paradise was all for +her, and, not knowing how else to express her gratitude, she caught Dr. +Alec round the neck, saying impetuously, + +“O uncle, you are too good to me! I'll do anything you ask me; ride wild +horses and take freezing baths and eat bad-tasting messes, and let my +clothes hang on me, to show how much I thank you for this dear, sweet, +lovely room!” + +“You like it, then? But why do you think it is yours, my lass?” asked +Dr. Alec, as he sat down looking well pleased, and drew his excited +little niece to his knee. + +“I don't think, I know it is for me; I see it in your face, and I feel +as if I didn't half deserve it. Aunt Jessie said you would spoil me, and +I must not let you. I'm afraid this looks like it, and perhaps oh me! +perhaps I ought not to have this beautiful room after all!” and Rose +tried to look as if she could be heroic enough to give it up if it was +best. + +“I owe Mrs. Jessie one for that,” said Dr. Alec, trying to frown, though +in his secret soul he felt that she was quite right. Then he smiled that +cordial smile, which was like sunshine on his brown face, as he said, + +“This is part of the cure, Rose, and I put you here that you might take +my three great remedies in the best and easiest way. Plenty of sun, +fresh air, and cold water; also cheerful surroundings, and some work; +for Phebe is to show you how to take care of this room, and be your +little maid as well as friend and teacher. Does that sound hard and +disagreeable to you, dear?” + +“No, sir; very, very pleasant, and I'll do my best to be a good patient. +But I really don't think anyone could be sick in this delightful +room,” she said, with a long sigh of happiness as her eye went from one +pleasant object to another. + +“Then you like my sort of medicine better than Aunt Myra's, and don't +want to throw it out of the window, hey?” + + + +Chapter 7--A Trip to China + +“Come, little girl, I've got another dose for you. I fancy you won't +take it as well as you did the last, but you will like it better after a +while,” said Dr. Alec, about a week after the grand surprise. + +Rose was sitting in her pretty room, where she would gladly have spent +all her time if it had been allowed; but she looked up with a smile, for +she had ceased to fear her uncle's remedies, and was always ready to try +a new one. The last had been a set of light gardening tools, with which +she had helped him put the flower-beds in order, learning all sorts of +new and pleasant things about the plants as she worked, for, though she +had studied botany at school, it seemed very dry stuff compared with +Uncle Alec's lively lesson. + +“What is it now?” she asked, shutting her work-box without a murmur. + +“Salt-water.” + +“How must I take it?” + +“Put on the new suit Miss Hemming sent home yesterday, and come down to +the beach; then I'll show you.” + +“Yes, sir,” answered Rose obediently, adding to herself, with a shiver, +as he went off: “It is too early for bathing, so I know it is something +to do with a dreadful boat.” + +Putting on the new suit of blue flannel, prettily trimmed with white, +and the little sailor-hat with long streamers, diverted her mind from +the approaching trial, till a shrill whistle reminded her that her uncle +was waiting. Away she ran through the garden, down the sandy path, out +upon the strip of beach that belonged to the house, and here she found +Dr. Alec busy with a slender red and white boat that lay rocking on the +rising tide. + +“That is a dear little boat; and 'Bonnie Belle' is a pretty name,” she +said, trying not to show how nervous she felt. + +“It is for you; so sit in the stern and learn to steer, till you are +ready to learn to row.” + +“Do all boats wiggle about in that way?” she asked, lingering as if to +tie her hat more firmly. + +“Oh, yes, pitch about like nutshells when the sea is a bit rough,” + answered her sailor uncle, never guessing her secret woe. + +“Is it rough to-day?” + +“Not very; it looks a trifle squally to the eastward, but we are all +right till the wind changes. Come.” + +“Can you swim, uncle?” asked Rose, clutching at his arm as he took her +hand. + +“Like a fish. Now then.” + +“Oh, please hold me very tight till I get there! Why do you have the +stern so far away?” and, stifling several squeaks of alarm in her +passage, Rose crept to the distant seat, and sat there holding on with +both hands and looking as if she expected every wave to bring a sudden +shipwreck. + +Uncle Alec took no notice of her fear, but patiently instructed her in +the art of steering, till she was so absorbed in remembering which was +starboard and which larboard, that she forgot to say “OW!” every time a +big wave slapped against the boat. + +“Now where shall we go?” she asked, as the wind blew freshly in her +face, and a few, long swift strokes sent them half across the little +bay. + +“Suppose we go to China?” + +“Isn't that rather a long voyage?” + +“Not as I go. Steer round the Point into the harbour, and I'll give you +a glimpse of China in twenty minutes or so.” + +“I should like that!” and Rose sat wondering what he meant, while she +enjoyed the new sights all about her. + +Behind them the green Aunt-hill sloped gently upward to the grove at +the top, and all along the seaward side stood familiar houses, stately, +cosy, or picturesque. As they rounded the Point, the great bay opened +before them full of shipping, and the city lay beyond, its spires rising +above the tall masts with their gay streamers. + +“Are we going there?” she asked, for she had never seen this aspect of +the rich and busy old city before. + +“Yes. Uncle Mac has a ship just in from Hong Kong, and I thought you +would like to go and see it.” + +“Oh, I should. I love dearly to go poking about in the warehouses with +Uncle Mac; everything is so curious and new to me; and I'm specially +interested in China because you have been there.” + +“I'll show you two genuine Chinamen who have just arrived. You will like +to welcome Whang Lo and Fun See, I'm sure.” + +“Don't ask me to speak to them, uncle; I shall be sure to laugh at the +odd names and the pig-tails and the slanting eyes. Please let me just +trot round after you; I like that best.” + +“Very well; now steer toward the wharf where the big ship with the queer +flag is. That's the 'Rajah,' and we will go aboard if we can.” + +In among the ships they went, by the wharves where the water was green +and still, and queer barnacles grew on the slippery piles. Odd smells +saluted her nose, and odd sights met her eyes, but Rose liked it all, +and played she was really landing in Hong Kong when they glided up to +the steps in the shadow of the tall “Rajah.” Boxes and bales were rising +out of the hold and being carried into the warehouse by stout porters, +who tugged and bawled and clattered about with small trucks, or worked +cranes with iron claws that came down and clutched heavy weights, +whisking them aloft to where wide doors like mouths swallowed them up. + +Dr. Alec took her aboard the ship, and she had the satisfaction of +poking her inquisitive little nose into every available corner, at the +risk of being crushed, lost, or drowned. + +“Well, child, how would you like to take a voyage round the world with +me in a jolly old craft like this?” asked her uncle, as they rested a +minute in the captain's cabin. + +“I should like to see the world, but not in such a small, untidy, smelly +place as this. We would go in a yacht all clean and comfortable; +Charlie says that is the proper way,” answered Rose, surveying the close +quarters with little favour. + +“You are not a true Campbell if you don't like the smell of tar and +salt-water, nor Charlie either, with his luxurious yacht. Now come +ashore and chin-chin with the Celestials.” + +After a delightful progress through the great warehouse, peeping and +picking as they went, they found Uncle Mac and the yellow gentlemen in +his private room, where samples, gifts, curiosities, and newly arrived +treasures of all sorts were piled up in pleasing pro-fusion and +con-fusion. + +As soon as possible Rose retired to a corner, with a porcelain god +on one side, a green dragon on the other, and, what was still more +embarrassing, Fun See sat on a tea-chest in front, and stared at her +with his beady black eyes till she did not know where to look. + +Mr. Whang Lo was an elderly gentleman in American costume, with his +pig-tail neatly wound round his head. He spoke English, and was talking +busily with Uncle Mac in the most commonplace way so Rose considered him +a failure. But Fun See was delightfully Chinese from his junk-like shoes +to the button on his pagoda hat; for he had got himself up in style, and +was a mass of silk jackets and slouchy trousers. He was short and fat, +and waddled comically; his eyes were very “slanting,” as Rose said; his +queue was long, so were his nails; his yellow face was plump and shiny, +and he was altogether a highly satisfactory Chinaman. + +Uncle Alec told her that Fun See had come out to be educated and could +only speak a little pigeon English; so she must be kind to the poor +fellow, for he was only a lad, though he looked nearly as old as Mr. +Whang Lo. Rose said she would be kind; but had not the least idea how to +entertain the queer guest, who looked as if he had walked out of one of +the rice-paper landscapes on the wall, and sat nodding at her so like a +toy Mandarin that she could hardly keep sober. + +In the midst of her polite perplexity, Uncle Mac saw the two young +people gazing wistfully at one another, and seemed to enjoy the joke +of this making acquaintance under difficulties. Taking a box from his +table, he gave it to Fun See, with an order that seemed to please him +very much. + +Descending from his perch, he fell to unpacking it with great neatness +and despatch, while Rose watched him, wondering what was going to +happen. Presently, out from the wrappings came a teapot, which caused +her to clasp her hands with delight, for it was made in the likeness of +a plump little Chinaman. His hat was the cover, his queue the handle, +and his pipe the nose. It stood upon feet in shoes turned up at the +toes, and the smile on the fat, sleepy face was so like that on Fun's +when he displayed the teapot, that Rose couldn't help laughing, which +pleased him much. + +Two pretty cups with covers, and a fine scarlet tray completed the +set, and made one long to have a “dish of tea,” even in Chinese style, +without cream or sugar. + +When he had arranged them on a little table before her, Fun signified in +pantomime that they were hers, from her uncle. She returned her thanks +in the same way, whereupon he returned to his tea-chest, and, having +no other means of communication, they sat smiling and nodding at one +another in an absurd sort of way till a new idea seemed to strike +Fun. Tumbling off his seat, he waddled away as fast as his petticoats +permitted, leaving Rose hoping that he had not gone to get a roasted +rat, a stewed puppy, or any other foreign mess which civility would +oblige her to eat. + +While she waited for her funny new friend, she improved her mind in a +way that would have charmed Aunt Jane. The gentlemen were talking over +all sorts of things, and she listened attentively, storing up much +of what she heard, for she had an excellent memory, and longed to +distinguish herself by being able to produce some useful information +when reproached with her ignorance. + +She was just trying to impress upon her mind that Amoy was two hundred +and eighty miles from Hong Kong, when Fun came scuffling back, bearing +what she thought was a small sword, till he unfurled an immense fan, and +presented it with a string of Chinese compliments, the meaning of +which would have amused her even more than the sound, if she could have +understood it. + +She had never seen such an astonishing fan, and at once became absorbed +in examining it. Of course, there was no perspective whatever, which +only gave it a peculiar charm to Rose, for in one place a lovely lady, +with blue knitting-needles in her hair, sat directly upon the spire of a +stately pagoda. In another charming view a brook appeared to flow in at +the front door of a stout gentleman's house, and out at his chimney. In +a third a zig-zag wall went up into the sky like a flash of lightning, +and a bird with two tails was apparently brooding over a fisherman whose +boat was just going aground upon the moon. + +It was altogether a fascinating thing, and she would have sat wafting it +to and fro all the afternoon, to Fun's great satisfaction, if Dr. Alec's +attention had not suddenly been called to her by a breeze from the big +fan that blew his hair into his eyes, and reminded him that they must +go. So the pretty china was repacked, Rose furled her fan, and with +several parcels of choice teas for the old ladies stowed away in Dr. +Alec's pockets, they took their leave, after Fun had saluted them with +“the three bendings and the nine knockings,” as they salute the Emperor, +or “Son of Heaven,” at home. + +“I feel as if I had really been to China, and I'm sure I look so,” said +Rose, as they glided out of the shadow of the “Rajah.” + +She certainly did, for Mr. Whang Lo had given her a Chinese umbrella; +Uncle Alec had got some lanterns to light up her balcony; the great fan +lay in her lap, and the tea-set reposed at her feet. + +“This is not a bad way to study geography, is it?” asked her uncle, who +had observed her attention to the talk. + +“It is a very pleasant way, and I really think I have learned more about +China to-day than in all the lessons I had at school, though I used to +rattle off the answers as fast as I could go. No one explained anything +to us, so all I remember is that tea and silk come from there, and the +women have little bits of feet. I saw Fun looking at mine, and he must +have thought them perfectly immense,” answered Rose, surveying her stout +boots with sudden contempt. + +“We will have out the maps and the globe, and I'll show you some of my +journeys, telling stories as we go. That will be next best to doing it +actually.” + +“You are so fond of travelling, I should think it would be very dull for +you here, uncle. Do you know, Aunt Plenty says she is sure you will be +off in a year or two.” + +“Very likely.” + +“Oh, me! what shall I do then?” sighed Rose, in a tone of despair that +made Uncle Alec's face brighten with a look of genuine pleasure as he +said significantly, + +“Next time I go I shall take my little anchor with me. How will that +suit?” + +“Really, uncle?” + +“Really, niece.” + +Rose gave a little bounce of rapture which caused the boat to “wiggle” + in a way that speedily quieted her down. But she sat beaming joyfully +and trying to think which of some hundred questions she would ask first, +when Dr. Alec said, pointing to a boat that was coming up behind them in +great style, + +“How well those fellows row! Look at them, and take notes for your own +use by and by.” + +The “Stormy Petrel” was manned by half a dozen jaunty looking sailors, +who made a fine display of blue shirts and shiny hats, with stars and +anchors in every direction. + +“How beautifully they go, and they are only boys. Why, I do believe they +are our boys! Yes, I see Charlie laughing over his shoulder. Row, uncle, +row! Oh, please do, and not let them catch up with us!” cried Rose, in +such a state of excitement that the new umbrella nearly went overboard. + +“All right, here we go!” and away they did go with a long steady sweep +of the oars that carried the “Bonnie Belle” through the water with a +rush. + +The lads pulled their prettiest, but Dr. Alec would have reached the +Point first, if Rose, in her flurry, had not retarded him by jerking the +rudder ropes in a most unseamanlike way, and just as she got right again +her hat blew off. That put an end to the race, and while they were still +fishing for the hat the other boat came alongside, with all the oars in +the air, and the jolly young tars ready for a frolic. + +“Did you catch a crab, uncle?” + +“No, a blue-fish,” he answered, as the dripping hat was landed on a seat +to dry. + +“What have you been doing?” + +“Seeing Fun.” + +“Good for you, Rose! I know what you mean. We are going to have him up +to show us how to fly the big kite, for we can't get the hang of it. +Isn't he great fun, though?” + +“No, little Fun.” + +“Come, stop joking, and show us what you've got.” + +“You'd better hoist that fan for a sail.” + +“Lend Dandy your umbrella; he hates to burn his pretty nose.” + +“I say, uncle, are you going to have a Feast of Lanterns?” + +“No, I'm going to have a feast of bread and butter, for it's tea-time. +If that black cloud doesn't lie, we shall have a gust before long, +so you had better get home as soon as you can, or your mother will be +anxious, Archie.” + +“Ay, ay, skipper. Good-night, Rose; come out often, and we'll teach you +all there is to know about rowing,” was Charlie's modest invitation. + +Then the boats parted company, and across the water from the “Petrel's” + crew came a verse from one of the Nonsense songs in which the boys +delighted. + + “Oh, Timballoo! how happy we are, + We live in a sieve and a crockery jar! + And all night long, in the starlight pale, + We sail away, with a pea-green sail, + And whistle and warble a moony song + To the echoing sound of a coppery gong. + Far and few, far and few + Are the lands where the Jumblies live; + Their heads are green, and their hands are blue, + And they went to sea in a sieve.” + + + +Chapter 8--And what came of it + +“Uncle, could you lend me a ninepence? I'll return it as soon as I get +my pocket-money,” said Rose, coming into the library in a great hurry +that evening. + +“I think I could, and I won't charge any interest for it, so you need +not be in any hurry to repay me. Come back here and help me settle these +books if you have nothing pleasanter to do,” answered Dr. Alec, handing +out the money with that readiness which is so delightful when we ask +small loans. + +“I'll come in a minute; I've been longing to fix my books, but didn't +dare to touch them, because you always shake your head when I read.” + +“I shall shake my head when you write, if you don't do it better than +you did in making out this catalogue.” + +“I know it's bad, but I was in a hurry when I did it, and I am in one +now.” And away went Rose, glad to escape a lecture. + +But she got it when she came back, for Uncle Alec was still knitting +his brows over the list of books, and sternly demanded, pointing to a +tipsy-looking title staggering down the page, + +“Is that meant for 'Pulverized Bones,' ma'am?” + +“No, sir; it's 'Paradise Lost.'” + +“Well, I'm glad to know it, for I began to think you were planning to +study surgery or farming. And what is this, if you please? 'Babies' +Aprons' is all I can make of it.” + +Rose looked hard at the scrawl, and presently announced, with an air of +superior wisdom, + +“Oh, that's 'Bacon's Essays.'” + +“Miss Power did not teach anything so old-fashioned as writing, I see. +Now look at this memorandum Aunt Plenty gave me, and see what a handsome +plain hand that is. She went to a dame-school and learnt a few useful +things well; that is better than a smattering of half a dozen so-called +higher branches, I take the liberty of thinking.” + +“Well, I'm sure I was considered a bright girl at school, and learned +everything I was taught. Luly and me were the first in all our classes, +and 'specially praised for our French and music and those sort of +things,” said Rose, rather offended at Uncle Alec's criticism. + +“I dare say; but if your French grammar was no better than your English, +I think the praise was not deserved, my dear.” + +“Why, uncle, we did study English grammar, and I could parse +beautifully. Miss Power used to have us up to show off when people came. +I don't see but I talk as right as most girls.” + +“I dare say you do, but we are all too careless about our English. Now, +think a minute, and tell me if these expressions are correct 'Luly and +me,' 'those sort of things,' and 'as right as most girls.'” + +Rose pulled her pet curl and put up her lip, but had to own that she was +wrong, and said meekly, after a pause which threatened to be sulky, + +“I suppose I should have said 'Luly and I,' in that case, and 'that sort +of things' and 'rightly,' though 'correctly' would have been a better +word, I guess.” + +“Thank you; and if you will kindly drop 'I guess,' I shall like my +little Yankee all the better. Now, see here, Rosy, I don't pretend +to set myself up for a model in anything, and you may come down on my +grammar, manners or morals as often as you think I'm wrong, and I'll +thank you. I've been knocking about the world for years, and have got +careless, but I want my girl to be what I call well-educated, even if +she studies nothing but the three 'Rs' for a year to come. Let us be +thorough, no matter how slowly we go.” + +He spoke so earnestly and looked so sorry to have ruffled her that +Rose went and sat on the arm of his chair, saying, with a pretty air of +penitence, + +“I'm sorry I was cross, uncle, when I ought to thank you for taking +so much interest in me. I guess no, I think you are right about being +thorough, for I used to understand a great deal better when papa taught +me a few lessons than when Miss Power hurried me through so many. I +declare my head used to be such a jumble of French and German, history +and arithmetic, grammar and music, I used to feel sometimes as if it +would split. I'm sure I don't wonder it ached.” And she held on to it as +if the mere memory of the “jumble” made it swim. + +“Yet that is considered an excellent school, I find, and I dare say it +would be if the benighted lady did not think it necessary to cram her +pupils like Thanks-giving turkeys, instead of feeding them in a natural +and wholesome way. It is the fault with most American schools, and the +poor little heads will go on aching till we learn better.” + +This was one of Dr. Alec's hobbies, and Rose was afraid he was off for +a gallop, but he reined himself in and gave her thoughts a new turn by +saying suddenly, as he pulled out a fat pocket-book, + +“Uncle Mac has put all your affairs into my hands now, and here is your +month's pocket money. You keep your own little accounts, I suppose?” + +“Thank you. Yes, Uncle Mac gave me an account book when I went to +school, and I used to put down my expenses, but I couldn't make them go +very well, for figures are the one thing I am not at all clever about,” + said Rose, rummaging in her desk for a dilapidated little book, which +she was ashamed to show when she found it. + +“Well, as figures are rather important things to most of us, and you may +have a good many accounts to keep some day, wouldn't it be wise to +begin at once and learn to manage your pennies before the pounds come to +perplex you?” + +“I thought you would do all that fussy part and take care of the pounds, +as you call them. Need I worry about it? I do hate sums, so!” + +“I shall take care of things till you are of age, but I mean that you +shall know how your property is managed, and do as much of it as you can +by and by; then you won't be dependent on the honesty of other people.” + +“Gracious me! as if I wouldn't trust you with millions of billions if I +had them,” cried Rose, scandalised at the mere suggestion. + +“Ah, but I might be tempted; guardians are sometimes; so you'd better +keep your eye on me, and in order to do that you must learn all about +these affairs,” answered Dr. Alec, as he made an entry in his own very +neat account-book. + +Rose peeped over his shoulder at it, and then turned to the arithmetical +puzzle in her hand with a sigh of despair. + +“Uncle, when you add up your expenses do you ever find you have got more +money than you had in the beginning?” + +“No; I usually find that I have a good deal less than I had in the +beginning. Are you troubled in the peculiar way you mention?” + +“Yes; it is very curious, but I never can make things come out square.” + +“Perhaps I can help you,” began Uncle Alec, in the most respectful tone. + +“I think you had better, for if I have got to keep accounts I may as +well begin in the right way. But please don't laugh! I know I'm very +stupid, and my book is a disgrace, but I never could get it straight.” + And with great trepidation, Rose gave up her funny little accounts. + +It really was good in Dr. Alec not to laugh, and Rose felt deeply +grateful when he said in a mildly suggestive tone, + +“The dollars and cents seem to be rather mixed, perhaps if I just +straightened them out a bit we should find things all right.” + +“Please do, and then show me on a fresh leaf how to make mine look nice +and ship-shape as yours do.” + +As Rose stood by him watching the ease with which he quickly brought +order out of chaos, she privately resolved to hunt up her old arithmetic +and perfect herself in the four first rules, with a good tug at +fractions, before she read any more fairy tales. + +“Am I a rich girl, uncle?” she asked suddenly, as he was copying a +column of figures. + +“Rather a poor one, I should say, since you had to borrow a ninepence.” + +“That was your fault, because you forgot my pocket-money. But, really, +shall I be rich by and by?” + +“I am afraid you will.” + +“Why afraid, uncle?” + +“Too much money is a bad thing.” + +“But I can give it away, you know; that is always the pleasantest part +of having it I think.” + +“I'm glad you feel so, for you can do much good with your fortune if you +know how to use it well.” + +“You shall teach me, and when I am a woman we will set up a school where +nothing but the three R's shall be taught, and all the children live +on oatmeal, and the girls have waists a yard round,” said Rose, with a +sudden saucy smile dimpling her cheeks. + +“You are an impertinent little baggage, to turn on me in that way right +in the midst of my first attempt at teaching. Never mind, I'll have an +extra bitter dose for you next time, miss.” + +“I knew you wanted to laugh, so I gave you a chance. Now, I will be +good, master, and do my lesson nicely.” + +So Dr. Alec had his laugh, and then Rose sat down and took a lesson in +accounts which she never forgot. + +“Now come and read aloud to me; my eyes are tired, and it is pleasant to +sit here by the fire while the rain pours outside and Aunt Jane lectures +upstairs,” said Uncle Alec, when last month's accounts had been put in +good order and a fresh page neatly begun. + +Rose liked to read aloud, and gladly gave him the chapter in “Nicholas +Nickleby” where the Miss Kenwigses take their French lesson. She did her +very best, feeling that she was being criticised, and hoping that she +might not be found wanting in this as in other things. + +“Shall I go on, sir?” she asked very meekly, when the chapter ended. + +“If you are not tired, dear. It is a pleasure to hear you, for you read +remarkably well,” was the answer that filled her heart with pride and +pleasure. + +“Do you really think so, uncle? I'm so glad! Papa taught me, and I read +for hours to him, but I thought perhaps, he liked it because he was fond +of me.” + +“So am I; but you really do read unusually well, and I'm very glad of +it, for it is a rare accomplishment, and one I value highly. Come here +in this cosy, low chair; the light is better, and I can pull these curls +if you go too fast. I see you are going to be a great comfort as well +as a great credit to your old uncle, Rosy.” And Dr. Alec drew her close +beside him with such a fatherly look and tone that she felt it would +be very easy to love and obey him, since he knew how to mix praise and +blame so pleasantly together. + +Another chapter was just finished, when the sound of a carriage warned +them that Aunt Jane was about to depart. Before they could go to meet +her, however, she appeared in the doorway looking like an unusually tall +mummy in her waterproof, with her glasses shining like cat's eyes from +the depths of the hood. + +“Just as I thought! petting that child to death and letting her sit up +late reading trash. I do hope you feel the weight of the responsibility +you have taken upon yourself, Alec,” she said, with a certain grim sort +of satisfaction at seeing things go wrong. + +“I think I have a very realising sense of it, sister Jane,” answered +Dr. Alec, with a comical shrug of the shoulders and a glance at Rose's +bright face. + +“It is sad to see a great girl wasting these precious hours so. Now, my +boys have studied all day, and Mac is still at his books, I've no doubt, +while you have not had a lesson since you came, I suspect.” + +“I've had five to-day, ma'am,” was Rose's very unexpected answer. + +“I'm glad to hear it; and what were they, pray?” Rose looked very demure +as she replied, + +“Navigation, geography, grammar, arithmetic, and keeping my temper.” + +“Queer lessons, I fancy; and what have you learned from this remarkable +mixture, I should like to know?” + +A naughty sparkle came into Rose's eyes as she answered, with a droll +look at her uncle, + +“I can't tell you all, ma'am, but I have collected some useful +information about China, which you may like, especially the teas. The +best are Lapsing Souchong, Assam Pekoe, rare Ankoe, Flowery Pekoe, +Howqua's mixture, Scented Caper, Padral tea, black Congou, and green +Twankey. Shanghai is on the Woosung River. Hong Kong means 'Island of +Sweet waters.' Singapore is 'Lion's Town.' 'Chops' are the boats they +live in; and they drink tea out of little saucers. Principal productions +are porcelain, tea, cinnamon, shawls, tin, tamarinds and opium. They +have beautiful temples and queer gods; and in Canton is the Dwelling of +the Holy Pigs, fourteen of them, very big, and all blind.” + +The effect of this remarkable burst was immense, especially the fact +last mentioned. It entirely took the wind out of Aunt Jane's sails; it +was so sudden, so varied and unexpected, that she had not a word to say. +The glasses remained fixed full upon Rose for a moment, and then, with +a hasty “Oh, indeed!” the excellent lady bundled into her carriage and +drove away, somewhat bewildered and very much disturbed. + +She would have been more so if she had seen her reprehensible +brother-in-law dancing a triumphal polka down the hall with Rose in +honour of having silenced the enemy's battery for once. + + + +Chapter 9--Phebe's Secret + +“Why do you keep smiling to yourself, Phebe?” asked Rose, as they were +working together one morning, for Dr. Alec considered house-work the +best sort of gymnastics for girls; so Rose took lessons of Phebe in +sweeping, dusting and bed-making. + +“I was thinking about a nice little secret I know, and couldn't help +smiling.” + +“Shall I know it, sometime?” + +“Guess you will.” + +“Shall I like it?” + +“Oh, won't you, though!” + +“Will it happen soon?” + +“Sometime this week.” + +“I know what it is! The boys are going to have fireworks on the fourth, +and have got some surprise for me. Haven't they?” + +“That's telling.” + +“Well, I can wait; only tell me one thing is uncle in it?” + +“Of course he is; there's never any fun without him.” + +“Then it's all right, and sure to be nice.” + +Rose went out on the balcony to shake the rugs, and, having given them +a vigorous beating, hung them on the balustrade to air, while she took a +look at her plants. Several tall vases and jars stood there, and a month +of June sun and rain had worked wonders with the seeds and slips she had +planted. Morning-glories and nasturtiums ran all over the bars, making +haste to bloom. Scarlet beans and honeysuckles were climbing up from +below to meet their pretty neighbours, and the woodbine was hanging its +green festoons wherever it could cling. + +The waters of the bay were dancing in the sunshine, a fresh wind stirred +the chestnut-trees with a pleasant sound, and the garden below was full +of roses, butterflies and bees. A great chirping and twittering went on +among the birds, busy with their summer house-keeping, and, far away, +the white-winged gulls were dipping and diving in the sea, where ships, +like larger birds, went sailing to and fro. + +“Oh, Phebe, it's such a lovely day, I do wish your fine secret was going +to happen right away! I feel just like having a good time; don't you?” + said Rose, waving her arms as if she was going to fly. + +“I often feel that way, but I have to wait for my good times, and don't +stop working to wish for 'em. There, now you can finish as soon as the +dust settles; I must go do my stairs,” and Phebe trudged away with the +broom, singing as she went. + +Rose leaned where she was, and fell to thinking how many good times +she had had lately, for the gardening had prospered finely, and she was +learning to swim and row, and there were drives and walks, and quiet +hours of reading and talk with Uncle Alec, and, best of all, the old +pain and ennui seldom troubled her now. She could work and play all +day, sleep sweetly all night, and enjoy life with the zest of a healthy, +happy child. She was far from being as strong and hearty as Phebe, but +she was getting on; the once pale cheeks had colour in them now, the +hands were growing plump and brown, and the belt was not much too loose. +No one talked to her about her health, and she forgot that she had “no +constitution.” She took no medicine but Dr. Alec's three great remedies, +and they seemed to suit her excellently. Aunt Plenty said it was the +pills; but, as no second batch had ever followed the first, I think the +old lady was mistaken. + +Rose looked worthy of her name as she stood smiling to herself over +a happier secret than any Phebe had a secret which she did not know +herself till she found out, some years later, the magic of good health. + + “'Look only,' said the brownie, + 'At the pretty gown of blue, + At the kerchief pinned about her head, + And at her little shoe,”' + +said a voice from below, as a great cabbage-rose came flying against her +cheek. + +“What is the princess dreaming about up there in her hanging-garden?” + added Dr. Alec as she flung back a morning-glory. + +“I was wishing I could do something pleasant this fine day; something +very new and interesting, for the wind makes me feel frisky and gay.” + +“Suppose we take a pull over to the Island? I intended to go this +afternoon; but if you feel more like it now, we can be off at once.” + +“I do! I do! I'll come in fifteen minutes, uncle. I must just scrabble +my room to rights, for Phebe has got a great deal to do.” + +Rose caught up the rugs and vanished as she spoke, while Dr. Alec went +in, saying to himself, with an indulgent smile, + +“It may upset things a trifle, but half a child's pleasure consists in +having their fun when they want it.” + +Never did duster flap more briskly than the one Rose used that day, and +never was a room “scrabbled” to rights in such haste as hers. Tables and +chairs flew into their places as if alive; curtains shook as if a gale +was blowing; china rattled and small articles tumbled about as if a +young earthquake was playing with them. The boating suit went on in a +twinkling, and Rose was off with a hop and a skip, little dreaming how +many hours it would be before she saw her pretty room again. + +Uncle Alec was putting a large basket into the boat when she arrived, +and before they were off Phebe came running down with a queer, knobby +bundle done up in a water-proof. + +“We can't eat half that luncheon, and I know we shall not need so many +wraps. I wouldn't lumber the boat up so,” said Rose, who still had +secret scares when on the water. + +“Couldn't you make a smaller parcel, Phebe?” asked Dr. Alec, eyeing the +bundle suspiciously. + +“No, sir, not in such a hurry,” and Phebe laughed as she gave a +particularly large knob a good poke. + +“Well, it will do for ballast. Don't forget the note to Mrs. Jessie, I +beg of you.” + +“No, sir. I'll send it right off,” and Phebe ran up the bank as if she +had wings to her feet. + +“We'll take a look at the lighthouse first, for you have not been there +yet, and it is worth seeing. By the time we have done that it will be +pretty warm, and we will have lunch under the trees on the Island.” + +Rose was ready for anything, and enjoyed her visit to the lighthouse on +the Point very much, especially climbing up the narrow stairs and going +inside the great lantern. They made a long stay, for Dr. Alec seemed in +no hurry to go, and kept looking through his spy-glass as if he expected +to discover something remarkable on sea or land. It was past twelve +before they reached the Island, and Rose was ready for her lunch long +before she got it. + +“Now this is lovely! I do wish the boys were here. Won't it be nice to +have them with us all their vacation? Why, it begins to-day, doesn't it? +Oh, I wish I'd remembered it sooner, and perhaps they would have come +with us,” she said, as they lay luxuriously eating sandwiches under the +old apple-tree. + +“So we might. Next time we won't be in such a hurry. I expect the lads +will take our heads off when they find us out,” answered Dr. Alec, +placidly drinking cold tea. + +“Uncle, I smell a frying sort of a smell,” Rose said, pausing suddenly +as she was putting away the remains of the lunch half an hour later. + +“So do I; it is fish, I think.” + +For a moment they both sat with their noses in the air, sniffing like +hounds; then Dr. Alec sprang up, saying with great decision, + +“Now, this won't do! No one is permitted on this island without asking +leave. I must see who dares to fry fish on my private property.” + +Taking the basket on one arm and the bundle on the other, he strode away +towards the traitorous smell, looking as fierce as a lion, while Rose +marched behind under her umbrella. + +“We are Robinson Crusoe and his man Friday going to see if the savages +have come,” she said presently, for her fancy was full of the dear old +stories that all children love so well. + +“And there they are! Two tents and two boats, as I live! These rascals +mean to enjoy themselves, that's evident.” + +“There ought to be more boats and no tents. I wonder where the prisoners +are?” + +“There are traces of them,” and Dr. Alec pointed to the heads and tails +of fishes strewn on the grass. + +“And there are more,” said Rose, laughing, as she pointed to a scarlet +heap of what looked like lobsters. + +“The savages are probably eating their victims now; don't you hear the +knives rattle in that tent?” + +“We ought to creep up and peep; Crusoe was cautious, you know, and +Friday scared out of his wits,” added Rose, still keeping up the joke. + +“But this Crusoe is going to pounce upon them, regardless of +consequences. If I am killed and eaten, you seize the basket and run for +the boat; there are provisions enough for your voyage home.” + +With that Uncle Alec slipped round to the front of the tent and, casting +in the big bundle like a bomb-shell, roared out, in a voice of thunder, + +“Pirates, surrender!” + +A crash, a shout, a laugh, and out came the savages, brandishing knives +and forks, chicken bones, and tin mugs, and all fell upon the intruder, +pommelling him unmercifully as they cried, + +“You came too soon! We are not half ready! You've spoilt it all! Where +is Rose?” + +“Here I am,” answered a half-stifled voice, and Rose was discovered +sitting on the pile of red flannel bathing clothes, which she had +mistaken for lobsters, and where she had fallen in a fit of merriment +when she discovered that the cannibals were her merry cousins. + +“You good-for-nothing boys! You are always bursting out upon me in some +ridiculous way, and I always get taken in because I'm not used to such +pranks. Uncle is as bad as the rest, and it's great fun,” she said, +as the lads came round her, half scolding, half welcoming, and wholly +enjoying the double surprise. + +“You were not to come till afternoon, and mamma was to be here to +receive you. Everything is in a mess now, except your tent; we got that +in order the first thing, and you can sit there and see us work,” said +Archie, doing the honours as usual. + +“Rose felt it in her bones, as Dolly says, that something was in the +wind, and wanted to be off at once. So I let her come, and should +have kept her away an hour longer if your fish had not betrayed you,” + explained Uncle Alec, subsiding from a ferocious Crusoe into his +good-natured self again. + +“As this seat is rather damp, I think I'll rise,” said Rose, as the +excitement lessened a little. + +Several fishy hands helped her up, and Charlie said, as he scattered the +scarlet garments over the grass with an oar, + +“We had a jolly good swim before dinner, and I told the Brats to spread +these to dry. Hope you brought your things, Rose, for you belong to the +Lobsters, you know, and we can have no end of fun teaching you to dive +and float and tread water.” + +“I didn't bring anything--” began Rose, but was interrupted by the Brats +(otherwise Will and Geordie), who appeared bearing the big bundle, so +much demoralised by its fall that a red flannel tunic trailed out at one +end and a little blue dressing-gown at the other, while the knobs proved +to be a toilet-case, rubbers, and a silver mug. + +“Oh, that sly Phebe! This was the secret, and she bundled up those +things after I went down to the boat,” cried Rose, with sparkling eyes. + +“Guess something is smashed inside, for a bit of glass fell out,” + observed Will, as they deposited the bundle at her feet. + +“Catch a girl going anywhere without a looking-glass. We haven't got one +among the whole lot of us,” added Mac, with masculine scorn. + +“Dandy has; I caught him touching up his wig behind the trees after our +swim,” cut in Geordie, wagging a derisive finger at Steve, who promptly +silenced him by a smart rap on the head with the drum-stick he had just +polished off. + +“Come, come, you lazy lubbers, fall to work, or we shall not be ready +for mamma. Take Rose's things to her tent, and tell her all about it, +Prince. Mac and Steve, you cut away and bring up the rest of the straw; +and you small chaps, clear off the table, if you have stuffed all you +can. Please, uncle, I'd like your advice about the boundary lines and +the best place for the kitchen.” + +Everyone obeyed the chief, and Rose was escorted to her tent by Charlie, +who devoted himself to her service. She was charmed with her quarters, +and still more so with the programme which he unfolded before her as +they worked. + +“We always camp out somewhere in vacation, and this year we thought we'd +try the Island. It is handy, and our fireworks will show off well from +here.” + +“Shall we stay over the Fourth? Three whole days! Oh, me! what a frolic +it will be!” + +“Bless your heart, we often camp for a week, we big fellows; but this +year the small chaps wanted to come, so we let them. We have great +larks, as you'll see; for we have a cave and play Captain Kidd, and have +shipwrecks, and races, and all sorts of games. Arch and I are rather +past that kind of thing now, but we do it to please the children,” added +Charlie, with a sudden recollection of his sixteen years. + +“I had no idea boys had such good times. Their plays never seemed a bit +interesting before. But I suppose that was because I never knew any boys +very well, or perhaps you are unusually nice ones,” observed Rose, with +an artless air of appreciation that was very flattering. + +“We are a pretty clever set, I fancy; but we have a good many +advantages, you see. There are a tribe of us, to begin with; then our +family has been here for ages, and we have plenty of 'spondulics,' so +we can rather lord it over the other fellows, and do as we like. There, +ma'am, you can hang your smashed glass on that nail and do up your back +hair as fine as you please. You can have a blue blanket or a red one, +and a straw pillow or an air cushion for your head, whichever you like. +You can trim up to any extent, and be as free and easy as squaws in a +wigwam, for this corner is set apart for you ladies and we never cross +the line uncle is drawing until we ask leave. Anything more I can do for +you, cousin?” + +“No, thank you. I think I'll leave the rest till auntie comes, and go +and help you somewhere else, if I may.” + +“Yes, indeed, come on and see to the kitchen. Can you cook?” asked +Charlie, as he led the way to the rocky nook where Archie was putting up +a sail-cloth awning. + +“I can make tea and toast bread.” + +“Well, we'll shew you how to fry fish, and make chowder. Now you just +set these pots and pans round tastefully, and sort of tidy up a bit, +for Aunt Jessie insists on doing some of the work, and I want it to be +decent here.” + +By four o'clock the camp was in order, and the weary workers settled +down on Lookout Rock to watch for Mrs. Jessie and Jamie, who was never +far from mamma's apron string. They looked like a flock of blue-birds, +all being in sailor rig, with blue ribbon enough flying from the seven +hats to have set up a milliner. Very tuneful blue-birds they were, too, +for all the lads sang, and the echo of their happy voices reached Mrs. +Jessie long before she saw them. + +The moment the boat hove in sight up went the Island flag, and the +blue-jackets cheered lustily, as they did on every possible occasion, +like true young Americans. This welcome was answered by the flapping of +a handkerchief and the shrill “Rah! Rah! Rah!” of the one small tar +who stood in the stern waving his hat manfully, while a maternal hand +clutched him firmly in the rear. + +Cleopatra landing from her golden galley never received a heartier +greeting than “Little Mum” as she was borne to her tent by the young +folk, for love of whom she smilingly resigned herself to three days of +discomfort; while Jamie immediately attached himself to Rose, assuring +her of his protection from the manifold perils which might assail them. + +Taught by long experience that boys are always hungry, Aunt Jessie soon +proposed supper, and proceeded to get it, enveloped in an immense apron, +with an old hat of Archie's stuck atop of her cap. Rose helped, and +tried to be as handy as Phebe, though the peculiar style of table she +had to set made it no easy task. It was accomplished at last, and a +very happy party lay about under the trees, eating and drinking out of +anyone's plate and cup, and quite untroubled by the frequent appearance +of ants and spiders in places which these interesting insects are not +expected to adorn. + +“I never thought I should like to wash dishes, but I do,” said Rose, +as she sat in a boat after supper lazily rinsing plates in the sea, and +rocking luxuriously as she wiped them. + +“Mum is mighty particular; we just give 'em a scrub with sand, and dust +'em off with a bit of paper. It's much the best way, I think,” replied +Geordie, who reposed in another boat alongside. + +“How Phebe would like this! I wonder uncle did not have her come.” + +“I believe he tried to, but Dolly was as cross as two sticks, and said +she couldn't spare her. I'm sorry, for we all like the Phebe bird, and +she'd chirp like a good one out here, wouldn't she?” + +“She ought to have a holiday like the rest of us. It's too bad to leave +her out.” + +This thought came back to Rose several times that evening, for Phebe +would have added much to the little concert they had in the moonlight, +would have enjoyed the stories told, been quick at guessing the +conundrums, and laughed with all her heart at the fun. The merry going +to bed would have been the best of all, for Rose wanted someone to +cuddle under the blue blanket with her, there to whisper and giggle and +tell secrets, as girls delight to do. + +Long after the rest were asleep, Rose lay wide awake, excited by the +novelty of all about her, and a thought that had come into her mind. Far +away she heard a city clock strike twelve; a large star like a mild eye +peeped in at the opening of the tent, and the soft plash of the waves +seemed calling her to come out. Aunt Jessie lay fast asleep, with Jamie +rolled up like a kitten at her feet, and neither stirred as Rose in her +wrapper crept out to see how the world looked at midnight. + +She found it very lovely, and sat down on a cracker keg to enjoy it with +a heart full of the innocent sentiment of her years. Fortunately, Dr. +Alec saw her before she had time to catch cold, for coming out to tie +back the door-flap of his tent for more air, he beheld the small +figure perched in the moonlight. Having no fear of ghosts, he quietly +approached, and, seeing that she was wide awake, said, with a hand on +her shining hair, + +“What is my girl doing here?” + +“Having a good time,” answered Rose, not at all startled. + +“I wonder what she was thinking about with such a sober look.” + +“The story you told of the brave sailor who gave up his place on the +raft to the woman, and the last drop of water to the poor baby. People +who make sacrifices are very much loved and admired, aren't they?” she +asked, earnestly. + +“If the sacrifice is a true one. But many of the bravest never are +known, and get no praise. That does not lessen their beauty, though +perhaps it makes them harder, for we all like sympathy,” and Dr. Alec +sighed a patient sort of sigh. + +“I suppose you have made a great many? Would you mind telling me one of +them?” asked Rose, arrested by the sigh. + +“My last was to give up smoking,” was the very unromantic answer to her +pensive question. + +“Why did you?” + +“Bad example for the boys.” + +“That was very good of you, uncle! Was it hard?” + +“I'm ashamed to say it was. But as a wise old fellow once said, 'It is +necessary to do right; it is not necessary to be happy.'” + +Rose pondered over the saying as if it pleased her, and then said, with +a clear, bright look, + +“A real sacrifice is giving up something you want or enjoy very much, +isn't it?” + +“Yes.” + +“Doing it one's own self because one loves another person very much and +wants her to be happy?” + +“Yes.” + +“And doing it pleasantly, and being glad about it, and not minding the +praise if it doesn't come?” + +“Yes, dear, that is the true spirit of self-sacrifice; you seem to +understand it, and I dare say you will have many chances in your life to +try the real thing. I hope they won't be very hard ones.” + +“I think they will,” began Rose, and there stopped short. + +“Well, make one now, and go to sleep, or my girl will be ill to-morrow, +and then the aunts will say camping out was bad for her.” + +“I'll go good night!” and throwing him a kiss, the little ghost +vanished, leaving Uncle Alec to pace the shore and think about some of +the unsuspected sacrifices that had made him what he was. + + + +Chapter 10--Rose's Sacrifice + +There certainly were “larks” on Campbell's Island next day, as Charlie +had foretold, and Rose took her part in them like one intent on enjoying +every minute to the utmost. There was a merry breakfast, a successful +fishing expedition, and then the lobsters came out in full force, for +even Aunt Jessie appeared in red flannel. There was nothing Uncle Alec +could not do in the water, and the boys tried their best to equal him in +strength and skill, so there was a great diving and ducking, for every +one was bent on distinguishing himself. + +Rose swam out far beyond her depth, with uncle to float her back; Aunt +Jessie splashed placidly in the shallow pools, with Jamie paddling near +by like a little whale beside its mother; while the lads careered about, +looking like a flock of distracted flamingoes, and acting like the +famous dancing party in “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.” + +Nothing but chowder would have lured them from their gambols in the +briny deep; that time-honoured dish demanded the concentrated action +of several mighty minds; so the “Water Babies” came ashore and fell to +cooking. + +It is unnecessary to say that, when done, it was the most remarkable +chowder ever cooked, and the quantity eaten would have amazed the +world if the secret had been divulged. After this exertion a siesta +was considered the thing, and people lay about in tents or out as they +pleased, the boys looking like warriors slumbering where they fell. + +The elders had just settled to a comfortable nap when the youngsters +rose, refreshed and ready for further exploits. A hint sent them all off +to the cave, and there were discovered bows and arrows, battle clubs, +old swords, and various relics of an interesting nature. Perched upon +a commanding rock, with Jamie to “splain” things to her, Rose beheld +a series of stirring scenes enacted with great vigour and historical +accuracy by her gifted relatives. + +Captain Cook was murdered by the natives of Owhyhee in the most +thrilling manner. Captain Kidd buried untold wealth in the chowder +kettle at the dead of night, and shot both the trusting villains who +shared the secret of the hiding place. Sinbad came ashore there and had +manifold adventures, and numberless wrecks bestrewed the sands. + +Rose considered them by far the most exciting dramas she had ever +witnessed; and when the performance closed with a grand ballet of Feejee +Islanders, whose barbaric yells alarmed the gulls, she had no words in +which to express her gratification. + +Another swim at sunset, another merry evening on the rocks watching the +lighted steamers pass seaward and the pleasure-boats come into port, +ended the second day of the camping out, and sent everyone to bed early +that they might be ready for the festivities of the morrow. + +“Archie, didn't I hear uncle ask you to row home in the morning for +fresh milk and things?” + +“Yes, why?” + +“Please, may I go too? I have something of great importance to arrange; +you know I was carried off in a hurry,” Rose said in a confidential +whisper as she was bidding her cousins good night. + +“I'm willing, and I guess Charlie won't mind.” + +“Thank you; be sure you stand by me when I ask leave in the morning, and +don't say anything till then, except to Charlie. Promise,” urged Rose, +so eagerly, that Archie struck an attitude and cried dramatically, + +“By yonder moon I swear!” + +“Hush! it's all right, go along”; and Rose departed as if satisfied. + +“She's a queer little thing, isn't she, Prince?” + +“Rather a nice little thing, I think. I'm quite fond of her.” + +Rose's quick ears caught both remarks, and she retired to her tent, +saying to herself with sleepy dignity, + +“Little thing, indeed! Those boys talk as if I was a baby. They will +treat me with more respect after to-morrow, I guess.” + +Archie did stand by her in the morning, and her request was readily +granted, as the lads were coming directly back. Off they went, and Rose +waved her hand to the islanders with a somewhat pensive air, for an +heroic purpose glowed within her, and the spirit of self-sacrifice was +about to be illustrated in a new and touching manner. + +While the boys got the milk Rose ran to Phebe, ordered her to leave her +dishes, to put on her hat, and take a note back to Uncle Alec, which +would explain this somewhat mysterious performance. Phebe obeyed, and +when she went to the boat Rose accompanied her, telling the boys she was +not ready to go yet, but they could, some of them, come for her when she +hung a white signal on her balcony. + +“But why not come now? What are you about, miss? Uncle won't like it,” + protested Charlie, in great amazement. + +“Just do as I tell you, little boy; uncle will understand and explain. +Obey, as Phebe does, and ask no questions. I can have secrets as well +as other people”; and Rose walked off with an air of lofty independence +that impressed her friends immensely. + +“It's some plot between uncle and herself, so we won't meddle. All +right, Phebe? Pull away, Prince”; and off they went to be received with +much surprise by the islanders. + +This was the note Phebe bore: + +“Dear Uncle, I am going to take Phebe's place to-day, and let her have +all the fun she can. Please don't mind what she says, but keep her, and +tell the boys to be very good to her for my sake. Don't think it is easy +to do this; it is very hard to give up the best day of all, but I feel +so selfish to have all the pleasure and Phebe none, that I wish to make +this sacrifice. Do let me, and don't laugh at it; I truly do not wish to +be praised, and I truly want to do it. Love to all from, + +“Rose.” + +“Bless the little dear, what a generous heart she has! Shall we go after +her, Jessie, or let her have her way?” said Dr. Alec, after the first +mingled amusement and astonishment had subsided. + +“Let her alone, and don't spoil her little sacrifice. She means it, I +know, and the best way in which we can show our respect for her effort +is to give Phebe a pleasant day. I'm sure she has earned it”; and Mrs. +Jessie made a sign to the boys to suppress their disappointment and +exert themselves to please Rose's guest. + +Phebe was with difficulty kept from going straight home, and declared +that she should not enjoy herself one bit without Miss Rose. + +“She won't hold out all day, and we shall see her paddling back before +noon, I'll wager anything,” said Charlie; and the rest so strongly +inclined to his opinion that they resigned themselves to the loss of the +little queen of the revels, sure that it would be only a temporary one. + +But hour after hour passed, and no signal appeared on the balcony, +though Phebe watched it hopefully. No passing boat brought the truant +back, though more than one pair of eyes looked out for the bright hair +under the round hat; and sunset came, bringing no Rose but the lovely +colour in the western sky. + +“I really did not think the child had it in her. I fancied it was a bit +of sentiment, but I see she was in earnest, and means that her sacrifice +shall be a true one. Dear little soul! I'll make it up to her a thousand +times over, and beg her pardon for thinking it might be done for +effect,” Dr. Alec said remorsefully, as he strained his eyes through the +dusk, fancying he saw a small figure sitting in the garden as it had sat +on the keg the night before, laying the generous little plot that had +cost more than he could guess. + +“Well, she can't help seeing the fireworks, any way, unless she is +goose enough to think she must hide in a dark closet and not look,” said +Archie, who was rather disgusted at Rose's seeming ingratitude. + +“She will see ours capitally, but miss the big ones on the hill, unless +papa has forgotten all about them,” added Steve, cutting short the +harangue Mac had begun upon the festivals of the ancients. + +“I'm sure the sight of her will be better than the finest fireworks +that ever went off,” said Phebe, meditating an elopement with one of the +boats if she could get a chance. + +“Let things work; if she resists a brilliant invitation we give her she +will be a heroine,” added Uncle Alec, secretly hoping that she would +not. + +Meanwhile Rose had spent a quiet, busy day helping Dolly, waiting on +Aunt Peace, and steadily resisting Aunt Plenty's attempts to send her +back to the happy island. It had been hard in the morning to come +in from the bright world outside, with flags flying, cannon booming, +crackers popping, and everyone making ready for a holiday, and go to +washing cups, while Dolly grumbled and the aunts lamented. It was very +hard to see the day go by, knowing how gay each hour must have been +across the water, and how a word from her would take her where she +longed to be with all her heart. But it was hardest of all when evening +came and Aunt Peace was asleep, Aunt Plenty seeing a gossip in the +parlor, Dolly established in the porch to enjoy the show, and nothing +left for the little maid to do but sit alone in her balcony and watch +the gay rockets whizz up from island, hill, and city, while bands played +and boats laden with happy people went to and fro in the fitful light. + +Then it must be confessed that a tear or two dimmed the blue eyes, and +once, when a very brilliant display illuminated the island for a moment, +and she fancied she saw the tents, the curly head went down on the +railing, and a wide-awake nasturtium heard a little whisper, + +“I hope someone wishes I was there!” + +The tears were all gone, however, and she was watching the hill and +island answer each other with what Jamie called “whizzers, whirligigs +and busters,” and smiling as she thought how hard the boys must be +working to keep up such a steady fire, when Uncle Mac came walking in +upon her, saying hurriedly, + +“Come, child, put on your tippet, pelisse, or whatever you call it, and +run off with me. I came to get Phebe, but aunt says she is gone, so I +want you. I've got Fun down in the boat, and I want you to go with us +and see my fireworks. Got them up for you, and you mustn't miss them, or +I shall be disappointed.” + +“But, uncle,” began Rose, feeling as if she ought to refuse even a +glimpse of bliss, “perhaps--” + +“I know, my dear, I know; aunt told me; but no one needs you now so much +as I do, and I insist on your coming,” said Uncle Mac, who seemed in a +great hurry to be off, yet was unusually kind. + +So Rose went and found the little Chinaman with a funny lantern waiting +to help her in and convulse her with laughter trying to express his +emotions in pigeon English. The city clocks were striking nine as they +got out into the bay, and the island fireworks seemed to be over, for no +rocket answered the last Roman candle that shone on the Aunt-hill. + +“Ours are done, I see, but they are going up all round the city, and how +pretty they are,” said Rose, folding her mantle about her, and surveying +the scene with pensive interest. + +“Hope my fellows have not got into trouble up there,” muttered Uncle +Mac, adding with a satisfied chuckle, as a spark shone out, “No; there +it goes! Look, Rosy, and see how you like this one; it was ordered +especially in honour of your coming.” + +Rose looked with all her eyes, and saw the spark grow into the likeness +of a golden vase, then green leaves came out, and then a crimson flower +glowing on the darkness with a splendid lustre. + +“Is it a rose, uncle?” she asked, clasping her hands with delight as she +recognised the handsome flower. + +“Of course it is! Look again, and guess what those are,” answered Uncle +Mac, chuckling and enjoying it all like a boy. + +A wreath of what looked at first like purple brooms appeared below the +vase, but Rose guessed what they were meant for, and stood straight up, +holding by his shoulder, and crying excitedly, + +“Thistles, uncle, Scotch thistles! There are seven of them one for each +boy! Oh, what a joke!” and she laughed so that she plumped into the +bottom of the boat and stayed there till the brilliant spectacle was +quite gone. + +“That was rather a neat thing, I flatter myself,” said Uncle Mac, in +high glee at the success of his illumination. “Now, shall I leave you +on the Island or take you home again, my good little girl?” he added, +lifting her up with such a tone of approbation in his voice that Rose +kissed him on the spot. + +“Home, please uncle; and I thank you very very much for the beautiful +firework you got up for me. I'm so glad I saw it; and I know I shall +dream about it,” answered Rose steadily, though a wistful glance went +toward the Island, now so near that she could smell powder and see +shadowy figures flitting about. + +Home they went; and Rose fell asleep saying to herself, “It was harder +than I thought, but I'm glad I did it, and I truly don't want any reward +but Phebe's pleasure.” + + + +Chapter 11--Poor Mac + +Rose's sacrifice was a failure in one respect, for, though the elders +loved her the better for it, and showed that they did, the boys were not +inspired with the sudden respect which she had hoped for. In fact, her +feelings were much hurt by overhearing Archie say that he couldn't see +any sense in it; and the Prince added another blow by pronouncing her +“the queerest chicken ever seen.” + +It is apt to be so, and it is hard to bear; for, though we do not want +trumpets blown, we do like to have our little virtues appreciated, and +cannot help feeling disappointed if they are not. + +A time soon came, however, when Rose, quite unconsciously, won not only +the respect of her cousins, but their gratitude and affection likewise. + +Soon after the Island episode, Mac had a sunstroke, and was very ill +for some time. It was so sudden that everyone was startled, and for some +days the boy's life was in danger. He pulled through, however; and then, +just as the family were rejoicing, a new trouble appeared which cast a +gloom over them all. + +Poor Mac's eyes gave out; and well they might, for he had abused them, +and never being very strong, they suffered doubly now. + +No one dared to tell him the dark predictions of the great oculist who +came to look at them, and the boy tried to be patient, thinking that a +few weeks of rest would repair the overwork of several years. + +He was forbidden to look at a book, and as that was the one thing he +most delighted in, it was a terrible affliction to the Worm. Everyone +was very ready to read to him, and at first the lads contended for this +honour. But as week after week went by, and Mac was still condemned to +idleness and a darkened room, their zeal abated, and one after the other +fell off. It was hard for the active fellows, right in the midst of +their vacation; and nobody blamed them when they contented themselves +with brief calls, running of errands, and warm expressions of sympathy. + +The elders did their best, but Uncle Mac was a busy man, Aunt Jane's +reading was of a funereal sort, impossible to listen to long, and the +other aunties were all absorbed in their own cares, though they supplied +the boy with every delicacy they could invent. + +Uncle Alec was a host in himself, but he could not give all his time to +the invalid; and if it had not been for Rose, the afflicted Worm +would have fared ill. Her pleasant voice suited him, her patience was +unfailing, her time of no apparent value, and her eager good-will was +very comforting. + +The womanly power of self-devotion was strong in the child, and she +remained faithfully at her post when all the rest dropped away. Hour +after hour she sat in the dusky room, with one ray of light on her book, +reading to the boy, who lay with shaded eyes silently enjoying the only +pleasure that lightened the weary days. Sometimes he was peevish and +hard to please, sometimes he growled because his reader could not manage +the dry books he wished to hear, and sometimes he was so despondent that +her heart ached to see him. Through all these trials Rose persevered, +using all her little arts to please him. When he fretted, she was +patient; when he growled, she ploughed bravely through the hard pages +not dry to her in one sense, for quiet tears dropped on them now and +then; and when Mac fell into a despairing mood, she comforted him with +every hopeful word she dared to offer. + +He said little, but she knew he was grateful, for she suited him better +than anyone else. If she was late, he was impatient; when she had to go, +he seemed forlorn; and when the tired head ached worst, she could always +soothe him to sleep, crooning the old songs her father used to love. + +“I don't know what I should do without that child,” Aunt Jane often +said. + +“She's worth all those racketing fellows put together,” Mac would add, +fumbling about to discover if the little chair was ready for her coming. + +That was the sort of reward Rose liked, the thanks that cheered her; +and whenever she grew very tired, one look at the green shade, the curly +head so restless on the pillow, and the poor groping hands, touched her +tender heart and put new spirit into the weary voice. + +She did not know how much she was learning, both from the books she read +and the daily sacrifices she made. Stories and poetry were her delight, +but Mac did not care for them; and since his favourite Greeks and Romans +were forbidden, he satisfied himself with travels, biographies, and the +history of great inventions or discoveries. Rose despised this taste +at first, but soon got interested in Livingstone's adventures, Hobson's +stirring life in India, and the brave trials and triumphs of Watt and +Arkwright, Fulton, and “Palissy, the Potter.” The true, strong books +helped the dreamy girl; her faithful service and sweet patience touched +and won the boy; and long afterward both learned to see how useful those +seemingly hard and weary hours had been to them. + +One bright morning, as Rose sat down to begin a fat volume entitled +“History of the French Revolution,” expecting to come to great grief +over the long names, Mac, who was lumbering about the room like a blind +bear, stopped her by asking abruptly, + +“What day of the month is it?” + +“The seventh of August, I believe.” + +“More than half my vacation gone, and I've only had a week of it! I call +that hard,” and he groaned dismally. + +“So it is; but there is more to come, and you may be able to enjoy +that.” + +“May be able! I will be able! Does that old noodle think I'm going to +stay stived up here much longer?” + +“I guess he does, unless your eyes get on faster than they have yet.” + +“Has he said anything more lately?” + +“I haven't seen him, you know. Shall I begin? this looks rather nice.” + +“Read away; it's all one to me.” And Mac cast himself down upon the old +lounge, where his heavy head felt easiest. + +Rose began with great spirit, and kept on gallantly for a couple +of chapters, getting over the unpronounceable names with unexpected +success, she thought, for her listener did not correct her once, and lay +so still she fancied he was deeply interested. All of a sudden she was +arrested in the middle of a fine paragraph by Mac, who sat bolt upright, +brought both feet down with a thump, and said, in a rough, excited tone, + +“Stop! I don't hear a word, and you may as well save your breath to +answer my question.” + +“What is it?” asked Rose, looking uneasy, for she had something on her +mind, and feared that he suspected what it was. His next words proved +that she was right. + +“Now, look here, I want to know something, and you've got to tell me.” + +“Please, don't--” began Rose, beseechingly. + +“You must, or I'll pull off this shade and stare at the sun as hard as +ever I can stare. Come now!” and he half rose, as if ready to execute +the threat. + +“I will! oh, I will tell, if I know! But don't be reckless and do +anything so crazy as that,” cried Rose, in great distress. + +“Very well; then listen, and don't dodge, as everyone else does. Didn't +the doctor think my eyes worse the last time he came? Mother won't say, +but you shall.” + +“I believe he did,” faltered Rose. + +“I thought so! Did he say I should be able to go to school when it +begins?” + +“No, Mac,” very low. + +“Ah!” + +That was all, but Rose saw her cousin set his lips together and take +a long breath, as if she had hit him hard. He bore the disappointment +bravely, however, and asked quite steadily in a minute, + +“How soon does he think I can study again?” + +It was so hard to answer that! Yet Rose knew she must, for Aunt Jane had +declared she could not do it, and Uncle Mac had begged her to break the +truth to the poor lad. + +“Not for a good many months.” + +“How many?” he asked with a pathetic sort of gruffness. + +“A year, perhaps.” + +“A whole year! Why, I expected to be ready for college by that time.” + And, pushing up the shade, Mac stared at her with startled eyes, that +soon blinked and fell before the one ray of light. + +“Plenty of time for that; you must be patient now, and get them +thoroughly well, or they will trouble you again when it will be harder +to spare them,” she said, with tears in her own eyes. + +“I won't do it! I will study and get through somehow. It's all humbug +about taking care so long. These doctors like to keep hold of a fellow +if they can. But I won't stand it I vow I won't!” and he banged his fist +down on the unoffending pillow as if he were pommelling the hard-hearted +doctor. + +“Now, Mac, listen to me,” Rose said very earnestly, though her voice +shook a little and her heart ached. “You know you have hurt your eyes +reading by fire-light and in the dusk, and sitting up late, and now +you'll have to pay for it; the doctor said so. You must be careful, and +do as he tells you, or you will be blind.” + +“No!” + +“Yes, it is true, and he wanted us to tell you that nothing but entire +rest would cure you. I know it's dreadfully hard, but we'll all help +you; I'll read all day long, and lead you, and wait upon you, and try to +make it easier.” + +She stopped there, for it was evident that he did not hear a sound; the +word “blind” seemed to have knocked him down, for he had buried his +face in the pillow, and lay so still that Rose was frightened. She sat +motionless for many minutes, longing to comfort him, but not knowing +how, and wishing Uncle Alec would come, for he had promised to tell Mac. + +Presently, a sort of choking sound came out of the pillow, and went +straight to her heart the most pathetic sob she ever heard, for, though +it was the most natural means of relief, the poor fellow must not +indulge in it because of the afflicted eyes. The “French Revolution” + tumbled out of her lap, and, running to the sofa, she knelt down by +it, saying, with the motherly sort of tenderness girls feel for any +sorrowing creature, + +“Oh, my dear, you mustn't cry! It is so bad for your poor eyes. Take +your head out of that hot pillow, and let me cool it. I don't wonder you +feel so, but please don't cry. I'll cry for you; it won't hurt me.” + +As she spoke she pulled away the cushion with gentle force, and saw the +green shade all crushed and stained with the few hot tears that told how +bitter the disappointment had been. Mac felt her sympathy, but, being +a boy, did not thank her for it; only sat up with a jerk, saying, as +he tried to rub away the tell-tale drops with the sleeve of his jacket, +“Don't bother; weak eyes always water. I'm all right.” + +But Rose cried out, and caught his arm, “Don't touch them with that +rough woollen stuff! Lie down and let me bathe them, there's a dear boy; +then there will be no harm done.” + +“They do smart confoundedly. I say, don't you tell the other fellows +that I made a baby of myself, will you?” he added, yielding with a sigh +to the orders of his nurse, who had flown for the eye-wash and linen +cambric handkerchief. + +“Of course I won't; but anyone would be upset at the idea of being well +troubled in this way. I'm sure you bear it splendidly, and you know it +isn't half so bad when you get used to it. Besides, it is only for a +time, and you can do lots of pleasant things if you can't study. You'll +have to wear blue goggles, perhaps; won't that be funny?” + +And while she was pouring out all the comfortable words she could think +of, Rose was softly bathing the eyes and dabbing the hot forehead with +lavender-water, as her patient lay quiet with a look on his face that +grieved her sadly. + +“Homer was blind, and so was Milton, and they did something to be +remembered by, in spite of it,” he said, as if to himself, in a solemn +tone, for even the blue goggles did not bring a smile. + +“Papa had a picture of Milton and his daughters writing for him. It +was a very sweet picture, I thought,” observed Rose in a serious voice, +trying to meet the sufferer on his own ground. + +“Perhaps I could study if someone read and did the eye part. Do you +suppose I could, by and by?” he asked, with a sudden ray of hope. + +“I dare say, if your head is strong enough. This sunstroke, you know, is +what upset you, and your brain needs rest, the doctor says.” + +“I'll have a talk with the old fellow next time he comes, and find out +just what I may do; then I shall know where I am. What a fool I was that +day to be stewing my brains and letting the sun glare on my book till +the letters danced before me! I see 'em now when I shut my eyes; black +balls bobbing round, and stars and all sorts of queer things. Wonder if +all blind people do?” + +“Don't think about them; I'll go on reading, shall I? We shall come +to the exciting part soon, and then you'll forget all this,” suggested +Rose. + +“No, I never shall forget. Hang the old 'Revolution'! I don't want to +hear another word of it. My head aches, and I'm hot. Oh, wouldn't I like +to go for a pull in the 'Stormy Petrel!”' and poor Mac tossed about as +if he did not know what to do with himself. + +“Let me sing, and perhaps you'll drop off; then the day will seem +shorter,” said Rose, taking up a fan and sitting down beside him. + +“Perhaps I shall; I didn't sleep much last night, and when I did I +dreamed like fun. See here, you tell the people that I know, and it's +all right, and I don't want them to talk about it or howl over me. +That's all; now drone away, and I'll try to sleep. Wish I could for a +year, and wake up cured.” + +“Oh, I wish, I wish you could!” + +Rose said it so fervently that Mac was moved to grope for her apron and +hold on to a corner of it, as if it was comfortable to feel her near +him. But all he said was, + +“You are a good little soul, Rosy. Give us 'The Birks'; that is a drowsy +one that always sends me off.” + +Quite contented with this small return for all her sympathy, Rose waved +her fan and sang, in a dreamy tone, the pretty Scotch air, the burden of +which is, + + “Bonny lassie, will ye gang, will ye gang + To the Birks of Aberfeldie?” + +Whether the lassie went or not I cannot say, but the laddie was off to +the land of Nod, in about ten minutes, quite worn out with hearing the +bad tidings and the effort to bear them manfully. + + + +Chapter 12--“The Other Fellows” + +Rose did tell “the people” what had passed, and no one “howled” over +Mac, or said a word to trouble him. He had his talk with the doctor, and +got very little comfort out of it, for he found that “just what he might +do” was nothing at all; though the prospect of some study by and by, if +all went well, gave him courage to bear the woes of the present. +Having made up his mind to this, he behaved so well that everyone was +astonished, never having suspected so much manliness in the quiet Worm. + +The boys were much impressed, both by the greatness of the affliction +which hung over him and by his way of bearing it. They were very good +to him, but not always particularly wise in their attempts to cheer +and amuse; and Rose often found him much downcast after a visit of +condolence from the Clan. She still kept her place as head-nurse and +chief-reader, though the boys did their best in an irregular sort of +way. They were rather taken aback sometimes at finding Rose's services +preferred to their's, and privately confided to one another that “Old +Mac was getting fond of being molly-coddled.” But they could not help +seeing how useful she was, and owning that she alone had remained +faithful a fact which caused some of them much secret compunction now +and then. + +Rose felt that she ruled in that room, if nowhere else, for Aunt Jane +left a great deal to her, finding that her experience with her invalid +father fitted her for a nurse, and in a case like this, her youth was +an advantage rather than a drawback. Mac soon came to think that no one +could take care of him so well as Rose, and Rose soon grew fond of +her patient, though at first she had considered this cousin the least +attractive of the seven. He was not polite and sensible like Archie, nor +gay and handsome like Prince Charlie, nor neat and obliging like Steve, +nor amusing like the “Brats,” nor confiding and affectionate like +little Jamie. He was rough, absent-minded, careless, and awkward, rather +priggish, and not at all agreeable to a dainty, beauty-loving girl like +Rose. + +But when his trouble came upon him, she discovered many good things in +this cousin of hers, and learned not only to pity but to respect and +love the poor Worm, who tried to be patient, brave, and cheerful, and +found it a harder task than anyone guessed, except the little nurse, who +saw him in his gloomiest moods. She soon came to think that his friends +did not appreciate him, and upon one occasion was moved to free her mind +in a way that made a deep impression on the boys. + +Vacation was almost over, and the time drawing near when Mac would be +left outside the happy school-world which he so much enjoyed. This made +him rather low in his mind, and his cousins exerted themselves to cheer +him up, especially one afternoon when a spasm of devotion seemed +to seize them all. Jamie trudged down the hill with a basket of +blackberries which he had “picked all his ownself,” as his scratched +fingers and stained lips plainly testified. Will and Geordie brought +their puppies to beguile the weary hours, and the three elder lads +called to discuss baseball, cricket, and kindred subjects, eminently +fitted to remind the invalid of his privations. + +Rose had gone to drive with Uncle Alec, who declared she was getting as +pale as a potato sprout, living so much in a dark room. But her thoughts +were with her boy all the while, and she ran up to him the moment she +returned, to find things in a fine state of confusion. + +With the best intentions in life, the lads had done more harm than +good, and the spectacle that met Nurse Rose's eye was a trying one. +The puppies were yelping, the small boys romping, and the big boys all +talking at once; the curtains were up, the room close, berries scattered +freely about, Mac's shade half off, his cheeks flushed, his temper +ruffled, and his voice loudest of all as he disputed hotly with Steve +about lending certain treasured books which he could no longer use. + +Now Rose considered this her special kingdom, and came down upon the +invaders with an energy which amazed them and quelled the riot at once. +They had never seen her roused before, and the effect was tremendous; +also comical, for she drove the whole flock of boys out of the room like +an indignant little hen defending her brood. They all went as meekly as +sheep; the small lads fled from the house precipitately, but the three +elder ones only retired to the next room, and remained there hoping for +a chance to explain and apologise, and so appease the irate young lady, +who had suddenly turned the tables and clattered them about their ears. + +As they waited, they observed her proceedings through the half-open +door, and commented upon them briefly but expressively, feeling quite +bowed down with remorse at the harm they had innocently done. + +“She's put the room to rights in a jiffey. What jacks we were to let +those dogs in and kick up such a row,” observed Steve, after a prolonged +peep. + +“The poor old Worm turns as if she was treading on him instead of +cuddling him like a pussy cat. Isn't he cross, though?” added Charlie, +as Mac was heard growling about his “confounded head.” + +“She will manage him; but it's mean in us to rumple him up and then +leave her to smooth him down. I'd go and help, but I don't know how,” + said Archie, looking much depressed, for he was a conscientious fellow, +and blamed himself for his want of thought. + +“No, more do I. Odd, isn't it, what a knack women have for taking care +of sick folks?” and Charlie fell a-musing over this undeniable fact. + +“She has been ever so good to Mac,” began Steve, in a self-reproachful +tone. + +“Better than his own brother, hey?” cut in Archie, finding relief for +his own regret in the delinquencies of another. + +“Well, you needn't preach; you didn't any of you do any more, and you +might have, for Mac likes you better than he does me. I always fret him, +he says, and it isn't my fault if I am a quiddle,” protested Steve, in +self-defence. + +“We have all been selfish and neglected him, so we won't fight about +it, but try and do better,” said Archie, generously taking more than +his share of blame, for he had been less inattentive than either of the +others. + +“Rose has stood by him like a good one, and it's no wonder he likes to +have her round best. I should myself if I was down on my luck as he is,” + put in Charlie, feeling that he really had not done “the little thing” + justice. + +“I'll tell you what it is, boys we haven't been half good enough to +Rose, and we've got to make it up to her somehow,” said Archie, who had +a very manly sense of honour about paying his debts, even to a girl. + +“I'm awfully sorry I made fun of her doll when Jamie lugged it out; and +I called her 'baby bunting' when she cried over the dead kitten. Girls +are such geese sometimes, I can't help it,” said Steve, confessing his +transgressions handsomely, and feeling quite ready to atone for them if +he only knew how. + +“I'll go down on my knees and beg her pardon for treating her as if she +was a child. Don't it make her mad, though? Come to think of it, she's +only two years or so younger than I am. But she is so small and pretty, +she always seems like a dolly to me,” and the Prince looked down from +his lofty height of five feet five as if Rose was indeed a pygmy beside +him. + +“That dolly has got a real good little heart, and a bright mind of her +own, you'd better believe. Mac says she understands some things quicker +than he can, and mother thinks she is an uncommonly nice girl, though +she don't know all creation. You needn't put on airs, Charlie, though +you are a tall one, for Rose likes Archie better than you; she said she +did because he treated her respectfully.” + +“Steve looks as fierce as a game-cock; but don't you get excited, my +son, for it won't do a bit of good. Of course, everybody likes the Chief +best; they ought to, and I'll punch their heads if they don't. So calm +yourself, Dandy, and mend your own manners before you come down on other +people's.” + +Thus the Prince with great dignity and perfect good nature, while Archie +looked modestly gratified with the flattering opinions of his kinsfolk, +and Steve subsided, feeling he had done his duty as a cousin and a +brother. A pause ensued, during which Aunt Jane appeared in the other +room, accompanied by a tea-tray sumptuously spread, and prepared to feed +her big nestling, as that was a task she allowed no one to share with +her. + +“If you have a minute to spare before you go, child, I wish you'd just +make Mac a fresh shade; this has got a berry stain on it, and he must +be tidy, for he is to go out to-morrow if it is a cloudy day,” said Mrs. +Jane, spreading toast in a stately manner, while Mac slopped his tea +about without receiving a word of reproof. + +“Yes, aunt,” answered Rose, so meekly that the boys could hardly believe +it could be the same voice which had issued the stern command, “Out of +this room, every one of you!” not very long ago. + +They had not time to retire, without unseemly haste, before she walked +into the parlour and sat down at the work-table without a word. It was +funny to see the look the three tall lads cast at the little person +sedately threading a needle with green silk. They all wanted to say +something expressive of repentance, but no one knew how to begin, and it +was evident, from the prim expression of Rose's face, that she intended +to stand upon her dignity till they had properly abased themselves. The +pause was becoming very awkward, when Charlie, who possessed all the +persuasive arts of a born scapegrace, went slowly down upon his knees +before her, beat his breast, and said, in a heart-broken tone, + +“Please forgive me this time, and I'll never do so any more.” + +It was very hard to keep sober, but Rose managed it and answered gravely, + +“It is Mac's pardon you should ask, not mine, for you haven't hurt me, +and I shouldn't wonder if you had him a great deal, with all that light +and racket, and talk about things that only worry him.” + +“Do you really think we've hurt him, cousin?” asked Archie, with a +troubled look, while Charlie settled down in a remorseful heap among the +table legs. + +“Yes, I do, for he has got a raging headache, and his eyes are as red as +as this emery bag,” answered Rose, solemnly plunging her needle into a +fat flannel strawberry. + +Steve tore his hair, metaphorically speaking, for he clutched his +cherished top-knot, and wildly dishevelled it, as if that was the +heaviest penance he could inflict upon himself at such short notice. +Charlie laid himself out flat, melodramatically begging someone to take +him away and hang him; but Archie, who felt worst of all, said nothing +except to vow within himself that he would read to Mac till his own eyes +were as red as a dozen emery bags combined. + +Seeing the wholesome effects of her treatment upon these culprits, Rose +felt that she might relent and allow them a gleam of hope. She found +it impossible to help trampling upon the prostrate Prince a little, in +words at least, for he had hurt her feelings oftener than he knew; so +she gave him a thimble-pie on the top of his head, and said, with an air +of an infinitely superior being, + +“Don't be silly, but get up, and I'll tell you something much better to +do than sprawling on the floor and getting all over lint.” + +Charlie obediently sat himself upon a hassock at her feet; the other +sinners drew near to catch the words of wisdom about to fall from her +lips, and Rose, softened by this gratifying humility, addressed them in +her most maternal tone. + +“Now, boys, if you really want to be good to Mac, you can do it in this +way. Don't keep talking about things he can't do, or go and tell what +fun you have had batting your ridiculous balls about. Get some nice book +and read quietly; cheer him up about school, and offer to help him study +by and by; you can do that better than I, because I'm only a girl, and +don't learn Greek and Latin and all sorts of headachy stuff.” + +“Yes, but you can do heaps of things better than we can; you've proved +that,” said Archie, with an approving look that delighted Rose, though +she could not resist giving Charlie one more rebuke, by saying, with a +little bridling of the head, and a curl of the lip that wanted to smile +instead, + +“I'm glad you think so, though I am a 'queer chicken.”' + +This scathing remark caused the Prince to hide his face for shame, and +Steve to erect his head in the proud consciousness that this shot was +not meant for him. Archie laughed, and Rose, seeing a merry blue +eye winking at her from behind two brown hands, gave Charlie's ear a +friendly tweak, and extended the olive-branch of peace. + +“Now we'll all be good, and plan nice things for poor Mac,” she said, +smiling so graciously that the boys felt as if the sun had suddenly +burst out from behind a heavy cloud and was shining with great +brilliancy. + +The storm had cleared the air, and quite a heavenly calm succeeded, +during which plans of a most varied and surprising sort were laid, for +everyone burned to make noble sacrifices upon the shrine of “poor +Mac,” and Rose was the guiding star to whom the others looked with most +gratifying submission. Of course, this elevated state of things could +not endure long, but it was very nice while it lasted, and left an +excellent effect upon the minds of all when the first ardour had +subsided. + +“There, that's ready for to-morrow, and I do hope it will be cloudy,” + said Rose, as she finished off the new shade, the progress of which the +boys had watched with interest. + +“I'd bespoken an extra sunny day, but I'll tell the clerk of the weather +to change it. He's an obliging fellow, and he'll attend to it, so make +yourself easy,” said Charlie, who had become quite perky again. + +“It is very easy for you to joke, but how would you like to wear a +blinder like that for weeks and weeks, sir?” and Rose quenched his +rising spirits by slipping the shade over his eyes, as he still sat on +the cushion at her feet. + +“It's horrid! Take it off, take it off! I don't wonder the poor old boy +has the blues with a thing like that on”; and Charlie sat looking at +what seemed to him an instrument of torture, with such a sober face that +Rose took it gently away, and went in to bid Mac good-night. + +“I shall go home with her, for it is getting darkish, and she is rather +timid,” said Archie, forgetting that he had often laughed at this very +timidity. + +“I think I might, for she's taking care of my brother,” put in Steve, +asserting his rights. + +“Let's all go, that will please her”; proposed Charlie, with a burst of +gallantry which electrified his mates. + +“We will!” they said with one voice, and they did, to Rose's great +surprise and secret contentment; though Archie had all the care of +her, for the other two were leaping fences, running races, and having +wrestling matches all the way down. + +They composed themselves on reaching the door, however; shook hands +cordially all round, made their best bows, and retired with great +elegance and dignity, leaving Rose to say to herself, with girlish +satisfaction, as she went in, + +“Now, that is the way I like to be treated.” + + + +Chapter 13--Cosey Corner + +Vacation was over, the boys went back to school, and poor Mac was left +lamenting. He was out of the darkened room now, and promoted to blue +goggles, through which he took a gloomy view of life, as might have been +expected; for there was nothing he could do but wander about, and try to +amuse himself without using his eyes. Anyone who has ever been condemned +to that sort of idleness knows how irksome it is, and can understand the +state of mind which caused Mac to say to Rose in a desperate tone one +day, + +“Look here, if you don't invent some new employment or amusement for me, +I shall knock myself on the head as sure as you live.” + +Rose flew to Uncle Alec for advice, and he ordered both patient and +nurse to the mountains for a month, with Aunt Jessie and Jamie as +escort. Pokey and her mother joined the party, and one bright September +morning six very happy-looking people were aboard the express train for +Portland two smiling mammas, laden with luncheon baskets and wraps; a +pretty young girl with a bag of books on her arm; a tall thin lad with +his hat over his eyes; and two small children, who sat with their short +legs straight out before them, and their chubby faces beaming with the +first speechless delight of “truly travelling.” + +An especially splendid sunset seemed to have been prepared to welcome +them when, after a long day's journey, they drove into a wide, green +door-yard, where a white colt, a red cow, two cats, four kittens, +many hens, and a dozen people, old and young, were gaily disporting +themselves. Everyone nodded and smiled in the friendliest manner, and a +lively old lady kissed the new-comers all round, as she said heartily, + +“Well, now, I'm proper glad to see you! Come right in and rest, and +we'll have tea in less than no time, for you must be tired. Lizzie, you +show the folks upstairs; Kitty, you fly round and help father in with +the trunks; and Jenny and I will have the table all ready by the time +you come down. Bless the dears, they want to go see the pussies, and so +they shall!” + +The three pretty daughters did “fly round,” and everyone felt at home at +once, all were so hospitable and kind. Aunt Jessie had raptures over the +home-made carpets, quilts and quaint furniture; Rose could not keep away +from the windows, for each framed a lovely picture; and the little folks +made friends at once with the other children, who filled their arms with +chickens and kittens, and did the honours handsomely. + +The toot of a horn called all to supper, and a goodly party, including +six children besides the Camp-bells, assembled in the long dining-room, +armed with mountain appetites and the gayest spirits. It was impossible +for anyone to be shy or sober, for such gales of merriment arose they +blew the starch out of the stiffest, and made the saddest jolly. Mother +Atkinson, as all called their hostess, was the merriest there, and the +busiest; for she kept flying up to wait on the children, to bring out +some new dish, or to banish the live stock, who were of such a social +turn that the colt came into the entry and demanded sugar; the cats sat +about in people's laps, winking suggestively at the food; and speckled +hens cleared the kitchen floor of crumbs, as they joined in the chat +with a cheerful clucking. + +Everybody turned out after tea to watch the sunset till all the lovely +red was gone, and mosquitoes wound their shrill horns to sound the +retreat. The music of an organ surprised the new-comers, and in +the parlor they found Father Atkinson playing sweetly on the little +instrument made by himself. All the children gathered about him, and, +led by the tuneful sisters, sang prettily till Pokey fell asleep behind +the door, and Jamie gaped audibly right in the middle of his favourite, + + “Coo,” said the little doves: “Coo,” said she, + “All in the top of the old pine-tree.” + +The older travellers, being tired, went to “bye low” at the same time, +and slept like tops in home-spun sheets, on husk mattresses made by +Mother Atkinson, who seemed to have put some soothing powder among them, +so deep and sweet was the slumber that came. + +Next day began the wholesome out-of-door life, which works such wonders +with tired minds and feeble bodies. The weather was perfect, and the +mountain air made the children as frisky as young lambs; while the +elders went about smiling at one another, and saying, “Isn't it +splendid?” Even Mac, the “slow coach,” was seen to leap over a fence +as if he really could not help it; and when Rose ran after him with his +broad-brimmed hat, he made the spirited proposal to go into the woods +and hunt for a catamount. + +Jamie and Pokey were at once enrolled in the Cosey Corner Light Infantry +a truly superb company, composed entirely of officers, all wearing +cocked hats, carrying flags, waving swords, or beating drums. It was a +spectacle to stir the dullest soul when this gallant band marched out of +the yard in full regimentals, with Captain Dove a solemn, big-headed +boy of eleven issuing his orders with the gravity of a general, and his +Falstaffian regiment obeying them with more docility than skill. The +little Snow children did very well, and Lieutenant Jack Dove was fine +to see; so was Drummer Frank, the errand-boy of the house, as he +rub-a-dub-dubbed with all his heart and drumsticks. Jamie had “trained” + before, and was made a colonel at once; but Pokey was the best of all, +and called forth a spontaneous burst of applause from the spectators +as she brought up the rear, her cocked hat all over one eye, her flag +trailing over her shoulder, and her wooden sword straight up in the air; +her face beaming and every curl bobbing with delight as her fat legs +tottered in the vain attempt to keep step manfully. + +Mac and Rose were picking blackberries in the bushes beside the road +when the soldiers passed without seeing them, and they witnessed a sight +that was both pretty and comical. A little farther on was one of the +family burial spots so common in those parts, and just this side of it +Captain Fred Dove ordered his company to halt, explaining his reason for +so doing in the following words, + +“That's a graveyard, and it's proper to muffle the drums and lower the +flags as we go by, and we'd better take off our hats, too; it's more +respectable, I think.” + +“Isn't that cunning of the dears?” whispered Rose, as the little troop +marched slowly by to the muffled roll of the drums, every flag and sword +held low, all the little heads uncovered, and the childish faces very +sober as the leafy shadows flickered over them. + +“Let's follow and see what they are after,” proposed Mac, who found +sitting on the wall and being fed with blackberries luxurious but +tiresome. + +So they followed and heard the music grow lively, saw the banners wave +in the breeze again when the graveyard was passed, and watched the +company file into the dilapidated old church that stood at the corner of +three woodland roads. Presently the sound of singing made the outsiders +quicken their steps, and, stealing up, they peeped in at one of the +broken windows. + +Captain Dove was up in the old wooden pulpit, gazing solemnly down upon +his company, who, having stacked their arms in the porch, now sat in the +bare pews singing a Sunday-school hymn with great vigour and relish. + +“Let us pray,” said Captain Dove, with as much reverence as an army +chaplain; and, folding his hands, he repeated a prayer which he thought +all would know an excellent little prayer, but not exactly appropriate +to the morning, for it was, + + “Now I lay me down to sleep.” + +Everyone joined in saying it, and it was a pretty sight to see the +little creatures bowing their curly heads and lisping out the words they +knew so well. Tears came into Rose's eyes as she looked; Mac took his +hat off involuntarily, and then clapped it on again as if ashamed of +showing any feeling. + +“Now I shall preach you a short sermon, and my text is, 'Little +children, love one another.' I asked mamma to give me one, and she +thought that would be good; so you all sit still and I'll preach it. You +mustn't whisper, Marion, but hear me. It means that we should be good to +each other, and play fair, and not quarrel as we did this very day about +the wagon. Jack can't always drive, and needn't be mad because I like +to go with Frank. Annette ought to be horse sometimes and not always +driver; and Willie may as well make up his mind to let Marion build her +house by his, for she will do it, and he needn't fuss about it. Jamie +seems to be a good boy, but I shall preach to him if he isn't. No, +Pokey, people don't kiss in church or put their hats on. Now you must +all remember what I tell you, because I am the captain, and you should +mind me.” + +Here Lieutenant Jack spoke right out in meeting with the rebellious +remark, + +“Don't care if you are; you'd better mind yourself, and tell how you +took away my strap, and kept the biggest doughnut, and didn't draw fair +when we had the truck.” + +“Yes, and you slapped Frank; I saw you!” bawled Willie Snow, bobbing up +in his pew. + +“And you took my book away and hid it 'cause I wouldn't go and swing +when you wanted me to,” added Annette, the oldest of the Snow trio. + +“I shan't build my house by Willie's if he don't want me to, so now!” + put in little Marion, joining the mutiny. + +“I will tiss Dimmy! and I tored up my hat 'tause a pin picked me,” + shouted Pokey, regardless of Jamie's efforts to restrain her. + +Captain Dove looked rather taken aback at this outbreak in the ranks; +but, being a dignified and calm personage, he quelled the rising +rebellion with great tact and skill, by saying, briefly, + +“We'll sing the last hymn; 'Sweet, sweet good-by' you all know that, so +do it nicely, and then we will go and have luncheon.” + +Peace was instantly restored, and a burst of melody drowned the +suppressed giggles of Rose and Mac, who found it impossible to keep +sober during the latter part of this somewhat remarkable service. +Fifteen minutes of repose rendered it a physical impossibility for the +company to march out as quietly as they had marched in. I grieve to +state that the entire troop raced home as hard as they could pelt, and +were soon skirmishing briskly over their lunch, utterly oblivious of +what Jamie (who had been much impressed by the sermon) called “the +captain's beautiful teck.” + +It was astonishing how much they all found to do at Cosey Corner; +and Mac, instead of lying in a hammock and being read to, as he had +expected, was busiest of all. He was invited to survey and lay out +Skeeterville, a town which the children were getting up in a huckleberry +pasture; and he found much amusement in planning little roads, staking +off house-lots, attending to the water-works, and consulting with the +“selectmen” about the best sites for public buildings; for Mac was a boy +still, in spite of his fifteen years and his love of books. + +Then he went fishing with a certain jovial gentleman from the West; and +though they seldom caught anything but colds, they had great fun and +exercise chasing the phantom trout they were bound to have. Mac also +developed a geological mania, and went tapping about at rocks and +stones, discoursing wisely of “strata, periods, and fossil remains”; +while Rose picked up leaves and lichens, and gave him lessons in botany +in return for his lectures on geology. + +They led a very merry life; for the Atkinson girls kept up a sort of +perpetual picnic; and did it so capitally, that one was never tired of +it. So their visitors throve finely, and long before the month was out +it was evident that Dr. Alec had prescribed the right medicine for his +patients. + + + +Chapter 14--A Happy Birthday + +The twelfth of October was Rose's birthday, but no one seemed to +remember that interesting fact, and she felt delicate about mentioning +it, so fell asleep the night before wondering if she would have any +presents. That question was settled early the next morning, for she was +awakened by a soft tap on her face, and opening her eyes she beheld a +little black and white figure sitting on her pillow, staring at her with +a pair of round eyes very like blueberries, while one downy paw patted +her nose to attract her notice. It was Kitty Comet, the prettiest of all +the pussies, and Comet evidently had a mission to perform, for a pink +bow adorned her neck, and a bit of paper was pinned to it bearing the +words, “For Miss Rose, from Frank.” + +That pleased her extremely, and that was only the beginning of the +fun, for surprises and presents kept popping out in the most delightful +manner all through the day, the Atkinson girls being famous jokers and +Rose a favourite. But the best gift of all came on the way to Mount +Windy-Top, where it was decided to picnic in honour of the great +occasion. Three jolly loads set off soon after breakfast, for everybody +went, and everybody seemed bound to have an extra good time, especially +Mother Atkinson, who wore a hat as broad-brimmed as an umbrella, and +took the dinner-horn to keep her flock from straying away. + +“I'm going to drive auntie and a lot of the babies, so you must ride the +pony. And please stay behind us a good bit when we go to the station, +for a parcel is coming, and you are not to see it till dinner-time. You +won't mind, will you?” said Mac, in a confidential aside during the wild +flurry of the start. + +“Not a bit,” answered Rose. “It hurts my feelings very much to be told +to keep out of the way at any other time, but birthdays and Christmas it +is part of the fun to be blind and stupid, and poked into corners. I'll +be ready as soon as you are, Giglamps.” + +“Stop under the big maple till I call then you can't possibly see +anything,” added Mac, as he mounted her on the pony his father had sent +up for his use. “Barkis” was so gentle and so “willin',” however, that +Rose was ashamed to be afraid to ride him; so she had learned, that she +might surprise Dr. Alec when she got home; meantime she had many a +fine canter “over the hills and far away” with Mac, who preferred Mr. +Atkinson's old Sorrel. + +Away they went, and, coming to the red maple, Rose obediently paused; +but could not help stealing a glance in the forbidden direction before +the call came. Yes, there was a hamper going under the seat, and then +she caught sight of a tall man whom Mac seemed to be hustling into +the carriage in a great hurry. One look was enough, and with a cry of +delight, Rose was off down the road as fast as Barkis could go. + +“Now I'll astonish uncle,” she thought. “I'll dash up in grand style, +and show him that I am not a coward, after all.” + +Fired by this ambition, she startled Barkis by a sharp cut, and still +more bewildered him by leaving him to his own guidance down the steep, +stony road. The approach would have been a fine success if, just as Rose +was about to pull up and salute, two or three distracted hens had not +scuttled across the road with a great squawking, which caused Barkis +to shy and stop so suddenly that his careless rider landed in an +ignominious heap just under old Sorrel's astonished nose. + +Rose was up again before Dr. Alec was out of the carryall, and threw two +dusty arms about his neck crying with a breathless voice, + +“O uncle, I'm so glad to see you! It is better than a cart-load of +goodies, and so dear of you to come!” + +“But aren't you hurt, child! That was a rough tumble, and I'm afraid you +must be damaged somewhere,” answered the Doctor, full of fond anxiety, +as he surveyed his girl with pride. + +“My feelings are hurt, but my bones are all safe. It's too bad! I was +going to do it so nicely, and those stupid hens spoilt it all,” said +Rose, quite crestfallen, as well as much shaken. + +“I couldn't believe my eyes when I asked 'Where is Rose?' and Mac +pointed to the little Amazon pelting down the hill at such a rate. You +couldn't have done anything that would please me more, and I'm delighted +to see how well you ride. Now, will you mount again, or shall we turn +Mac out and take you in?” asked Dr. Alec, as Aunt Jessie proposed a +start, for the others were beckoning them to follow. + +“Pride goeth before a fall better not try to show off again, ma'am,” + said Mac, who would have been more than mortal if he had refrained from +teasing when so good a chance offered. + +“Pride does go before a fall, but I wonder if a sprained ankle always +comes after it?” thought Rose, bravely concealing her pain, as she +answered, with great dignity, + +“I prefer to ride. Come on, and see who will catch up first.” + +She was up and away as she spoke, doing her best to efface the memory +of her downfall by sitting very erect, elbows down, head well up, and +taking the motion of the pony as Barkis cantered along as easily as a +rocking-chair. + +“You ought to see her go over a fence and race when we ride together. +She can scud, too, like a deer when we play 'Follow the leader,' and +skip stones and bat balls almost as well as I can,” said Mac, in reply +to his uncle's praise of his pupil. + +“I'm afraid you will think her a sad tomboy, Alec; but really she seems +so well and happy, I have not the heart to check her. She has broken +out in the most unexpected way, and frisks like a colt; for she says she +feels so full of spirits she must run and shout whether it is proper or +not,” added Mrs. Jessie, who had been a pretty hoyden years ago herself. + +“Good good! that's the best news you could tell me,” and Dr. Alec rubbed +his hands heartily. “Let the girl run and shout as much as she will it +is a sure sign of health, and as natural to a happy child as frisking is +to any young animal full of life. Tomboys make strong women usually, and +I had far rather find Rose playing football with Mac than puttering over +bead-work like that affected midget, Ariadne Blish.” + +“But she cannot go on playing football very long, and we must not forget +that she has a woman's work to do by and by,” began Mrs. Jessie. + +“Neither will Mac play football much longer, but he will be all the +better fitted for business, because of the health it gives him. Polish +is easily added, if the foundations are strong; but no amount of gilding +will be of use if your timber is not sound. I'm sure I'm right, Jessie; +and if I can do as well by my girl during the next six months as I have +the last, my experiment will succeed.” + +“It certainly will; for when I contrast that bright, blooming face +with the pale, listless one that made my heart ache a while ago, I can +believe in almost any miracle,” said Mrs. Jessie, as Rose looked round +to point out a lovely view, with cheeks like the ruddy apples in the +orchard near by, eyes clear as the autumn sky overhead, and vigour in +every line of her girlish figure. + +A general scramble among the rocks was followed by a regular gypsy +lunch, which the young folks had the rapture of helping to prepare. +Mother Atkinson put on her apron, turned up her sleeves, and fell to +work as gaily as if in her own kitchen, boiling the kettle slung on +three sticks, over a fire of cones and fir boughs; while the girls +spread the mossy table with a feast of country goodies, and the children +tumbled about in everyone's way till the toot of the horn made them +settle down like a flock of hungry birds. + +As soon as the merry meal and a brief interval of repose were over, +it was unanimously voted to have some charades. A smooth, green spot +between two stately pines was chosen for the stage; shawls hung up, +properties collected, audience and actors separated, and a word quickly +chosen. + +The first scene discovered Mac in a despondent attitude and shabby +dress, evidently much troubled in mind. To him entered a remarkable +creature with a brown paper bag over its head. A little pink nose peeped +through one hole in the middle, white teeth through another, and above +two eyes glared fiercely. Spires of grass stuck in each side of the +mouth seemed meant to represent whiskers; the upper corners of the bag +were twisted like ears, and no one could doubt for a moment that the +black scarf pinned on behind was a tail. + +This singular animal seemed in pantomime to be comforting his master and +offering advice, which was finally acted upon, for Mac pulled off his +boots, helped the little beast into them, and gave him a bag; then, +kissing his paw, with a hopeful gesture, the creature retired, purring +so successfully that there was a general cry of “Cat, puss, boots!” + +“Cat is the word,” replied a voice, and the curtain fell. + +The next scene was a puzzler, for in came another animal, on all-fours +this time, with a new sort of tail and long ears. A gray shawl concealed +its face, but an inquisitive sunbeam betrayed the glitter as of goggles +under the fringe. On its back rode a small gentleman in Eastern costume, +who appeared to find some difficulty in keeping his seat as his steed +jogged along. Suddenly a spirit appeared, all in white, with long +newspaper wings upon its back and golden locks about its face. +Singularly enough, the beast beheld this apparition and backed +instantly, but the rider evidently saw nothing and whipped up +unmercifully, also unsuccessfully, for the spirit stood directly in the +path, and the amiable beast would not budge a foot. A lively skirmish +followed, which ended in the Eastern gentleman being upset into a +sweet-fern bush, while the better bred animal abased itself before the +shining one. + +The children were all in the dark till Mother Atkinson said, in an +inquiring tone, + +“If that isn't Balaam and the ass, I'd like to know what it is. Rose +makes a sweet angel, doesn't she?” + +“Ass” was evidently the word, and the angel retired, smiling with +mundane satisfaction over the compliment that reached her ears. + +The next was a pretty little scene from the immortal story of “Babes in +the Wood.” Jamie and Pokey came trotting in, hand in hand, and, having +been through the parts many times before, acted with great ease and much +fluency, audibly directing each other from time to time as they +went along. The berries were picked, the way lost, tears shed, baby +consolation administered, and then the little pair lay down among the +brakes and died with their eyes wide open and the toes of their four +little boots turned up to the daisies in the most pathetic manner. + +“Now the wobins tum. You be twite dead, Dimmy, and I'll peep in and see +'em,” one defunct innocent was heard to say. + +“I hope they'll be quick, for I'm lying on a stone, and ants are walking +up my leg like fury,” murmured the other. + +Here the robins came flapping in with red scarves over their breasts +and leaves in their mouths, which they carefully laid upon the babes +wherever they would show best. A prickly blackberry leaf placed directly +over Pokey's nose caused her to sneeze so violently that her little legs +flew into the air; Jamie gave a startled “Ow!” and the pitying fowls +fled giggling. + +After some discussion it was decided that the syllable must be “strew or +strow” and then they waited to see if it was a good guess. + +This scene discovered Annette Snow in bed, evidently very ill; Miss +Jenny was her anxious mamma, and her merry conversation amused the +audience till Mac came in as a physician, and made great fun with his +big watch, pompous manner, and absurd questions. He prescribed one +pellet with an unpronounceable name, and left after demanding twenty +dollars for his brief visit. + +The pellet was administered, and such awful agonies immediately set in +that the distracted mamma bade a sympathetic neighbour run for Mother +Know-all. The neighbour ran, and in came a brisk little old lady in +cap and specs, with a bundle of herbs under her arm, which she at once +applied in all sorts of funny ways, explaining their virtues as she +clapped a plantain poultice here, put a pounded catnip plaster there, +or tied a couple of mullein leaves round the sufferer's throat. Instant +relief ensued, the dying child sat up and demanded baked beans. The +grateful parent offered fifty dollars; but Mother Know-all indignantly +refused it and went smiling away, declaring that a neighbourly turn +needed no reward, and a doctor's fee was all a humbug. + +The audience were in fits of laughter over this scene, for Rose imitated +Mrs. Atkinson capitally, and the herb cure was a good hit at the +excellent lady's belief that “yarbs” would save mankind if properly +applied. No one enjoyed it more than herself, and the saucy children +prepared for the grand finale in high feather. + +This closing scene was brief but striking, for two trains of cars +whizzed in from opposite sides, met with a terrible collision in +the middle of the stage, and a general smash-up completed the word +catastrophe. + +“Now let us act a proverb. I've got one all ready,” said Rose, who was +dying to distinguish herself in some way before Uncle Alec. + +So everyone but Mac, the gay Westerner, and Rose, took their places on +the rocky seats and discussed the late beautiful and varied charade, in +which Pokey frankly pronounced her own scene the “bestest of all.” + +In five minutes the curtain was lifted; nothing appeared but a very +large sheet of brown paper pinned to a tree, and on it was drawn a +clock-face, the hands pointing to four. A small note below informed the +public that 4 A.M. was the time. Hardly had the audience grasped this +important fact when a long waterproof serpent was seen uncoiling +itself from behind a stump. An inch-worm, perhaps, would be a better +description, for it travelled in the same humpy way as that pleasing +reptile. Suddenly a very wide-awake and active fowl advanced, pecking, +chirping, and scratching vigorously. A tuft of green leaves waved upon +his crest, a larger tuft of brakes made an umbrageous tail, and a shawl +of many colours formed his flapping wings. A truly noble bird, whose +legs had the genuine strut, whose eyes shone watchfully, and whose voice +had a ring that evidently struck terror into the catterpillar's soul, if +it was a catterpillar. He squirmed, he wriggled, he humped as fast as +he could, trying to escape; but all in vain. The tufted bird espied +him, gave one warbling sort of crow, pounced upon him, and flapped +triumphantly away. + +“That early bird got such a big worm he could hardly carry him off,” + laughed Aunt Jessie, as the children shouted over the joke suggested by +Mac's nickname. + +“That is one of uncle's favourite proverbs, so I got it up for his +especial benefit,” said Rose, coming up with the two-legged worm beside +her. + +“Very clever; what next?” asked Dr. Alec as she sat down beside him. + +“The Dove boys are going to give us an 'Incident in the Life of +Napoleon,' as they call it; the children think it very splendid, and the +little fellows do it rather nicely,” answered Mac with condescension. + +A tent appeared, and pacing to and fro before it was a little sentinel, +who, in a brief soliloquy, informed the observers that the elements were +in a great state of confusion, that he had marched some hundred miles +or so that day, and that he was dying for want of sleep. Then he +paused, leaned upon his gun, and seemed to doze; dropped slowly down, +overpowered with slumber, and finally lay flat, with his gun beside him, +a faithless little sentinel. Enter Napoleon, cocked hat, gray coat, high +boots, folded arms, grim mouth, and a melodramatic stride. Freddy Dove +always covered himself with glory in this part, and “took the stage” + with a Napoleonic attitude that brought down the house; for the +big-headed boy, with solemn, dark eyes and square brow, was “the very +moral of that rascal, Boneyparty,” Mother Atkinson said. + +Some great scheme was evidently brewing in his mighty mind a trip across +the Alps, a bonfire at Moscow, or a little skirmish at Waterloo perhaps, +for he marched in silent majesty till suddenly a gentle snore disturbed +the imperial reverie. He saw the sleeping soldier and glared upon him, +saying in an awful tone, + +“Ha! asleep at his post! Death is the penalty he must die!” + +Picking up the musket, he is about to execute summary justice, as +emperors are in the habit of doing, when something in the face of the +weary sentinel appears to touch him. And well it might, for a most +engaging little warrior was Jack as he lay with his shako half off, his +childish face trying to keep sober, and a great black moustache over his +rosy mouth. It would have softened the heart of any Napoleon, and the +Little Corporal proved himself a man by relenting, and saying, with a +lofty gesture of forgiveness, + +“Brave fellow, he is worn out; I will let him sleep, and mount guard in +his place.” + +Then, shouldering the gun, this noble being strode to and fro with a +dignity which thrilled the younger spectators. The sentinel awakes, +sees what has happened, and gives himself up for lost. But the Emperor +restores his weapon, and, with that smile which won all hearts, says, +pointing to a high rock whereon a crow happens to be sitting, “Be brave, +be vigilant, and remember that from yonder Pyramid generations are +beholding you,” and with these memorable words he vanishes, leaving the +grateful soldier bolt upright, with his hand at his temple and deathless +devotion stamped upon his youthful countenance. + +The applause which followed this superb piece had hardly subsided, +when a sudden splash and a shrill cry caused a general rush toward the +waterfall that went gambolling down the rocks, singing sweetly as it +ran. Pokey had tried to gambol also, and had tumbled into a shallow +pool, whither Jamie had gallantly followed, in a vain attempt to fish +her out, and both were paddling about half frightened, half pleased with +the unexpected bath. + +This mishap made it necessary to get the dripping infants home as soon +as possible; so the wagons were loaded up, and away they went, as merry +as if the mountain air had really been “Oxygenated Sweets not Bitters,” + as Dr. Alec suggested when Mac said he felt as jolly as if he had been +drinking champagne instead of the current wine that came with a great +frosted cake wreathed with sugar roses in Aunt Plenty's hamper of +goodies. + +Rose took part in all the fun, and never betrayed by look or word the +twinges of pain she suffered in her ankle. She excused herself from the +games in the evening, however, and sat talking to Uncle Alec in a lively +way, that both amazed and delighted him; for she confided to him that +she played horse with the children, drilled with the light infantry, +climbed trees, and did other dreadful things that would have caused the +aunts to cry aloud if they knew of them. + +“I don't care a pin what they say if you don't mind, uncle,” she +answered, when he pictured the dismay of the good ladies. + +“Ah, it's all very well to defy them, but you are getting so rampant, +I'm afraid you will defy me next, and then where are we?” + +“No, I won't! I shouldn't dare; because you are my guardian, and can put +me in a strait-jacket if you like;” and Rose laughed in his face, even +while she nestled closer with a confiding gesture pleasant to see. + +“Upon my word, Rosy, I begin to feel like the man who bought an +elephant, and then didn't know what to do with him. I thought I had got +a pet and plaything for years to come; but here you are growing up like +a bean-stalk, and I shall find I've got a strong-minded little woman on +my hands before I can turn round. There's predicament for a man and an +uncle!” + +Dr. Alec's comic distress was mercifully relieved for the time being +by a dance of goblins on the lawn, where the children, with pumpkin +lanterns on their heads, frisked about like will-o'-the-wisps, as a +parting surprise. + +When Rose went to bed, she found that Uncle Alec had not forgotten her; +for on the table stood a delicate little easel, holding two miniatures +set in velvet. She knew them both, and stood looking at them till her +eyes brimmed over with tears that were both sweet and sad; for they were +the faces of her father and mother, beautifully copied from portraits +fast fading away. + +Presently, she knelt down, and, putting her arms round the little +shrine, kissed one after the other, saying with an earnest voice, “I'll +truly try to make them glad to see me by and by.” + +And that was Rose's little prayer on the night of her fourteenth +birthday. + +Two days later the Campbells went home, a larger party than when they +came; for Dr. Alec was escort and Kitty Comet was borne in state in a +basket, with a bottle of milk, some tiny sandwiches, and a doll's dish +to drink out of, as well as a bit of carpet to lie on in her palace car, +out of which she kept popping her head in the most fascinating manner. + +There was a great kissing and cuddling, waving of handkerchiefs, and +last good-byes, as they went; and when they had started, Mother Atkinson +came running after them, to tuck in some little pies, hot from the oven, +“for the dears, who might get tired of bread and butter during that long +day's travel.” + +Another start, and another halt; for the Snow children came shrieking +up to demand the three kittens that Pokey was cooly carrying off in +a travelling bag. The unhappy kits were rescued, half smothered, and +restored to their lawful owners, amid dire lamentation from the little +kidnapper, who declared that she only “tooked um 'cause they'd want to +go wid their sister Tomit.” + +Start number three and stoppage number three, as Frank hailed them +with the luncheon basket, which had been forgotten, after everyone had +protested that it was safely in. + +All went well after that, and the long journey was pleasantly beguiled +by Pokey and Pussy, who played together so prettily that they were +considered public benefactors. + +“Rose doesn't want to go home, for she knows the aunts won't let her +rampage as she did up at Cosey Corner,” said Mac, as they approached the +old house. + +“I can't rampage if I want to for a time, at least; and I'll tell you +why. I sprained my ankle when I tumbled off of Barkis, and it gets worse +and worse; though I've done all I know to cure it and hide it, so it +shouldn't trouble anyone,” whispered Rose, knitting her brows with pain, +as she prepared to descend, wishing her uncle would take her instead of +her bundles. + +How he did it, she never knew; but Mac had her up the steps and on the +parlour sofa before she could put her foot to the ground. + +“There you are right side up with care; and mind, now, if your ankle +bothers you, and you are laid up with it, I am to be your footman. It's +only fair, you know; for I don't forget how good you have been to me.” + And Mac went to call Phebe, so full of gratitude and good-will that his +very goggles shone. + + + +Chapter 15--Ear-Rings + +Rose's sprain proved to be a serious one, owing to neglect, and Dr. Alec +ordered her to lie on the sofa for a fortnight at least; whereat she +groaned dismally, but dared not openly complain, lest the boys turn +upon her with some of the wise little sermons on patience which she had +delivered for their benefit. + +It was Mac's turn now, and honourably did he repay his debt; for, as +school was still forbidden, he had plenty of leisure, and devoted most +of it to Rose. He took many steps for her, and even allowed her to teach +him to knit, after assuring himself that many a brave Scotchman knew how +to “click the pricks.” She was obliged to take a solemn vow of secrecy, +however, before he would consent; for, though he did not mind being +called “Giglamps,” “Granny” was more than his boyish soul could bear, +and at the approach of any of the Clan his knitting vanished as if by +magic, which frequent “chucking” out of sight did not improve the stripe +he was doing for Rose's new afghan. + +She was busy with this pretty work one bright October afternoon, all +nicely established on her sofa in the upper hall, while Jamie and Pokey +(lent for her amusement) were keeping house in a corner, with Comet and +Rose's old doll for their “childerns.” + +Presently, Phebe appeared with a card. Rose read it, made a grimace, +then laughed and said, + +“I'll see Miss Blish,” and immediately put on her company face, pulled +out her locket, and settled her curls. + +“You dear thing, how do you do? I've been trying to call every day since +you got back, but I have so many engagements, I really couldn't manage +it till to-day. So glad you are alone, for mamma said I could sit +awhile, and I brought my lace-work to show you, for it's perfectly +lovely.” cried Miss Blish, greeting Rose with a kiss, which was not very +warmly returned, though Rose politely thanked her for coming, and bid +Phebe roll up the easy chair. + +“How nice to have a maid!” said Ariadne, as she settled herself with +much commotion. “Still, dear, you must be very lonely, and feel the need +of a bosom friend.” + +“I have my cousins,” began Rose, with dignity, for her visitor's +patronising manner ruffled her temper. + +“Gracious, child! you don't make friends of those great boys, do you? +Mamma says she really doesn't think it's proper for you to be with them +so much.” + +“They are like brothers, and my aunts do think it's proper,” replied +Rose, rather sharply, for it struck her that this was none of Miss +Blish's business. + +“I was merely going to say I should be glad to have you for my bosom +friend, for Hatty Mason and I have had an awful quarrel, and don't +speak. She is too mean to live, so I gave her up. Just think, she never +paid back one of the caramels I've given her, and never invited me to +her party. I could have forgiven the caramels, but to be left out in +that rude way was more than I could bear, and I told her never to look +at me again as long as she lived.” + +“You are very kind, but I don't think I want a bosom friend, thank you,” + said Rose, as Ariadne stopped to bridle and shake her flaxen head over +the delinquent Hatty Mason. + +Now, in her heart Miss Blish thought Rose “a stuck-up puss,” but +the other girls wanted to know her and couldn't, the old house was a +charming place to visit, the lads were considered fine fellows, and +the Campbells “are one of our first families,” mamma said. So Ariadne +concealed her vexation at Rose's coolness, and changed the subject as +fast as possible. + +“Studying French, I see; who is your teacher?” she asked, flitting over +the leaves of “Paul and Virginia,” that lay on the table. + +“I don't study it, for I read French as well as English, and uncle and +I often speak it for hours. He talks like a native, and says I have a +remarkably good accent.” + +Rose really could not help this small display of superiority, for French +was one of her strong points, and she was vain of it, though she usually +managed to hide this weakness. She felt that Ariadne would be the better +for a little crushing, and could not resist the temptation to patronise +in her turn. + +“Oh, indeed!” said Miss Blish, rather blankly, for French was not her +strong point by any means. + +“I am to go abroad with uncle in a year or two, and he knows how +important it is to understand the languages. Half the girls who leave +school can't speak decent French, and when they go abroad they are +so mortified. I shall be very glad to help you, if you like, for, of +course, you have no one to talk with at home.” + +Now Ariadne, though she looked like a wax doll, had feelings within her +instead of sawdust, and these feelings were hurt by Rose's lofty tone. +She thought her more “stuck up” than ever, but did not know how to bring +her down, yet longed to do it, for she felt as if she had received a +box on the ear, and involuntarily put her hand up to it. The touch of an +ear-ring consoled her, and suggested a way of returning tit for tat in a +telling manner. + +“Thank you, dear; I don't need any help, for our teacher is from Paris, +and of course he speaks better French than your uncle.” Then she added, +with a gesture of her head that set the little bells on her ears to +tingling: “How do you like my new ear-rings? Papa gave them to me last +week, and everyone says they are lovely.” + +Rose came down from her high horse with a rapidity that was comical, +for Ariadne had the upper hand now. Rose adored pretty things, longed +to wear them, and the desire of her girlish soul was to have her ears +bored, only Dr. Alec thought it foolish, so she never had done it. She +would gladly have given all the French she could jabber for a pair of +golden bells with pearl-tipped tongues, like those Ariadne wore; and, +clasping her hands, she answered, in a tone that went to the hearer's +heart, + +“They are too sweet for anything! If uncle would only let me wear some, +I should be perfectly happy.” + +“I wouldn't mind what he says. Papa laughed at me at first, but he likes +them now, and says I shall have diamond solitaires when I am eighteen,” + said Ariadne, quite satisfied with her shot. + +“I've got a pair now that were mamma's, and a beautiful little pair of +pearl and turquoise ones, that I am dying to wear,” sighed Rose. + +“Then do it. I'll pierce your ears, and you must wear a bit of silk in +them till they are well; your curls will hide them nicely; then, some +day, slip in your smallest ear-rings, and see if your uncle don't like +them.” + +“I asked him if it wouldn't do my eyes good once when they were red, and +he only laughed. People do cure weak eyes that way, don't they?” + +“Yes, indeed, and yours are sort of red. Let me see. Yes, I really think +you ought to do it before they get worse,” said Ariadne, peering into +the large clear eye offered for inspection. + +“Does it hurt much?” asked Rose, wavering. + +“Oh dear, no; just a prick and a pull, and it's all over. I've done +lots of ears, and know just how. Come, push up your hair and get a big +needle.” + +“I don't quite like to do it without asking uncle's leave,” faltered +Rose, when all was ready for the operation. + +“Did he ever forbid it?” demanded Ariadne, hovering over her prey like a +vampire. + +“No, never!” + +“Then do it, unless you are afraid,” cried Miss Blish, bent on +accomplishing the deed. + +That last word settled the matter, and, closing her eyes, Rose said +“Punch!” in the tone of one giving the fatal order “Fire!” + +Ariadne punched, and the victim bore it in heroic silence, though she +turned pale and her eyes were full of tears of anguish. + +“There! Now pull the bits of silk often, and cold-cream your ears every +night, and you'll soon be ready for the rings,” said Ariadne, well +pleased with her job, for the girl who spoke French with “a fine accent” + lay flat upon the sofa, looking as exhausted as if she had had both ears +cut off. + +“It does hurt dreadfully, and I know uncle won't like it,” sighed Rose, +as remorse began to gnaw. “Promise not to tell, or I shall be teased +to death,” she added, anxiously, entirely forgetting the two little +pitchers gifted with eyes as well as ears, who had been watching the +whole performance from afar. + +“Never. Mercy me, what's that?” and Ariadne started as a sudden sound of +steps and voices came up from below. + +“It's the boys! Hide the needle. Do my ears show? Don't breathe a word!” + whispered Rose, scrambling about to conceal all traces of their iniquity +from the sharp eyes of the Clan. + +Up they came, all in good order, laden with the proceeds of a nutting +expedition, for they always reported to Rose and paid tribute to their +queen in the handsomest manner. + +“How many, and how big! We'll have a grand roasting frolic after tea, +won't we?” said Rose, plunging both hands into a bag of glossy brown +nuts, while the Clan “stood at ease” and nodded to Ariadne. + +“That lot was picked especially for you, Rosy. I got every one myself, +and they are extra whackers,” said Mac, presenting a bushel or so. + +“You should have seen Giglamps when he was after them. He pitched out +of the tree, and would have broken his blessed old neck if Arch had +not caught him,” observed Steve, as he lounged gracefully in the window +seat. + +“You needn't talk, Dandy, when you didn't know a chestnut from a beech, +and kept on thrashing till I told you of it,” retorted Mac, festooning +himself over the back of the sofa, being a privileged boy. + +“I don't make mistakes when I thrash you, old Worm, so you'd better mind +what you are about,” answered Steve, without a ray of proper respect for +his elder brother. + +“It is getting dark, and I must go, or mamma will be alarmed,” said +Ariadne, rising in sudden haste, though she hoped to be asked to remain +to the nut-party. + +No one invited her; and all the while she was putting on her things and +chatting to Rose the boys were telegraphing to one another the sad fact +that someone ought to escort the young lady home. Not a boy felt heroic +enough to cast himself into the breach, however; even polite Archie +shirked the duty, saying to Charlie, as they quietly slipped into an +adjoining room, + +“I'm not going to do all the gallivanting. Let Steve take that chit home +and show his manners.” + +“I'll be hanged if I do!” answered Prince, who disliked Miss Blish +because she tried to be coquettish with him. + +“Then I will,” and, to the dismay of both recreant lads, Dr. Alec walked +out of the room to offer his services to the “chit.” + +He was too late, however, for Mac, obeying a look from Rose, had already +made a victim of himself, and trudged meekly away, wishing the gentle +Ariadne at the bottom of the Red Sea. + +“Then I will take this lady down to tea, as the other one has found a +gentleman to go home with her. I see the lamps are lighted below, and I +smell a smell which tells me that auntie has something extra nice for us +to-night.” + +As he spoke, Dr. Alec was preparing to carry Rose downstairs as usual; +but Archie and Prince rushed forward, begging with penitent eagerness +for the honour of carrying her in an arm-chair. Rose consented, fearing +that her uncle's keen eye would discover the fatal bits of silk; so the +boys crossed hands, and, taking a good grip of each curly pate, she was +borne down in state, while the others followed by way of the banisters. + +Tea was ordered earlier than usual, so that Jamie and his dolly could +have a taste, at least, of the holiday fun, for they were to stay till +seven, and be allowed twelve roasted chestnuts apiece, which they were +under bonds not to eat till next day. + +Tea was despatched rapidly, therefore, and the party gathered round the +wide hearth in the dining-room, where the nuts were soon dancing gaily +on hot shovels or bouncing out among the company, thereby causing +delightful panics among the little ones. + +“Come, Rosy, tell us a story while we work, for you can't help much, +and must amuse us as your share,” proposed Mac, who sat in the shade +pricking nuts, and who knew by experience what a capital little +Scheherazade his cousin was. + +“Yes, we poor monkeys can't burn our paws for nothing, so tell away, +Pussy,” added Charlie, as he threw several hot nuts into her lap and +shook his fingers afterwards. + +“Well, I happen to have a little story with a moral to it in my mind, +and I will tell it, though it is intended for younger children than +you,” answered Rose, who was rather fond of telling instructive tales. + +“Fire away,” said Geordie, and she obeyed, little thinking what a +disastrous story it would prove to herself. + +“Well, once upon a time, a little girl went to see a young lady who was +very fond of her. Now, the young lady happened to be lame, and had +to have her foot bandaged up every day; so she kept a basketful of +bandages, all nicely rolled and ready. The little girl liked to play +with this basket, and one day, when she thought no one saw her, she took +one of the rolls without asking leave, and put it in her pocket.” + +Here Pokey, who had been peering lovingly down at the five warm nuts +that lay at the bottom of her tiny pocket, suddenly looked up and said, +“Oh!” in a startled tone, as if the moral tale had become intensely +interesting all at once. + +Rose heard and saw the innocent betrayal of the small sinner, and went +on in a most impressive manner, while the boys nudged one another and +winked as they caught the joke. + +“But an eye did see this naughty little girl, and whose eye do you think +it was?” + +“Eye of Dod,” murmured conscience-stricken Pokey, spreading two chubby +little hands before the round face, which they were not half big enough +to hide. + +Rose was rather taken aback by this reply, but, feeling that she was +producing a good effect, she added seriously, + +“Yes, God saw her, and so did the young lady, but she did not say +anything; she waited to see what the little girl would do about it. She +had been very happy before she took the bandage, but when it was in her +pocket she seemed troubled, and pretty soon stopped playing, and sat +down in a corner looking very sober. She thought a few minutes, and then +went and put back the roll very softly, and her face cleared up, and +she was a happy child again. The young lady was glad to see that, and +wondered what made the little girl put it back.” + +“Tonscience p'icked her,” murmured a contrite voice from behind the +small hands pressed tightly over Pokey's red face. + +“And why did she take it, do you suppose?” asked Rose, in a +school-marmish tone, feeling that all the listeners were interested in +her tale and its unexpected application. + +“It was so nice and wound, and she wanted it deffly,” answered the +little voice. + +“Well, I'm glad she had such a good conscience. The moral is that people +who steal don't enjoy what they take, and are not happy till they put +it back. What makes that little girl hide her face?” asked Rose, as she +concluded. + +“Me's so 'shamed of Pokey,” sobbed the small culprit, quite overcome by +remorse and confusion at this awful disclosure. + +“Come, Rose, it's too bad to tell her little tricks before everyone, +and preach at her in that way; you wouldn't like it yourself,” began Dr. +Alec, taking the weeper on his knee and administering consolation in the +shape of kisses and nuts. + +Before Rose could express her regret, Jamie, who had been reddening +and ruffling like a little turkey-cock for several minutes, burst out +indignantly, bent on avenging the wound given to his beloved dolly. + +“I know something bad that you did, and I'm going to tell right out. You +thought we didn't see you, but we did, and you said uncle wouldn't like +it, and the boys would tease, and you made Ariadne promise not to tell, +and she punched holes in your ears to put ear-rings in. So now! and +that's much badder than to take an old piece of rag; and I hate you for +making my Pokey cry.” + +Jamie's somewhat incoherent explosion produced such an effect that +Pokey's small sin was instantly forgotten, and Rose felt that her hour +had come. + +“What! what! what!” cried the boys in a chorus, dropping their shovels +and knives to gather round Rose, for a guilty clutching at her ears +betrayed her, and with a feeble cry of “Ariadne made me!” she hid her +head among the pillows like an absurd little ostrich. + +“Now she'll go prancing round with bird cages and baskets and carts and +pigs, for all I know, in her ears, as the other girls do, and won't she +look like a goose?” asked one tormentor, tweaking a curl that strayed +out from the cushions. + +“I didn't think she'd be so silly,” said Mac, in a tone of +disappointment that told Rose she had sunk in the esteem of her wise +cousin. + +“That Blish girl is a nuisance, and ought not to be allowed to come here +with her nonsensical notions,” said the Prince, feeling a strong desire +to shake that young person as an angry dog might shake a mischievous +kitten. + +“How do you like it, uncle?” asked Archie, who, being the head of a +family himself, believed in preserving discipline at all costs. + +“I am very much surprised; but I see she is a girl, after all, and must +have her vanities like all the rest of them,” answered Dr. Alec, with +a sigh, as if he had expected to find Rose a sort of angel, above all +earthly temptations. + +“What shall you do about it, sir?” inquired Geordie, wondering what +punishment would be inflicted on a feminine culprit. + +“As she is fond of ornaments, perhaps we had better give her a nose-ring +also. I have one somewhere that a Fiji belle once wore; I'll look it +up,” and, leaving Pokey to Jamie's care, Dr. Alec rose as if to carry +out his suggestion in earnest. + +“Good! good! We'll do it right away! Here's a gimlet, so you hold +her, boys, while I get her dear little nose all ready,” cried Charlie, +whisking away the pillow as the other boys danced about the sofa in true +Fiji style. + +It was a dreadful moment, for Rose could not run away she could only +grasp her precious nose with one hand and extend the other, crying +distractedly, + +“O uncle, save me, save me!” + +Of course he saved her; and when she was securely barricaded by his +strong arm, she confessed her folly in such humiliation of spirit, that +the lads, after a good laugh at her, decided to forgive her and lay all +the blame on the tempter, Ariadne. Even Dr. Alec relented so far as to +propose two gold rings for the ears instead of one copper one for the +nose; a proceeding which proved that if Rose had all the weakness of +her sex for jewellery, he had all the inconsistency of his in giving a +pretty penitent exactly what she wanted, spite of his better judgment. + + + +Chapter 16--Bread and Button-Holes + +“What in the world is my girl thinking about all alone here, with such +a solemn face?” asked Dr. Alec, coming into the study, one November +day, to find Rose sitting there with folded hands and a very thoughtful +aspect. + +“Uncle, I want to have some serious conversation with you, if you have +time,” she said, coming out of a brown study, as if she had not heard +his question. + +“I'm entirely at your service, and most happy to listen,” he answered, +in his politest manner, for when Rose put on her womanly little airs he +always treated her with a playful sort of respect that pleased her very +much. + +Now, as he sat down beside her, she said, very soberly, + +“I've been trying to decide what trade I would learn, and I want you to +advise me.” + +“Trade, my dear?” and Dr. Alec looked so astonished that she hastened to +explain. + +“I forgot that you didn't hear the talk about it up at Cosey Corner. You +see we used to sit under the pines and sew, and talk a great deal all +the ladies, I mean and I liked it very much. Mother Atkinson thought +that everyone should have a trade, or something to make a living out of, +for rich people may grow poor, you know, and poor people have to work. +Her girls were very clever, and could do ever so many things, and Aunt +Jessie thought the old lady was right; so when I saw how happy and +independent those young ladies were, I wanted to have a trade, and then +it wouldn't matter about money, though I like to have it well enough.” + +Dr. Alec listened to this explanation with a curious mixture of +surprise, pleasure, and amusement in his face, and looked at his little +niece as if she had suddenly changed into a young woman. She had grown a +good deal in the last six months, and an amount of thinking had gone on +in that young head which would have astonished him greatly could he have +known it all, for Rose was one of the children who observe and meditate +much, and now and then nonplus their friends by a wise or curious +remark. + +“I quite agree with the ladies, and shall be glad to help you decide on +something if I can,” said the Doctor seriously. “What do you incline to? +A natural taste or talent is a great help in choosing, you know.” + +“I haven't any talent, or any especial taste that I can see, and that is +why I can't decide, uncle. So, I think it would be a good plan to pick +out some very useful business and learn it, because I don't do it for +pleasure, you see, but as a part of my education, and to be ready in +case I'm ever poor,” answered Rose, looking as if she rather longed for +a little poverty so that her useful gift might be exercised. + +“Well, now, there is one very excellent, necessary, and womanly +accomplishment that no girl should be without, for it is a help to rich +and poor, and the comfort of families depends upon it. This fine talent +is neglected nowadays, and considered old-fashioned, which is a sad +mistake, and one that I don't mean to make in bringing up my girl. +It should be a part of every girl's education, and I know of a most +accomplished lady who will teach you in the best and pleasantest +manner.” + +“Oh, what is it?” cried Rose eagerly, charmed to be met in this helpful +and cordial way. + +“Housekeeping!” answered Dr. Alec. + +“Is that an accomplishment?” asked Rose, while her face fell, for she +had indulged in all sorts of vague, delightful dreams. + +“Yes; it is one of the most beautiful as well as useful of all the +arts a woman can learn. Not so romantic, perhaps, as singing, +painting, writing, or teaching, even; but one that makes many happy and +comfortable, and home the sweetest place in the world. Yes, you may +open your big eyes; but it is a fact that I had rather see you a good +housekeeper than the greatest belle in the city. It need not interfere +with any talent you may possess, but it is a necessary part of your +training, and I hope that you will set about it at once, now that you +are well and strong.” + +“Who is the lady?” asked Rose, rather impressed by her uncle's earnest +speech. + +“Aunt Plenty.” + +“Is she accomplished?” began Rose in a wondering tone, for this +great-aunt of hers had seemed the least cultivated of them all. + +“In the good old-fashioned way she is very accomplished, and has made +this house a happy home to us all, ever since we can remember. She is +not elegant, but genuinely good, and so beloved and respected that there +will be universal mourning for her when her place is empty. No one can +fill it, for the solid, homely virtues of the dear soul have gone out of +fashion, as I say, and nothing new can be half so satisfactory, to me at +least.” + +“I should like to have people feel so about me. Can she teach me to do +what she does, and to grow as good?” asked Rose, with a little prick of +remorse for even thinking that Aunt Plenty was a commonplace old lady. + +“Yes, if you don't despise such simple lessons as she can give. I know +it would fill her dear old heart with pride and pleasure to feel that +anyone cared to learn of her, for she fancies her day gone by. Let +her teach you how to be what she has been a skilful, frugal, cheerful +housewife; the maker and the keeper of a happy home, and by and by you +will see what a valuable lesson it is.” + +“I will, uncle. But how shall I begin?” + +“I'll speak to her about it, and she will make it all right with Dolly, +for cooking is one of the main things, you know.” + +“So it is! I don't mind that a bit, for I like to mess, and used to try +at home; but I had no one to tell me, so I never did much but spoil my +aprons. Pies are great fun, only Dolly is so cross, I don't believe she +will ever let me do a thing in the kitchen.” + +“Then we'll cook in the parlour. I fancy Aunt Plenty will manage her, +so don't be troubled. Only mind this, I'd rather you learned how to make +good bread than the best pies ever baked. When you bring me a handsome, +wholesome loaf, entirely made by yourself, I shall be more pleased than +if you offered me a pair of slippers embroidered in the very latest +style. I don't wish to bribe you, but I'll give you my heartiest kiss, +and promise to eat every crumb of the loaf myself.” + +“It's a bargain! it's a bargain! Come and tell aunty all about it, for +I'm in a hurry to begin,” cried Rose, dancing before him toward the +parlor, where Miss Plenty sat alone knitting contentedly, yet ready to +run at the first call for help of any sort, from any quarter. + +No need to tell how surprised and gratified she was at the invitation +she received to teach the child the domestic arts which were her only +accomplishments, nor to relate how energetically she set about her +pleasant task. Dolly dared not grumble, for Miss Plenty was the one +person whom she obeyed, and Phebe openly rejoiced, for these new lessons +brought Rose nearer to her, and glorified the kitchen in the good girl's +eyes. + +To tell the truth, the elder aunts had sometimes felt that they did not +have quite their share of the little niece who had won their hearts long +ago, and was the sunshine of the house. They talked it over together +sometimes, but always ended by saying that as Alec had all the +responsibility, he should have the larger share of the dear girl's love +and time, and they would be contented with such crumbs of comfort as +they could get. + +Dr. Alec had found out this little secret, and, after reproaching +himself for being blind and selfish, was trying to devise some way of +mending matters without troubling anyone, when Rose's new whim suggested +an excellent method of weaning her a little from himself. He did not +know how fond he was of her till he gave her up to the new teacher, and +often could not resist peeping in at the door to see how she got on, +or stealing sly looks through the slide when she was deep in dough, or +listening intently to some impressive lecture from Aunt Plenty. They +caught him at it now and then, and ordered him off the premises at the +point of the rolling-pin; or, if unusually successful, and, therefore, +in a milder mood, they lured him away with bribes of ginger-bread, a +stray pickle, or a tart that was not quite symmetrical enough to suit +their critical eyes. + +Of course he made a point of partaking copiously of all the delectable +messes that now appeared at table, for both the cooks were on their +mettle, and he fared sumptuously every day. But an especial relish +was given to any dish when, in reply to his honest praise of it, Rose +coloured up with innocent pride, and said modestly, + +“I made that, uncle, and I'm glad you like it.” + +It was some time before the perfect loaf appeared, for bread-making +is an art not easily learned, and Aunt Plenty was very thorough in her +teaching; so Rose studied yeast first, and through various stages of +cake and biscuit came at last to the crowning glory of the “handsome, +wholesome loaf.” It appeared at tea-time, on a silver salver, proudly +borne in by Phebe, who could not refrain from whispering, with a beaming +face, as she set it down before Dr. Alec, + +“Ain't it just lovely, sir?” + +“It is a regularly splendid loaf! Did my girl make it all herself?” he +asked, surveying the shapely, sweet-smelling object with real interest +and pleasure. + +“Every particle herself, and never asked a bit of help or advice +from anyone,” answered Aunt Plenty, folding her hands with an air of +unmitigated satisfaction, for her pupil certainly did her great credit. + +“I've had so many failures and troubles that I really thought I never +should be able to do it alone. Dolly let one splendid batch burn up +because I forgot it. She was there and smelt it, but never did a thing, +for she said, when I undertook to bake bread I must give my whole mind +to it. Wasn't it hard? She might have called me at least,” said Rose, +recollecting, with a sigh, the anguish of that moment. + +“She meant you should learn by experience, as Rosamond did in that +little affair of the purple jar, you remember.” + +“I always thought it very unfair in her mother not to warn the poor +thing a little bit; and she was regularly mean when Rosamond asked for a +bowl to put the purple stuff in, and she said, in such a provoking way, +'I did not agree to lend you a bowl, but I will, my dear.' Ugh! I always +want to shake that hateful woman, though she was a moral mamma.” + +“Never mind her now, but tell me all about my loaf,” said Dr. Alec, much +amused at Rose's burst of indignation. + +“There's nothing to tell, uncle, except that I did my best, gave my mind +to it, and sat watching over it all the while it was in the oven till I +was quite baked myself. Everything went right this time, and it came out +a nice, round, crusty loaf, as you see. Now taste it, and tell me if it +is good as well as handsome.” + +“Must I cut it? Can't I put it under a glass cover and keep it in the +parlor as they do wax flowers and fine works of that sort?” + +“What an idea, uncle! It would mould and be spoilt. Besides, people +would laugh at us, and make fun of my old-fashioned accomplishment. You +promised to eat it, and you must; not all at once, but as soon as you +can, so I can make you some more.” + +Dr. Alec solemnly cut off his favourite crusty slice, and solemnly ate +it; then wiped his lips, and brushing back Rose's hair, solemnly kissed +her on the forehead, saying, heartily, + +“My dear, it is perfect bread, and you are an honour to your teacher. +When we have our model school I shall offer a prize for the best bread, +and you will get it.” + +“I've got it already, and I'm quite satisfied,” said Rose, slipping into +her seat, and trying to hide her right hand which had a burn on it. + +But Dr. Alec saw it, guessed how it came there, and after tea insisted +on easing the pain which she would hardly confess. + +“Aunt Clara says I am spoiling my hands, but I don't care, for I've had +such good times with Aunt Plenty, and I think she has enjoyed it as +much as I have. Only one thing troubles me, uncle, and I want to ask +you about it,” said Rose, as they paced up and down the hall in the +twilight, the bandaged hand very carefully laid on Dr. Alec's arm. + +“More little confidences? I like them immensely, so tell away, my dear.” + +“Well, you see I feel as if Aunt Peace would like to do something for +me, and I've found out what it can be. You know she can't go about like +Aunty Plen, and we are so busy nowadays that she is rather lonely, +I'm afraid. So I want to take lessons in sewing of her. She works so +beautifully, and it is a useful thing, you know, and I ought to be a +good needlewoman as well as housekeeper, oughtn't I?” + +“Bless your kind little heart, that is what I was thinking of the other +day when Aunt Peace said she saw you very seldom now, you were so busy I +wanted to speak of it, but fancied you had as much on your hands as +you could manage. It would delight the dear woman to teach you all her +delicate handicraft, especially button-holes, for I believe that is +where young ladies fail; at least, I've heard them say so. So, do you +devote your mind to button-holes; make 'em all over my clothes if you +want something to practice on. I'll wear any quantity.” + +Rose laughed at this reckless offer, but promised to attend to that +important branch, though she confessed that darning was her weak point. +Whereupon Uncle Alec engaged to supply her with socks in all stages of +dilapidation, and to have a new set at once, so that she could run the +heels for him as a pleasant beginning. + +Then they went up to make their request in due form, to the great +delight of gentle Aunt Peace, who got quite excited with the fun that +went on while they would yarn, looked up darning needles, and fitted out +a nice little mending basket for her pupil. + +Very busy and very happy were Rose's days now, for in the morning she +went about the house with Aunt Plenty attending to linen-closets and +store-rooms, pickling and preserving, exploring garret and cellar to see +that all was right, and learning, in the good old-fashioned manner, to +look well after the ways of the household. + +In the afternoon, after her walk or drive, she sat with Aunt Peace +plying her needle, while Aunt Plenty, whose eyes were failing, knitted +and chatted briskly, telling many a pleasant story of old times, till +the three were moved to laugh and cry together, for the busy needles +were embroidering all sorts of bright patterns on the lives of the +workers, though they seemed to be only stitching cotton and darning +hose. + +It was a pretty sight to see the rosy-faced little maid sitting between +the two old ladies, listening dutifully to their instructions, and +cheering the lessons with her lively chatter and blithe laugh. If the +kitchen had proved attractive to Dr. Alec when Rose was there at work, +the sewing-room was quite irresistible, and he made himself so agreeable +that no one had the heart to drive him away, especially when he read +aloud or spun yarns. + +“There! I've made you a new set of warm night-gowns with four +button-holes in each. See if they are not neatly done,” said Rose, one +day, some weeks after the new lessons began. + +“Even to a thread, and nice little bars across the end so I can't tear +them when I twitch the buttons out. Most superior work, ma'am, and I'm +deeply grateful; so much so, that I'll sew on these buttons myself, and +save those tired fingers from another prick.” + +“You sew them on?” cried Rose, with her eyes wide open in amazement. + +“Wait a bit till I get my sewing tackle, and then you shall see what I +can do.” + +“Can he, really?” asked Rose of Aunt Peace, as Uncle Alec marched off +with a comical air of importance. + +“Oh, yes, I taught him years ago, before he went to sea; and I suppose +he has had to do things for himself, more or less, ever since; so he has +kept his hand in.” + +He evidently had, for he was soon back with a funny little work-bag, out +of which he produced a thimble without a top; and, having threaded his +needle, he proceeded to sew on the buttons so handily that Rose was much +impressed and amused. + +“I wonder if there is anything in the world that you cannot do,” she +said, in a tone of respectful admiration. + +“There are one or two things that I am not up to yet,” he answered, +with a laugh in the corner of his eye, as he waxed his thread with a +flourish. + +“I should like to know what?” + +“Bread and button-holes, ma'am.” + + + +Chapter 17--Good Bargains + +It was a rainy Sunday afternoon, and four boys were trying to spend it +quietly in the “liberry,” as Jamie called the room devoted to books and +boys, at Aunt Jessie's. Will and Geordie were sprawling on the sofa, +deep in the adventures of the scapegraces and ragamuffins whose +histories are now the fashion. Archie lounged in the easy chair, +surrounded by newspapers; Charlie stood upon the rug, in an Englishman's +favourite attitude, and, I regret to say, both were smoking cigars. + +“It is my opinion that this day will never come to an end,” said Prince, +with a yawn that nearly rent him asunder. + +“Read and improve your mind, my son,” answered Archie, peering solemnly +over the paper behind which he had been dozing. + +“Don't you preach, parson, but put on your boots and come out for a +tramp, instead of mulling over the fire like a granny.” + +“No, thank you, tramps in an easterly storm don't strike me as amusing.” + There Archie stopped and held up his hand, for a pleasant voice was +heard saying outside, + +“Are the boys in the library, auntie?” + +“Yes, dear, and longing for sunshine; so run in and make it for them,” + answered Mrs. Jessie. + +“It's Rose,” and Archie threw his cigar into the fire. + +“What's that for?” asked Charlie. + +“Gentlemen don't smoke before ladies.” + +“True; but I'm not going to waste my weed,” and Prince poked his into +the empty inkstand that served them for an ash tray. + +A gentle tap at the door was answered by a chorus of “Come in,” and Rose +appeared, looking blooming and breezy with the chilly air. + +“If I disturb you, say so, and I'll go away,” she began, pausing on the +threshold with modest hesitation, for something in the elder boys' faces +excited her curiosity. + +“You never disturb us, cousin,” said the smokers, while the readers tore +themselves from the heroes of the bar-room and gutter long enough to nod +affably to their guest. + +As Rose bent to warm her hands, one end of Archie's cigar stuck out of +the ashes, smoking furiously and smelling strongly. + +“Oh, you bad boys, how could you do it, to-day of all days?” she said +reproachfully. + +“Where's the harm?” asked Archie. + +“You know as well as I do; your mother doesn't like it, and it's a bad +habit, for it wastes money and does you no good.” + +“Fiddlesticks! every man smokes, even Uncle Alec, whom you think so +perfect,” began Charlie, in his teasing way. + +“No, he doesn't! He has given it up, and I know why,” cried Rose +eagerly. + +“Now I think of it, I haven't seen the old meerschaum since he came +home. Did he stop it on our account?” asked Archie. + +“Yes,” and Rose told the little scene on the seashore in the camping-out +time. + +Archie seemed much impressed, and said manfully, “He won't have done +that in vain so far as I'm concerned. I don't care a pin about smoking, +so can give it up as easy as not, and I promise you I will. I only do it +now and then for fun.” + +“You too?” and Rose looked up at the bonny Prince, who never looked less +bonny than at that moment, for he had resumed his cigar just to torment +her. + +Now Charlie cared as little as Archie about smoking, but it would not +do to yield too soon: so he shook his head, gave a great puff, and said +loftily, + +“You women are always asking us to give up harmless little things just +because you don't approve of them. How would you like it if we did the +same by you, miss?” + +“If I did harmful or silly things, I'd thank you for telling me of them, +and I'd try to mend my ways,” answered Rose heartily. + +“Well, now, we'll see if you mean what you say. I'll give up smoking to +please you, if you will give up something to please me,” said Prince, +seeing a good chance to lord it over the weaker vessel at small cost to +himself. + +“I'll agree if it is as foolish as cigars.” + +“Oh, it's ever so much sillier.” + +“Then I promise; what is it?” and Rose quite trembled with anxiety to +know which of her pet habits or possessions she must lose. + +“Give up your ear-rings,” and Charlie laughed wickedly, sure that she +would never hold to that bargain. + +Rose uttered a cry and clapped both hands to her ears where the gold +rings hung. + +“Oh, Charlie, wouldn't anything else do as well? I've been through so +much teasing and trouble, I do want to enjoy my pretty ear-rings, for I +can wear them now.” + +“Wear as many as you like, and I'll smoke in peace,” returned this bad +boy. + +“Will nothing else satisfy you?” imploringly. + +“Nothing,” sternly. + +Rose stood silent for a minute, thinking of something Aunt Jessie once +said “You have more influence over the boys than you know; use it for +their good, and I shall thank you all my life.” Here was a chance to +do some good by sacrificing a little vanity of her own. She felt it was +right to do it, yet found it very hard, and asked wistfully, + +“Do you mean never wear them, Charlie?” + +“Never, unless you want me to smoke.” + +“I never do.” + +“Then clinch the bargain.” + +He had no idea she would do it, and was much surprised when she took +the dear rings from her ears, with a quick gesture, and held them out to +him, saying, in a tone that made the colour come up to his brown cheek, +it was so full of sweet good will, + +“I care more for my cousins than for my ear-rings, so I promise, and +I'll keep my word.” + +“For shame, Prince! let her wear her little danglers if she likes, and +don't bargain about doing what you know is right,” cried Archie, coming +out of his grove of newspapers with an indignant bounce. + +But Rose was bent on showing her aunt that she could use her influence +for the boys' good, and said steadily, + +“It is fair, and I want it to be so, then you will believe I'm in +earnest. Here, each of you wear one of these on your watch-guard +to remind you. I shall not forget, because very soon I cannot wear +ear-rings if I want to.” + +As she spoke, Rose offered a little ring to each cousin, and the boys, +seeing how sincere she was, obeyed her. When the pledges were safe, Rose +stretched a hand to each, and the lads gave hers a hearty grip, half +pleased and half ashamed of their part in the compact. + +Just at that moment Dr. Alec and Mrs. Jessie came in. + +“What's this? Dancing Ladies' Triumph on Sunday?” exclaimed Uncle Alec, +surveying the trio with surprise. + +“No, sir, it is the Anti-Tobacco League. Will you join?” said Charlie, +while Rose slipped away to her aunt, and Archie buried both cigars +behind the back log. + +When the mystery was explained, the elders were well pleased, and Rose +received a vote of thanks, which made her feel as if she had done a +service to her country, as she had, for every boy who grows up free from +bad habits bids fair to make a good citizen. + +“I wish Rose would drive a bargain with Will and Geordie also, for I +think these books are as bad for the small boys as cigars for the large +ones,” said Mrs. Jessie, sitting down on the sofa between the readers, +who politely curled up their legs to make room for her. + +“I thought they were all the fashion,” answered Dr. Alec, settling in +the big chair with Rose. + +“So is smoking, but it is harmful. The writers of these popular stories +intend to do good, I have no doubt, but it seems to me they fail because +their motto is, 'Be smart, and you will be rich,' instead of 'Be honest, +and you will be happy.' I do not judge hastily, Alec, for I have read a +dozen, at least, of these stories, and, with much that is attractive to +boys, I find a great deal to condemn in them, and other parents say the +same when I ask them.” + +“Now, Mum, that's too bad! I like 'em tip-top. This one is a regular +screamer,” cried Will. + +“They're bully books, and I'd like to know where's the harm,” added +Geordie. + +“You have just shown us one of the chief evils, and that is slang,” + answered their mother quickly. + +“Must have it, ma'am. If these chaps talked all right, there'd be no fun +in 'em,” protested Will. + +“A boot-black mustn't use good grammar, and a newsboy must swear a +little, or he wouldn't be natural,” explained Geordie, both boys ready +to fight gallantly for their favourites. + +“But my sons are neither boot-blacks nor newsboys, and I object to +hearing them use such words as 'screamer,' 'bully,' and 'buster.' In +fact, I fail to see the advantage of writing books about such people +unless it is done in a very different way. I cannot think they will help +to refine the ragamuffins if they read them, and I'm sure they can do no +good to the better class of boys, who through these books are introduced +to police courts, counterfeiters' dens, gambling houses, drinking +saloons, and all sorts of low life.” + +“Some of them are about first-rate boys, mother; and they go to sea and +study, and sail round the world, having great larks all the way.” + +“I have read about them, Geordie, and though they are better than the +others, I am not satisfied with these optical delusions, as I call +them. Now, I put it to you, boys, is it natural for lads from fifteen +to eighteen to command ships, defeat pirates, outwit smugglers, and +so cover themselves with glory, that Admiral Farragut invites them to +dinner, saying, 'Noble boy, you are an honour to your country!' Or, +if the hero is in the army, he has hair-breadth escapes and adventures +enough in one small volume to turn his hair white, and in the end +he goes to Washington at the express desire of the President or +Commander-in-chief to be promoted to no end of stars and bars. Even if +the hero is merely an honest boy trying to get his living, he is not +permitted to do so in a natural way, by hard work and years of patient +effort, but is suddenly adopted by a millionaire whose pocket-book he +has returned; or a rich uncle appears from sea just in the nick of time; +or the remarkable boy earns a few dollars, speculates in pea-nuts or +neckties, and grows rich so rapidly that Sinbad in the diamond valley is +a pauper compared to him. Isn't it so, boys?” + +“Well, the fellows in these books are mighty lucky, and very smart, I +must say,” answered Will, surveying an illustration on the open page +before him, where a small but virtuous youth is upsetting a tipsy giant +in a bar-room, and under it the elegant inscription, “Dick Dauntless +punches the head of Sam Soaker.” + +“It gives boys such wrong ideas of life and business; shows them so +much evil and vulgarity that they need not know about, and makes the +one success worth having a fortune, a lord's daughter, or some worldly +honour, often not worth the time it takes to win. It does seem to me +that some one might write stories that should be lively, natural and +helpful tales in which the English should be good, the morals pure, and +the characters such as we can love in spite of the faults that all may +have. I can't bear to see such crowds of eager little fellows at the +libraries reading such trash; weak, when it is not wicked, and totally +unfit to feed the hungry minds that feast on it for want of something +better. There! my lecture is done; now I should like to hear what you +gentlemen have to say,” and Aunt Jessie subsided with a pretty flush on +the face that was full of motherly anxiety for her boys. + +“Tom Brown just suits mother, and me too, so I wish Mr. Hughes would +write another story as good,” said Archie. + +“You don't find things of this sort in Tom Brown; yet these books are +all in the Sunday-school libraries” and Mrs. Jessie read the following +paragraph from the book she had taken from Will's hand, + +“'In this place we saw a tooth of John the Baptist. Ben said he could +see locust and wild honey sticking to it. I couldn't. Perhaps John used +a piece of the true cross for a tooth-pick.'” + +“A larky sort of a boy says that, Mum, and we skip the parts where they +describe what they saw in the different countries,” cried Will. + +“And those descriptions, taken mostly from guidebooks, I fancy, are the +only parts of any real worth. The scrapes of the bad boys make up the +rest of the story, and it is for those you read these books, I think,” + answered his mother, stroking back the hair off the honest little face +that looked rather abashed at this true statement of the case. + +“Anyway, mother, the ship part is useful, for we learn how to sail +her, and by and by that will all come handy when we go to sea,” put in +Geordie. + +“Indeed, then you can explain this manoeuvre to me, of course,” and Mrs. +Jessie read from another page the following nautical paragraph, + +“The wind is south-south-west, and we can have her up four points closer +to the wind, and still be six points off the wind. As she luffs up we +shall man the fore and main sheets, slack on the weather, and haul on +the lee braces.” + +“I guess I could, if I wasn't afraid of uncle. He knows so much +more than I do, he'd laugh,” began Geordie, evidently puzzled by the +question. + +“Ho, you know you can't, so why make believe? We don't understand half +of the sea lingo, Mum, and I dare say it's all wrong,” cried Will, +suddenly going over to the enemy, to Geordie's great disgust. + +“I do wish the boys wouldn't talk to me as if I was a ship,” said Rose, +bringing forward a private grievance. “Coming home from church this +morning, the wind blew me about, and Will called out, right in the +street, 'Brail up the foresail, and take in the flying-jib, that will +ease her.'” + +The boys shouted at the plaintive tone in which Rose repeated the words +that offended her, and Will vainly endeavoured to explain that he only +meant to tell her to wrap her cloak closer, and tie a veil over the +tempest-tossed feathers in her hat. + +“To tell the truth, if the boys must have slang, I can bear the 'sea +lingo,' as Will calls it, better than the other. It afflicts me less to +hear my sons talk about 'brailing up the foresail' than doing as they +'darn please,' and 'cut your cable' is decidedly preferable to 'let her +rip.' I once made a rule that I would have no slang in the house. I give +it up now, for I cannot keep it; but I will not have rubbishy books; so, +Archie, please send these two after your cigars.” + +Mrs. Jessie held both the small boys fast with an arm round each neck, +and when she took this base advantage of them they could only +squirm with dismay. “Yes, right behind the back log,” she continued, +energetically. “There, my hearties (you like sea slang, so I'll give +you a bit) now, I want you to promise not to read any more stuff for a +month, and I'll agree to supply you with wholesome fare.” + +“Oh, mother, not a single one?” cried Will. + +“Couldn't we just finish those?” pleaded Geordie. + +“The boys threw away half-smoked cigars; and your books must go after +them. Surely you would not be outdone by the 'old fellows,' as you call +them, or be less obedient to little Mum than they were to Rose.” + +“Course not! Come on, Geordie,” and Will took the vow like a hero. His +brother sighed and obeyed, but privately resolved to finish his story +the minute the month was over. + +“You have laid out a hard task for yourself, Jessie, in trying to +provide good reading for boys who have been living on sensation stories. +It will be like going from raspberry tarts to plain bread and butter; +but you will probably save them from a bilious fever,” said Dr. Alec, +much amused at the proceedings. + +“I remember hearing grandpa say that a love for good books was one +of the best safeguards a man could have,” began Archie, staring +thoughtfully at the fine library before him. + +“Yes, but there's no time to read nowadays; a fellow has to keep +scratching round to make money or he's nobody,” cut in Charlie, trying +to look worldly-wise. + +“This love of money is the curse of America, and for the sake of it men +will sell honour and honesty, till we don't know whom to trust, and it +is only a genius like Agassiz who dares to say, 'I cannot waste my time +in getting rich,'” said Mrs. Jessie sadly. + +“Do you want us to be poor, mother?” asked Archie, wondering. + +“No, dear, and you never need be, while you can use your hands; but I am +afraid of this thirst for wealth, and the temptations it brings. O, my +boys! I tremble for the time when I must let you go, because I think it +would break my heart to have you fail as so many fail. It would be far +easier to see you dead if it could be said of you as of Sumner 'No man +dared offer him a bribe.'” + +Mrs. Jessie was so earnest in her motherly anxiety that her voice +faltered over the last words, and she hugged the yellow heads closer in +her arms, as if she feared to let them leave that safe harbour for the +great sea where so many little boats go down. The younger lads nestled +closer to her, and Archie said, in his quiet, resolute way, + +“I cannot promise to be an Agassiz or a Sumner, mother; but I do promise +to be an honest man, please God.” + +“Then I'm satisfied!” and holding fast the hand he gave her, she sealed +his promise with a kiss that had all a mother's hope and faith in it. + +“I don't see how they ever can be bad, she is so fond and proud of +them,” whispered Rose, quite touched by the little scene. + +“You must help her make them what they should be. You have begun +already, and when I see those rings where they are, my girl is prettier +in my sight than if the biggest diamonds that ever twinkled shone in her +ears,” answered Dr. Alec, looking at her with approving eyes. + +“I'm so glad you think I can do anything, for I perfectly ache to be +useful; everyone is so good to me, especially Aunt Jessie.” + +“I think you are in a fair way to pay your debts, Rosy, for when girls +give up their little vanities, and boys their small vices, and try to +strengthen each other in well-doing, matters are going as they ought. +Work away, my dear, and help their mother keep these sons fit friends +for an innocent creature like yourself; they will be the manlier men for +it, I can assure you.” + + + +Chapter 18--Fashion and Physiology + +“Please, sir, I guess you'd better step up right away, or it will be too +late, for I heard Miss Rose say she knew you wouldn't like it, and she'd +never dare to let you see her.” + +Phebe said this as she popped her head into the study, where Dr. Alec +sat reading a new book. + +“They are at it, are they?” he said, looking up quickly, and giving +himself a shake, as if ready for a battle of some sort. + +“Yes, sir, as hard as they can talk, and Miss Rose don't seem to know +what to do, for the things are ever so stylish, and she looks elegant in +'em; though I like her best in the old ones,” answered Phebe. + +“You are a girl of sense. I'll settle matters for Rosy, and you'll lend +a hand. Is everything ready in her room, and are you sure you understand +how they go?” + +“Oh, yes, sir; but they are so funny! I know Miss Rose will think it's a +joke,” and Phebe laughed as if something tickled her immensely. + +“Never mind what she thinks so long as she obeys. Tell her to do it for +my sake, and she will find it the best joke she ever saw. I expect to +have a tough time of it, but we'll win yet,” said the Doctor, as he +marched upstairs with the book in his hand, and an odd smile on his +face. + +There was such a clatter of tongues in the sewing-room that no one heard +his tap at the door, so he pushed it open and took an observation. Aunt +Plenty, Aunt Clara, and Aunt Jessie were all absorbed in gazing at Rose, +who slowly revolved between them and the great mirror, in a full winter +costume of the latest fashion. + +“Bless my heart! worse even than I expected,” thought the Doctor, with +an inward groan, for, to his benighted eyes, the girl looked like a +trussed fowl, and the fine new dress had neither grace, beauty, nor +fitness to recommend it. + +The suit was of two peculiar shades of blue, so arranged that patches of +light and dark distracted the eye. The upper skirt was tied so lightly +back that it was impossible to take a long step, and the under one +was so loaded with plaited frills that it “wobbled” no other word +will express it ungracefully, both fore and aft. A bunch of folds was +gathered up just below the waist behind, and a great bow rode a-top. A +small jacket of the same material was adorned with a high ruff at the +back, and laid well open over the breast, to display some lace and a +locket. Heavy fringes, bows, puffs, ruffles, and revers finished off the +dress, making one's head ache to think of the amount of work wasted, +for not a single graceful line struck the eye, and the beauty of the +material was quite lost in the profusion of ornament. + +A high velvet hat, audaciously turned up in front, with a bunch of pink +roses and a sweeping plume, was cocked over one ear, and, with her curls +braided into a club at the back of her neck, Rose's head looked more +like that of a dashing young cavalier than a modest little girl's. +High-heeled boots tilted her well forward, a tiny muff pinioned her +arms, and a spotted veil, tied so closely over her face that her +eyelashes were rumpled by it, gave the last touch of absurdity to her +appearance. + +“Now she looks like other girls, and as I like to see her,” Mrs. Clara +was saying, with an air of great satisfaction. + +“She does look like a fashionable young lady, but somehow I miss my +little Rose, for children dressed like children in my day,” answered +Aunt Plenty, peering through her glasses with a troubled look, for +she could not imagine the creature before her ever sitting in her lap, +running to wait upon her, or making the house gay with a child's blithe +presence. + +“Things have changed since your day, Aunt, and it takes time to get used +to new ways. But you, Jessie, surely like this costume better than the +dowdy things Rose has been wearing all summer. Now, be honest, and own +you do,” said Mrs. Clara, bent on being praised for her work. + +“Well, dear to be quite honest, then, I think it is frightful,” answered +Mrs. Jessie, with a candour that caused revolving Rose to stop in +dismay. + +“Hear, hear,” cried a deep voice, and with a general start the ladies +became aware that the enemy was among them. + +Rose blushed up to her hat brim, and stood, looking, as she felt, like a +fool, while Mrs. Clara hastened to explain. + +“Of course, I don't expect you to like it, Alec, but I don't consider +you a judge of what is proper and becoming for a young lady. Therefore, +I have taken the liberty of providing a pretty street suit for Rose. +She need not wear it if you object, for I know we promised to let you do +what you liked with the poor dear for a year.” + +“It is a street costume, is it?” asked the Doctor, mildly. “Do you know, +I never should have guessed that it was meant for winter weather and +brisk locomotion. Take a turn, Rosy, and let me see all its beauties and +advantages.” + +Rose tried to walk off with her usual free tread, but the under-skirt +got in her way, the over-skirt was so tight she could not take a long +step, and her boots made it impossible to carry herself perfectly erect. + +“I haven't got used to it yet,” she said, petulantly, kicking at her +train, as she turned to toddle back again. + +“Suppose a mad dog or a runaway horse was after you, could you get out +of the way without upsetting, Colonel,” asked the Doctor, with a twinkle +in the eyes that were fixed on the rakish hat. + +“Don't think I could, but I'll try,” and Rose made a rush across the +room. Her boot-heels caught on a rug, several strings broke, her hat +tipped over her eyes, and she plunged promiscuously into a chair, where +she sat laughing so infectiously that all but Mrs. Clara joined in her +mirth. + +“I should say that a walking suit in which one could not walk, and a +winter suit which exposes the throat, head, and feet to cold and damp, +was rather a failure, Clara, especially as it has no beauty to reconcile +one to its utter unfitness,” said Dr. Alec, as he helped Rose undo her +veil, adding, in a low tone, “Nice thing for the eyes; you'll soon see +spots when it's off as well as when it's on, and, by and by, be a case +for an oculist.” + +“No beauty!” cried Mrs. Clara, warmly, “Now, that is just a man's +blindness. This is the best of silk and camel's hair, real ostrich +feathers, and an expensive ermine muff. What could be in better taste, +or more proper for a young girl?” + +“I'll shew you, if Rose will go to her room and oblige me by putting on +what she finds there,” answered the Doctor, with unexpected readiness. + +“Alec, if it is a Bloomer, I shall protest. I've been expecting it, but +I know I cannot bear to see that pretty child sacrificed to your wild +ideas of health. Tell me it isn't a Bloomer!” and Mrs. Clara clasped her +hands imploringly. + +“It is not.” + +“Thank Heaven!” and she resigned herself with a sigh of relief, adding +plaintively, “I did hope you'd accept my suit, for poor Rose has been +afflicted with frightful clothes long enough to spoil the taste of any +girl.” + +“You talk of my afflicting the child, and then make a helpless guy like +that of her!” answered the Doctor, pointing to the little fashion plate +that was scuttling out of sight as fast as it could go. + +He closed the door with a shrug, but before anyone could speak, his +quick eye fell upon an object which caused him to frown, and demand in +an indignant tone, + +“After all I have said, were you really going to tempt my girl with +those abominable things?” + +“I thought we put them away when she wouldn't wear them,” murmured Mrs. +Clara, whisking a little pair of corsets out of sight with guilty haste. +“I only brought them to try, for Rose is growing stout, and will have +no figure if it is not attended to soon,” she added, with an air of calm +conviction that roused the Doctor still more, for this was one of his +especial abominations. + +“Growing stout! Yes, thank Heaven, she is, and shall continue to do it, +for Nature knows how to mould a woman better than any corset-maker, +and I won't have her interfered with. My dear Clara, have you lost your +senses that you can for a moment dream of putting a growing girl into an +instrument of torture like this?” and with a sudden gesture he plucked +forth the offending corsets from under the sofa cushion, and held them +out with the expression one would wear on beholding the thumbscrews or +the rack of ancient times. + +“Don't be absurd, Alec. There is no torture about it, for tight lacing +is out of fashion, and we have nice, sensible things nowadays. Everyone +wears them; even babies have stiffened waists to support their weak +little backs,” began Mrs. Clara, rushing to the defence of the pet +delusion of most women. + +“I know it, and so the poor little souls have weak backs all their days, +as their mothers had before them. It is vain to argue the matter, and I +won't try, but I wish to state, once for all, that if I ever see a pair +of corsets near Rose, I'll put them in the fire, and you may send the +bill to me.” + +As he spoke the corsets were on their way to destruction, but Mrs. +Jessie caught his arm, exclaiming merrily, “Don't burn them, for mercy +sake, Alec; they are full of whalebones, and will make a dreadful odour. +Give them to me. I'll see that they do no harm.” + +“Whalebones, indeed! A regular fence of them, and metal gate-posts in +front. As if our own bones were not enough, if we'd give them a +chance to do their duty,” growled the Doctor, yielding up the bone +of contention with a last shake of contempt. Then his face cleared +suddenly, and he held up his finger, saying, with a smile, “Hear those +girls laugh; cramped lungs could not make hearty music like that.” + +Peals of laughter issued from Rose's room, and smiles involuntarily +touched the lips of those who listened to the happy sound. + +“Some new prank of yours, Alec?” asked Aunt Plenty, indulgently, for she +had come to believe in most of her nephew's odd notions, because they +seemed to work so well. + +“Yes, ma'am, my last, and I hope you will like it. I discovered what +Clara was at, and got my rival suit ready for to-day. I'm not going to +'afflict' Rose, but let her choose, and if I'm not entirely mistaken, +she will like my rig best. While we wait I'll explain, and then you will +appreciate the general effect better. I got hold of this little book, +and was struck with its good sense and good taste, for it suggests a +way to clothe women both healthfully and handsomely, and that is a great +point. It begins at the foundations, as you will see if you will look +at these pictures, and I should think women would rejoice at this +lightening of their burdens.” + +As he spoke, the Doctor laid the book before Aunt Plenty, who obediently +brought her spectacles to bear upon the illustrations, and after a long +look exclaimed, with a scandalised face, + +“Mercy on us, these things are like the night-drawers Jamie wears! You +don't mean to say you want Rose to come out in this costume? It's not +proper, and I won't consent to it!” + +“I do mean it, and I'm sure my sensible aunt will consent when she +understands that these well I'll call them by an Indian name, and say +pajamas are for underwear, and Rose can have as pretty frocks as she +likes outside. These two suits of flannel, each in one piece from head +to foot, with a skirt or so hung on this easily-fitting waist, will +keep the child warm without burdening her with belts, and gathers, and +buckles, and bunches round the waist, and leave free the muscles that +need plenty of room to work in. She shall never have the back-ache if I +can help it, nor the long list of ills you dear women think you cannot +escape.” + +“I don't consider it modest, and I'm sure Rose will be shocked at it,” + began Mrs. Clara, but stopped suddenly, as Rose appeared in the doorway, +not looking shocked a bit. + +“Come on, my hygienic model, and let us see you,” said her uncle, with +an approving glance, as she walked in, looking so mischievously merry, +that it was evident she enjoyed the joke. + +“Well, I don't see anything remarkable. That is a neat, plain suit; the +materials are good, and it's not unbecoming, if you want her to look +like a little school-girl; but it has not a particle of style, and no +one would ever give it a second glance,” said Mrs. Clara, feeling that +her last remark condemned the whole thing. + +“Exactly what I want,” answered the provoking Doctor, rubbing his hands +with a satisfied air. “Rosy looks now like what she is, a modest little +girl, who does not want to be stared at. I think she would get a glance +of approval, though, from people who like sense and simplicity rather +than fuss and feathers. Revolve, my Hebe, and let me refresh my eyes by +the sight of you.” + +There was very little to see, however, only a pretty Gabrielle dress, of +a soft warm shade of brown, coming to the tops of a trim pair of boots +with low heels. A seal-skin sack, cap, and mittens, with a glimpse of +scarlet at the throat, and the pretty curls tied up with a bright velvet +of the same colour, completed the external adornment, making her look +like a robin redbreast wintry, yet warm. + +“How do you like it, Rosy?” asked the Doctor, feeling that her opinion +was more important to the success of his new idea than that of all the +aunts on the hill. + +“I feel very odd and light, but I'm warm as a toast, and nothing seems +to be in my way,” answered Rose, with a skip which displayed shapely +gaiters on legs that now might be as free and active as a boy's under +the modest skirts of the girl. + +“You can run away from the mad dogs, and walk off at a smart pace +without tumbling on your nose, now, I fancy?” + +“Yes, uncle! suppose the dog coming, I just hop over a wall so and when +I walk of a cold day, I go like this.” + +Entering fully into the spirit of the thing, Rose swung herself over +the high back of the sofa as easily as one of her cousins, and then +went down the long hall as if her stout boots were related to the famous +seven-leaguers. + +“There! you see how it will be; dress her in that boyish way and she +will act like a boy. I do hate all these inventions of strong-minded +women!” exclaimed Mrs. Clara, as Rose came back at a run. + +“Ah, but you see some of these sensible inventions come from the brain +of a fashionable modiste, who will make you more lovely, or what you +value more 'stylish' outside and comfortable within. Mrs. Van Tassel +has been to Madame Stone, and is wearing a full suit of this sort. Van +himself told me, when I asked how she was, that she had given up lying +on the sofa, and was going about in a most astonishing way, considering +her feeble health.” + +“You don't say so! Let me see that book a moment,” and Aunt Clara +examined the new patterns with a more respectful air, for if the elegant +Mrs. Van Tassel wore these “dreadful things” it would never do to be +left behind, in spite of her prejudices. + +Dr. Alec looked at Mrs. Jessie, and both smiled, for “little Mum” had +been in the secret, and enjoyed it mightily. + +“I thought that would settle it,” he said with a nod. + +“I didn't wait for Mrs. Van to lead the way, and for once in my life I +have adopted a new fashion before Clara. My freedom suit is ordered, and +you may see me playing tag with Rose and the boys before long,” answered +Mrs. Jessie, nodding back at him. + +Meantime Aunt Plenty was examining Rose's costume, for the hat and sack +were off, and the girl was eagerly explaining the new under-garments. + +“See, auntie, all nice scarlet flannel, and a gay little petticoat, and +long stockings, oh, so warm! Phebe and I nearly died laughing when I put +this rig on, but I like it ever so much. The dress is so comfortable, +and doesn't need any belt or sash, and I can sit without rumpling any +trimming, that's such a comfort! I like to be tidy, and so, when I wear +fussed-up things, I'm thinking of my clothes all the time, and that's +tiresome. Do say you like it. I resolved I would, just to please uncle, +for he does know more about health than anyone else, I'm sure, and I'd +wear a bag if he asked me to do it.” + +“I don't ask that, Rose, but I wish you'd weigh and compare the +two suits, and then choose which seems best. I leave it to your own +commonsense,” answered Dr. Alec, feeling pretty sure he had won. + +“Why, I take this one, of course, uncle. The other is fashionable, and +yes I must say I think it's pretty but it's very heavy, and I should +have to go round like a walking doll if I wore it. I'm much obliged to +auntie, but I'll keep this, please.” + +Rose spoke gently but decidedly, though there was a look of regret when +her eye fell on the other suit which Phebe had brought in; and it was +very natural to like to look as other girls did. Aunt Clara sighed; +Uncle Alec smiled, and said heartily, + +“Thank you, dear; now read this book and you will understand why I ask +it of you. Then, if you like, I'll give you a new lesson; you asked for +one yesterday, and this is more necessary than French or housekeeping.” + +“Oh, what?” and Rose caught up the book which Mrs. Clara had thrown down +with a disgusted look. + +Though Dr. Alec was forty, the boyish love of teasing was not yet dead +in him, and, being much elated at his victory, he could not resist the +temptation of shocking Mrs. Clara by suggesting dreadful possibilities, +so he answered, half in earnest, half in jest, “Physiology, Rose. +Wouldn't you like to be a little medical student, with Uncle Doctor for +teacher, and be ready to take up his practice when he has to stop? If +you agree, I'll hunt up my old skeleton to-morrow.” + +That was too much for Aunt Clara, and she hastily departed, with her +mind in a sad state of perturbation about Mrs. Van Tassel's new costume +and Rose's new study. + + + +Chapter 19--Brother Bones + +Rose accepted her uncle's offer, as Aunt Myra discovered two or three +days later. Coming in for an early call, and hearing voices in the +study, she opened the door, gave a cry and shut it quickly, looking a +good deal startled. The Doctor appeared in a moment, and begged to know +what the matter was. + +“How can you ask when that long box looks so like a coffin I thought it +was one, and that dreadful thing stared me in the face as I opened the +door,” answered Mrs. Myra, pointing to the skeleton that hung from the +chandelier cheerfully grinning at all beholders. + +“This is a medical college where women are freely admitted, so walk in, +madam, and join the class if you'll do me the honour,” said the Doctor, +waving her forward with his politest bow. + +“Do, auntie, it's perfectly splendid,” cried Rose's voice, and Rose's +blooming face was seen behind the ribs of the skeleton, smiling and +nodding in the gayest possible manner. + +“What are you doing, child?” demanded Aunt Myra, dropping into a chair +and staring about her. + +“Oh, I'm learning bones to-day, and I like it so much. There are twelve +ribs, you know, and the two lower ones are called floating ribs, because +they are not fastened to the breastbone. That's why they go in so easily +if you lace tight and squeeze the lungs and heart in the let me see, +what was that big word oh, I know thoracic cavity,” and Rose beamed with +pride as she aired her little bit of knowledge. + +“Do you think that is a good sort of thing for her to be poking over? +She is a nervous child, and I'm afraid it will be bad for her,” said +Aunt Myra, watching Rose as she counted vertebrae, and waggled a +hip-joint in its socket with an inquiring expression. + +“An excellent study, for she enjoys it, and I mean to teach her how +to manage her nerves so that they won't be a curse to her, as many a +woman's become through ignorance or want of thought. To make a mystery +or terror of these things is a mistake, and I mean Rose shall understand +and respect her body so well that she won't dare to trifle with it as +most women do.” + +“And she really likes it?” + +“Very much, auntie! It's all so wonderful, and so nicely planned, you +can hardly believe what you see. Just think, there are 600,000,000 air +cells in one pair of lungs, and 2,000 pores to a square inch of surface; +so you see what quantities of air we must have, and what care we should +take of our skin so all the little doors will open and shut right. And +brains, auntie, you've no idea how curious they are; I haven't got to +them yet, but I long to, and uncle is going to show me a manikin that +you can take to pieces. Just think how nice it will be to see all the +organs in their places; I only wish they could be made to work as ours +do.” + +It was funny to see Aunt Myra's face as Rose stood before her talking +rapidly with one hand laid in the friendliest manner on the skeleton's +shoulder. Every word both the Doctor and Rose uttered hit the good lady +in her weakest spot, and as she looked and listened a long array of +bottles and pill-boxes rose up before her, reproaching her with the +“ignorance and want of thought” that made her what she was, a nervous, +dyspeptic, unhappy old woman. + +“Well, I don't know but you may be right, Alec, only I wouldn't carry +it too far. Women don't need much of this sort of knowledge, and are not +fit for it. I couldn't bear to touch that ugly thing, and it gives me +the creeps to hear about 'organs,'” said Aunt Myra, with a sigh and her +hand on her side. + +“Wouldn't it be a comfort to know that your liver was on the right side, +auntie, and not on the left!” asked Rose with a naughty laugh in her +eyes, for she had lately learnt that Aunt Myra's liver complaint was not +in the proper place. + +“It's a dying world, child, and it don't much matter where the pain +is, for sooner or later we all drop off and are seen no more,” was Aunt +Myra's cheerful reply. + +“Well, I intend to know what kills me if I can, and meantime, I'm going +to enjoy myself in spite of a dying world. I wish you'd do so too, and +come and study with uncle, it would do you good, I'm sure,” and Rose +went back to counting vertebrae with such a happy face, that Aunt Myra +had not the heart to say a word to dampen her ardour. + +“Perhaps it's as well to let her do what she likes the little while +she is with us. But pray be careful of her, Alec, and not allow her to +overwork,” she whispered as she went out. + +“That's exactly what I'm trying to do, ma'am, and rather a hard job +I find it,” he added, as he shut the door, for the dear aunts were +dreadfully in his way sometimes. + +Half an hour later came another interruption in the shape of Mac, who +announced his arrival by the brief but elegant remark, + +“Hullo! what new game is this?” + +Rose explained, Mac gave a long whistle of surprise, and then took a +promenade round the skeleton, observing gravely, + +“Brother Bones looks very jolly, but I can't say much for his beauty.” + +“You mustn't make fun of him, for he's a good old fellow, and you'd be +just as ugly if your flesh was off,” said Rose, defending her new friend +with warmth. + +“I dare say, so I'll keep my flesh on, thank you. You are so busy you +can't read to a fellow, I suppose?” asked Mac, whose eyes were better, +but still too weak for books. + +“Don't you want to come and join my class? Uncle explains it all to us, +and you can take a look at the plates as they come along. We'll give +up bones today and have eyes instead; that will be more interesting to +you,” added Rose, seeing no ardent thirst for physiological information +in his face. + +“Rose, we must not fly about from one thing to another in this way,” + began Dr. Alec, but she whispered quickly, with a nod towards Mac, whose +goggles were turned wistfully in the direction of the forbidden books, + +“He's blue to-day, and we must amuse him; give a little lecture on eyes, +and it will do him good. No matter about me, uncle.” + +“Very well; the class will please be seated,” and the Doctor gave a +sounding rap on the table. + +“Come, sit by me, dear, then we can both see the pictures; and if your +head gets tired you can lie down,” said Rose, generously opening her +little college to a brother, and kindly providing for the weaknesses +that all humanity is subject to. + +Side by side they sat and listened to a very simple explanation of the +mechanism of the eye, finding it as wonderful as a fairy tale, for fine +plates illustrated it, and a very willing teacher did his best to make +the lesson pleasant. + +“Jove! if I'd known what mischief I was doing to that mighty delicate +machine of mine, you wouldn't have caught me reading by firelight, +or studying with a glare of sunshine on my book,” said Mac, peering +solemnly at a magnified eye-ball; then, pushing it away, he added +indignantly, “Why isn't a fellow taught all about his works, and how +to manage 'em, and not left to go blundering into all sorts of worries? +Telling him after he's down isn't much use, for then he's found it out +himself and won't thank you.” + +“Ah, Mac, that's just what I keep lecturing about, and people won't +listen. You lads need that sort of knowledge so much, and fathers and +mothers ought to be able to give it to you. Few of them are able, and +so we all go blundering, as you say. Less Greek and Latin and more +knowledge of the laws of health for my boys, if I had them. Mathematics +are all very well, but morals are better, and I wish, how I wish that I +could help teachers and parents to feel it as they ought.” + +“Some do; Aunt Jessie and her boys have capital talks, and I wish we +could; but mother's so busy with her housekeeping, and father with his +business, there never seems to be any time for that sort of thing; even +if there was, it don't seem as if it would be easy to talk to them, +because we've never got into the way of it, you know.” + +Poor Mac was right there, and expressed a want that many a boy and girl +feels. Fathers and mothers are too absorbed in business and housekeeping +to study their children, and cherish that sweet and natural confidence +which is a child's surest safeguard, and a parent's subtlest power. So +the young hearts hide trouble or temptation till the harm is done, and +mutual regret comes too late. Happy the boys and girls who tell all +things freely to father or mother, sure of pity, help, and pardon; and +thrice happy the parents who, out of their own experience, and by +their own virtues, can teach and uplift the souls for which they are +responsible. + +This longing stirred in the hearts of Rose and Mac, and by a natural +impulse both turned to Dr. Alec, for in this queer world of ours, +fatherly and motherly hearts often beat warm and wise in the breasts +of bachelor uncles and maiden aunts; and it is my private opinion that +these worthy creatures are a beautiful provision of nature for the +cherishing of other people's children. They certainly get great comfort +out of it, and receive much innocent affection that otherwise would be +lost. + +Dr. Alec was one of these, and his big heart had room for every one of +the eight cousins, especially orphaned Rose and afflicted Mac; so, when +the boy uttered that unconscious reproach to his parents, and Rose added +with a sigh, “It must be beautiful to have a mother!” the good Doctor +yearned over them, and, shutting his book with a decided slam, said in +that cordial voice of his, + +“Now, look here, children, you just come and tell me all your worries, +and with God's help, I'll settle them for you. That is what I'm here +for, I believe, and it will be a great happiness to me if you can trust +me.” + +“We can, uncle, and we will!” both answered, with a heartiness that +gratified him much. + +“Good! now school is dismissed, and I advise you to go and refresh your +600,000,000 air cells by a brisk run in the garden. Come again whenever +you like, Mac, and we'll teach you all we can about your 'works,' as you +call them, so you can keep them running smoothly.” + +“We'll come, sir, much obliged,” and the class in physiology went out to +walk. + +Mac did come again, glad to find something he could study in spite of +his weak eyes, and learned much that was of more value than anything his +school had ever taught him. + +Of course, the other lads made great fun of the whole thing, and +plagued Dr. Alec's students half out of their lives. But they kept +on persistently, and one day something happened which made the other +fellows behave themselves for ever after. + +It was a holiday, and Rose up in her room thought she heard the voices +of her cousins, so she ran down to welcome them, but found no one there. + +“Never mind, they will be here soon, and then we'll have a frolic,” she +said to herself, and thinking she had been mistaken she went into the +study to wait. She was lounging over the table looking at a map when an +odd noise caught her ear. A gentle tapping somewhere, and following the +sound it seemed to come from the inside of the long case in which the +skeleton lived when not professionally engaged. This case stood upright +in a niche between two book-cases at the back of the room, a darkish +corner, where Brother Bones, as the boys would call him, was out of the +way. + +As Rose stood looking in that direction, and wondering if a rat had got +shut in, the door of the case swung slowly open, and with a great start +she saw a bony arm lifted, and a bony finger beckon to her. For a minute +she was frightened, and ran to the study door with a fluttering heart, +but just as she touched the handle a queer, stifled sort of giggle made +her stop short and turn red with anger. She paused an instant to collect +herself, and then went softly toward the bony beckoner. A nearer look +revealed black threads tied to the arm and fingers, the ends of threads +disappearing through holes bored in the back of the case. Peeping into +the dark recess, she also caught sight of the tip of an elbow covered +with a rough gray cloth which she knew very well. + +Quick as a flash she understood the joke, her fear vanished, and with +a wicked smile, she whipped out her scissors, cut the threads, and +the bony arm dropped with a rattle. Before she could say, “Come out, +Charlie, and let my skeleton alone,” a sudden irruption of boys, all in +a high state of tickle, proclaimed to the hidden rogue that his joke was +a failure. + +“I told him not to do it, because it might give you a start,” explained +Archie, emerging from the closet. + +“I had a smelling bottle all ready if she fainted away,” added Steve, +popping up from behind the great chair. + +“It's too bad of you not to squawk and run; we depended on it, it's such +fun to howl after you,” said Will and Geordie, rolling out from under +the sofa in a promiscuous heap. + +“You are getting altogether too strong-minded, Rose; most girls would +have been in a jolly twitter to see this old fellow waggling his finger +at them,” complained Charlie, squeezing out from his tight quarters, +dusty and disgusted. + +“I'm used to your pranks now, so I'm always on the watch and prepared. +But I won't have Brother Bones made fun of. I know uncle wouldn't like +it, so please don't,” began Rose just as Dr. Alec came in, and, seeing +the state of the case at a glance, he said quietly, + +“Hear how I got that skeleton, and then I'm sure you will treat it with +respect.” + +The boys settled down at once on any article of furniture that was +nearest and listened dutifully. + +“Years ago, when I was in the hospital, a poor fellow was brought there +with a rare and very painful disease. There was no hope for him, but we +did our best, and he was so grateful that when he died he left us his +body that we might discover the mysteries of his complaint, and so be +able to help others afflicted in the same way. It did do good, and his +brave patience made us remember him long after he was gone. He thought +I had been kind to him, and said to a fellow-student of mine, 'Tell the +Doctor I lave him me bones, for I've nothing else in the wide world, and +I'll nos be wanting 'em at all, at all, when the great pain hat kilt me +entirely.' So that is how they came to be mine, and why I've kept them +carefully, for, though only a poor, ignorant fellow, Mike Nolan did what +he could to help others, and prove his gratitude to those who tried to +help him.” + +As Dr. Alec paused, Archie closed the door of the case as respectfully +as if the mummy of an Egyptian king was inside; Will and Geordie looked +solemnly at one another, evidently much impressed, and Charlie pensively +remarked from the coal-hod where he sat, + +“I've often heard of a skeleton in the house, but I think few people +have one as useful and as interesting as ours.” + + + +Chapter 20--Under The Mistletoe + +Rose made Phebe promise that she would bring her stocking into the +“Bower,” as she called her pretty room, on Christmas morning, because +that first delicious rummage loses half its charm if two little +night-caps at least do not meet over the treasures, and two happy voices +Oh and Ah together. + +So when Rose opened her eyes that day they fell upon faithful Phebe, +rolled up in a shawl, sitting on the rug before a blazing fire, with her +untouched stocking laid beside her. + +“Merry Christmas!” cried the little mistress smiling gaily. + +“Merry Christmas!” answered the little maid, so heartily that it did one +good to hear her. + +“Bring the stockings right away, Phebe, and let's see what we've got,” + said Rose, sitting up among the pillows, and looking as eager as a +child. + +A pair of long knobby hose were laid out upon the coverlet, and their +contents examined with delight, though each knew every blessed thing +that had been put into the other's stocking. + +Never mind what they were; it is evident that they were quite +satisfactory, for as Rose leaned back, she said, with a luxurious sigh +of satisfaction, “Now, I believe I've got everything in the world that I +want,” and Phebe answered, smiling over a lapful of treasures, “This is +the most splendid Christmas I ever had since I was born.” Then she added +with an important air, + +“Do wish for something else, because I happen to know of two more +presents outside the door this minute.” + +“Oh, me, what richness!” cried Rose, much excited. “I used to wish for +a pair of glass slippers like Cinderella's, but as I can't have them, I +really don't know what to ask for.” + +Phebe clapped her hands as she skipped off the bed and ran to the door, +saying merrily, “One of them is for your feet, anyway. I don't know what +you'll say to the other, but I think it's elegant.” + +So did Rose, when a shining pair of skates and a fine sled appeared. + +“Uncle sent those; I know he did; and, now I see them, I remember that +I did want to skate and coast. Isn't it a beauty? See! they fit nicely,” + and, sitting on the new sled, Rose tried a skate on her little bare +foot, while Phebe stood by admiring the pretty tableau. + +“Now we must hurry and get dressed, for there is a deal to do to-day, +and I want to get through in time to try my sled before dinner.” + +“Gracious me, and I ought to be dusting my parlors this blessed minute!” + and mistress and maid separated with such happy faces that anyone would +have known what day it was without being told. + +“Birnam Wood has come to Dunsinane, Rosy,” said Dr. Alec, as he left the +breakfast table to open the door for a procession of holly, hemlock, and +cedar boughs that came marching up the steps. + +Snowballs and “Merry Christmases!” flew about pretty briskly for several +minutes; then all fell to work trimming the old house, for the family +always dined together there on that day. + +“I rode miles and mileses, as Ben says, to get this fine bit, and I'm +going to hang it there as the last touch to the rig-a-madooning,” said +Charlie, as he fastened a dull green branch to the chandelier in the +front parlor. + +“It isn't very pretty,” said Rose, who was trimming the chimney-piece +with glossy holly sprays. + +“Never mind that, it's mistletoe, and anyone who stands under it will +get kissed whether they like it or not. Now's your time, ladies,” + answered the saucy Prince, keeping his place and looking sentimentally +at the girls, who retired precipitately from the dangerous spot. + +“You won't catch me,” said Rose, with great dignity. + +“See if I don't!” + +“I've got my eye on Phebe,” observed Will, in a patronising tone that +made them all laugh. + +“Bless the dear; I shan't mind it a bit,” answered Phebe, with such a +maternal air that Will's budding gallantry was chilled to death. + +“Oh, the mistletoe bough,” sang Rose. + +“Oh, the mistletoe bough!” echoed all the boys, and the teasing ended in +the plaintive ballad they all liked so well. + +There was plenty of time to try the new skates before dinner, and then +Rose took her first lesson on the little bay, which seemed to have +frozen over for that express purpose. She found tumbling down and +getting up again warm work for a time, but with six boys to teach her, +she managed at last to stand alone; and, satisfied with that success, +she refreshed herself with a dozen grand coasts on the Amazon, as her +sled was called. + +“Ah, that fatal colour! it breaks my heart to see it,” croaked Aunt +Myra, as Rose came down a little late, with cheeks almost as ruddy +as the holly berries on the wall, and every curl as smooth as Phebe's +careful hands could make it. + +“I'm glad to see that Alec allows the poor child to make herself pretty +in spite of his absurd notions,” added Aunt Clara, taking infinite +satisfaction in the fact that Rose's blue silk dress had three frills on +it. + +“She's a very intelligent child, and has a nice little manner of her +own,” observed Aunt Jane, with unusual affability; for Rose had just +handed Mac a screen to guard his eyes from the brilliant fire. + +“If I had a daughter like that to show my Jem when he gets home, I +should be a very proud and happy woman,” thought Aunt Jessie, and then +reproached herself for not being perfectly satisfied with her four brave +lads. + +Aunt Plenty was too absorbed in the dinner to have an eye for anything +else; if she had not been, she would have seen what an effect her new +cap produced upon the boys. The good lady owned that she did “love a +dressy cap,” and on this occasion her head gear was magnificent; for +the towering structure of lace was adorned with buff ribbons to such an +extent that it looked as if a flock of yellow butterflies had settled on +her dear old head. When she trotted about the rooms the ruches quivered, +the little bows all stood erect, and the streamers waved in the breeze +so comically that it was absolutely necessary for Archie to smother the +Brats in the curtains till they had had their first laugh out. + +Uncle Mac had brought Fun See to dinner, and it was a mercy he did, +for the elder lads found a vent for their merriment in joking the young +Chinaman on his improved appearance. He was in American costume now, +with a cropped head, and spoke remarkably good English after six months +at school; but, for all that, his yellow face and beady eyes made a +curious contrast to the blonde Campbells all about him. Will called him +the “Typhoon,” meaning Tycoon, and the name stuck to him to his great +disgust. + +Aunt Peace was brought down and set in the chair of state at table, for +she never failed to join the family on this day, and sat smiling at them +all, “like an embodiment of Peace on earth,” Uncle Alec said, as he took +his place beside her, while Uncle Mac supported Aunt Plenty at the other +end. + +“I ate hardly any breakfast, and I've done everything I know to make +myself extra hungry, but I really don't think I can eat straight +through, unless I burst my buttons off,” whispered Geordie to Will, as +he surveyed the bounteous stores before him with a hopeless sigh. + +“A fellow never knows what he can do till he tries,” answered Will, +attacking his heaped-up plate with an evident intention of doing his +duty like a man. + +Everybody knows what a Christmas dinner is, so we need waste no words in +describing this one, but hasten at once to tell what happened at the +end of it. The end, by the way, was so long in coming that the gas was +lighted before dessert was over, for a snow flurry had come on and the +wintry daylight faded fast. But that only made it all the jollier in the +warm, bright rooms, full of happy souls. Everyone was very merry, but +Archie seemed particularly uplifted so much so, that Charlie confided to +Rose that he was afraid the Chief had been at the decanters. + +Rose indignantly denied the insinuation, for when healths were drunk +in the good old-fashioned way to suit the elders, she had observed that +Aunt Jessie's boys filled their glasses with water, and had done the +same herself in spite of the Prince's jokes about “the rosy.” + +But Archie certainly was unusually excited, and when someone remembered +that it was the anniversary of Uncle Jem's wedding, and wished he was +there to make a speech, his son electrified the family by trying to do +it for him. It was rather incoherent and flowery, as maiden speeches are +apt to be, but the end was considered superb; for, turning to his mother +with a queer little choke in his voice, he said that she “deserved to be +blessed with peace and plenty, to be crowned with roses and lads'-love, +and to receive the cargo of happiness sailing home to her in spite of +wind or tide to add another Jem to the family jewels.” + +That allusion to the Captain, now on his return trip, made Mrs. Jessie +sob in her napkin, and set the boys cheering. Then, as if that was not +sensation enough, Archie suddenly dashed out of the room, as if he had +lost his wits. + +“Too bashful to stay and be praised,” began Charlie, excusing the +peculiarities of his chief as in duty bound. + +“Phebe beckoned to him; I saw her,” cried Rose, staring hard at the +door. + +“Is it more presents coming?” asked Jamie, just as his brother +re-appeared, looking more excited than ever. + +“Yes; a present for mother, and here it is!” roared Archie, flinging +wide the door to let in a tall man, who cried out, + +“Where's my little woman? The first kiss for her, then the rest may come +on as fast as they like.” + +Before the words were out of his mouth, Mrs. Jessie was half-hidden +under his rough great-coat, and four boys were prancing about him +clamouring for their turn. + +Of course, there was a joyful tumult for a time, during which Rose +slipped into the window recess and watched what went on, as if it were +a chapter in a Christmas story. It was good to see bluff Uncle Jem look +proudly at his tall son, and fondly hug the little ones. It was better +still to see him shake his brothers' hands as if he would never leave +off, and kiss all the sisters in a way that made even solemn Aunt Myra +brighten up for a minute. But it was best of all to see him finally +established in grandfather's chair, with his “little woman” beside him, +his three youngest boys in his lap, and Archie hovering over him like a +large-sized cherub. That really was, as Charlie said, “A landscape to do +one's heart good.” + +“All hearty and all here, thank God!” said Captain Jem in the first +pause that came, as he looked about him with a grateful face. + +“All but Rose,” answered loyal little Jamie, remembering the absent. + +“Faith, I forgot the child! Where is George's little girl?” asked the +Captain, who had not seen her since she was a baby. + +“You'd better say Alec's great girl,” said Uncle Mac, who professed to +be madly jealous of his brother. + +“Here I am, sir,” and Rose appeared from behind the curtains, looking as +if she had rather have stayed there. + +“Saint George Germain, how the mite has grown!” cried Captain Jem, as he +tumbled the boys out of his lap, and rose to greet the tall girl, like +a gentleman as he was. But, somehow, when he shook her hand it looked so +small in his big one, and her face reminded him so strongly of his dead +brother, that he was not satisfied with so cold a welcome, and with +a sudden softening of the keen eyes he took her up in his arms, +whispering, with a rough cheek against her smooth one, + +“God bless you, child! forgive me if I forgot you for a minute, and be +sure that not one of your kinsfolk is happier to see you here than Uncle +Jem.” + +That made it all right; and when he set her down, Rose's face was +so bright it was evident that some spell had been used to banish the +feeling of neglect that had kept her moping behind the curtain so long. + +That everyone sat round and heard all about the voyage home how the +Captain had set his heart on getting there in time to keep Christmas; +how everything had conspired to thwart his plan; and how, at the very +last minute, he had managed to do it, and had sent a telegram to Archie, +bidding him keep the secret, and be ready for his father at any moment, +for the ship got into another port, and he might be late. + +Then Archie told how that telegram had burnt in his pocket all +dinner-time; how he had to take Phebe into his confidence, and how +clever she was to keep the Captain back till the speech was over and he +could come in with effect. + +The elders would have sat and talked all the evening, but the young +folks were bent on having their usual Christmas frolic; so, after an +hour of pleasant chat, they began to get restless, and having consulted +together in dumb show, they devised a way to very effectually break up +the family council. + +Steve vanished, and, sooner than the boys imagined Dandy could get +himself up, the skirl of the bag-pipe was heard in the hall, and the +bonny piper came to lead Clan Campbell to the revel. + +“Draw it mild, Stevie, my man; ye play unco weel, but ye mak a most +infernal din,” cried Uncle Jem, with his hands over his ears, for this +accomplishment was new to him, and “took him all aback,” as he expressed +it. + +So Steve droned out a Highland reel as softly as he could, and the boys +danced it to a circle of admiring relations. Captain Jem was a true +sailor, however, and could not stand idle while anything lively was +going on; so, when the piper's breath gave out, he cut a splendid +pigeon-wing into the middle of the hall, saying, “Who can dance a Fore +and After?” and, waiting for no reply, began to whistle the air so +invitingly that Mrs Jessie “set” to him laughing like a girl; Rose and +Charlie took their places behind, and away went the four with a spirit +and skill that inspired all the rest to “cut in” as fast as they could. + +That was a grand beginning, and they had many another dance before +anyone would own they were tired. Even Fun See distinguished himself +with Aunt Plenty, whom he greatly admired as the stoutest lady in the +company; plumpness being considered a beauty in his country. The merry +old soul professed herself immensely flattered by his admiration, and +the boys declared she “set her cap at him,” else he would never have +dared to catch her under the mistletoe, and, rising on the tips of his +own toes, gallantly salute her fat cheek. + +How they all laughed at her astonishment, and how Fun's little black +eyes twinkled over this exploit! Charlie put him up to it, and Charlie +was so bent on catching Rose, that he laid all sorts of pitfalls for +her, and bribed the other lads to help him. But Rose was wide-awake, +and escaped all his snares, professing great contempt for such foolish +customs. Poor Phebe did not fare so well, and Archie was the only one +who took a base advantage of her as she stood innocently offering tea to +Aunt Myra, whom she happened to meet just under the fatal bough. If +his father's arrival had not rather upset him, I doubt if the dignified +Chief would have done it, for he apologized at once in the handsomest +manner, and caught the tray that nearly dropped from Phebe's hands. + +Jamie boldly invited all the ladies to come and salute him; and as for +Uncle Jem, he behaved as if the entire room was a grove of mistletoe. +Uncle Alec slyly laid a bit of it on Aunt Peace's cap, and then softly +kissed her; which little joke seemed to please her very much, for she +liked to have part in all the home pastimes, and Alec was her favourite +nephew. + +Charlie alone failed to catch his shy bird, and the oftener she escaped +the more determined he was to ensnare her. When every other wile had +been tried in vain, he got Archie to propose a game with forfeits. + +“I understand that dodge,” thought Rose, and was on her guard so +carefully that not one among the pile soon collected belonged to her. + +“Now let us redeem them and play something else,” said Will, quite +unconscious of the deeply-laid plots all about him. + +“One more round and then we will,” answered the Prince, who had now +baited his trap anew. + +Just as the question came to Rose, Jamie's voice was heard in the hall, +crying distressfully, “Oh, come quick, quick!” Rose started up, missed +the question, and was greeted with a general cry of “Forfeit! forfeit!” + in which the little traitor came to join. + +“Now I've got her,” thought the young rascal, exulting in his fun-loving +soul. + +“Now I'm lost,” thought Rose, as she gave up her pin-cushion with a +sternly defiant look that would have daunted anyone but the reckless +Prince. In fact, it made even him think twice, and resolve to “let Rose +off easy,'' she had been so clever. + +“Here's a very pretty pawn, and what shall be done to redeem it?” asked +Steve, holding the pin-cushion over Charlie's head, for he had insisted +on being judge, and kept that for the last. + +“Fine or superfine?” + +“Super.” + +“Hum, well, she shall take old Mac under the mistletoe, and kiss him +prettily. Won't he be mad, though?” and this bad boy chuckled over the +discomfort he had caused two harmless beings. + +There was an impressive pause among the young folks in their corner, for +they all knew that Mac would “be mad,” since he hated nonsense of this +sort, and had gone to talk with the elders when the game began. At +this moment he was standing before the fire, listening to a discussion +between his uncles and his father, looking as wise as a young owl, and +blissfully unconscious of the plots against him. + +Charlie expected that Rose would say, “I won't!” therefore he was rather +astonished, not to say gratified, when, after a look at the victim, +she laughed suddenly, and, going up to the group of gentlemen, drew her +uncle Mac under the mistletoe and surprised him with a hearty kiss. + +“Thank you, my dear,” said the innocent gentleman, looking much pleased +at the unexpected honour. + +“Oh, come; that's not fair,” began Charlie. But Rose cut him short by +saying, as she made him a fine courtesy, + +“You said 'Old Mac,' and though it was very disrespectful, I did it. +That was your last chance, sir, and you've lost it.” + +He certainly had, for, as he spoke, Rose pulled down the mistletoe and +threw it into the fire, while the boys jeered at the crestfallen Prince, +and exalted quick-witted Rose to the skies. + +“What's the joke?” asked young Mac, waked out of a brown study by the +laughter, in which the elders joined. + +But there was a regular shout when, the matter having been explained to +him, Mac took a meditative stare at Rose through his goggles, and said +in a philosophical tone, “Well, I don't think I should have minded much +if she had done it.” + +That tickled the lads immensely, and nothing but the appearance of a +slight refection would have induced them to stop chaffing the poor Worm, +who could not see anything funny in the beautiful resignation he had +shown on this trying occasion. + +Soon after this, the discovery of Jamie curled up in the sofa corner, as +sound asleep as a dormouse, suggested the propriety of going home, and a +general move was made. + +They were all standing about the hall lingering over the good-nights, +when the sound of a voice softly singing “Sweet Home,” made them pause +and listen. It was Phebe, poor little Phebe, who never had a home, never +knew the love of father or mother, brother or sister; who stood all +alone in the wide world, yet was not sad nor afraid, but took her bits +of happiness gratefully, and sung over her work without a thought of +discontent. + +I fancy the happy family standing there together remembered this and +felt the beauty of it, for when the solitary voice came to the burden of +its song, other voices took it up and finished it so sweetly, that the +old house seemed to echo the word “Home” in the ears of both the orphan +girls, who had just spent their first Christmas under its hospitable +roof. + + + +Chapter 21--A Scare + +“Brother Alec, you surely don't mean to allow that child to go out such +a bitter cold day as this,” said Mrs. Myra, looking into the study, +where the Doctor sat reading his paper, one February morning. + +“Why not? If a delicate invalid like yourself can bear it, surely +my hearty girl can, especially as she is dressed for cold weather,” + answered Dr. Alec with provoking confidence. + +“But you have no idea how sharp the wind is. I am chilled to the very +marrow of my bones,” answered Aunt Myra, chafing the end of her purple +nose with her sombre glove. + +“I don't doubt it, ma'am, if you will wear crape and silk instead of fur +and flannel. Rosy goes out in all weathers, and will be none the worse +for an hour's brisk skating.” + +“Well, I warn you that you are trifling with the child's health, and +depending too much on the seeming improvement she has made this year. +She is a delicate creature for all that, and will drop away suddenly at +the first serious attack, as her poor mother did,” croaked Aunt Myra, +with a despondent wag of the big bonnet. + +“I'll risk it,” answered Dr. Alec, knitting his brows, as he always did +when any allusion was made to that other Rose. + +“Mark my words, you will repent it,” and with that awful prophecy, Aunt +Myra departed like a black shadow. + +Now it must be confessed that among the Doctor's failings and he had his +share was a very masculine dislike of advice which was thrust upon him +unasked. He always listened with respect to the great-aunts, and often +consulted Mrs. Jessie; but the other three ladies tried his patience +sorely, by constant warnings, complaints and counsels. Aunt Myra was an +especial trial, and he always turned contrary the moment she began +to talk. He could not help it, and often laughed about it with comic +frankness. Here now was a sample of it, for he had just been thinking +that Rose had better defer her run till the wind went down and the sun +was warmer. But Aunt Myra spoke, and he could not resist the temptation +to make light of her advice, and let Rose brave the cold. He had no +fear of its harming her, for she went out every day, and it was a great +satisfaction to him to see her run down the avenue a minute afterward, +with her skates on her arm, looking like a rosy-faced Esquimaux in her +seal-skin suit, as she smiled at Aunt Myra stalking along as solemnly as +a crow. + +“I hope the child won't stay out long, for this wind is enough to chill +the marrow in younger bones than Myra's,” thought Dr. Alec, half an +hour later, as he drove toward the city to see the few patients he had +consented to take for old acquaintance' sake. + +The thought returned several times that morning, for it was truly a +bitter day, and, in spite of his bear-skin coat, the Doctor shivered. +But he had great faith in Rose's good sense, and it never occurred +to him that she was making a little Casabianca of herself, with the +difference of freezing instead of burning at her post. + +You see, Mac had made an appointment to meet her at a certain spot, and +have a grand skating bout as soon as the few lessons he was allowed were +over. She had promised to wait for him, and did so with a faithfulness +that cost her dear, because Mac forgot his appointment when the lessons +were done, and became absorbed in a chemical experiment, till a general +combustion of gases drove him out of his laboratory. Then he suddenly +remembered Rose, and would gladly have hurried away to her, but his +mother forbade his going out, for the sharp wind would hurt his eyes. + +“She will wait and wait, mother, for she always keeps her word, and +I told her to hold on till I came,” explained Mac, with visions of a +shivering little figure watching on the windy hill-top. + +“Of course, your uncle won't let her go out such a day as this. If he +does, she will have the sense to come here for you, or to go home again +when you don't appear,” said Aunt Jane, returning to her “Watts on the +Mind.” + +“I wish Steve would just cut up and see if she's there, since I can't +go,” began Mac, anxiously. + +“Steve won't stir a peg, thank you. He's got his own toes to thaw +out, and wants his dinner,” answered Dandy, just in from school, and +wrestling impatiently with his boots. + +So Mac resigned himself, and Rose waited dutifully till dinner-time +assured her that her waiting was in vain. She had done her best to keep +warm, had skated till she was tired and hot, then stood watching others +till she was chilled; tried to get up a glow again by trotting up and +down the road, but failed to do so, and finally cuddled disconsolately +under a pine-tree to wait and watch. When she at length started for +home, she was benumbed with cold, and could hardly make her way against +the wind that buffeted the frost-bitten rose most unmercifully. + +Dr. Alec was basking in the warmth of the study fire, after his drive, +when the sound of a stifled sob made him hurry to the door and look +anxiously into the hall. Rose lay in a shivering bunch near the +register, with her things half off, wringing her hands, and trying +not to cry with the pain returning warmth brought to her half-frozen +fingers. + +“My darling, what is it?” and Uncle Alec had her in his arms in a +minute. + +“Mac didn't come I can't get warm the fire makes me ache!” and with a +long shiver Rose burst out crying, while her teeth chattered, and her +poor little nose was so blue, it made one's heart ache to see it. + +In less time than it takes to tell it, Dr. Alec had her on the sofa +rolled up in the bear-skin coat, with Phebe rubbing her cold feet while +he rubbed the aching hands, and Aunt Plenty made a comfortable hot +drink, and Aunt Peace sent down her own foot-warmer and embroidered +blanket “for the dear.” + +Full of remorseful tenderness, Uncle Alec worked over his new patient +till she declared she was all right again. He would not let her get up +to dinner, but fed her himself, and then forgot his own while he sat +watching her fall into a drowse, for Aunt Plenty's cordial made her +sleepy. + +She lay so several hours for the drowse deepened into a heavy sleep, and +Uncle Alec, still at his post, saw with growing anxiety that a feverish +colour began to burn in her cheeks, that her breathing was quick and +uneven, and now and then she gave a little moan, as if in pain. Suddenly +she woke up with a start, and seeing Aunt Plenty bending over her, put +out her arms like a sick child, saying wearily, + +“Please, could I go to bed?” + +“The best place for you, deary. Take her right up, Alec; I've got the +hot water ready, and after a nice bath, she shall have a cup of my sage +tea, and be rolled up in blankets to sleep off her cold,” answered the +old lady, cheerily, as she bustled away to give orders. + +“Are you in pain, darling?” asked Uncle Alec, as he carried her up. + +“My side aches when I breathe, and I feel stiff and queer; but it isn't +bad, so don't be troubled, uncle,” whispered Rose, with a little hot +hand against his cheek. + +But the poor doctor did look troubled, and had cause to do so, for +just then Rose tried to laugh at Dolly charging into the room with a +warming-pan, but could not, for the sharp pain took her breath away and +made her cry out. + +“Pleurisy,” sighed Aunt Plenty, from the depths of the bath-tub. + +“Pewmonia!” groaned Dolly, burrowing among the bedclothes with the +long-handled pan, as if bent on fishing up that treacherous disease. + +“Oh, is it bad?” asked Phebe, nearly dropping a pail of hot water in her +dismay, for she knew nothing of sickness, and Dolly's suggestion had a +peculiarly dreadful sound to her. + +“Hush!” ordered the Doctor, in a tone that silenced all further +predictions, and made everyone work with a will. + +“Make her as comfortable as you can, and when she is in her little bed +I'll come and say good-night,” he added, when the bath was ready and the +blankets browning nicely before the fire. + +Then he went away to talk quite cheerfully to Aunt Peace about its being +“only a chill”; after which he tramped up and down the hall, pulling his +beard and knitting his brows, sure signs of great inward perturbation. + +“I thought it would be too good luck to get through the year without a +downfall. Confound my perversity! Why couldn't I take Myra's advice and +keep Rose at home. It's not fair that the poor child should suffer +for my sinful over-confidence. She shall not suffer for it! Pneumonia, +indeed! I defy it,” and he shook his fist in the ugly face of an Indian +idol that happened to be before him, as if that particularly hideous god +had some spite against his own little goddess. + +In spite of his defiance his heart sunk when he saw Rose again, for +the pain was worse, and the bath and blankets, the warming-pan and +piping-hot sage tea, were all in vain. For several hours there was no +rest for the poor child, and all manner of gloomy forebodings haunted +the minds of those who hovered about her with faces full of the +tenderest anxiety. + +In the midst of the worst paroxysm Charlie came to leave a message from +his mother, and was met by Phebe coming despondently downstairs with a +mustard plaster that had brought no relief. + +“What the dickens is the matter? You look as dismal as a tombstone,” he +said, as she held up her hand to stop his lively whistling. + +“Miss Rose is dreadful sick.” + +“The deuce she is!” + +“Don't swear, Mr. Charlie; she really is, and it's Mr. Mac's fault,” and +Phebe told the sad tale in a few sharp words, for she felt at war with +the entire race of boys at that moment. + +“I'll give it to him, make your mind easy about that,” said Charlie, +with an ominous doubling up of his fist. “But Rose isn't dangerously +ill, is she?” he added anxiously, as Aunt Plenty was seen to trot across +the upper hall, shaking a bottle violently as she went. + +“Oh, but she is though. The Doctor don't say much, but he don't call it +a 'chill' any more. It's 'pleurisy' now, and I'm so afraid it will be +pewmonia to-morrow,” answered Phebe, with a despairing glance at the +plaster. + +Charlie exploded into a stifled laugh at the new pronunciation of +pneumonia, to Phebe's great indignation. + +“How can you have the heart to do it, and she in such horrid pain? Hark +to that, and then laugh if you darst,” she said with a tragic gesture, +and her black eyes full of fire. + +Charlie listened and heard little moans that went to his heart and made +his face as sober as Phebe's. “O uncle, please stop the pain, and let me +rest a minute! Don't tell the boys I wasn't brave. I try to bear it, but +it's so sharp I can't help crying.” + +Neither could Charlie, when he heard the broken voice say that; but, +boy-like, he wouldn't own it, and said pettishly, as he rubbed his +sleeve across his eyes, + +“Don't hold that confounded thing right under my nose; the mustard makes +my eyes smart.” + +“Don't see how it can, when it hasn't any more strength in it than meal. +The Doctor said so, and I'm going to get some better,” began Phebe, +not a bit ashamed of the great tears that were bedewing the condemned +plaster. + +“I'll go!” and Charlie was off like a shot, glad of an excuse to get out +of sight for a few minutes. + +When he came back all inconvenient emotion had been disposed of, and, +having delivered a box of the hottest mustard procurable for money, he +departed to “blow up” Mac, that being his next duty in his opinion. He +did it so energetically and thoroughly that the poor Worm was cast into +the depths of remorseful despair, and went to bed that evening feeling +that he was an outcast from among men, and bore the mark of Cain upon +his brow. + +Thanks to the skill of the Doctor, and the devotion of his helpers, Rose +grew easier about midnight, and all hoped that the worst was over. Phebe +was making tea by the study fire, for the Doctor had forgotten to eat +and drink since Rose was ill, and Aunt Plenty insisted on his having +a “good cordial dish of tea” after his exertions. A tap on the window +startled Phebe, and, looking up, she saw a face peering in. She was +not afraid, for a second look showed her that it was neither ghost nor +burglar, but Mac, looking pale and wild in the wintry moonlight. + +“Come and let a fellow in,” he said in a low tone, and when he stood in +the hall he clutched Phebe's arm, whispering gruffly, “How is Rose?” + +“Thanks be to goodness, she's better,” answered Phebe, with a smile that +was like broad sunshine to the poor lad's anxious heart. + +“And she will be all right again to-morrow?” + +“Oh, dear no! Dolly says she's sure to have rheumatic fever, if she +don't have noo-monia!” answered Phebe, careful to pronounce the word +rightly this time. + +Down went Mac's face, and remorse began to gnaw at him again as he gave +a great sigh and said doubtfully, + +“I suppose I couldn't see her?” + +“Of course not at this time of night, when we want her to go to sleep!” + +Mac opened his mouth to say something more, when a sneeze came upon him +unawares, and a loud “Ah rash hoo!” awoke the echoes of the quiet house. + +“Why didn't you stop it?” said Phebe reproachfully. “I dare say you've +waked her up.” + +“Didn't know it was coming. Just my luck!” groaned Mac, turning to go +before his unfortunate presence did more harm. + +But a voice from the stair-head called softly, “Mac, come up; Rose wants +to see you.” + +Up he went, and found his uncle waiting for him. + +“What brings you here at this hour, my boy?” asked the Doctor in a +whisper. + +“Charlie said it was all my fault, and if she died I'd killed her. I +couldn't sleep, so I came to see how she was, and no one knows it but +Steve,” he said with such a troubled face and voice that the Doctor had +not the heart to blame him. + +Before he could say anything more a feeble voice called “Mac!” and with +a hasty “Stay a minute just to please her, and then slip away, for I +want her to sleep,” the Doctor led him into the room. + +The face on the pillow looked very pale and childish, and the smile that +welcomed Mac was very faint, for Rose was spent with pain, yet could not +rest till she had said a word of comfort to her cousin. + +“I knew your funny sneeze, and I guessed that you came to see how I did, +though it is very late. Don't be worried, I'm better now, and it is my +fault I was ill, not yours; for I needn't have been so silly as to wait +in the cold just because I said I would.” + +Mac hastened to explain, to load himself with reproaches, and to beg +her not to die on any account, for Charlie's lecture had made a deep +impression on the poor boy's mind. + +“I didn't know there was any danger of my dying,” and Rose looked up at +him with a solemn expression in her great eyes. + +“Oh, I hope not; but people do sometimes go suddenly, you know, and I +couldn't rest till I'd asked you to forgive me,” faltered Mac, thinking +that Rose looked very like an angel already, with the golden hair loose +on the pillow, and the meekness of suffering on her little white face. + +“I don't think I shall die; uncle won't let me; but if I do, remember I +forgave you.” + +She looked at him with a tender light in her eyes, and, seeing how +pathetic his dumb grief was, she added softly, drawing his head down, “I +wouldn't kiss you under the mistletoe, but I will now, for I want you to +be sure I do forgive and love you just the same.” + +That quite upset poor Mac; he could only murmur his thanks and get out +of the room as fast as possible, to grope his way to the couch at the +far end of the hall, and lie there till he fell asleep, worn out with +trying not to “make a baby” of himself. + + + +Chapter 22--Something to do + +Whatever danger there might have been from the effects of that sudden +chill, it was soon over, though, of course, Aunt Myra refused to +believe it, and Dr. Alec cherished his girl with redoubled vigilance and +tenderness for months afterward. Rose quite enjoyed being sick, because +as soon as the pain ended the fun began, and for a week or two she led +the life of a little princess secluded in the Bower, while every one +served, amused, and watched over her in the most delightful manner. But +the doctor was called away to see an old friend, who was dangerously +ill, and then Rose felt like a young bird deprived of its mother's +sheltering wing; especially on one afternoon when the aunts were taking +their naps, and the house was very still within while snow fell softly +without. + +“I'll go and hunt up Phebe, she is always nice and busy, and likes to +have me help her. If Dolly is out of the way we can make caramels and +surprise the boys when they come,” Rose said to herself, as she threw +down her book and felt ready for society of some sort. + +She took the precaution to peep through the slide before she entered the +kitchen, for Dolly allowed no messing when she was round. But the coast +was clear, and no one but Phebe appeared, sitting at the table with her +head on her arms apparently asleep. Rose was just about to wake her +with a “Boo!” when she lifted her head, dried her wet eyes with her +blue apron, and fell to work with a resolute face on something she was +evidently much interested in. Rose could not make out what it was, +and her curiosity was greatly excited, for Phebe was writing with a +sputtering pen on some bits of brown paper, apparently copying something +from a little book. + +“I must know what the dear thing is about, and why she cried, and then +set her lips tight and went to work with all her might,” thought Rose, +forgetting all about the caramels, and, going round to the door, she +entered the kitchen, saying pleasantly, + +“Phebe, I want something to do. Can't you let me help you about +anything, or shall I be in the way?” + +“Oh, dear no, miss; I always love to have you round when things are +tidy. What would you like to do?” answered Phebe, opening a drawer as +if about to sweep her own affairs out of sight; but Rose stopped her, +exclaiming, like a curious child, + +“Let me see! What is it? I won't tell if you'd rather not have Dolly +know.” + +“I'm only trying to study a bit; but I'm so stupid I don't get on much,” + answered the girl reluctantly, permitting her little mistress to examine +the poor contrivances she was trying to work with. + +A broken slate that had blown off the roof, an inch or two of pencil, an +old almanac for a reader, several bits of brown or yellow paper ironed +smoothly and sewn together for a copy-book, and the copies sundry +receipts written in Aunt Plenty's neat hand. These, with a small bottle +of ink and a rusty pen, made up Phebe's outfit, and it was little wonder +that she did not “get on” in spite of the patient persistence that dried +the desponding tears and drove along the sputtering pen with a will. + +“You may laugh if you want to, Miss Rose, I know my things are queer, +and that's why I hide 'em; but I don't mind since you've found me out, +and I ain't a bit ashamed except of being so backward at my age,” said +Phebe humbly, though her cheeks grew redder as she washed out some +crooked capitals with a tear or two not yet dried upon the slate. + +“Laugh at you! I feel more like crying to think what a selfish girl I +am, to have loads of books and things and never remember to give you +some. Why didn't you come and ask me, and not go struggling along alone +in this way? It was very wrong of you, Phebe, and I'll never forgive you +if you do so again,” answered Rose, with one hand on Phebe's shoulder, +while the other gently turned the leaves of the poor little copy-book. + +“I didn't like to ask for anything more when you are so good to me all +the time, miss, dear,” began Phebe, looking up with grateful eyes. + +“O you proud thing! just as if it wasn't fun to give away, and I had the +best of it. Now, see here, I've got a plan and you mustn't say no, or +I shall scold. I want something to do, and I'm going to teach you all +I know; it won't take long,” and Rose laughed as she put her arm around +Phebe's neck, and patted the smooth dark head with the kind little hand +that so loved to give. + +“It would be just heavenly!” and Phebe's face shone at the mere idea; +but fell again as she added wistfully, “Only I'm afraid I ought not +to let you do it, Miss Rose. It will take time, and maybe the Doctor +wouldn't like it.” + +“He didn't want me to study much, but he never said a word about +teaching, and I don't believe he will mind a bit. Anyway, we can try it +till he comes, so pack up your things and go right to my room and we'll +begin this very day; I'd truly like to do it, and we'll have nice times, +see if we don't!” cried Rose eagerly. + +It was a pretty sight to see Phebe bundle her humble outfit into her +apron, and spring up as if the desire of her heart had suddenly been +made a happy fact to her; it was a still prettier sight to see Rose run +gaily on before, smiling like a good fairy as she beckoned to the other, +singing as she went, + + “The way into my parlour is up a winding stair, + And many are the curious things I'll show you when you're there. + Will you, will you walk in, Phebe dear?” + +“Oh, won't I!” answered Phebe fervently, adding, as they entered the +Bower, “You are the dearest spider that ever was, and I'm the happiest +fly.” + +“I'm going to be very strict, so sit down in that chair and don't say +a word till school is ready to open,” ordered Rose, delighted with the +prospect of such a useful and pleasant “something to do.” + +So Phebe sat demurely in her place while her new teacher laid forth +books and slates, a pretty inkstand and a little globe; hastily tore a +bit off her big sponge, sharpened pencils with more energy than skill, +and when all was ready gave a prance of satisfaction that set the pupil +laughing. + +“Now the school is open, and I shall hear you read, so that I may know +in which class to put you, Miss Moore,” began Rose with great dignity, +as she laid a book before her scholar, and sat down in the easy chair +with a long rule in her hand. + +Phebe did pretty well, only tripping now and then over a hard word, and +pronouncing identical “identickle,” in a sober way that tickled Rose, +though never a smile betrayed her. The spelling lesson which followed +was rather discouraging; Phebe's ideas of geography were very vague, and +grammar was nowhere, though the pupil protested that she tried so hard +to “talk nice like educated folks” that Dolly called her “a stuck-up +piece who didn't know her place.” + +“Dolly's an old goose, so don't you mind her, for she will say 'nater,' +'vittles,' and 'doos' as long as she lives, and insist that they are +right. You do talk very nicely, Phebe, I've observed it, and grammar +will help you, and show you some things are right and others ain't are +not, I mean,” added Rose, correcting herself, and feeling that she +must mind her own parts of speech if she was to serve as an example for +Phebe. + +When the arithmetic came, the little teacher was surprised to find her +scholar quicker in some things than herself, for Phebe had worked away +at the columns in the butcher's and baker's books till she could add so +quickly and correctly that Rose was amazed, and felt that in this branch +the pupil would soon excel the teacher if she kept on at the same pace. +Her praise cheered Phebe immensely, and they went bravely on, both +getting so interested that time flew unheeded till Aunt Plenty appeared, +exclaiming, as she stared at the two heads bent over one slate, + +“Bless my heart, what is going on now?” + +“School, aunty. I'm teaching Phebe, and it's great fun!” cried Rose, +looking up with a bright face. + +But Phebe's was brighter, though she added with a wistful look, + +“Maybe I ought to have asked leave first; only when Miss Rose proposed +this, I was so happy I forgot to. Shall I stop, ma'am?” + +“Of course not, child; I'm glad to see you fond of your book, and to +find Rose helping you along. My blessed mother used to sit at work with +her maids about her, teaching them many a useful thing in the good old +fashion that's gone by now. Only don't neglect your work, dear, or let +the books interfere with the duties.” + +As Aunt Plenty spoke, with her kind old face beaming approvingly upon +the girls, Phebe glanced at the clock, saw that it pointed to five, knew +that Dolly would soon be down, expecting to find preparations for supper +under way, and, hastily dropping her pencil, she jumped up, saying, + +“Please, can I go? I'll clear up after I've done my chores.” + +“School is dismissed,” answered Rose, and with a grateful “Thank you, +heaps and heaps!” Phebe ran away singing the multiplication table as she +set the tea ditto. + +That was the way it began, and for a week the class of one went on +with great pleasure and profit to all concerned; for the pupil proved +a bright one, and came to her lessons as to a feast, while the young +teacher did her best to be worthy the high opinion held of her, for +Phebe firmly believed that Miss Rose knew everything in the way of +learning. + +Of course the lads found out what was going on, and chaffed the girls +about the “Seminary,” as they called the new enterprise; but they +thought it a good thing on the whole, kindly offered to give lessons in +Greek and Latin gratis, and decided among themselves that “Rose was a +little trump to give the Phebe-bird such a capital boost.” + +Rose herself had some doubts as to how it would strike her uncle, and +concocted a wheedlesome speech which should at once convince him that +it was the most useful, wholesome, and delightful plan ever devised. But +she got no chance to deliver her address, for Dr. Alec came upon her so +unexpectedly that it went out of her head entirely. She was sitting on +the floor in the library, poring over a big book laid open in her lap, +and knew nothing of the long-desired arrival till two large, warm hands +met under her chin and gently turned her head back, so that someone +could kiss her heartily on either cheek, while a fatherly voice said, +half reproachfully, “Why is my girl brooding over a dusty Encyclopedia +when she ought to be running to meet the old gentleman who couldn't get +on another minute without her?” + +“O uncle! I'm so glad! and so sorry! Why didn't you let us know what +time you'd be here, or call out the minute you came? Haven't I been +home-sick for you? and now I'm so happy to have you back I could hug +your dear old curly head off,” cried Rose, as the Encyclopedia went down +with a bang, and she up with a spring that carried her into Dr. Alec's +arms, to be kept there in the sort of embrace a man gives to the dearest +creature the world holds for him. + +Presently he was in his easy chair with Rose upon his knee smiling up +in his face and talking as fast as her tongue could go, while he watched +her with an expression of supreme content, as he stroked the smooth +round cheek, or held the little hand in his, rejoicing to see how rosy +was the one, how plump and strong the other. + +“Have you had a good time? Did you save the poor lady? Aren't you glad +to be home again with your girl to torment you?” + +“Yes, to all those questions. Now tell me what you've been at, little +sinner? Aunty Plen says you want to consult me about some new and +remarkable project which you have dared to start in my absence.” + +“She didn't tell you, I hope?” + +“Not a word more expect that you were rather doubtful how I'd take it, +and so wanted to 'fess' yourself and get round me as you always try +to do, though you don't often succeed. Now, then, own up and take the +consequences.” + +So Rose told about her school in her pretty, earnest way, dwelling +on Phebe's hunger for knowledge, and the delight it was to help her, +adding, with a wise nod, + +“And it helps me too, uncle, for she is so quick and eager I have to do +my best or she will get ahead of me in some things. To-day, now, she had +the word 'cotton' in a lesson and asked all about it, and I was ashamed +to find I really knew so little that I could only say that it was a +plant that grew down South in a kind of a pod, and was made into cloth. +That's what I was reading up when you came, and to-morrow I shall tell +her all about it, and indigo too. So you see it teaches me also, and is +as good as a general review of what I've learned, in a pleasanter way +than going over it alone.” + +“You artful little baggage! that's the way you expect to get round me, +is it? That's not studying, I suppose?” + +“No, sir, it's teaching; and please, I like it much better than having a +good time by myself. Besides, you know, I adopted Phebe and promised to +be a sister to her, so I am bound to keep my word, am I not?” answered +Rose, looking both anxious and resolute as she waited for her sentence. + +Dr. Alec was evidently already won, for Rose had described the old slate +and brown paper copy-book with pathetic effect, and the excellent man +had not only decided to send Phebe to school long before the story was +done, but reproached himself for forgetting his duty to one little girl +in his love for another. So when Rose tried to look meek and failed +utterly, he laughed and pinched her cheek, and answered in that genial +way which adds such warmth and grace to any favour, + +“I haven't the slightest objection in the world. In fact, I was +beginning to think I might let you go at your books again, moderately, +since you are so well; and this is an excellent way to try your powers. +Phebe is a brave, bright lass, and shall have a fair chance in the +world, if we can give it to her, so that if she ever finds her friends +they need not be ashamed of her.” + +“I think she has found some already,” began Rose eagerly. + +“Hey? what? has anyone turned up since I've been gone?” asked Dr. Alec +quickly, for it was a firm belief in the family that Phebe would prove +to be “somebody” sooner or later. + +“No, her best friend turned up when you came home, uncle,” answered Rose +with an approving pat, adding gratefully, “I can't half thank you for +being so good to my girl, but she will, because I know she is going to +make a woman to be proud of, she's so strong and true, and loving.” + +“Bless your dear heart, I haven't begun to do anything yet, more shame +to me! But I'm going at it now, and as soon as she gets on a bit, +she shall go to school as long as she likes. How will that do for a +beginning?” + +“It will be 'just heavenly,' as Phebe says, for it is the wish of her +life to 'get lots of schooling,' and she will be too happy when I tell +her. May I, please? it will be so lovely to see the dear thing open her +big eyes and clap her hands at the splendid news.” + +“No one shall have a finger in this nice little pie; you shall do it all +yourself, only don't go too fast, or make too many castles in the air, +my dear; for time and patience must go into this pie of ours if it is to +turn out well.” + +“Yes, uncle, only when it is opened won't 'the birds begin to sing?”' +laughed Rose, taking a turn about the room as a vent for the joyful +emotions that made her eyes shine. All of a sudden she stopped and asked +soberly, + +“If Phebe goes to school who will do her work? I'm willing, if I can.” + +“Come here and I'll tell you a secret. Dolly's 'bones' are getting so +troublesome, and her dear old temper so bad, that the aunts have decided +to pension her off and let her go and live with her daughter, who has +married very well. I saw her this week, and she'd like to have her +mother come, so in the spring we shall have a grand change, and get +a new cook and chamber-girl if any can be found to suit our honoured +relatives.” + +“Oh, me! how can I ever get on without Phebe? Couldn't she stay, just so +I could see her? I'd pay her board rather than have her go, I'm so fond +of her.” + +How Dr. Alec laughed at that proposal, and how satisfied Rose was when +he explained that Phebe was still to be her maid, with no duties except +such as she could easily perform between school-hours. + +“She is a proud creature, for all her humble ways, and even from us +would not take a favour if she did not earn it somewhere. So this +arrangement makes it all square and comfortable, you see, and she will +pay for the schooling by curling these goldilocks a dozen times a day if +you let her.” + +“Your plans are always so wise and kind! That's why they work so well, +I suppose, and why people let you do what you like with them. I really +don't see how other girls get along without an Uncle Alec!” answered +Rose, with a sigh of pity for those who had missed so great a blessing. + +When Phebe was told the splendid news, she did not “stand on her head +with rapture,” as Charlie prophesied she would, but took it quietly, +because it was such a happy thing she had no words “big and beautiful +enough to thank them in,” she said; but every hour of her day was +brightened by this granted wish, and dedicated to the service of those +who gave it. + +Her heart was so full of content that if overflowed in music, and the +sweet voice singing all about the house gave thanks so blithely that +no other words were needed. Her willing feet were never tired of taking +steps for those who had smoothed her way; her skilful hands were always +busy in some labour of love for them, and on the face fast growing in +comeliness there was an almost womanly expression of devotion, which +proved how well Phebe had already learned one of life's great lessons +gratitude. + + + +Chapter 23--Peace-Making + +“Steve, I want you to tell me something,” said Rose to Dandy, who was +making faces at himself in the glass, while he waited for an answer to +the note he brought from his mother to Aunt Plenty. + +“P'raps I will, and p'raps I won't. What is it?” + +“Haven't Arch and Charlie quarrelled?” + +“Dare say; we fellows are always having little rows, you know. I do +believe a sty is coming on my star-board eye,” and Steve affected to be +absorbed in a survey of his yellow lashes. + +“No, that won't do; I want to know all about it; for I'm sure something +more serious than a 'little row' is the matter. Come, please tell me, +Stenie, there's a dear.” + +“Botheration! you don't want me to turn telltale, do you?” growled +Steve, pulling his top-knot, as he always did when perplexed. + +“Yes, I do,” was Rose's decided answer for she saw from his manner that +she was right, and determined to have the secret out of him if coaxing +would do it. “I don't wish you to tell things to everyone, of course, +but to me you may, and you must, because I have a right to know. You +boys need somebody to look after you, and I'm going to do it, for girls +are nice peacemakers, and know how to manage people. Uncle said so, and +he is never wrong.” + +Steve was about to indulge in a derisive hoot at the idea of her looking +after them, but a sudden thought restrained him, and suggested a way in +which he could satisfy Rose, and better himself at the same time. + +“What will you give me if I'll tell you every bit about it?” he asked, +with a sudden red in his cheeks and an uneasy look in his eyes, for he +was half ashamed of the proposition. + +“What do you want?” and Rose looked up rather surprised at his question. + +“I'd like to borrow some money. I shouldn't think of asking you, only +Mac never has a cent. since he's set up his old chemical shop, where +he'll blow himself to bits some day, and you and uncle will have the fun +of putting him together again,” and Steve tried to look as if the idea +amused him. + +“I'll lend it to you with pleasure, so tell away,” said Rose, bound to +get at the secret. + +Evidently much relieved by the promise, Steve set his top-knot +cheerfully erect again, and briefly stated the case. + +“As you say, it's all right to tell you, but don't let the boys know +I blabbed, or Prince will take my head off. You see, Archie don't like +some of the fellows Charlie goes with, and cuts 'em. That makes Prince +mad, and he holds on just to plague Arch, so they don't speak to one +another, if they can help it, and that's the row.” + +“Are those boys bad?” asked Rose, anxiously. + +“Guess not, only rather wild. They are older than our fellows, but +they like Prince, he's such a jolly boy; sings so well, dances jigs and +breakdowns, you know, and plays any game that's going. He beat Morse at +billiards, and that's something to brag of, for Morse thinks he knows +everything. I saw the match, and it was great fun!” + +Steve got quite excited over the prowess of Charlie, whom he admired +immensely, and tried to imitate. Rose did not know half the danger +of such gifts and tastes as Charlie's, but felt instinctively that +something must be wrong if Archie disapproved. + +“If Prince likes any billiard-playing boy better than Archie, I don't +think much of his sense,” she said severely. + +“Of course he doesn't; but, you see, Charlie and Arch are both as proud +as they can be, and won't give in. I suppose Arch is right, but I don't +blame Charlie a bit for liking to be with the others sometimes, they are +such a jolly set,” and Steve shook his head morally, even while his eye +twinkled over the memory of some of the exploits of the “jolly set.” + +“Oh, dear me!” sighed Rose, “I don't see what I can do about it, but +I wish the boys would make up, for Prince can't come to any harm with +Archie, he's so good and sensible.” + +“That's the trouble; Arch preaches, and Prince won't stand it. He +told Arch he was a prig and a parson, and Arch told him he wasn't a +gentleman. My boots! weren't they both mad, though! I thought for a +minute they'd pitch into one another and have it out. Wish they had, and +not gone stalking round stiff and glum ever since. Mac and I settle our +rows with a bat or so over the head, and then we are all right.” + +Rose couldn't help laughing as Steve sparred away at a fat sofa-pillow, +to illustrate his meaning; and, having given it several scientific +whacks, he pulled down his cuffs and smiled upon her with benign pity +for her feminine ignorance of this summary way of settling a quarrel. + +“What droll things boys are!” she said, with a mixture of admiration and +perplexity in her face, which Steve accepted as a compliment to his sex. + +“We're a pretty clever invention, miss, and you can't get on without +us,” he answered, with his nose in the air. Then, taking a sudden plunge +into business, he added, “How about that bit of money you were going to +lend me? I've told, now you pay up.” + +“Of course I will! How much do you want?” and Rose pulled out her purse. + +“Could you spare five dollars? I want to pay a little debt of honour +that is rather pressing,” and Steve put on a mannish air that was +comical to see. + +“Aren't all debts honourable?” asked innocent Rose. + +“Yes, of course; but this is a bet I made, and it ought to be settled up +at once,” began Steve, finding it awkward to explain. + +“Oh, don't bet, it's not right, and I know your father wouldn't like it. +Promise you won't do so again; please promise!” and Rose held fast the +hand into which she had just put the money. + +“Well, I won't. It's worried me a good deal, but I was joked into it. +Much obliged, cousin, I'm all right now,” and Steve departed hastily. + +Having decided to be a peace-maker, Rose waited for an opportunity, and +very soon it came. + +She was spending the day with Aunt Clara, who had been entertaining some +young guests, and invited Rose to meet them, for she thought it high +time her niece conquered her bashfulness and saw a little of society. +Dinner was over, and everyone had gone. Aunt Clara was resting before +going out to an evening party, and Rose was waiting for Charlie to come +and take her home. + +She sat alone in the elegant drawing-room, feeling particularly nice and +pretty, for she had her best frock on, a pair of gold bands her aunt had +just given her, and a tea-rose bud in her sash, like the beautiful Miss +Van Tassel, whom everyone admired. She had spread out her little skirts +to the best advantage, and, leaning back in a luxurious chair, sat +admiring her own feet in new slippers with rosettes almost as big as +dahlias. Presently Charlie came lounging in, looking rather sleepy and +queer, Rose thought. On seeing her, however, he roused up and said with +a smile that ended in a gape, + +“I thought you were with mother, so I took forty winks after I got those +girls off. Now, I'm at your service, Rosamunda, whenever you like.” + +“You look as if your head ached. If it does, don't mind me. I'm not +afraid to run home alone, it's so early,” answered Rose, observing the +flushed cheeks and heavy eyes of her cousin. + +“I think I see myself letting you do it. Champagne always makes my +headache, but the air will set me up.” + +“Why do you drink it, then?” asked Rose, anxiously. + +“Can't help it, when I'm host. Now, don't you begin to lecture; I've had +enough of Archie's old-fashioned notions, and I don't want any more.” + +Charlie's tone was decidedly cross, and his whole manner so unlike his +usual merry good-nature, that Rose felt crushed, and answered meekly, + +“I wasn't going to lecture, only when people like other people, they +can't bear to see them suffer pain.” + +That brought Charlie round at once, for Rose's lips trembled a little, +though she tried to hide it by smelling the flower she pulled from her +sash. + +“I'm a regular bear, and I beg your pardon for being so cross, Rosy,” he +said in the old frank way that was so winning. + +“I wish you'd beg Archie's too, and be good friends again. You never +were cross when he was your chum,” Rose said, looking up at him as he +bent toward her from the low chimney-piece, where he had been leaning +his elbows. + +In an instant he stood as stiff and straight as a ramrod, and the heavy +eyes kindled with an angry spark as he said, in his high and mighty +manner, + +“You'd better not meddle with what you don't understand, cousin.” + +“But I do understand, and it troubles me very much to see you so cold +and stiff to one another. You always used to be together, and now you +hardly speak. You are so ready to beg my pardon I don't see why you +can't beg Archie's, if you are in the wrong.” + +“I'm not!” this was so short and sharp that Rose started, and Charlie +added in a calmer but still very haughty tone: “A gentleman always begs +pardon when he has been rude to a lady, but one man doesn't apologize to +another man who has insulted him.” + +“Oh, my heart, what a pepperpot!” thought Rose, and, hoping to make him +laugh, she added slyly: “I was not talking about men, but boys, and one +of them a Prince, who ought to set a good example to his subjects.” + +But Charlie would not relent, and tried to turn the subject by saying +gravely, as he unfastened the little gold ring from his watch-guard, + +“I've broken my word, so I want to give this back and free you from the +bargain. I'm sorry, but I think it a foolish promise, and don't intend +to keep it. Choose a pair of ear-rings to suit yourself, as my forfeit. +You have a right to wear them now.” + +“No, I can only wear one, and that is no use, for Archie will keep his +word I'm sure!” Rose was so mortified and grieved at this downfall +of her hopes that she spoke sharply, and would not take the ring the +deserter offered her. + +He shrugged his shoulders, and threw it into her lap, trying to look +cool and careless, but failing entirely, for he was ashamed of himself, +and out of sorts generally. Rose wanted to cry, but pride would not +let her, and, being very angry, she relieved herself by talk instead of +tears. Looking pale and excited, she rose out of her chair, cast away +the ring, and said in a voice that she vainly tried to keep steady, + +“You are not at all the boy I thought you were, and I don't respect you +one bit. I've tried to help you be good, but you won't let me, and I +shall not try any more. You talk a great deal about being a gentleman, +but you are not, for you've broken your word, and I can never trust +you again. I don't wish you to go home with me. I'd rather have Mary. +Good-night.” + +And with that last dreadful blow, Rose walked out of the room, leaving +Charlie as much astonished as if one of his pet pigeons had flown in his +face and pecked at him. She was so seldom angry, that when her temper +did get the better of her it made a deep impression on the lads, for +it was generally a righteous sort of indignation at some injustice or +wrong-doing, not childish passion. + +Her little thunderstorm cleared off in a sob or two as she put on her +things in the entry-closet, and when she emerged she looked the brighter +for the shower. A hasty good-night to Aunt Clara now under the hands of +the hairdresser and then she crept down to find Mary the maid. But +Mary was out, so was the man, and Rose slipped away by the back-door, +flattering herself that she had escaped the awkwardness of having +Charlie for escort. + +There she was mistaken, however, for the gate had hardly closed behind +her when a well-known tramp was heard, and the Prince was beside her, +saying in a tone of penitent politeness that banished Rose's wrath like +magic, + +“You needn't speak to me if you don't choose, but I must see you safely +home, cousin.” + +She turned at once, put out her hand, and answered heartily, + +“I was the cross one. Please forgive me, and let's be friends again.” + +Now that was better than a dozen sermons on the beauty of forgiveness, +and did Charlie more good, for it showed him how sweet humility was, and +proved that Rose practised as she preached. + +He shook the hand warmly, then drew it through his arm and said, as if +anxious to recover the good opinion with the loss of which he had been +threatened, + +“Look here, Rosy, I've put the ring back, and I'm going to try again. +But you don't know how hard it is to stand being laughed at.” + +“Yes, I do! Ariadne plagues me every time I see her, because I don't +wear ear-rings after all the trouble I had getting ready for them.” + +“Ah, but her twaddle isn't half as bad as the chaffing I get. It takes +a deal of pluck to hold out when you are told you are tied to an apron +string, and all that sort of thing,” sighed Charlie. + +“I thought you had a 'deal of pluck,' as you call it. The boys all say +you are the bravest of the seven,” said Rose. + +“So I am about some things, but I cannot bear to be laughed at.” + +“It is hard, but if one is right won't that make it easier?” + +“Not to me; it might to a pious parson like Arch.” + +“Please don't call him names! I guess he has what is called moral +courage, and you physical courage. Uncle explained the difference to +me, and moral is the best, though often it doesn't look so,” said Rose +thoughtfully. + +Charlie didn't like that, and answered quickly, “I don't believe he'd +stand it any better than I do, if he had those fellows at him.” + +“Perhaps that's why he keeps out of their way, and wants you to.” + +Rose had him there, and Charlie felt it, but would not give in just +yet, though he was going fast, for somehow, in the dark he seemed to +see things clearer than in the light, and found it very easy to be +confidential when it was “only Rose.” + +“If he was my brother, now, he'd have some right to interfere,” began +Charlie, in an injured tone. + +“I wish he was!” cried Rose. + +“So do I,” answered Charlie, and then they both laughed at his +inconsistency. + +The laugh did them good, and when Prince spoke again, it was in a +different tone pensive, not proud nor perverse. + +“You see, it's hard upon me that I have no brothers and sisters. The +others are better off and needn't go abroad for chums if they don't +like. I am all alone, and I'd be thankful even for a little sister.” + +Rose thought that very pathetic, and, overlooking the uncomplimentary +word “even” in that last sentence, she said, with a timid sort of +earnestness that conquered her cousin at once, + +“Play I was a little sister. I know I'm silly, but perhaps I'm better +than nothing, and I'd dearly love to do it.” + +“So should I! and we will, for you are not silly, my dear, but a very +sensible girl, we all think, and I'm proud to have you for a sister. +There, now!” and Charlie looked down at the curly head bobbing along +beside him with real affection in his face. + +Rose gave a skip of pleasure, and laid one seal-skin mitten over the +other on his arm, as she said happily, + +“That's so nice of you! Now, you needn't be lonely any more, and I'll +try to fill Archie's place till he comes back, for I know he will, as +soon as you let him.” + +“Well, I don't mind telling you that while he was my mate I never missed +brothers and sisters, or wanted anyone else; but since he cast me off, +I'll be hanged if I don't feel as forlorn as old Crusoe before Friday +turned up.” + +This burst of confidence confirmed Rose in her purpose of winning +Charlie's Mentor back to him, but she said no more, contented to have +done so well. They parted excellent friends, and Prince went home, +wondering why “a fellow didn't mind saying things to a girl or woman +which they would die before they'd own to another fellow.” + +Rose also had some sage reflections upon the subject, and fell asleep +thinking that there were a great many curious things in this world, and +feeling that she was beginning to find out some of them. + +Next day she trudged up the hill to see Archie, and having told him +as much as she thought best about her talk with Charlie, begged him to +forget and forgive. + +“I've been thinking that perhaps I ought to, though I am in the right. +I'm no end fond of Charlie, and he's the best-hearted lad alive; but he +can't say No, and that will play the mischief with him, if he does not +take care,” said Archie in his grave, kind way. + +“While father was home, I was very busy with him, so Prince got into a +set I don't like. They try to be fast, and think it's manly, and they +flatter him, and lead him on to do all sorts of things play for money, +and bet, and loaf about. I hate to have him do so, and tried to stop it, +but went to work the wrong way, so we got into a mess.” + +“He is all ready to make up if you don't say much, for he owned to me +he was wrong; but I don't think he will own it to you, in words,” began +Rose. + +“I don't care for that; if he'll just drop those row-dies and come back, +I'll hold my tongue and not preach. I wonder if he owes those fellows +money, and so doesn't like to break off till he can pay it. I hope not, +but don't dare to ask; though, perhaps, Steve knows, he's always after +Prince, more's the pity,” and Archie looked anxious. + +“I think Steve does know, for he talked about debts of honour the day I +gave him--” There Rose stopped short and turned scarlet. + +But Archie ordered her to “fess,” and had the whole story in five +minutes, for none dared disobey the Chief. He completed her affliction +by putting a five-dollar bill into her pocket by main force, looking +both indignant and resolute as he said, + +“Never do so again; but send Steve to me, if he is afraid to go to his +father. Charlie had nothing to do with that; he wouldn't borrow a penny +of a girl, don't think it. But that's the harm he does Steve, who adores +him, and tries to be like him in all things. Don't say a word; I'll make +it all right, and no one shall blame you.” + +“Oh me! I always make trouble by trying to help, and then letting out +the wrong thing,” sighed Rose, much depressed by her slip of the tongue. + +Archie comforted her with the novel remark that it was always best to +tell the truth, and made her quite cheerful by promising to heal the +breach with Charlie as soon as possible. + +He kept his word so well that the very next afternoon, as Rose looked +out of the window, she beheld the joyful spectacle of Archie and Prince +coming up the avenue, arm-in-arm, as of old, talking away as if to make +up for the unhappy silence of the past weeks. + +Rose dropped her work, hurried to the door, and, opening it wide, stood +there smiling down upon them so happily, that the faces of the lads +brightened as they ran up the steps eager to show that all was well with +them. + +“Here's our little peace-maker!” said Archie, shaking hands with vigour. + +But Charlie added, with a look that made Rose very proud and happy, “And +my little sister.” + + + +Chapter 24--Which? + +“Uncle, I have discovered what girls are made for,” said Rose, the day +after the reconciliation of Archie and the Prince. + +“Well, my dear, what is it?” asked Dr. Alec, who was “planking the +deck,” as he called his daily promenade up and down the hall. + +“To take care of boys,” answered Rose, quite beaming with satisfaction +as she spoke. “Phebe laughed when I told her, and said she thought girls +had better learn to take care of themselves first. But that's because +she hasn't got seven boy-cousins as I have.” + +“She is right, nevertheless, Rosy, and so are you, for the two things go +together, and in helping seven lads you are unconsciously doing much +to improve one lass,” said Dr. Alec, stopping to nod and smile at the +bright-faced figure resting on the old bamboo chair, after a lively +game of battledore and shuttlecock, in place of a run which a storm +prevented. + +“Am I? I'm glad of that; but really, uncle, I do feel as if I must take +care of the boys, for they come to me in all sorts of troubles, and ask +advice, and I like it so much. Only I don't always know what to do, +and I'm going to consult you privately and then surprise them with my +wisdom.” + +“All right, my dear; what's the first worry? I see you have something on +your little mind, so come and tell uncle.” + +Rose put her arm in his, and, pacing to and fro, told him all about +Charlie, asking what she could do to keep him straight, and be a real +sister to him. + +“Could you make up your mind to go and stay with Aunt Clara a month?” + asked the Doctor, when she ended. + +“Yes, sir; but I shouldn't like it. Do you really want me to go?” + +“The best cure for Charlie is a daily dose of Rose water, or Rose and +water, or Rose and water; will you go and see that he takes it?” laughed +Dr. Alec. + +“You mean that if I'm there and try to make it pleasant, he will stay at +home and keep out of mischief?” + +“Exactly.” + +“But could I make it pleasant? He would want the boys.” + +“No danger but he'd have the boys, for they swarm after you like bees +after their queen. Haven't you found that out?” + +“Aunt Plen often says they never used to be here half so much before I +came, but I never thought I made the difference, it seemed so natural to +have them round.” + +“Little modesty doesn't know what a magnet she is; but she will find it +out some day,” and the Doctor softly stroked the cheek that had grown +rosy with pleasure at the thought of being so much loved. “Now, you see, +if I move the magnet to Aunt Clara's, the lads will go there as sure as +iron to steel, and Charlie will be so happy at home he won't care for +these mischievous mates of his I hope,” added the Doctor, well knowing +how hard it was to wean a seventeen-year-old boy from his first taste of +what is called “seeing life,” which, alas! often ends in seeing death. + +“I'll go, uncle, right away! Aunt Clara is always asking me, and will +be glad to get me. I shall have to dress and dine late, and see lots of +company, and be very fashionable, but I'll try not to let it hurt me; +and if I get in a puzzle or worried about anything I can run to you,” + answered Rose, good-will conquering timidity. + +So it was decided, and without saying much about the real reason for +this visit, Rose was transplanted to Aunt Clara's, feeling that she had +a work to do, and very eager to do it well. + +Dr. Alec was right about the bees, for the boys did follow their queen, +and astonished Mrs. Clara by their sudden assiduity in making calls, +dropping in to dinner, and getting up evening frolics. Charlie was a +devoted host, and tried to show his gratitude by being very kind to his +“little sister,” for he guessed why she came, and his heart was touched +by her artless endeavours to “help him be good.” + +Rose often longed to be back in the old house with the simpler pleasures +and more useful duties of the life there; but, having made up her mind, +in spite of Phebe, that “girls were made to take care of boys,” here +motherly little soul found much to enjoy in the new task she had +undertaken. + +It was a pretty sight to see the one earnest, sweet-faced girl among the +flock of tall lads, trying to understand, to help and please them with +a patient affection that worked many a small miracle unperceived. Slang, +rough manners, and careless habits were banished or bettered by the +presence of a little gentlewoman; and all the manly virtues cropping up +were encouraged by the hearty admiration bestowed upon them by one whose +good opinion all valued more than they confessed; while Rose tried to +imitate the good qualities she praised in them, to put away her girlish +vanities and fears, to be strong and just, and frank and brave, as well +as modest, kind, and beautiful. + +This trial worked so well that when the month was over, Mac and Steve +demanded a visit in their turn, and Rose went, feeling that she would +like to hear grim Aunt Jane say, as Aunt Clara did at parting, “I wish I +could keep you all my life, dear.” + +After Mac and Steve had had their turn, Archie and Company bore her away +for some weeks; and with them she was so happy, she felt as if she would +like to stay for ever, if she could have Uncle Alec also. + +Of course, Aunt Myra could not be neglected, and, with secret despair, +Rose went to the “Mausoleum,” as the boys called her gloomy abode. +Fortunately, she was very near home, and Dr. Alec dropped in so often +that her visit was far less dismal than she expected. Between them, they +actually made Aunt Myra laugh heartily more than once; and Rose did her +so much good by letting in the sunshine, singing about the silent house, +cooking wholesome messes, and amusing the old lady with funny little +lectures on physiology, that she forgot to take her pills and gave up +“Mum's Elixir,” because she slept so well, after the long walks and +drives she was beguiled into taking, that she needed no narcotic. + +So the winter flew rapidly away, and it was May before Rose was fairly +settled again at home. They called her the “Monthly Rose,” because +she had spent a month with each of the aunts, and left such pleasant +memories of bloom and fragrance behind her, that all wanted the family +flower back again. + +Dr. Alec rejoiced greatly over his recovered treasure; but as the time +drew near when his year of experiment ended, he had many a secret fear +that Rose might like to make her home for the next twelve month with +Aunt Jessie, or even Aunt Clara, for Charlie's sake. He said nothing, +but waited with much anxiety for the day when the matter should be +decided; and while he waited he did his best to finish as far as +possible the task he had begun so well. + +Rose was very happy now, being out nearly all day enjoying the beautiful +awakening of the world, for spring came bright and early, as if anxious +to do its part. The old horse-chestnuts budded round her windows, green +things sprung up like magic in the garden under her hands, hardy flowers +bloomed as fast as they could, the birds sang blithely overhead, and +every day a chorus of pleasant voices cried, “Good morning, cousin, +isn't it jolly weather?” + +No one remembered the date of the eventful conversation which resulted +in the Doctor's experiment (no one but himself at least); so when the +aunts were invited to tea one Saturday they came quite unsuspiciously, +and were all sitting together having a social chat, when Brother Alec +entered with two photographs in his hand. + +“Do you remember that?” he said, showing one to Aunt Clara, who happened +to be nearest. + +“Yes, indeed; it is very like her when she came. Quite her sad, +unchildlike expression, and thin little face, with the big dark eyes.” + +The picture was passed round, and all agreed that “it was very like +Rose a year ago.” This point being settled, the Doctor showed the second +picture, which was received with great approbation, and pronounced a +“charming likeness.” + +It certainly was, and a striking contrast to the first one, for it was a +blooming, smiling face, full of girlish spirit and health, with no sign +of melancholy, though the soft eyes were thoughtful, and the lines about +the lips betrayed a sensitive nature. + +Dr. Alec set both photographs on the chimneypiece, and, falling back +a step or two, surveyed them with infinite satisfaction for several +minutes, then wheeled round, saying briefly, as he pointed to the two +faces, + +“Time is up; how do you think my experiment has succeeded, ladies?” + +“Bless me, so it is!” cried Aunt Plenty, dropping a stitch in her +surprise. + +“Beautifully, dear,” answered Aunt Peace, smiling entire approval. + +“She certainly has improved, but appearances are deceitful, and she had +no constitution to build upon,” croaked Aunt Myra. + +“I am willing to allow that, as far as mere health goes, the experiment +is a success,” graciously observed Aunt Jane, unable to forget Rose's +kindness to her Mac. + +“So am I; and I'll go farther, for I really do believe Alec has done +wonders for the child; she will be a beauty in two or three years,” + added Aunt Clara, feeling that she could say nothing better than that. + +“I always knew he would succeed, and I'm so glad you all allow it, for +he deserves more credit than you know, and more praise than he will +ever get,” cried Aunt Jessie, clapping her hands with an enthusiasm that +caused Jamie's little red stocking to wave like a triumphal banner in +the air. + +Dr. Alec made them a splendid bow, looking much gratified, and then said +soberly, + +“Thank you; now the question is, shall I go on? for this is only the +beginning. None of you know the hindrances I've had, the mistakes I've +made, the study I've given the case, and the anxiety I've often felt. +Sister Myra is right is one thing Rose is a delicate creature, quick to +flourish in the sunshine, and as quick to droop without it. She has no +special weakness, but inherits her mother's sensitive nature, and needs +the wisest, tenderest care, to keep a very ardent little soul from +wearing out a finely organised little body. I think I have found the +right treatment, and; with you to help me, I believe we may build up a +lovely and a noble woman, who will be a pride and comfort to us all.” + +There Dr. Alec stopped to get his breath, for he had spoken very +earnestly, and his voice got a little husky over the last words. A +gentle murmur from the aunts seemed to encourage him, and he went on +with an engaging smile, for the good man was slyly trying to win all the +ladies to vote for him when the time came. + +“Now, I don't wish to be selfish or arbitrary, because I am her +guardian, and I shall leave Rose free to choose for herself. We all want +her, and if she likes to make her home with any of you rather than with +me, she shall do so. In fact, I encouraged her visits last winter, that +she might see what we can all offer her, and judge where she will be +happiest. Is not that the fairest way? Will you agree to abide by her +choice, as I do?” + +“Yes, we will,” said all the aunts, in quite a flutter of excitement at +the prospect of having Rose for a whole year. + +“Good! she will be here directly, and then we will settle the question +for another year. A most important year, mind you, for she has got a +good start, and will blossom rapidly now if all goes well with her. So +I beg of you don't undo my work, but deal very wisely and gently with +my little girl, for if any harm come to her, I think it would break my +heart.” + +As he spoke, Dr. Alec turned his back abruptly and affected to be +examining the pictures again; but the aunts understood how dear the +child was to the solitary man who had loved her mother years ago, and +who now found his happiness in cherishing the little Rose who was so +like her. The good ladies nodded and sighed, and telegraphed to one +another that none of them would complain if not chosen, or ever try to +rob Brother Alec of his “Heart's Delight,” as the boys called Rose. + +Just then a pleasant sound of happy voices came up from the garden, and +smiles broke out on all serious faces. Dr. Alec turned at once, saying, +as he threw back his head, “There she is; now for it!” + +The cousins had been a-Maying, and soon came flocking in laden with the +spoils. + +“Here is our bonny Scotch rose with all her thorns about her,” said Dr. +Alec, surveying her with unusual pride and tenderness, as she went to +show Aunt Peace her basket full of early flowers, fresh leaves, and +curious lichens. + +“Leave your clutter in the hall, boys, and sit quietly down if you +choose to stop here, for we are busy,” said Aunt Plenty, shaking her +finger at the turbulent Clan, who were bubbling over with the jollity +born of spring sunshine and healthy exercise. + +“Of course, we choose to stay! Wouldn't miss our Saturday high tea for +anything,” said the Chief, as he restored order among his men with a +nod, a word, and an occasional shake. + +“What is up? a court-martial?” asked Charlie, looking at the assembled +ladies with affected awe and real curiosity, for these faces betrayed +that some interesting business was afloat. + +Dr. Alec explained in a few words, which he made as brief and calm as he +could; but the effect was exciting, nevertheless, for each of the lads +began at once to bribe, entice, and wheedle “our cousin” to choose his +home. + +“You really ought to come to us for mother's sake, as a relish, you +know, for she must be perfectly satiated with boys,” began Archie, using +the strongest argument he could think of at the moment. + +“Oh, do! we'll never slam, or bounce at you or call you 'fraid cat,' if you +only will,” besought Geordie and Will, distorting their countenances in the +attempt to smile with overpowering sweetness. + +“And I'll always wash my hands 'fore I touch you, and you shall be my dolly, +'cause Pokey's gone away, and I'll love you _hard_,” cried Jamie, clinging +to her with his chubby face full of affection. + +“Brothers and sister ought to live together; especially when the brother +needs some one to make home pleasant for him,” added Charlie, with the +wheedlesome tone and look that Rose always found so difficult to resist. + +“You had her longest, and it's our turn now; Mac needs her more than you do, +Prince, for she's 'the light of his eyes,' he says. Come, Rose, choose us, +and I'll never use the musky pomade you hate again as long as I live,” said +Steve, with his most killing air, as he offered this noble sacrifice. + +Mac peered wistfully over his goggles, saying in an unusually wide-awake and +earnest way, -- + +“Do, cousin, then we can study chemistry together. My experiments don't blow +up very often now, and the gases aren't at all bad when you get used to +them.” + +Rose meantime had stood quite still, with the flowers dropping from her +hands as her eyes went from one eager face to another, while smiles rippled +over her own at the various enticements offered her. During the laugh that +followed Mac's handsome proposition, she looked at her uncle, whose eyes +were fixed on her with an expression of love and longing that went to her +heart. + +“Ah! yes,” she thought, “he wants me most! I've often longed to give him +something that he wished for very much, and now I can.” + +So, when, at a sudden gesture from Aunt Peace, silence fell, Rose said +slowly, with a pretty colour in her cheeks, and a beseeching look about +the room, as if asking pardon of the boys, + +“It's very hard to choose when everybody is so fond of me; therefore I +think I'd better go to the one who seems to need me most.” + +“No, dear, the one you love the best and will be happiest with,” said +Dr. Alec quickly, as a doleful sniff from Aunt Myra, and a murmur of “My +sainted Caroline,” made Rose pause and look that way. + +“Take time, cousin; don't be in a hurry to make up your mind, and +remember, 'Codlin's your friend,'” added Charlie, hopeful still. + +“I don't want any time! I know who I love best, who I'm happiest +with, and I choose uncle. Will he have me?” cried Rose, in a tone that +produced a sympathetic thrill among the hearers, it was so full of +tender confidence and love. + +If she really had any doubt, the look in Dr. Alec's face banished it +without a word, as he opened wide his arms, and she ran into them, +feeling that home was there. + +No one spoke for a minute, but there were signs of emotion among the +aunts, which warned the boys to bestir themselves before the water-works +began to play. So they took hands and began to prance about uncle and +niece, singing, with sudden inspiration, the nursery rhyme, + + “Ring around a Rosy!” + +Of course that put an end to all sentiment, and Rose emerged laughing +from Dr. Alec's bosom, with the mark of a waistcoat button nicely +imprinted on her left cheek. He saw it, and said with a merry kiss that +half effaced it, “This is my ewe lamb, and I have set my mark on her, so +no one can steal her away.” + +That tickled the boys, and they set up a shout of, + + “Uncle had a little lamb!” + +But Rose hushed the noise by slipping into the circle, and making them +dance prettily like lads and lasses round a May-pole; while Phebe, +coming in with fresh water for the flowers, began to twitter, chirp, and +coo, as if all the birds of the air had come to join in the spring revel +of the eight cousins. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Eight Cousins, by Louisa M. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/2726-0.zip b/2726-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5346f80 --- /dev/null +++ b/2726-0.zip diff --git a/2726-h.zip b/2726-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ca8f156 --- /dev/null +++ b/2726-h.zip diff --git a/2726-h/2726-h.htm b/2726-h/2726-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5e78d9e --- /dev/null +++ b/2726-h/2726-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10621 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Eight Cousins, by Louisa M. Alcott + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Eight Cousins, by Louisa M. Alcott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Eight Cousins + +Author: Louisa M. Alcott + +Release Date: December 6, 2008 [EBook #2726] +Last Updated: March 10, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EIGHT COUSINS *** + + + + +Produced by David Reed, and David Widger + + + +</pre> + + +<table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> +<tr> +<td> +THIS EBOOK WAS ONE OF PROJECT GUTENBERG'S EARLY FILES PRODUCED AT A +TIME WHEN PROOFING METHODS AND TOOLS WERE NOT WELL DEVELOPED. THERE IS +AN IMPROVED EDITION OF THIS TITLE WHICH MAY VIEWED AT EBOOK <big><b><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38567/38567-h/38567-h.htm"> +[ #38567 ]</a></b></big> +</td> +</tr> +</table> + + + + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + EIGHT COUSINS + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Louisa M. Alcott + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> Preface </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> Chapter 1—Two Girls </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> Chapter 2—The Clan </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> Chapter 3—Uncles </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> Chapter 4—Aunts </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> Chapter 5—A Belt and a Box </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> Chapter 6—Uncle Alec's Room </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> Chapter 7—A Trip to China </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> Chapter 8—And what came of it </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> Chapter 9—Phebe's Secret </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> Chapter 10—Rose's Sacrifice </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> Chapter 11—Poor Mac </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> Chapter 12—“The Other Fellows” </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> Chapter 13—Cosey Corner </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> Chapter 14—A Happy Birthday </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> Chapter 15—Ear-Rings </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> Chapter 16—Bread and Button-Holes </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> Chapter 17—Good Bargains </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> Chapter 18—Fashion and Physiology </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> Chapter 19—Brother Bones </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> Chapter 20—Under The Mistletoe </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> Chapter 21—A Scare </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> Chapter 22—Something to do </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> Chapter 23—Peace-Making </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> Chapter 24—Which? </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + Preface + </h2> + <p> + The Author is quite aware of the defects of this little story, many of + which were unavoidable, as it first appeared serially. But, as Uncle + Alec's experiment was intended to amuse the young folks, rather than + suggest educational improvements for the consideration of the elders, she + trusts that these shortcomings will be overlooked by the friends of the + Eight Cousins, and she will try to make amends in a second volume, which + shall attempt to show The Rose in Bloom. + </p> + <p> + L.M.A. <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + Chapter 1—Two Girls + </h2> + <p> + Rose sat all alone in the big best parlor, with her little handkerchief + laid ready to catch the first tear, for she was thinking of her troubles, + and a shower was expected. She had retired to this room as a good place in + which to be miserable; for it was dark and still, full of ancient + furniture, sombre curtains, and hung all around with portraits of solemn + old gentlemen in wigs, severe-nosed ladies in top-heavy caps, and staring + children in little bob-tailed coats or short-waisted frocks. It was an + excellent place for woe; and the fitful spring rain that pattered on the + window-pane seemed to sob, “Cry away: I'm with you.” + </p> + <p> + Rose really did have some cause to be sad; for she had no mother, and had + lately lost her father also, which left her no home but this with her + great-aunts. She had been with them only a week, and, though the dear old + ladies had tried their best to make her happy, they had not succeeded very + well, for she was unlike any child they had ever seen, and they felt very + much as if they had the care of a low-spirited butterfly. + </p> + <p> + They had given her the freedom of the house, and for a day or two she had + amused herself roaming all over it, for it was a capital old mansion, and + was full of all manner of odd nooks, charming rooms, and mysterious + passages. Windows broke out in unexpected places, little balconies + overhung the garden most romantically, and there was a long upper hall + full of curiosities from all parts of the world; for the Campbells had + been sea-captains for generations. + </p> + <p> + Aunt Plenty had even allowed Rose to rummage in her great china closet a + spicy retreat, rich in all the “goodies” that children love; but Rose + seemed to care little for these toothsome temptations; and when that hope + failed, Aunt Plenty gave up in despair. + </p> + <p> + Gentle Aunt Peace had tried all sorts of pretty needle-work, and planned a + doll's wardrobe that would have won the heart of even an older child. But + Rose took little interest in pink satin hats and tiny hose, though she + sewed dutifully till her aunt caught her wiping tears away with the train + of a wedding-dress, and that discovery put an end to the sewing society. + </p> + <p> + Then both old ladies put their heads together and picked out the model + child of the neighbourhood to come and play with their niece. But Ariadne + Blish was the worst failure of all, for Rose could not bear the sight of + her, and said she was so like a wax doll she longed to give her a pinch + and see if she would squeak. So prim little Ariadne was sent home, and the + exhausted aunties left Rose to her own devices for a day or two. + </p> + <p> + Bad weather and a cold kept her in-doors, and she spent most of her time + in the library where her father's books were stored. Here she read a great + deal, cried a little, and dreamed many of the innocent bright dreams in + which imaginative children find such comfort and delight. This suited her + better than anything else, but it was not good for her, and she grew pale, + heavy-eyed and listless, though Aunt Plenty gave her iron enough to make a + cooking-stove, and Aunt Peace petted her like a poodle. + </p> + <p> + Seeing this, the poor aunties racked their brains for a new amusement and + determined to venture a bold stroke, though not very hopeful of its + success. They said nothing to Rose about their plan for this Saturday + afternoon, but let her alone till the time came for the grand surprise, + little dreaming that the odd child would find pleasure for herself in a + most unexpected quarter. + </p> + <p> + Before she had time to squeeze out a single tear a sound broke the + stillness, making her prick up her ears. It was only the soft twitter of a + bird, but it seemed to be a peculiarly gifted bird, for while she listened + the soft twitter changed to a lively whistle, then a trill, a coo, a + chirp, and ended in a musical mixture of all the notes, as if the bird + burst out laughing. Rose laughed also, and, forgetting her woes, jumped + up, saying eagerly, + </p> + <p> + “It is a mocking-bird. Where is it?” + </p> + <p> + Running down the long hall, she peeped out at both doors, but saw nothing + feathered except a draggle-tailed chicken under a burdock leaf. She + listened again, and the sound seemed to be in the house. Away she went, + much excited by the chase, and following the changeful song, it led her to + the china-closet door. + </p> + <p> + “In there? How funny!” she said. But when she entered, not a bird appeared + except the everlastingly kissing swallows on the Canton china that lined + the shelves. All of a sudden Rose's face brightened, and, softly opening + the slide, she peered into the kitchen. But the music had stopped, and all + she saw was a girl in a blue apron scrubbing the hearth. Rose stared about + her for a minute, and then asked abruptly, + </p> + <p> + “Did you hear that mocking-bird?” + </p> + <p> + “I should call it a phebe-bird,” answered the girl, looking up with a + twinkle in her black eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Where did it go?” + </p> + <p> + “It is here still.” + </p> + <p> + “Where?” + </p> + <p> + “In my throat. Do you want to hear it?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes! I'll come in.” And Rose crept through the slide to the wide + shelf on the other side, being too hurried and puzzled to go round by the + door. + </p> + <p> + The girl wiped her hands, crossed her feet on the little island of carpet + where she was stranded in a sea of soap-suds, and then, sure enough, out + of her slender throat came the swallow's twitter, the robin's whistle, the + blue-jay's call, the thrush's song, the wood-dove's coo, and many another + familiar note, all ending as before with the musical ecstacy of a bobolink + singing and swinging among the meadow grass on a bright June day. + </p> + <p> + Rose was so astonished that she nearly fell off her perch, and when the + little concert was over clapped her hands delightedly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it was lovely! Who taught you?” + </p> + <p> + “The birds,” answered the girl, with a smile, as she fell to work again. + </p> + <p> + “It is very wonderful! I can sing, but nothing half so fine as that. What + is your name, please?” + </p> + <p> + “Phebe Moore.” + </p> + <p> + “I've heard of phebe-birds; but I don't believe the real ones could do + that,” laughed Rose, adding, as she watched with interest the scattering + of dabs of soft soap over the bricks, “May I stay and see you work? It is + very lonely in the parlor.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, indeed, if you want to,” answered Phebe, wringing out her cloth in a + capable sort of way that impressed Rose very much. + </p> + <p> + “It must be fun to swash the water round and dig out the soap. I'd love to + do it, only aunt wouldn't like it, I suppose,” said Rose, quite taken with + the new employment. + </p> + <p> + “You'd soon get tired, so you'd better keep tidy and look on.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you help your mother a good deal?” + </p> + <p> + “I haven't got any folks.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, where do you live, then?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to live here, I hope. Debby wants some one to help round, and + I've come to try for a week.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope you will stay, for it is very dull,” said Rose, who had taken a + sudden fancy to this girl, who sung like a bird and worked like a woman. + </p> + <p> + “Hope I shall; for I'm fifteen now, and old enough to earn my own living. + You have come to stay a spell, haven't you?” asked Phebe, looking up at + her guest and wondering how life could be dull to a girl who wore a silk + frock, a daintily frilled apron, a pretty locket, and had her hair tied up + with a velvet snood. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I shall stay till my uncle comes. He is my guardian now, and I don't + know what he will do with me. Have you a guardian?” + </p> + <p> + “My sakes, no! I was left on the poor-house steps a little mite of a baby, + and Miss Rogers took a liking to me, so I've been there ever since. But + she is dead now, and I take care of myself.” + </p> + <p> + “How interesting! It is like Arabella Montgomery in the 'Gypsy's Child.' + Did you ever read that sweet story?” asked Rose, who was fond of tales of + found-lings, and had read many. + </p> + <p> + “I don't have any books to read, and all the spare time I get I run off + into the woods; that rests me better than stories,” answered Phebe, as she + finished one job and began on another. + </p> + <p> + Rose watched her as she got out a great pan of beans to look over, and + wondered how it would seem to have life all work and no play. Presently + Phebe seemed to think it was her turn to ask questions, and said, + wistfully, + </p> + <p> + “You've had lots of schooling, I suppose?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear me, yes! I've been at boarding school nearly a year, and I'm + almost dead with lessons. The more I got, the more Miss Power gave me, and + I was so miserable that I 'most cried my eyes out. Papa never gave me hard + things to do, and he always taught me so pleasantly I loved to study. Oh, + we were so happy and so fond of one another! But now he is gone, and I am + left all alone.” + </p> + <p> + The tear that would not come when Rose sat waiting for it came now of its + own accord two of them in fact and rolled down her cheeks, telling the + tale of love and sorrow better than any words could do it. + </p> + <p> + For a minute there was no sound in the kitchen but the little daughter's + sobbing and the sympathetic patter of the rain. Phebe stopped rattling her + beans from one pan to another, and her eyes were full of pity as they + rested on the curly head bent down on Rose's knee, for she saw that the + heart under the pretty locket ached with its loss, and the dainty apron + was used to dry sadder tears than any she had ever shed. + </p> + <p> + Somehow, she felt more contented with her brown calico gown and + blue-checked pinafore; envy changed to compassion; and if she had dared + she would have gone and hugged her afflicted guest. + </p> + <p> + Fearing that might not be considered proper, she said, in her cheery + voice, + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure you ain't all alone with such a lot of folks belonging to you, + and all so rich and clever. You'll be petted to pieces, Debby says, + because you are the only girl in the family.” + </p> + <p> + Phebe's last words made Rose smile in spite of her tears, and she looked + out from behind her apron with an April face, saying in a tone of comic + distress, + </p> + <p> + “That's one of my troubles! I've got six aunts, and they all want me, and + I don't know any of them very well. Papa named this place the Aunt-hill, + and now I see why.” + </p> + <p> + Phebe laughed with her as she said encouragingly, + </p> + <p> + “Everyone calls it so, and it's a real good name, for all the Mrs. + Campbells live handy by, and keep coming up to see the old ladies.” + </p> + <p> + “I could stand the aunts, but there are dozens of cousins, dreadful boys + all of them, and I detest boys! Some of them came to see me last + Wednesday, but I was lying down, and when auntie came to call me I went + under the quilt and pretended to be asleep. I shall have to see them some + time, but I do dread it so.” And Rose gave a shudder, for, having lived + alone with her invalid father, she knew nothing of boys, and considered + them a species of wild animal. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I guess you'll like 'em. I've seen 'em flying round when they come + over from the Point, sometimes in their boats and sometimes on horseback. + If you like boats and horses, you'll enjoy yourself first-rate.” + </p> + <p> + “But I don't! I'm afraid of horses, and boats make me ill, and I hate + boys!” And poor Rose wrung her hands at the awful prospect before her. One + of these horrors alone she could have borne, but all together were too + much for her, and she began to think of a speedy return to the detested + school. + </p> + <p> + Phebe laughed at her woe till the beans danced in the pan, but tried to + comfort her by suggesting a means of relief. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps your uncle will take you away where there ain't any boys. Debby + says he is a real kind man, and always bring heaps of nice things when he + comes.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but you see that is another trouble, for I don't know Uncle Alec at + all. He hardly ever came to see us, though he sent me pretty things very + often. Now I belong to him, and shall have to mind him, till I am + eighteen. I may not like him a bit, and I fret about it all the time.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I wouldn't borrow trouble, but have a real good time. I'm sure I + should think I was in clover if I had folks and money, and nothing to do + but enjoy myself,” began Phebe, but got no further, for a sudden rush and + tumble outside made them both jump. + </p> + <p> + “It's thunder,” said Phebe. + </p> + <p> + “It's a circus!” cried Rose, who from her elevated perch had caught + glimpses of a gay cart of some sort and several ponies with flying manes + and tails. + </p> + <p> + The sound died away, and the girls were about to continue their + confidences when old Debby appeared, looking rather cross and sleepy after + her nap. + </p> + <p> + “You are wanted in the parlor, Miss Rose.” + </p> + <p> + “Has anybody come?” + </p> + <p> + “Little girls shouldn't ask questions, but do as they are bid,” was all + Debby would answer. + </p> + <p> + “I do hope it isn't Aunt Myra; she always scares me out of my wits asking + how my cough is, and groaning over me as if I was going to die,” said + Rose, preparing to retire the way she came, for the slide, being cut for + the admission of bouncing Christmas turkeys and puddings, was plenty large + enough for a slender girl. + </p> + <p> + “Guess you'll wish it was Aunt Myra when you see who has come. Don't never + let me catch you coming into my kitchen that way again, or I'll shut you + up in the big b'iler,” growled Debby, who thought it her duty to snub + children on all occasions. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 2—The Clan + </h2> + <p> + Rose scrambled into the china-closet as rapidly as possible, and there + refreshed herself by making faces at Debby, while she settled her plumage + and screwed up her courage. Then she crept softly down the hall and peeped + into the parlor. No one appeared, and all was so still she felt sure the + company was upstairs. So she skipped boldly through the half-open + folding-doors, to behold on the other side a sight that nearly took her + breath away. + </p> + <p> + Seven boys stood in a row all ages, all sizes, all yellow-haired and + blue-eyed, all in full Scotch costume, and all smiling, nodding, and + saying as with one voice, “How are you, cousin?” + </p> + <p> + Rose gave a little gasp, and looked wildly about her as if ready to fly, + for fear magnified the seven and the room seemed full of boys. Before she + could run, however, the tallest lad stepped out of the line, saying + pleasantly, + </p> + <p> + “Don't be frightened. This is the Clan come to welcome you; and I'm the + chief, Archie, at your service.” + </p> + <p> + He held out his hand as he spoke, and Rose timidly put her own into a + brown paw, which closed over the white morsel and held it as the chief + continued his introductions. + </p> + <p> + “We came in full rig, for we always turn out in style on grand occasions. + Hope you like it. Now I'll tell you who these chaps are, and then we shall + be all right. This big one is Prince Charlie, Aunt Clara's boy. She has + but one, so he is an extra good one. This old fellow is Mac, the bookworm, + called Worm for short. This sweet creature is Steve the Dandy. Look at his + gloves and top-knot, if you please. They are Aunt Jane's lads, and a + precious pair you'd better believe. These are the Brats, my brothers, + Geordie and Will, and Jamie the Baby. Now, my men, step out and show your + manners.” + </p> + <p> + At this command, to Rose's great dismay, six more hands were offered, and + it was evident that she was expected to shake them all. It was a trying + moment to the bashful child; but, remembering that they were her kinsmen + come to welcome her, she tried her best to return the greeting cordially. + </p> + <p> + This impressive ceremony being over, the Clan broke ranks, and both rooms + instantly appeared to be pervaded with boys. Rose hastily retired to the + shelter of a big chair and sat there watching the invaders and wondering + when her aunt would come and rescue her. + </p> + <p> + As if bound to do their duty manfully, yet rather oppressed by it, each + lad paused beside her chair in his wanderings, made a brief remark, + received a still briefer answer, and then sheered off with a relieved + expression. + </p> + <p> + Archie came first, and, leaning over the chair-back, observed in a + paternal tone, + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad you've come, cousin, and I hope you'll find the Aunt-hill pretty + jolly.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I shall.” + </p> + <p> + Mac shook his hair out of his eyes, stumbled over a stool, and asked + abruptly, + </p> + <p> + “Did you bring any books with you?” + </p> + <p> + “Four boxes full. They are in the library.” + </p> + <p> + Mac vanished from the room, and Steve, striking an attitude which + displayed his costume effectively, said with an affable smile, + </p> + <p> + “We were sorry not to see you last Wednesday. I hope your cold is better.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, thank you.” And a smile began to dimple about Rose's mouth, as she + remembered her retreat under the bed-cover. + </p> + <p> + Feeling that he had been received with distinguished marks of attention, + Steve strolled away with his topknot higher than ever, and Prince Charlie + pranced across the room, saying in a free and easy tone, + </p> + <p> + “Mamma sent her love and hopes you will be well enough to come over for a + day next week. It must be desperately dull here for a little thing like + you.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm thirteen and a half, though I do look small,” cried Rose, forgetting + her shyness in indignation at this insult to her newly acquired teens. + </p> + <p> + “Beg pardon, ma'am; never should have guessed it.” And Charlie went off + with a laugh, glad to have struck a spark out of his meek cousin. + </p> + <p> + Geordie and Will came together, two sturdy eleven and twelve year olders, + and, fixing their round blue eyes on Rose, fired off a question apiece, as + if it was a shooting match and she the target. + </p> + <p> + “Did you bring your monkey?” + </p> + <p> + “No; he is dead.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to have a boat?” + </p> + <p> + “I hope not.” + </p> + <p> + Here the two, with a right-about-face movement, abruptly marched away, and + little Jamie demanded with childish frankness, + </p> + <p> + “Did you bring me anything nice?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, lots of candy,” answered Rose, whereupon Jamie ascended into her lap + with a sounding kiss and the announcement that he liked her very much. + </p> + <p> + This proceeding rather startled Rose, for the other lads looked and + laughed, and in her confusion she said hastily to the young usurper, + </p> + <p> + “Did you see the circus go by?” + </p> + <p> + “When? Where?” cried all the boys in great excitement at once. + </p> + <p> + “Just before you came. At least I thought it was a circus, for I saw a red + and black sort of cart and ever so many little ponies, and—” + </p> + <p> + She got no farther, for a general shout made her pause suddenly, as Archie + explained the joke by saying in the middle of his laugh, + </p> + <p> + “It was our new dog-cart and the Shetland ponies. You'll never hear the + last of your circus, cousin.” + </p> + <p> + “But there were so many, and they went so fast, and the cart was so very + red,” began Rose, trying to explain her mistake. + </p> + <p> + “Come and see them all!” cried the Prince. And before she knew what was + happening, she was borne away to the barn and tumultuously introduced to + three shaggy ponies and the gay new dog-cart. + </p> + <p> + She had never visited these regions before, and had her doubts as to the + propriety of her being there now, but when she suggested that “Auntie + might not like it,” there was a general cry of, + </p> + <p> + “She told us to amuse you, and we can do it ever so much better out here + than poking round in the house.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid I shall get cold without my sacque,” began Rose, who wanted to + stay, but felt rather out of her element. + </p> + <p> + “No, you won't! We'll fix you,” cried the lads, as one clapped his cap on + her head, another tied a rough jacket round her neck by the sleeves, a + third neatly smothered her in a carriage blanket, and a fourth threw open + the door of the old barouche that stood there, saying with a flourish, + </p> + <p> + “Step in, ma'am, and make yourself comfortable while we show you some + fun.” + </p> + <p> + So Rose sat in state enjoying herself very much, for the lads proceeded to + dance a Highland Fling with a spirit and skill that made her clap her + hands and laugh as she had not done for weeks. + </p> + <p> + “How is that, my lassie?” asked the Prince, coming up all flushed and + breathless when the ballet was over. + </p> + <p> + “It was splendid! I never went to the theatre but once, and the dancing + was not half so pretty as this. What clever boys you must be!” said Rose, + smiling upon her kinsmen like a little queen upon her subjects. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, we're a fine lot, and that is only the beginning of our larks. We + haven't got the pipes here or we'd, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Sing for you, play for you + A dulcy melody,'” + </pre> + <p> + answered Charlie, looking much elated at her praise. + </p> + <p> + “I did not know we were Scotch; papa never said anything about it, or + seemed to care about Scotland, except to have me sing the old ballads,” + said Rose, beginning to feel as if she had left America behind her + somewhere. + </p> + <p> + “Neither did we till lately. We've been reading Scott's novels, and all of + a sudden we remembered that our grandfather was a Scotchman. So we hunted + up the old stories, got a bagpipe, put on our plaids, and went in, heart + and soul, for the glory of the Clan. We've been at it some time now, and + it's great fun. Our people like it, and I think we are a pretty canny + set.” + </p> + <p> + Archie said this from the other coach-step, where he had perched, while + the rest climbed up before and behind to join in the chat as they rested. + </p> + <p> + “I'm Fitzjames and he's Roderick Dhu, and we'll give you the broadsword + combat some day. It's a great thing, you'd better believe,” added the + Prince. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and you should hear Steve play the pipes. He makes 'em skirl like a + good one,” cried Will from the box, eager to air the accomplishments of + his race. + </p> + <p> + “Mac's the fellow to hunt up the old stories and tell us how to dress + right, and pick out rousing bits for us to speak and sing,” put in + Geordie, saying a good word for the absent Worm. + </p> + <p> + “And what do you and Will do?” asked Rose of Jamie, who sat beside her as + if bound to keep her in sight till the promised gift had been handed over. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'm the little foot-page, and do errands, and Will and Geordie are + the troops when we march, and the stags when we hunt, and the traitors + when we want to cut any heads off.” + </p> + <p> + “They are very obliging, I'm sure,” said Rose, whereat the “utility men” + beamed with modest pride and resolved to enact Wallace and Montrose as + soon as possible for their cousin's special benefit. + </p> + <p> + “Let's have a game of tag,” cried the Prince, swinging himself up to a + beam with a sounding slap on Stevie's shoulder. + </p> + <p> + Regardless of his gloves, Dandy tore after him, and the rest swarmed in + every direction as if bent on breaking their necks and dislocating their + joints as rapidly as possible. + </p> + <p> + It was a new and astonishing spectacle to Rose, fresh from a prim + boarding-school, and she watched the active lads with breathless interest, + thinking their antics far superior to those of Mops, the dear departed + monkey. + </p> + <p> + Will had just covered himself with glory by pitching off a high loft head + first and coming up all right, when Phebe appeared with a cloak, hood, and + rubbers, also a message from Aunt Plenty that “Miss Rose was to come in + directly.” + </p> + <p> + “All right; we'll bring her!” answered Archie, issuing some mysterious + order, which was so promptly obeyed that, before Rose could get out of the + carriage, the boys had caught hold of the pole and rattled her out of the + barn, round the oval and up to the front door with a cheer that brought + two caps to an upper window, and caused Debby to cry aloud from the back + porch, + </p> + <p> + “Them harum-scarum boys will certainly be the death of that delicate + little creter!” + </p> + <p> + But the “delicate little creter” seemed all the better for her trip, and + ran up the steps looking rosy, gay, and dishevelled, to be received with + lamentation by Aunt Plenty, who begged her to go and lie down at once. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, please don't! We have come to tea with our cousin, and we'll be as + good as gold if you'll let us stay, auntie,” clamoured the boys, who not + only approved of “our cousin” but had no mind to lose their tea, for Aunt + Plenty's name but feebly expressed her bountiful nature. + </p> + <p> + “Well, dears, you can; only be quiet, and let Rose go and take her iron + and be made tidy, and then we will see what we can find for supper,” said + the old lady as she trotted away, followed by a volley of directions for + the approaching feast. + </p> + <p> + “Marmalade for me, auntie.” + </p> + <p> + “Plenty of plum-cake, please.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell Debby to trot out the baked pears.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm your man for lemon-pie, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + “Do have fritters; Rose will like 'em.” + </p> + <p> + “She'd rather have tarts, I know.” + </p> + <p> + When Rose came down, fifteen minutes later, with every curl smoothed and + her most beruffled apron on, she found the boys loafing about the long + hall, and paused on the half-way landing to take an observation, for till + now she had not really examined her new-found cousins. + </p> + <p> + There was a strong family resemblance among them, though some of the + yellow heads were darker than others, some of the cheeks brown instead of + rosy, and the ages varied all the way from sixteen-year-old Archie to + Jamie, who was ten years younger. None of them were especially comely but + the Prince, yet all were hearty, happy-looking lads, and Rose decided that + boys were not as dreadful as she had expected to find them. + </p> + <p> + They were all so characteristically employed that she could not help + smiling as she looked. Archie and Charlie, evidently great cronies, were + pacing up and down, shoulder to shoulder, whistling “Bonnie Dundee”; Mac + was reading in a corner, with his book close to his near-sighted eyes; + Dandy was arranging his hair before the oval glass in the hat-stand; + Geordie and Will investigating the internal economy of the moon-faced + clock; and Jamie lay kicking up his heels on the mat at the foot of the + stairs, bent on demanding his sweeties the instant Rose appeared. + </p> + <p> + She guessed his intention, and forestalled his demand by dropping a + handful of sugar-plums down upon him. + </p> + <p> + At his cry of rapture the other lads looked up and smiled involuntarily, + for the little kinswoman standing there above was a winsome sight with her + shy, soft eyes, bright hair, and laughing face. The black frock reminded + them of her loss, and filled the boyish hearts with a kindly desire to be + good to “our cousin,” who had no longer any home but this. + </p> + <p> + “There she is, as fine as you please,” cried Steve, kissing his hand to + her. + </p> + <p> + “Come on, Missy; tea is ready,” added the Prince encouragingly. + </p> + <p> + “I shall take her in.” And Archie offered his arm with great dignity, an + honour that made Rose turn as red as a cherry and long to run upstairs + again. + </p> + <p> + It was a merry supper, and the two elder boys added much to the fun by + tormenting the rest with dark hints of some interesting event which was + about to occur. Something uncommonly fine, they declared it was, but + enveloped in the deepest mystery for the present. + </p> + <p> + “Did I ever see it?” asked Jamie. + </p> + <p> + “Not to remember it; but Mac and Steve have, and liked it immensely,” + answered Archie, thereby causing the two mentioned to neglect Debby's + delectable fritters for several minutes, while they cudgelled their + brains. + </p> + <p> + “Who will have it first?” asked Will, with his mouth full of marmalade. + </p> + <p> + “Aunt Plenty, I guess.” + </p> + <p> + “When will she have it?” demanded Geordie, bouncing in his seat with + impatience. + </p> + <p> + “Sometime on Monday.” + </p> + <p> + “Heart alive! what is the boy talking about?” cried the old lady from + behind the tall urn, which left little to be seen but the topmost bow of + her cap. + </p> + <p> + “Doesn't auntie know?” asked a chorus of voices. + </p> + <p> + “No; and that's the best of the joke, for she is desperately fond of it.” + </p> + <p> + “What colour is it?” asked Rose, joining in the fun. + </p> + <p> + “Blue and brown.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it good to eat?” asked Jamie. + </p> + <p> + “Some people think so, but I shouldn't like to try it,” answered Charlie, + laughing so he split his tea. + </p> + <p> + “Who does it belong to?” put in Steve. + </p> + <p> + Archie and the Prince stared at one another rather blankly for a minute, + then Archie answered with a twinkle of the eye that made Charlie explode + again, + </p> + <p> + “To Grandfather Campbell.” + </p> + <p> + This was a poser, and they gave up the puzzle, though Jamie confided to + Rose that he did not think he could live till Monday without knowing what + this remarkable thing was. + </p> + <p> + Soon after tea the Clan departed, singing “All the blue bonnets are over + the border,” at the tops of their voices. + </p> + <p> + “Well, dear, how do you like your cousins?” asked Aunt Plenty, as the last + pony frisked round the corner and the din died away. + </p> + <p> + “Pretty well, ma'am; but I like Phebe better.” An answer which caused Aunt + Plenty to hold up her hands in despair and trot away to tell sister Peace + that she never should understand that child, and it was a mercy Alec was + coming soon to take the responsibility off their hands. + </p> + <p> + Fatigued by the unusual exertions of the afternoon, Rose curled herself up + in the sofa corner to rest and think about the great mystery, little + guessing that she was to know it first of all. + </p> + <p> + Right in the middle of her meditations she fell asleep and dreamed she was + at home again in her own little bed. She seemed to wake and see her father + bending over her; to hear him say, “My little Rose”; to answer, “Yes, + papa”; and then to feel him take her in his arms and kiss her tenderly. So + sweet, so real was the dream, that she started up with a cry of joy to + find herself in the arms of a brown, bearded man, who held her close, and + whispered in a voice so like her father's that she clung to him + involuntarily, + </p> + <p> + “This is my little girl, and I am Uncle Alec.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 3—Uncles + </h2> + <p> + When Rose woke next morning, she was not sure whether she had dreamed what + occurred the night before, or it had actually happened. So she hopped up + and dressed, although it was an hour earlier than she usually rose, for + she could not sleep any more, being possessed with a strong desire to slip + down and see if the big portmanteau and packing cases were really in the + hall. She seemed to remember tumbling over them when she went to bed, for + the aunts had sent her off very punctually, because they wanted their pet + nephew all to themselves. + </p> + <p> + The sun was shining, and Rose opened her window to let in the soft May air + fresh from the sea. As she leaned over her little balcony, watching an + early bird get the worm, and wondering how she should like Uncle Alec, she + saw a man leap the garden wall and come whistling up the path. At first + she thought it was some trespasser, but a second look showed her that it + was her uncle returning from an early dip into the sea. She had hardly + dared to look at him the night before, because whenever she tried to do so + she always found a pair of keen blue eyes looking at her. Now she could + take a good stare at him as he lingered along, looking about him as if + glad to see the old place again. + </p> + <p> + A brown, breezy man, in a blue jacket, with no hat on the curly head, + which he shook now and then like a water dog; broad-shouldered, alert in + his motions, and with a general air of strength and stability about him + which pleased Rose, though she could not explain the feeling of comfort it + gave her. She had just said to herself, with a sense of relief, “I guess I + shall like him, though he looks as if he made people mind,” when he lifted + his eyes to examine the budding horse-chestnut overhead, and saw the eager + face peering down at him. He waved his hand to her, nodded, and called out + in a bluff, cheery voice, + </p> + <p> + “You are on deck early, little niece.” + </p> + <p> + “I got up to see if you had really come, uncle.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you? Well, come down here and make sure of it.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not allowed to go out before breakfast, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, indeed!” with a shrug. “Then I'll come aboard and salute,” he added; + and, to Rose's great amazement, Uncle Alec went up one of the pillars of + the back piazza hand over hand, stepped across the roof, and swung himself + into her balcony, saying, as he landed on the wide balustrade: “Have you + any doubts about me now, ma'am?” + </p> + <p> + Rose was so taken aback, she could only answer with a smile as she went to + meet him. + </p> + <p> + “How does my girl do this morning?” he asked, taking the little cold hand + she gave him in both his big warm ones. + </p> + <p> + “Pretty well, thank you, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, but it should be very well. Why isn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “I always wake up with a headache, and feel tired.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you sleep well?” + </p> + <p> + “I lie awake a long time, and then I dream, and my sleep does not seem to + rest me much.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you do all day?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I read, and sew a little, and take naps, and sit with auntie.” + </p> + <p> + “No running about out of doors, or house-work, or riding, hey?” + </p> + <p> + “Aunt Plenty says I'm not strong enough for much exercise. I drive out + with her sometimes, but I don't care for it.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not surprised at that,” said Uncle Alec, half to himself, adding, in + his quick way: “Who have you had to play with?” + </p> + <p> + “No one but Ariadne Blish, and she was such a goose I couldn't bear her. + The boys came yesterday, and seemed rather nice; but, of course, I + couldn't play with them.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm too old to play with boys.” + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit of it; that's just what you need, for you've been molly-coddled + too much. They are good lads, and you'll be mixed up with them more or + less for years to come, so you may as well be friends and playmates at + once. I will look you up some girls also, if I can find a sensible one who + is not spoilt by her nonsensical education.” + </p> + <p> + “Phebe is sensible, I'm sure, and I like her, though I only saw her + yesterday,” cried Rose, waking up suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “And who is Phebe, if you please?” + </p> + <p> + Rose eagerly told all she knew, and Uncle Alec listened, with an odd smile + lurking about his mouth, though his eyes were quite sober as he watched + the face before him. + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad to see that you are not aristocratic in your tastes, but I don't + quite make out why you like this young lady from the poor-house.” + </p> + <p> + “You may laugh at me, but I do. I can't tell why, only she seems so happy + and busy, and sings so beautifully, and is strong enough to scrub and + sweep, and hasn't any troubles to plague her,” said Rose, making a funny + jumble of reasons in her efforts to explain. + </p> + <p> + “How do you know that?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I was telling her about mine, and asked if she had any, and she said, + 'No, only I'd like to go to school, and I mean to some day.” + </p> + <p> + “So she doesn't call desertion, poverty, and hard work, troubles? She's a + brave little girl, and I shall be proud to know her.” And Uncle Alec gave + an approving nod, that made Rose wish she had been the one to earn it. + </p> + <p> + “But what are these troubles of yours, child?” he asked, after a minute of + silence. + </p> + <p> + “Please don't ask me, uncle.” + </p> + <p> + “Can't you tell them to me as well as to Phebe?” + </p> + <p> + Something in his tone made Rose feel that it would be better to speak out + and be done with it, so she answered, with sudden colour and averted eyes, + </p> + <p> + “The greatest one was losing dear papa.” + </p> + <p> + As she said that, Uncle Alec's arm came gently round her, and he drew her + to him, saying, in the voice so like papa's, + </p> + <p> + “That is a trouble which I cannot cure, my child; but I shall try to make + you feel it less. What else, dear?” + </p> + <p> + “I am so tired and poorly all the time, I can't do anything I want to, and + it makes me cross,” sighed Rose, rubbing the aching head like a fretful + child. + </p> + <p> + “That we can cure and we will,” said her uncle, with a decided nod that + made the curls bob on his head, to that Rose saw the gray ones underneath + the brown. + </p> + <p> + “Aunt Myra says I have no constitution, and never shall be strong,” + observed Rose, in a pensive tone, as if it was rather a nice thing to be + an invalid. + </p> + <p> + “Aunt Myra is a ahem! an excellent woman, but it is her hobby to believe + that everyone is tottering on the brink of the grave; and, upon my life, I + believe she is offended if people don't fall into it! We will show her how + to make constitutions and turn pale-faced little ghosts into rosy, hearty + girls. That's my business, you know,” he added, more quietly, for his + sudden outburst had rather startled Rose. + </p> + <p> + “I had forgotten you were a doctor. I'm glad of it, for I do want to be + well, only I hope you won't give me much medicine, for I've taken quarts + already, and it does me no good.” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke, Rose pointed to a little table just inside the window, on + which appeared a regiment of bottles. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, ha! Now we'll see what mischief these blessed women have been at.” + And, making a long arm, Dr. Alec set the bottles on the wide railing + before him, examined each carefully, smiled over some, frowned over + others, and said, as he put down the last: “Now I'll show you the best way + to take these messes.” And, as quick as a flash, he sent one after another + smashing down into the posy-beds below. + </p> + <p> + “But Aunt Plenty won't like it; and Aunt Myra will be angry, for she sent + most of them!” cried Rose, half frightened and half pleased at such + energetic measures. + </p> + <p> + “You are my patient now, and I'll take the responsibility. My way of + giving physic is evidently the best, for you look better already,” he + said, laughing so infectiously that Rose followed suit, saying saucily, + </p> + <p> + “If I don't like your medicines any better than those, I shall throw them + into the garden, and then what will you do?” + </p> + <p> + “When I prescribe such rubbish, I'll give you leave to pitch it overboard + as soon as you like. Now what is the next trouble?” + </p> + <p> + “I hoped you would forget to ask.” + </p> + <p> + “But how can I help you if I don't know them? Come, let us have No. 3.” + </p> + <p> + “It is very wrong, I suppose, but I do sometimes wish I had not quite so + many aunts. They are all very good to me, and I want to please them; but + they are so different, I feel sort of pulled to pieces among them,” said + Rose, trying to express the emotions of a stray chicken with six hens all + clucking over it at once. + </p> + <p> + Uncle Alec threw back his head and laughed like a boy, for he could + entirely understand how the good ladies had each put in her oar and tried + to paddle her own way, to the great disturbance of the waters and the + entire bewilderment of poor Rose. + </p> + <p> + “I intend to try a course of uncles now, and see how that suits your + constitution. I'm going to have you all to myself, and no one is to give a + word of advice unless I ask it. There is no other way to keep order + aboard, and I am captain of this little craft, for a time at least. What + comes next?” + </p> + <p> + But Rose stuck there, and grew so red, her uncle guessed what that trouble + was. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I can tell this one. It wouldn't be polite, and I feel + pretty sure that it isn't going to be a trouble any more.” + </p> + <p> + As she blushed and stammered over these words, Dr. Alec turned his eyes + away to the distant sea, and said so seriously, so tenderly, that she felt + every word and long remembered them, + </p> + <p> + “My child, I don't expect you to love and trust me all at once, but I do + want you to believe that I shall give my whole heart to this new duty; and + if I make mistakes, as I probably shall, no one will grieve over them more + bitterly than I. It is my fault that I am a stranger to you, when I want + to be your best friend. That is one of my mistakes, and I never repented + it more deeply than I do now. Your father and I had a trouble once, and I + thought I could never forgive him; so I kept away for years. Thank God, we + made it all up the last time I saw him, and he told me then, that if he + was forced to leave her he should bequeath his little girl to me as a + token of his love. I can't fill his place, but I shall try to be a father + to her; and if she learns to love me half as well as she did the good one + she has lost, I shall be a proud and happy man. Will she believe this and + try?” + </p> + <p> + Something in Uncle Alec's face touched Rose to the heart, and when he held + out his hand with that anxious troubled look in his eyes, she was moved to + put up her innocent lips and seal the contract with a confiding kiss. The + strong arm held her close a minute, and she felt the broad chest heave + once as if with a great sigh of relief; but not a word was spoken till a + tap at the door made both start. + </p> + <p> + Rose popped her head through the window to say “come in,” while Dr. Alec + hastily rubbed the sleeve of his jacket across his eyes and began to + whistle again. + </p> + <p> + Phebe appeared with a cup of coffee. + </p> + <p> + “Debby told me to bring this and help you get up,” she said, opening her + black eyes wide, as if she wondered how on earth “the sailor man” got + there. + </p> + <p> + “I'm all dressed, so I don't need any help. I hope that is good and + strong,” added Rose, eyeing the steaming cup with an eager look. + </p> + <p> + But she did not get it, for a brown hand took possession of it as her + uncle said quickly, + </p> + <p> + “Hold hard, my lass, and let me overhaul that dose before you take it. Do + you drink all this strong coffee every morning, Rose?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, and I like it. Auntie says it 'tones' me up, and I always feel + better after it.” + </p> + <p> + “This accounts for the sleepless nights, the flutter your heart gets into + at the least start, and this is why that cheek of yours is pale yellow + instead of rosy red. No more coffee for you, my dear, and by and by you'll + see that I am right. Any new milk downstairs, Phebe?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, plenty right in from the barn.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the drink for my patient. Go bring me a pitcherful, and another + cup; I want a draught myself. This won't hurt the honeysuckles, for they + have no nerves to speak of.” And, to Rose's great discomfort, the coffee + went after the medicine. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec saw the injured look she put on, but took no notice, and + presently banished it by saying pleasantly, + </p> + <p> + “I've got a capital little cup among my traps, and I'll give it to you to + drink your milk in, as it is made of wood that is supposed to improve + whatever is put into it something like a quassia cup. That reminds me; one + of the boxes Phebe wanted to lug upstairs last night is for you. Knowing + that I was coming home to find a ready-made daughter, I picked up all + sorts of odd and pretty trifles along the way, hoping she would be able to + find something she liked among them all. Early to-morrow we'll have a + grand rummage. Here's our milk! I propose the health of Miss Rose Campbell + and drink it with all my heart.” + </p> + <p> + It was impossible for Rose to pout with the prospect of a delightful + boxful of gifts dancing before her eyes; so, in spite of herself, she + smiled as she drank her own health, and found that fresh milk was not a + hard dose to take. + </p> + <p> + “Now I must be off, before I am caught again with my wig in a toss,” said + Dr. Alec, preparing to descend the way he came. + </p> + <p> + “Do you always go in and out like a cat, uncle?” asked Rose, much amused + at his odd ways. + </p> + <p> + “I used to sneak out of my window when I was a boy, so I need not disturb + the aunts, and now I rather like it, for it's the shortest road, and it + keeps me limber when I have no rigging to climb. Good-bye till breakfast.” + And away he went down the water-spout, over the roof, and vanished among + the budding honey-suckles below. + </p> + <p> + “Ain't he a funny guardeen?” exclaimed Phebe, as she went off with the + cups. + </p> + <p> + “He is a very kind one, I think,” answered Rose, following, to prowl round + the big boxes and try to guess which was hers. + </p> + <p> + When her uncle appeared at sound of the bell, he found her surveying with + an anxious face a new dish that smoked upon the table. + </p> + <p> + “Got a fresh trouble, Rosy?” he asked, stroking her smooth head. + </p> + <p> + “Uncle, are you going to make me eat oatmeal?” asked Rose, in a tragic + tone. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you like it?” + </p> + <p> + “I de-test it!” answered Rose, with all the emphasis which a turned-up + nose, a shudder, and a groan could give to the three words. + </p> + <p> + “You are not a true Scotchwoman, if you don't like the 'parritch.' It's a + pity, for I made it myself, and thought we'd have such a good time with + all that cream to float it in. Well, never mind.” And he sat down with a + disappointed air. + </p> + <p> + Rose had made up her mind to be obstinate about it, because she did + heartily “detest” the dish; but as Uncle Alec did not attempt to make her + obey, she suddenly changed her mind and thought she would. + </p> + <p> + “I'll try to eat it to please you, uncle; but people are always saying how + wholesome it is, and that makes me hate it,” she said, half-ashamed at her + silly excuse. + </p> + <p> + “I do want you to like it, because I wish my girl to be as well and strong + as Jessie's boys, who are brought up on this in the good old fashion. No + hot bread and fried stuff for them, and they are the biggest and bonniest + lads of the lot. Bless you, auntie, and good morning!” + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec turned to greet the old lady, and, with a firm resolve to eat or + die in the attempt, Rose sat down. + </p> + <p> + In five minutes she forgot what she was eating, so interested was she in + the chat that went on. It amused her very much to hear Aunt Plenty call + her forty-year-old nephew “my dear boy”; and Uncle Alec was so full of + lively gossip about all creation in general, and the Aunt-hill in + particular, that the detested porridge vanished without a murmur. + </p> + <p> + “You will go to church with us, I hope, Alec, if you are not too tired,” + said the old lady, when breakfast was over. + </p> + <p> + “I came all the way from Calcutta for that express purpose, ma'am. Only I + must send the sisters word of my arrival, for they don't expect me till + to-morrow, you know, and there will be a row in church if those boys see + me without warning.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll send Ben up the hill, and you can step over to Myra's yourself; it + will please her, and you will have plenty of time.” + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec was off at once, and they saw no more of him till the old + barouche was at the door, and Aunt Plenty just rustling downstairs in her + Sunday best, with Rose like a little black shadow behind her. + </p> + <p> + Away they drove in state, and all the way Uncle Alec's hat was more off + his head than on, for everyone they met smiled and bowed, and gave him as + blithe a greeting as the day permitted. + </p> + <p> + It was evident that the warning had been a wise one, for, in spite of time + and place, the lads were in such a ferment that their elders sat in + momentary dread of an unseemly outbreak somewhere. It was simply + impossible to keep those fourteen eyes off Uncle Alec, and the dreadful + things that were done during sermon-time will hardly be believed. + </p> + <p> + Rose dared not look up after a while, for these bad boys vented their + emotions upon her till she was ready to laugh and cry with mingled + amusement and vexation. Charlie winked rapturously at her behind his + mother's fan; Mac openly pointed to the tall figure beside her; Jamie + stared fixedly over the back of his pew, till Rose thought his round eyes + would drop out of his head; George fell over a stool and dropped three + books in his excitement; Will drew sailors and Chinamen on his clean + cuffs, and displayed them, to Rose's great tribulation; Steve nearly upset + the whole party by burning his nose with salts, as he pretended to be + overcome by his joy; even dignified Archie disgraced himself by writing in + his hymn book, “Isn't he blue and brown?” and passing it politely to Rose. + </p> + <p> + Her only salvation was trying to fix her attention upon Uncle Mac a + portly, placid gentleman, who seemed entirely unconscious of the + iniquities of the Clan, and dozed peacefully in his pew corner. This was + the only uncle Rose had met for years, for Uncle Jem and Uncle Steve, the + husbands of Aunt Jessie and Aunt Clara, were at sea, and Aunt Myra was a + widow. Uncle Mac was a merchant, very rich and busy, and as quiet as a + mouse at home, for he was in such a minority among the women folk he dared + not open his lips, and let his wife rule undisturbed. + </p> + <p> + Rose liked the big, kindly, silent man who came to her when papa died, was + always sending her splendid boxes of goodies at school, and often invited + her into his great warehouse, full of teas and spices, wines and all sorts + of foreign fruits, there to eat and carry away whatever she liked. She had + secretly regretted that he was not to be her guardian; but since she had + seen Uncle Alec she felt better about it, for she did not particularly + admire Aunt Jane. + </p> + <p> + When church was over, Dr. Alec got into the porch as quickly as possible, + and there the young bears had a hug all round, while the sisters shook + hands and welcomed him with bright faces and glad hearts. Rose was nearly + crushed flat behind a door in that dangerous passage from pew to porch; + but Uncle Mac rescued her, and put her into the carriage for safe keeping. + </p> + <p> + “Now, girls, I want you to come and dine with Alec; Mac also, of course. + But I cannot ask the boys, for we did not expect this dear fellow till + tomorrow, you know, so I made no preparations. Send the lads home, and let + them wait till Monday, for really I was shocked at their behaviour in + church,” said Aunt Plenty, as she followed Rose. + </p> + <p> + In any other place the defrauded boys would have set up a howl; as it was, + they growled and protested till Dr. Alec settled the matter by saying, + </p> + <p> + “Never mind, old chaps, I'll make it up to you to-morrow, if you sheer off + quietly; if you don't, not a blessed thing shall you have out of my big + boxes.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 4—Aunts + </h2> + <p> + All dinner-time Rose felt that she was going to be talked about, and + afterward she was sure of it, for Aunt Plenty whispered to her as they + went into the parlour, + </p> + <p> + “Run up and sit awhile with Sister Peace, my dear. She likes to have you + read while she rests, and we are going to be busy.” + </p> + <p> + Rose obeyed, and the quiet rooms above were so like a church that she soon + composed her ruffled feelings, and was unconsciously a little minister of + happiness to the sweet old lady, who for years had sat there patiently + waiting to be set free from pain. + </p> + <p> + Rose knew the sad romance of her life, and it gave a certain tender charm + to this great-aunt of hers, whom she already loved. When Peace was twenty, + she was about to be married; all was done, the wedding dress lay ready, + the flowers were waiting to be put on, the happy hour at hand, when word + came that the lover was dead. They thought that gentle Peace would die, + too; but she bore it bravely, put away her bridal gear, took up her life + afresh, and lived on a beautiful, meek woman, with hair as white as snow + and cheeks that never bloomed again. She wore no black, but soft, pale + colours, as if always ready for the marriage that had never come. + </p> + <p> + For thirty years she had lived on, fading slowly, but cheerful, busy, and + full of interest in all that went on in the family; especially the joys + and sorrows of the young girls growing up about her, and to them she was + adviser, confidante, and friend in all their tender trials and delights. A + truly beautiful old maiden, with her silvery hair, tranquil face, and an + atmosphere of repose about her that soothed whoever came to her! + </p> + <p> + Aunt Plenty was utterly dissimilar, being a stout, brisk old lady, with a + sharp eye, a lively tongue, and a face like a winter-apple. Always + trotting, chatting, and bustling, she was a regular Martha, cumbered with + the cares of this world and quite happy in them. + </p> + <p> + Rose was right; and while she softly read psalms to Aunt Peace, the other + ladies were talking about her little self in the frankest manner. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Alec, how do you like your ward?” began Aunt Jane, as they all + settled down, and Uncle Mac deposited himself in a corner to finish his + doze. + </p> + <p> + “I should like her better if I could have begun at the beginning, and so + got a fair start. Poor George led such a solitary life that the child has + suffered in many ways, and since he died she has been going on worse than + ever, judging from the state I find her in.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear boy, we did what we thought best while waiting for you to wind up + your affairs and get home. I always told George he was wrong to bring her + up as he did; but he never took my advice, and now here we are with this + poor dear child upon our hands. I, for one, freely confess that I don't + know what to do with her any more than if she was one of those strange, + outlandish birds you used to bring home from foreign parts.” And Aunt + Plenty gave a perplexed shake of the head which caused great commotion + among the stiff loops of purple ribbon that bristled all over the cap like + crocus buds. + </p> + <p> + “If my advice had been taken, she would have remained at the excellent + school where I placed her. But our aunt thought best to remove her because + she complained, and she has been dawdling about ever since she came. A + most ruinous state of things for a morbid, spoilt girl like Rose,” said + Mrs. Jane, severely. + </p> + <p> + She had never forgiven the old ladies for yielding to Rose's pathetic + petition that she might wait her guardian's arrival before beginning + another term at the school, which was a regular Blimber hot-bed, and + turned out many a feminine Toots. + </p> + <p> + “I never thought it the proper school for a child in good circumstances an + heiress, in fact, as Rose is. It is all very well for girls who are to get + their own living by teaching, and that sort of thing; but all she needs is + a year or two at a fashionable finishing school, so that at eighteen she + can come out with eclat,” put in Aunt Clara, who had been a beauty and a + belle, and was still a handsome woman. + </p> + <p> + “Dear, dear! how short-sighted you all are to be discussing education and + plans for the future, when this unhappy child is so plainly marked for the + tomb,” sighed Aunt Myra, with a lugubrious sniff and a solemn wag of the + funereal bonnet, which she refused to remove, being afflicted with a + chronic catarrh. + </p> + <p> + “Now, it is my opinion that the dear thing only wants freedom, rest, and + care. There is look in her eyes that goes to my heart, for it shows that + she feels the need of what none of us can give her a mother,” said Aunt + Jessie, with tears in her own bright eyes at the thought of her boys being + left, as Rose was, to the care of others. + </p> + <p> + Uncle Alec, who had listened silently as each spoke, turned quickly + towards the last sister, and said, with a decided nod of approval, + </p> + <p> + “You've got it, Jessie; and, with you to help me, I hope to make the child + feel that she is not quite fatherless and motherless.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll do my best, Alec; and I think you will need me, for, wise as you + are, you cannot understand a tender, timid little creature like Rose as a + woman can,” said Mrs. Jessie, smiling back at him with a heart full of + motherly goodwill. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot help feeling that I, who have had a daughter of my own, can best + bring up a girl; and I am very much surprised that George did not entrust + her to me,” observed Aunt Myra, with an air of melancholy importance, for + she was the only one who had given a daughter to the family, and she felt + that she had distinguished herself, though ill-natured people said that + she had dosed her darling to death. + </p> + <p> + “I never blamed him in the least, when I remember the perilous experiments + you tried with poor Carrie,” began Mrs. Jane, in her hard voice. + </p> + <p> + “Jane Campbell, I will not hear a word! My sainted Caroline is a sacred + object,” cried Aunt Myra, rising as if to leave the room. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec detained her, feeling that he must define his position at once, + and maintain it manfully if he hoped to have any success in his new + undertaking. + </p> + <p> + “Now, my dear souls, don't let us quarrel and make Rose a bone of + contention though, upon my word, she is almost a bone, poor little lass! + You have had her among you for a year, and done what you liked. I cannot + say that your success is great, but that is owing to too many fingers in + the pie. Now, I intend to try my way for a year, and if at the end of it + she is not in better trim than now, I'll give up the case, and hand her + over to someone else. That's fair, I think.” + </p> + <p> + “She will not be here a year hence, poor darling, so no one need dread + future responsibility,” said Aunt Myra, folding her black gloves as if all + ready for the funeral. + </p> + <p> + “By Jupiter! Myra, you are enough to damp the ardour of a saint!” cried + Dr. Alec, with a sudden spark in his eyes. “Your croaking will worry that + child out of her wits, for she is an imaginative puss, and will fret and + fancy untold horrors. You have put it into her head that she has no + constitution, and she rather likes the idea. If she had not had a pretty + good one, she would have been 'marked for the tomb' by this time, at the + rate you have been going on with her. I will not have any interference + please understand that; so just wash your hands of her, and let me manage + till I want help, then I'll ask for it.” + </p> + <p> + “Hear, hear!” came from the corner where Uncle Mac was apparently wrapt in + slumber. + </p> + <p> + “You were appointed guardian, so we can do nothing. But I predict that the + girl will be spoilt, utterly spoilt,” answered Mrs. Jane, grimly. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, sister. I have an idea that if a woman can bring up two boys + as perfectly as you do yours, a man, if he devotes his whole mind to it, + may at least attempt as much with one girl,” replied Dr. Alec, with a + humorous look that tickled the others immensely, for it was a well-known + fact in the family that Jane's boys were more indulged than all the other + lads put together. + </p> + <p> + “I am quite easy, for I really do think that Alec will improve the child's + health; and by the time his year is out, it will be quite soon enough for + her to go to Madame Roccabella's and be finished off,” said Aunt Clara, + settling her rings, and thinking, with languid satisfaction, of the time + when she could bring out a pretty and accomplished niece. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you will stay here in the old place, unless you think of + marrying, and it's high time you did,” put in Mrs. Jane, much nettled at + her brother's last hit. + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you. Come and have a cigar, Mac,” said Dr. Alec, abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “Don't marry; women enough in the family already,” muttered Uncle Mac; and + then the gentlemen hastily fled. + </p> + <p> + “Aunt Peace would like to see you all, she says,” was the message Rose + brought before the ladies could begin again. + </p> + <p> + “Hectic, hectic! dear me, dear me!” murmured Aunt Myra, as the shadow of + her gloomy bonnet fell upon Rose, and the stiff tips of a black glove + touched the cheek where the colour deepened under so many eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad these pretty curls are natural; they will be invaluable by and + by,” said Aunt Clara, taking an observation with her head on one side. + </p> + <p> + “Now that your uncle has come, I no longer expect you to review the + studies of the past year. I trust your time will not be entirely wasted in + frivolous sports, however,” added Aunt Jane, sailing out of the room with + the air of a martyr. + </p> + <p> + Aunt Jessie said not a word, but kissed her little niece, with a look of + tender sympathy that made Rose cling to her a minute, and follow her with + grateful eyes as the door closed behind her. + </p> + <p> + After everybody had gone home, Dr. Alec paced up and down the lower hall + in the twilight for an hour, thinking so intently that sometimes he + frowned, sometimes he smiled, and more than once he stood still in a brown + study. All of a sudden he said, half aloud, as if he had made up his mind, + </p> + <p> + “I might as well begin at once, and give the child something new to think + about, for Myra's dismals and Jane's lectures have made her as blue as a + little indigo bag.” + </p> + <p> + Diving into one of the trunks that stood in a corner, he brought up, after + a brisk rummage, a silken cushion, prettily embroidered, and a quaint cup + of dark carved wood. + </p> + <p> + “This will do for a start,” he said, as he plumped up the cushion and + dusted the cup. “It won't do to begin too energetically, or Rose will be + frightened. I must beguile her gently and pleasantly along till I've won + her confidence, and then she will be ready for anything.” + </p> + <p> + Just then Phebe came out of the dining-room with a plate of brown bread, + for Rose had been allowed no hot biscuit for tea. + </p> + <p> + “I'll relieve you of some of that,” said Dr. Alec, and, helping himself to + a generous slice, he retired to the study, leaving Phebe to wonder at his + appetite. + </p> + <p> + She would have wondered still more if she had seen him making that brown + bread into neat little pills, which he packed into an attractive ivory + box, out of which he emptied his own bits of lovage. + </p> + <p> + “There! if they insist on medicine, I'll order these, and no harm will be + done. I will have my own way, but I'll keep the peace, if possible, and + confess the joke when my experiment has succeeded,” he said to himself, + looking very much like a mischievous boy, as he went on with his innocent + prescriptions. + </p> + <p> + Rose was playing softly on the small organ that stood in the upper hall, + so that Aunt Peace could enjoy it; and all the while he talked with the + old ladies, Uncle Alec was listening to the fitful music of the child, and + thinking of another Rose who used to play for him. + </p> + <p> + As the clock struck eight, he called out, + </p> + <p> + “Time for my girl to be abed, else she won't be up early, and I'm full of + jolly plans for to-morrow. Come and see what I've found for you to begin + upon.” + </p> + <p> + Rose ran in and listened with bright attentive face, while Dr. Alec said + impressively, + </p> + <p> + “In my wanderings over the face of the earth, I have picked up some + excellent remedies, and, as they are rather agreeable ones, I think you + and I will try them. This is a herb-pillow, given to me by a wise old + woman when I was ill in India. It is filled with saffron, poppies, and + other soothing plants; so lay your little head on it to-night, sleep + sweetly without a dream, and wake to-morrow without a pain.” + </p> + <p> + “Shall I really? How nice it smells.” And Rose willingly received the + pretty pillow, and stood enjoying its faint, sweet odour, as she listened + to the doctor's next remedy. + </p> + <p> + “This is the cup I told you of. Its virtue depends, they say, on the + drinker filling it himself; so you must learn to milk. I'll teach you.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid I never can,” said Rose; but she surveyed the cup with favour, + for a funny little imp danced on the handle, as if all ready to take a + header into the white sea below. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you think she ought to have something more strengthening than milk, + Alec? I really shall feel anxious if she does not have a tonic of some + sort,” said Aunt Plenty, eyeing the new remedies suspiciously, for she had + more faith in her old-fashioned doses than all the magic cups and poppy + pillows of the East. + </p> + <p> + “Well, ma'am, I'm willing to give her a pill, if you think best. It is a + very simple one, and very large quantities may be taken without harm. You + know hasheesh is the extract of hemp? Well, this is a preparation of corn + and rye, much used in old times, and I hope it will be again.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me, how singular!” said Aunt Plenty, bringing her spectacles to bear + upon the pills, with a face so full of respectful interest that it was + almost too much for Dr. Alec's gravity. + </p> + <p> + “Take one in the morning, and a good-night to you, my dear,” he said, + dismissing his patient with a hearty kiss. + </p> + <p> + Then, as she vanished, he put both hands into his hair, exclaiming, with a + comical mixture of anxiety and amusement, + </p> + <p> + “When I think what I have undertaken, I declare to you, aunt, I feel like + running away and not coming back till Rose is eighteen!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 5—A Belt and a Box + </h2> + <p> + When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first + person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room + opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care. When he heard her + step, he turned about and began to sing, + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going, my pretty maid?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and + then they finished the verse together in fine style. + </p> + <p> + Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it + looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an + astonished voice exclaimed, + </p> + <p> + “What in the world are you doing about so early?” + </p> + <p> + “Clearing our pipes for the day, ma'am. Look here, auntie, can I have this + room?” said Dr. Alec, making her a sailor's bow. + </p> + <p> + “Any room you like, except sister's.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks. And may I go rummaging round in the garrets and glory-holes to + furnish it as I like?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear boy, you may turn the house upside down if you will only stay in + it.” + </p> + <p> + “That's a handsome offer, I'm sure. I'll stay, ma'am; here's my little + anchor, so you will get more than you want of me this time.” + </p> + <p> + “That's impossible! Put on your jacket, Rose. Don't tire her out with + antics, Alec. Yes, sister, I'm coming!” and the cabbage vanished suddenly. + </p> + <p> + The first milking lesson was a droll one; but after several scares and + many vain attempts, Rose at last managed to fill her cup, while Ben held + Clover's tail so that it could not flap, and Dr. Alec kept her from + turning to stare at the new milkmaid, who objected to both these + proceedings very much. + </p> + <p> + “You look chilly in spite of all this laughing. Take a smart run round the + garden and get up a glow,” said the doctor, as they left the barn. + </p> + <p> + “I'm too old for running, uncle; Miss Power said it was not lady-like for + girls in their teens,” answered Rose, primly. + </p> + <p> + “I take the liberty of differing from Madame Prunes and Prisms, and, as + your physician, I order you to run. Off with you!” said Uncle Alec, with a + look and a gesture that made Rose scurry away as fast as she could go. + </p> + <p> + Anxious to please him, she raced round the beds till she came back to the + porch where he stood, and, dropping down upon the steps, she sat panting, + with cheeks as rosy as the rigolette on her shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “Very well done, child; I see you have not lost the use of your limbs + though you are in your teens. That belt is too tight; unfasten it, then + you can take a long breath without panting so.” + </p> + <p> + “It isn't tight, sir; I can breathe perfectly well,” began Rose, trying to + compose herself. + </p> + <p> + Her uncle's only answer was to lift her up and unhook the new belt of + which she was so proud. The moment the clasp was open the belt flew apart + several inches, for it was impossible to restrain the involuntary sigh of + relief that flatly contradicted her words. + </p> + <p> + “Why, I didn't know it was tight! it didn't feel so a bit. Of course it + would open if I puff like this, but I never do, because I hardly ever + run,” explained Rose, rather discomfited by this discovery. + </p> + <p> + “I see you don't half fill your lungs, and so you can wear this absurd + thing without feeling it. The idea of cramping a tender little waist in a + stiff band of leather and steel just when it ought to be growing,” said + Dr. Alec, surveying the belt with great disfavour as he put the clasp + forward several holes, to Rose's secret dismay, for she was proud of her + slender figure, and daily rejoiced that she wasn't as stout as Luly + Miller, a former schoolmate, who vainly tried to repress her plumpness. + </p> + <p> + “It will fall off if it is so loose,” she said anxiously, as she stood + watching him pull her precious belt about. + </p> + <p> + “Not if you keep taking long breaths to hold it on. That is what I want + you to do, and when you have filled this out we will go on enlarging it + till your waist is more like that of Hebe, goddess of health, and less + like that of a fashion-plate the ugliest thing imaginable.” + </p> + <p> + “How it does look!” and Rose gave a glance of scorn at the loose belt + hanging round her trim little waist. “It will be lost, and then I shall + feel badly, for it cost ever so much, and is real steel and Russia + leather. Just smell how nice.” + </p> + <p> + “If it is lost I'll give you a better one. A soft silken sash is much + fitter for a pretty child like you than a plated harness like this; and + I've got no end of Italian scarfs and Turkish sashes among my traps. Ah! + that makes you feel better, doesn't it?” and he pinched the cheek that had + suddenly dimpled with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “It is very silly of me, but I can't help liking to know that” here she + stopped and blushed and held down her head, ashamed to add, “you think I + am pretty.” + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec's eyed twinkled, but he said very soberly, + </p> + <p> + “Rose, are you vain?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid I am,” answered a very meek voice from behind the veil of hair + that hid the red face. + </p> + <p> + “That is a sad fault.” And he sighed as if grieved at the confession. + </p> + <p> + “I know it is, and I try not to be; but people praise me, and I can't help + liking it, for I really don't think I am repulsive.” + </p> + <p> + The last word and the funny tone in which it was uttered were too much for + Dr. Alec, and he laughed in spite of himself, to Rose's great relief. + </p> + <p> + “I quite agree with you; and in order that you may be still less + repulsive, I want you to grow as fine a girl as Phebe.” + </p> + <p> + “Phebe!” and Rose looked so amazed that her uncle nearly went off again. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Phebe; for she has what you need health. If you dear little girls + would only learn what real beauty is, and not pinch and starve and bleach + yourselves out so, you'd save an immense deal of time and money and pain. + A happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty for man or + woman. Do you understand that, my dear?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” answered Rose, much taken down by this comparison with the + girl from the poor-house. It nettled her sadly, and she showed that it did + by saying quickly, + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you would like to have me sweep and scrub, and wear an old + brown dress, and go round with my sleeves rolled up, as Phebe does?” + </p> + <p> + “I should very much, if you could work as well as she does, and show as + strong a pair of arms as she can. I haven't seen a prettier picture for + some time than she made of herself this morning, up to the elbows in suds, + singing like a blackbird whilst she scrubbed on the back stoop.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I do think you are the queerest man that ever lived!” was all Rose + could find to say after this display of bad taste. + </p> + <p> + “I haven't begun to show you my oddities yet, so you must make up your + mind to worse shocks than this,” he said, with such a whimsical look that + she was glad the sound of a bell prevented her showing more plainly what a + blow her little vanities had already received. + </p> + <p> + “You will find your box all open up in auntie's parlor, and there you can + amuse her and yourself by rummaging to your heart's content; I've got to + be cruising round all the morning getting my room to rights,” said Dr. + Alec, as they rose from breakfast. + </p> + <p> + “Can't I help you, uncle?” asked Rose, quite burning to be useful. + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you, I'm going to borrow Phebe for a while, if Aunt Plenty can + spare her.” + </p> + <p> + “Anybody anything, Alec. You will want me, I know, so I'll give orders + about dinner and be all ready to lend a hand”; and the old lady bustled + away full of interest and good-will. + </p> + <p> + “Uncle will find that I can do some things that Phebe can't, so now!” + thought Rose, with a toss of the head as she flew to Aunt Peace and the + long-desired box. + </p> + <p> + Every little girl can easily imagine what an extra good time she had + diving into a sea of treasures and fishing up one pretty thing after + another, till the air was full of the mingled odours of musk and + sandalwood, the room gay with bright colours, and Rose in a rapture of + delight. She began to forgive Dr. Alec for the oatmeal diet when she saw a + lovely ivory workbox; became resigned to the state of her belt when she + found a pile of rainbow-coloured sashes; and when she came to some + distractingly pretty bottles of attar of rose, she felt that they almost + atoned for the great sin of thinking Phebe the finer girl of the two. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec meanwhile had apparently taken Aunt Plenty at her word, and was + turning the house upside down. A general revolution was evidently going on + in the green-room, for the dark damask curtains were seen bundling away in + Phebe's arms; the air-tight stove retiring to the cellar on Ben's + shoulder; and the great bedstead going up garret in a fragmentary state, + escorted by three bearers. Aunt Plenty was constantly on the trot among + her store-rooms, camphor-chests, and linen-closets, looking as if the new + order of things both amazed and amused her. + </p> + <p> + Half the peculiar performances of Dr. Alec cannot be revealed; but as Rose + glanced up from her box now and then she caught glimpses of him striding + by, bearing a bamboo chair, a pair of ancient andirons, a queer Japanese + screen, a rug or two, and finally a large bathing-pan upon his head. + </p> + <p> + “What a curious room it will be,” she said, as she sat resting and + refreshing herself with “Lumps of Delight,” all the way from Cairo. + </p> + <p> + “I fancy you will like it, deary,” answered Aunt Peace, looking up with a + smile from some pretty trifle she was making with blue silk and white + muslin. + </p> + <p> + Rose did not see the smile, for just at that moment her uncle paused at + the door, and she sprang up to dance before him, saying, with a face full + of childish happiness, + </p> + <p> + “Look at me! look at me! I'm splendid I don't know myself. I haven't put + these things on right, I dare say, but I do like them so much!” + </p> + <p> + “You look as gay as a parrot in your fez and cabaja, and it does my heart + good to see the little black shadow turned into a rainbow,” said Uncle + Alec, surveying the bright figure before him with great approbation. + </p> + <p> + He did not say it, but he thought she made a much prettier picture than + Phebe at the wash-tub, for she had stuck a purple fez on her blonde head, + tied several brilliant scarfs about her waist, and put on a truly gorgeous + scarlet jacket with a golden sun embroidered on the back, a silver moon on + the front, and stars of all sizes on the sleeves. A pair of Turkish + slippers adorned her feet, and necklaces of amber, coral, and filigree + hung about her neck, while one hand held a smelling-bottle, and the other + the spicy box of oriental sweetmeats. + </p> + <p> + “I feel like a girl in the 'Arabian Nights,' and expect to find a magic + carpet or a wonderful talisman somewhere. Only I don't see how I ever can + thank you for all these lovely things,” she said, stopping her dance, as + if suddenly oppressed with gratitude. + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you how by leaving off the black clothes, that never should + have been kept so long on such a child, and wearing the gay ones I've + brought. It will do your spirits good, and cheer up this sober old house. + Won't it, auntie?” + </p> + <p> + “I think you are right, Alec, and it is fortunate that we have not begun + on her spring clothes yet, for Myra thought she ought not to wear anything + brighter than violet, and she is too pale for that.” + </p> + <p> + “You just let me direct Miss Hemming how to make some of these things. You + will be surprised to see how much I know about piping hems and gathering + arm-holes and shirring biases,” began Dr. Alec, patting a pile of muslin, + cloth and silk with a knowing air. + </p> + <p> + Aunt Peace and Rose laughed so that he could not display his knowledge any + farther, till they stopped, when he said good-naturedly, + </p> + <p> + “That will go a great way toward filling out the belt, so laugh away, + Morgiana, and I'll go back to my work, or I never shall be done.” + </p> + <p> + “I couldn't help it, 'shirred biases' were so very funny!” Rose said, as + she turned to her box after the splendid laugh. “But really, auntie,” she + added soberly, “I feel as if I ought not to have so many nice things. I + suppose it wouldn't do to give Phebe some of them? Uncle might not like + it.” + </p> + <p> + “He would not mind; but they are not suitable for Phebe. Some of the + dresses you are done with would be more useful, if they can be made over + to fit her,” answered Aunt Peace in the prudent, moderate tone which is so + trying to our feelings when we indulge in little fits of charitable + enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + “I'd rather give her new ones, for I think she is a little bit proud and + might not like old things. If she was my sister it would do, because + sisters don't mind, but she isn't, and that makes it bad, you see. I know + how I can manage beautifully; I'll adopt her!” and Rose looked quite + radiant with this new idea. + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid you could not do it legally till you are older, but you might + see if she likes the plan, and at any rate you can be very kind to her, + for in one sense we are all sisters, and should help one another.” + </p> + <p> + The sweet old face looked at her so kindly that Rose was fired with a + desire to settle the matter at once, and rushed away to the kitchen, just + as she was. Phebe was there, polishing up the antique andirons so busily + that she started when a voice cried out: “Smell that, taste this, and look + at me!” + </p> + <p> + Phebe sniffed attar of rose, crunched the “Lump of Delight” tucked into + her mouth, and stared with all her eyes at little Morgiana prancing about + the room like a brilliant paroquet. + </p> + <p> + “My stars, ain't you splendid!” was all she could say, holding up two + dusty hands. + </p> + <p> + “I've got heaps of lovely things upstairs, and I'll show them all to you, + and I'd go halves, only auntie thinks they wouldn't be useful, so I shall + give you something else; and you won't mind, will you? because I want to + adopt you as Arabella was in the story. Won't that be nice?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Miss Rose, have you lost your wits?” + </p> + <p> + No wonder Phebe asked, for Rose talked very fast, and looked so odd in her + new costume, and was so eager she could not stop to explain. Seeing + Phebe's bewilderment, she quieted down and said, with a pretty air of + earnestness, + </p> + <p> + “It isn't fair that I should have so much and you so little, and I want to + be as good to you as if you were my sister, for Aunt Peace says we are all + sisters really. I thought if I adopted you as much as I can now, it would + be nicer. Will you let me, please?” + </p> + <p> + To Rose's great surprise, Phebe sat down on the floor and hid her face in + her apron for a minute without answering a word. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear, now she's offended, and I don't know what to do,” thought Rose, + much discouraged by this reception of her offer. + </p> + <p> + “Please, forgive me; I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, and hope you + won't think—” she faltered presently, feeling that she must undo the + mischief, if possible. + </p> + <p> + But Phebe gave her another surprise, by dropping the apron and showing a + face all smiles, in spite of tears in the eyes, as she put both arms round + Rose and said, with a laugh and sob, + </p> + <p> + “I think you are the dearest girl in the world, and I'll let you do + anything you like with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you do like the plan? You didn't cry because I seemed to be kind of + patronising? I truly didn't mean to be,” cried Rose, delighted. + </p> + <p> + “I guess I do like it! and cried because no one was ever so good to me + before, and I couldn't help it. As for patronising, you may walk on me if + you want to, and I won't mind,” said Phebe, in a burst of gratitude, for + the words, “we are sisters” went straight to her lonely heart and nestled + there. + </p> + <p> + “Well, now, we can play I'm a good sprite out of the box, or, what is + better, a fairy godmother come down the chimney, and you are Cinderella, + and must say what you want,” said Rose, trying to put the question + delicately. + </p> + <p> + Phebe understood that, for she had a good deal of natural refinement, + though she did come from the poor-house. + </p> + <p> + “I don't feel as if I wanted anything now, Miss Rose, but to find some way + of thanking you for all you've done,” she said, rubbing off a tear that + went rolling down the bridge of her nose in the most unromantic way. + </p> + <p> + “Why, I haven't done anything but given you a bit of candy! Here, have + some more, and eat 'em while you work, and think what I can do. I must go + and clear up, so good-bye, and don't forget I've adopted you.” + </p> + <p> + “You've given me sweeter things than candy, and I'm not likely to forget + it.” And carefully wiping off the brick-dust, Phebe pressed the little + hand Rose offered warmly in both her hard ones, while the black eyes + followed the departing visitor with a grateful look that made them very + soft and bright. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 6—Uncle Alec's Room + </h2> + <p> + Soon after dinner, and before she had got acquainted with half her new + possessions, Dr. Alec proposed a drive, to carry round the first + instalment of gifts to the aunts and cousins. Rose was quite ready to go, + being anxious to try a certain soft burnous from the box, which not only + possessed a most engaging little hood, but had funny tassels bobbing in + all directions. + </p> + <p> + The big carriage was full of parcels, and even Ben's seat was loaded with + Indian war clubs, a Chinese kite of immense size, and a pair of polished + ox-horns from Africa. Uncle Alec, very blue as to his clothes, and very + brown as to his face, sat bolt upright, surveying well known places with + interest, while Rose, feeling unusually elegant and comfortable, leaned + back folded in her soft mantle, and played she was an Eastern princess + making a royal progress among her subjects. + </p> + <p> + At three of the places their calls were brief, for Aunt Myra's catarrh was + unusually bad; Aunt Clara had a room full of company; and Aunt Jane showed + such a tendency to discuss the population, productions, and politics of + Europe, Asia and Africa, that even Dr. Alec was dismayed, and got away as + soon as possible. + </p> + <p> + “Now we will have a good time! I do hope the boys will be at home,” said + Rose, with a sigh of relief, as they wound yet higher up the hill to Aunt + Jessie's. + </p> + <p> + “I left this for the last call, so that we might find the lads just in + from school. Yes, there is Jamie on the gate watching for us; now you'll + see the Clan gather; they are always swarming about together.” + </p> + <p> + The instant Jamie saw the approaching guests he gave a shrill whistle, + which was answered by echoes from meadow, house and barn, as the cousins + came running from all directions, shouting, “Hooray for Uncle Alec!” They + went at the carriage like highwaymen, robbed it of every parcel, took the + occupants prisoners, and marched them into the house with great + exultation. + </p> + <p> + “Little Mum! little Mum! here they are with lots of goodies! Come down and + see the fun right away! Quick!” bawled Will and Geordie amidst a general + ripping off of papers and a reckless cutting of strings that soon turned + the tidy room into a chaos. + </p> + <p> + Down came Aunt Jessie with her pretty cap half on, but such a beaming face + below it that one rather thought the fly-away head-gear an improvement + than otherwise. She had hardly time to greet Rose and the doctor before + the boys were about her, each clamouring for her to see his gift and + rejoice over it with him, for “little Mum” went halves in everything. The + great horns skirmished about her as if to toss her to the ceiling; the war + clubs hurtled over her head as if to annihilate her; an amazing medley + from the four quarters of the globe filled her lap, and seven excited boys + all talked to her at once. + </p> + <p> + But she liked it; oh dear, yes! and sat smiling, admiring, and explaining, + quite untroubled by the din, which made Rose cover up her ears and Dr. + Alec threaten instant flight if the riot was not quelled. That threat + produced a lull, and while the uncle received thanks in one corner, the + aunt had some little confidences made to her in the other. + </p> + <p> + “Well, dear, and how are things going with you now? Better, I hope, than + they were a week ago.” + </p> + <p> + “Aunt Jessie, I think I'm going to be very happy, now uncle has come. He + does the queerest things, but he is so good to me I can't help loving + him”; and, nestling closer to little Mum, Rose told all that had happened, + ending with a rapturous account of the splendid box. + </p> + <p> + “I am very glad, dear. But, Rose, I must warn you of one thing; don't let + uncle spoil you.” + </p> + <p> + “But I like to be spoilt, auntie.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't doubt it; but if you turn out badly when the year is over he will + be blamed, and his experiment prove a failure. That would be a pity, + wouldn't it? when he wants to do so much for you, and can do it if his + kind heart does not get in the way of his good judgment.” + </p> + <p> + “I never thought of that, and I'll try not to be spoilt. But how can I + help it?” asked Rose anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “By not complaining of the wholesome things he wants you to do; by giving + him cheerful obedience as well as love; and even making some small + sacrifices for his sake.” + </p> + <p> + “I will, I truly will! and when I get in a worry about things may I come + to you? Uncle told me to, and I feel as if I shouldn't be afraid.” + </p> + <p> + “You may, darling; this is the place where little troubles are best cured, + and this is what mothers are for, I fancy”; and Aunt Jessie drew the curly + head to her shoulder with a tender look that proved how well she knew what + medicine the child most needed. + </p> + <p> + It was so sweet and comfortable that Rose sat still enjoying it till a + little voice said, + </p> + <p> + “Mamma, don't you think Pokey would like some of my shells? Rose gave + Phebe some of her nice things, and it was very good of her. Can I?” + </p> + <p> + “Who is Pokey?” asked Rose, popping up her head, attracted by the odd + name. + </p> + <p> + “My dolly; do you want to see her?” asked Jamie, who had been much + impressed by the tale of adoption he had overheard. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I'm fond of dollies, only don't tell the boys, or they will laugh at + me.” + </p> + <p> + “They don't laugh at me, and they play with my dolly a great deal; but she + likes me best”; and Jamie ran away to produce his pet. + </p> + <p> + “I brought my old doll, but I keep her hidden because I am too big to play + with her, and yet I can't bear to throw her away, I'm so fond of her,” + said Rose, continuing her confidences in a whisper. + </p> + <p> + “You can come and play with Jamie's whenever you like, for we believe in + dollies up here,” began Aunt Jessie, smiling to herself as if something + amused her. + </p> + <p> + Just then Jamie came back, and Rose understood the smile, for his dolly + proved to be a pretty four-year-old little girl, who trotted in as fast as + her fat legs would carry her, and making straight for the shells, + scrambled up an armful, saying, with a laugh that showed her little white + teeth, + </p> + <p> + “All for Dimmy and me, for Dimmy and me!” + </p> + <p> + “That's my dolly; isn't she a nice one?” asked Jamie, proudly surveying + his pet with his hands behind him and his short legs rather far apart a + manly attitude copied from his brothers. + </p> + <p> + “She is a dear dolly. But why call her Pokey?” asked Rose, charmed with + the new plaything. + </p> + <p> + “She is such an inquisitive little body she is always poking that mite of + a nose into everything; and as Paul Pry did not suit, the boys fell to + calling her Pokey. Not a pretty name, but very expressive.” + </p> + <p> + It certainly was, for, having examined the shells, the busy tot laid hold + of everything she could find, and continued her researches till Archie + caught her sucking his carved ivory chessmen to see if they were not + barley sugar. Rice paper pictures were also discovered crumpled up in her + tiny pocket, and she nearly smashed Will's ostrich egg by trying to sit + upon it. + </p> + <p> + “Here, Jim, take her away; she's worse than the puppies, and we can't have + her round,” commanded the elder brother, picking her up and handing her + over to the little fellow, who received her with open arms and the warning + remark, + </p> + <p> + “You'd better mind what you do, for I'm going to 'dopt Pokey like Rose did + Phebe, and then you'll have to be very good to her, you big fellows.” + </p> + <p> + “'Dopt away, baby, and I'll give you a cage to keep her in, or you won't + have her long, for she is getting worse than a monkey”; and Archie went + back to his mates, while Aunt Jessie, foreseeing a crisis, proposed that + Jamie should take his dolly home, as she was borrowed, and it was time her + visit ended. + </p> + <p> + “My dolly is better than yours, isn't she? 'cause she can walk and talk + and sing and dance, and yours can't do anything, can she?” asked Jamie + with pride, as he regarded his Pokey, who just then had been moved to + execute a funny little jig and warble the well-known couplet, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “'Puss-tat, puss-tat, where you been?' + 'I been Lunnin, to saw a Tween.”' +</pre> + <p> + After which superb display she retired, escorted by Jamie, both making a + fearful din blowing on conch shells. + </p> + <p> + “We must tear ourselves away, Rose, because I want to get you home before + sunset. Will you come for a drive, Jessie?” said Dr. Alec, as the music + died away in the distance. + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you; but I see the boys want a scamper, so, if you don't mind, + they may escort you home, but not go in. That is only allowed on + holidays.” + </p> + <p> + The words were hardly out of Aunt Jessie's mouth when Archie said, in a + tone of command, + </p> + <p> + “Pass the word, lads. Boot and saddle, and be quick about it.” + </p> + <p> + “All right!” And in a moment not a vestige of boy remained but the litter + on the floor. + </p> + <p> + The cavalcade went down the hill at a pace that made Rose cling to her + uncle's arm, for the fat old horses got excited by the antics of the + ponies careering all about them, and went as fast as they could pelt, with + the gay dog-cart rattling in front, for Archie and Charlie scorned + shelties since this magnificent equipage had been set up. Ben enjoyed the + fun, and the lads cut up capers till Rose declared that “circus” was the + proper name for them after all. + </p> + <p> + When they reached the house they dismounted, and stood, three on each side + the steps, in martial attitudes, while her ladyship was handed out with + great elegance by Uncle Alec. Then the Clan saluted, mounted at word of + command, and with a wild whoop tore down the avenue in what they + considered the true Arab style. + </p> + <p> + “That was splendid, now it is safely ended,” said Rose, skipping up the + steps with her head over her shoulder to watch the dear tassels bob about. + </p> + <p> + “I shall get you a pony as soon as you are a little stronger,” said Dr. + Alec, watching her with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I couldn't ride one of those horrid, frisky little beasts! They roll + their eyes and bounce about so, I should die of fright,” cried Rose, + clasping her hands tragically. + </p> + <p> + “Are you a coward?” + </p> + <p> + “About horses I am.” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind, then; come and see my new room”; and he led the way upstairs + without another word. + </p> + <p> + As Rose followed she remembered her promise to Aunt Jessie, and was sorry + she had objected so decidedly. She was a great deal more sorry five + minutes later, and well she might be. + </p> + <p> + “Now, take a good look, and tell me what you think of it,” said Dr. Alec, + opening the door and letting her enter before him, while Phebe was seen + whisking down the backstairs with a dust-pan. + </p> + <p> + Rose walked to the middle of the room, stood still, and gazed about her + with eyes that brightened as they looked, for all was changed. + </p> + <p> + This chamber had been built out over the library to suit some fancy, and + had been unused for years, except at Christmas times, when the old house + overflowed. It had three windows one to the east, that overlooked the bay; + one to the south, where the horse-chestnuts waved their green fans; and + one to the west, towards the hill and the evening sky. A ruddy sunset + burned there now, filling the room with an enchanted glow; the soft murmur + of the sea was heard, and a robin chirped “Good-night!” among the budding + trees. + </p> + <p> + Rose saw and heard these things first, and felt their beauty with a + child's quick instinct; then her eye took in the altered aspect of the + room, once so shrouded, still and solitary, now so full of light and + warmth and simple luxury. + </p> + <p> + India matting covered the floor, with a gay rug here and there; the + antique andirons shone on the wide hearth, where a cheery blaze dispelled + the dampness of the long-closed room. Bamboo lounges and chairs stood + about, and quaint little tables in cosy corners; one bearing a pretty + basket, one a desk, and on a third lay several familiar-looking books. In + a recess stood a narrow white bed, with a lovely Madonna hanging over it. + The Japanese screen half-folded back showed a delicate toilet service of + blue and white set forth on a marble slab, and near by was the great + bath-pan, with Turkish towels and a sponge as big as Rose's head. + </p> + <p> + “Uncle must love cold water like a duck,” she thought, with a shiver. + </p> + <p> + Then her eye went on to the tall cabinet, where a half-open door revealed + a tempting array of the drawers, shelves and “cubby holes,” which so + delight the hearts of children. + </p> + <p> + “What a grand place for my new things,” she thought, wondering what her + uncle kept in that cedar retreat. + </p> + <p> + “Oh me, what a sweet toilet table!” was her next mental exclamation, as + she approached this inviting spot. + </p> + <p> + A round old-fashioned mirror hung over it, with a gilt eagle a-top, + holding in his beak the knot of blue ribbon that tied up a curtain of + muslin falling on either side of the table, where appeared little + ivory-handled brushes, two slender silver candle-sticks, a porcelain + match-box, several pretty trays for small matters, and, most imposing of + all, a plump blue silk cushion, coquettishly trimmed with lace, and pink + rose-buds at the corners. + </p> + <p> + That cushion rather astonished Rose; in fact, the whole table did, and she + was just thinking, with a sly smile, + </p> + <p> + “Uncle is a dandy, but I never should have guessed it,” when he opened the + door of a large closet, saying, with a careless wave of the hand, + </p> + <p> + “Men like plenty of room for their rattle-traps; don't you think that + ought to satisfy me?” + </p> + <p> + Rose peeped in and gave a start, though all she saw was what one usually + finds in closets clothes and boots, boxes and bags. Ah! but you see these + clothes were small black and white frocks; the row of little boots that + stood below had never been on Dr. Alec's feet; the green bandbox had a + gray veil straying out of it, and yes! the bag hanging on the door was + certainly her own piece-bag, with a hole in one corner. She gave a quick + look round the room and understood now why it had seemed too dainty for a + man, why her Testament and Prayer Book were on the table by the bed, and + what those rose-buds meant on the blue cushion. It came upon her in one + delicious burst that this little paradise was all for her, and, not + knowing how else to express her gratitude, she caught Dr. Alec round the + neck, saying impetuously, + </p> + <p> + “O uncle, you are too good to me! I'll do anything you ask me; ride wild + horses and take freezing baths and eat bad-tasting messes, and let my + clothes hang on me, to show how much I thank you for this dear, sweet, + lovely room!” + </p> + <p> + “You like it, then? But why do you think it is yours, my lass?” asked Dr. + Alec, as he sat down looking well pleased, and drew his excited little + niece to his knee. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think, I know it is for me; I see it in your face, and I feel as + if I didn't half deserve it. Aunt Jessie said you would spoil me, and I + must not let you. I'm afraid this looks like it, and perhaps oh me! + perhaps I ought not to have this beautiful room after all!” and Rose tried + to look as if she could be heroic enough to give it up if it was best. + </p> + <p> + “I owe Mrs. Jessie one for that,” said Dr. Alec, trying to frown, though + in his secret soul he felt that she was quite right. Then he smiled that + cordial smile, which was like sunshine on his brown face, as he said, + </p> + <p> + “This is part of the cure, Rose, and I put you here that you might take my + three great remedies in the best and easiest way. Plenty of sun, fresh + air, and cold water; also cheerful surroundings, and some work; for Phebe + is to show you how to take care of this room, and be your little maid as + well as friend and teacher. Does that sound hard and disagreeable to you, + dear?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir; very, very pleasant, and I'll do my best to be a good patient. + But I really don't think anyone could be sick in this delightful room,” + she said, with a long sigh of happiness as her eye went from one pleasant + object to another. + </p> + <p> + “Then you like my sort of medicine better than Aunt Myra's, and don't want + to throw it out of the window, hey?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 7—A Trip to China + </h2> + <p> + “Come, little girl, I've got another dose for you. I fancy you won't take + it as well as you did the last, but you will like it better after a + while,” said Dr. Alec, about a week after the grand surprise. + </p> + <p> + Rose was sitting in her pretty room, where she would gladly have spent all + her time if it had been allowed; but she looked up with a smile, for she + had ceased to fear her uncle's remedies, and was always ready to try a new + one. The last had been a set of light gardening tools, with which she had + helped him put the flower-beds in order, learning all sorts of new and + pleasant things about the plants as she worked, for, though she had + studied botany at school, it seemed very dry stuff compared with Uncle + Alec's lively lesson. + </p> + <p> + “What is it now?” she asked, shutting her work-box without a murmur. + </p> + <p> + “Salt-water.” + </p> + <p> + “How must I take it?” + </p> + <p> + “Put on the new suit Miss Hemming sent home yesterday, and come down to + the beach; then I'll show you.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” answered Rose obediently, adding to herself, with a shiver, as + he went off: “It is too early for bathing, so I know it is something to do + with a dreadful boat.” + </p> + <p> + Putting on the new suit of blue flannel, prettily trimmed with white, and + the little sailor-hat with long streamers, diverted her mind from the + approaching trial, till a shrill whistle reminded her that her uncle was + waiting. Away she ran through the garden, down the sandy path, out upon + the strip of beach that belonged to the house, and here she found Dr. Alec + busy with a slender red and white boat that lay rocking on the rising + tide. + </p> + <p> + “That is a dear little boat; and 'Bonnie Belle' is a pretty name,” she + said, trying not to show how nervous she felt. + </p> + <p> + “It is for you; so sit in the stern and learn to steer, till you are ready + to learn to row.” + </p> + <p> + “Do all boats wiggle about in that way?” she asked, lingering as if to tie + her hat more firmly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, pitch about like nutshells when the sea is a bit rough,” + answered her sailor uncle, never guessing her secret woe. + </p> + <p> + “Is it rough to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “Not very; it looks a trifle squally to the eastward, but we are all right + till the wind changes. Come.” + </p> + <p> + “Can you swim, uncle?” asked Rose, clutching at his arm as he took her + hand. + </p> + <p> + “Like a fish. Now then.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, please hold me very tight till I get there! Why do you have the stern + so far away?” and, stifling several squeaks of alarm in her passage, Rose + crept to the distant seat, and sat there holding on with both hands and + looking as if she expected every wave to bring a sudden shipwreck. + </p> + <p> + Uncle Alec took no notice of her fear, but patiently instructed her in the + art of steering, till she was so absorbed in remembering which was + starboard and which larboard, that she forgot to say “OW!” every time a + big wave slapped against the boat. + </p> + <p> + “Now where shall we go?” she asked, as the wind blew freshly in her face, + and a few, long swift strokes sent them half across the little bay. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose we go to China?” + </p> + <p> + “Isn't that rather a long voyage?” + </p> + <p> + “Not as I go. Steer round the Point into the harbour, and I'll give you a + glimpse of China in twenty minutes or so.” + </p> + <p> + “I should like that!” and Rose sat wondering what he meant, while she + enjoyed the new sights all about her. + </p> + <p> + Behind them the green Aunt-hill sloped gently upward to the grove at the + top, and all along the seaward side stood familiar houses, stately, cosy, + or picturesque. As they rounded the Point, the great bay opened before + them full of shipping, and the city lay beyond, its spires rising above + the tall masts with their gay streamers. + </p> + <p> + “Are we going there?” she asked, for she had never seen this aspect of the + rich and busy old city before. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Uncle Mac has a ship just in from Hong Kong, and I thought you would + like to go and see it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I should. I love dearly to go poking about in the warehouses with + Uncle Mac; everything is so curious and new to me; and I'm specially + interested in China because you have been there.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll show you two genuine Chinamen who have just arrived. You will like + to welcome Whang Lo and Fun See, I'm sure.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't ask me to speak to them, uncle; I shall be sure to laugh at the odd + names and the pig-tails and the slanting eyes. Please let me just trot + round after you; I like that best.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well; now steer toward the wharf where the big ship with the queer + flag is. That's the 'Rajah,' and we will go aboard if we can.” + </p> + <p> + In among the ships they went, by the wharves where the water was green and + still, and queer barnacles grew on the slippery piles. Odd smells saluted + her nose, and odd sights met her eyes, but Rose liked it all, and played + she was really landing in Hong Kong when they glided up to the steps in + the shadow of the tall “Rajah.” Boxes and bales were rising out of the + hold and being carried into the warehouse by stout porters, who tugged and + bawled and clattered about with small trucks, or worked cranes with iron + claws that came down and clutched heavy weights, whisking them aloft to + where wide doors like mouths swallowed them up. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec took her aboard the ship, and she had the satisfaction of poking + her inquisitive little nose into every available corner, at the risk of + being crushed, lost, or drowned. + </p> + <p> + “Well, child, how would you like to take a voyage round the world with me + in a jolly old craft like this?” asked her uncle, as they rested a minute + in the captain's cabin. + </p> + <p> + “I should like to see the world, but not in such a small, untidy, smelly + place as this. We would go in a yacht all clean and comfortable; Charlie + says that is the proper way,” answered Rose, surveying the close quarters + with little favour. + </p> + <p> + “You are not a true Campbell if you don't like the smell of tar and + salt-water, nor Charlie either, with his luxurious yacht. Now come ashore + and chin-chin with the Celestials.” + </p> + <p> + After a delightful progress through the great warehouse, peeping and + picking as they went, they found Uncle Mac and the yellow gentlemen in his + private room, where samples, gifts, curiosities, and newly arrived + treasures of all sorts were piled up in pleasing pro-fusion and + con-fusion. + </p> + <p> + As soon as possible Rose retired to a corner, with a porcelain god on one + side, a green dragon on the other, and, what was still more embarrassing, + Fun See sat on a tea-chest in front, and stared at her with his beady + black eyes till she did not know where to look. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Whang Lo was an elderly gentleman in American costume, with his + pig-tail neatly wound round his head. He spoke English, and was talking + busily with Uncle Mac in the most commonplace way so Rose considered him a + failure. But Fun See was delightfully Chinese from his junk-like shoes to + the button on his pagoda hat; for he had got himself up in style, and was + a mass of silk jackets and slouchy trousers. He was short and fat, and + waddled comically; his eyes were very “slanting,” as Rose said; his queue + was long, so were his nails; his yellow face was plump and shiny, and he + was altogether a highly satisfactory Chinaman. + </p> + <p> + Uncle Alec told her that Fun See had come out to be educated and could + only speak a little pigeon English; so she must be kind to the poor + fellow, for he was only a lad, though he looked nearly as old as Mr. Whang + Lo. Rose said she would be kind; but had not the least idea how to + entertain the queer guest, who looked as if he had walked out of one of + the rice-paper landscapes on the wall, and sat nodding at her so like a + toy Mandarin that she could hardly keep sober. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of her polite perplexity, Uncle Mac saw the two young people + gazing wistfully at one another, and seemed to enjoy the joke of this + making acquaintance under difficulties. Taking a box from his table, he + gave it to Fun See, with an order that seemed to please him very much. + </p> + <p> + Descending from his perch, he fell to unpacking it with great neatness and + despatch, while Rose watched him, wondering what was going to happen. + Presently, out from the wrappings came a teapot, which caused her to clasp + her hands with delight, for it was made in the likeness of a plump little + Chinaman. His hat was the cover, his queue the handle, and his pipe the + nose. It stood upon feet in shoes turned up at the toes, and the smile on + the fat, sleepy face was so like that on Fun's when he displayed the + teapot, that Rose couldn't help laughing, which pleased him much. + </p> + <p> + Two pretty cups with covers, and a fine scarlet tray completed the set, + and made one long to have a “dish of tea,” even in Chinese style, without + cream or sugar. + </p> + <p> + When he had arranged them on a little table before her, Fun signified in + pantomime that they were hers, from her uncle. She returned her thanks in + the same way, whereupon he returned to his tea-chest, and, having no other + means of communication, they sat smiling and nodding at one another in an + absurd sort of way till a new idea seemed to strike Fun. Tumbling off his + seat, he waddled away as fast as his petticoats permitted, leaving Rose + hoping that he had not gone to get a roasted rat, a stewed puppy, or any + other foreign mess which civility would oblige her to eat. + </p> + <p> + While she waited for her funny new friend, she improved her mind in a way + that would have charmed Aunt Jane. The gentlemen were talking over all + sorts of things, and she listened attentively, storing up much of what she + heard, for she had an excellent memory, and longed to distinguish herself + by being able to produce some useful information when reproached with her + ignorance. + </p> + <p> + She was just trying to impress upon her mind that Amoy was two hundred and + eighty miles from Hong Kong, when Fun came scuffling back, bearing what + she thought was a small sword, till he unfurled an immense fan, and + presented it with a string of Chinese compliments, the meaning of which + would have amused her even more than the sound, if she could have + understood it. + </p> + <p> + She had never seen such an astonishing fan, and at once became absorbed in + examining it. Of course, there was no perspective whatever, which only + gave it a peculiar charm to Rose, for in one place a lovely lady, with + blue knitting-needles in her hair, sat directly upon the spire of a + stately pagoda. In another charming view a brook appeared to flow in at + the front door of a stout gentleman's house, and out at his chimney. In a + third a zig-zag wall went up into the sky like a flash of lightning, and a + bird with two tails was apparently brooding over a fisherman whose boat + was just going aground upon the moon. + </p> + <p> + It was altogether a fascinating thing, and she would have sat wafting it + to and fro all the afternoon, to Fun's great satisfaction, if Dr. Alec's + attention had not suddenly been called to her by a breeze from the big fan + that blew his hair into his eyes, and reminded him that they must go. So + the pretty china was repacked, Rose furled her fan, and with several + parcels of choice teas for the old ladies stowed away in Dr. Alec's + pockets, they took their leave, after Fun had saluted them with “the three + bendings and the nine knockings,” as they salute the Emperor, or “Son of + Heaven,” at home. + </p> + <p> + “I feel as if I had really been to China, and I'm sure I look so,” said + Rose, as they glided out of the shadow of the “Rajah.” + </p> + <p> + She certainly did, for Mr. Whang Lo had given her a Chinese umbrella; + Uncle Alec had got some lanterns to light up her balcony; the great fan + lay in her lap, and the tea-set reposed at her feet. + </p> + <p> + “This is not a bad way to study geography, is it?” asked her uncle, who + had observed her attention to the talk. + </p> + <p> + “It is a very pleasant way, and I really think I have learned more about + China to-day than in all the lessons I had at school, though I used to + rattle off the answers as fast as I could go. No one explained anything to + us, so all I remember is that tea and silk come from there, and the women + have little bits of feet. I saw Fun looking at mine, and he must have + thought them perfectly immense,” answered Rose, surveying her stout boots + with sudden contempt. + </p> + <p> + “We will have out the maps and the globe, and I'll show you some of my + journeys, telling stories as we go. That will be next best to doing it + actually.” + </p> + <p> + “You are so fond of travelling, I should think it would be very dull for + you here, uncle. Do you know, Aunt Plenty says she is sure you will be off + in a year or two.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, me! what shall I do then?” sighed Rose, in a tone of despair that + made Uncle Alec's face brighten with a look of genuine pleasure as he said + significantly, + </p> + <p> + “Next time I go I shall take my little anchor with me. How will that + suit?” + </p> + <p> + “Really, uncle?” + </p> + <p> + “Really, niece.” + </p> + <p> + Rose gave a little bounce of rapture which caused the boat to “wiggle” in + a way that speedily quieted her down. But she sat beaming joyfully and + trying to think which of some hundred questions she would ask first, when + Dr. Alec said, pointing to a boat that was coming up behind them in great + style, + </p> + <p> + “How well those fellows row! Look at them, and take notes for your own use + by and by.” + </p> + <p> + The “Stormy Petrel” was manned by half a dozen jaunty looking sailors, who + made a fine display of blue shirts and shiny hats, with stars and anchors + in every direction. + </p> + <p> + “How beautifully they go, and they are only boys. Why, I do believe they + are our boys! Yes, I see Charlie laughing over his shoulder. Row, uncle, + row! Oh, please do, and not let them catch up with us!” cried Rose, in + such a state of excitement that the new umbrella nearly went overboard. + </p> + <p> + “All right, here we go!” and away they did go with a long steady sweep of + the oars that carried the “Bonnie Belle” through the water with a rush. + </p> + <p> + The lads pulled their prettiest, but Dr. Alec would have reached the Point + first, if Rose, in her flurry, had not retarded him by jerking the rudder + ropes in a most unseamanlike way, and just as she got right again her hat + blew off. That put an end to the race, and while they were still fishing + for the hat the other boat came alongside, with all the oars in the air, + and the jolly young tars ready for a frolic. + </p> + <p> + “Did you catch a crab, uncle?” + </p> + <p> + “No, a blue-fish,” he answered, as the dripping hat was landed on a seat + to dry. + </p> + <p> + “What have you been doing?” + </p> + <p> + “Seeing Fun.” + </p> + <p> + “Good for you, Rose! I know what you mean. We are going to have him up to + show us how to fly the big kite, for we can't get the hang of it. Isn't he + great fun, though?” + </p> + <p> + “No, little Fun.” + </p> + <p> + “Come, stop joking, and show us what you've got.” + </p> + <p> + “You'd better hoist that fan for a sail.” + </p> + <p> + “Lend Dandy your umbrella; he hates to burn his pretty nose.” + </p> + <p> + “I say, uncle, are you going to have a Feast of Lanterns?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I'm going to have a feast of bread and butter, for it's tea-time. If + that black cloud doesn't lie, we shall have a gust before long, so you had + better get home as soon as you can, or your mother will be anxious, + Archie.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, ay, skipper. Good-night, Rose; come out often, and we'll teach you + all there is to know about rowing,” was Charlie's modest invitation. + </p> + <p> + Then the boats parted company, and across the water from the “Petrel's” + crew came a verse from one of the Nonsense songs in which the boys + delighted. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Oh, Timballoo! how happy we are, + We live in a sieve and a crockery jar! + And all night long, in the starlight pale, + We sail away, with a pea-green sail, + And whistle and warble a moony song + To the echoing sound of a coppery gong. + Far and few, far and few + Are the lands where the Jumblies live; + Their heads are green, and their hands are blue, + And they went to sea in a sieve.” + </pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 8—And what came of it + </h2> + <p> + “Uncle, could you lend me a ninepence? I'll return it as soon as I get my + pocket-money,” said Rose, coming into the library in a great hurry that + evening. + </p> + <p> + “I think I could, and I won't charge any interest for it, so you need not + be in any hurry to repay me. Come back here and help me settle these books + if you have nothing pleasanter to do,” answered Dr. Alec, handing out the + money with that readiness which is so delightful when we ask small loans. + </p> + <p> + “I'll come in a minute; I've been longing to fix my books, but didn't dare + to touch them, because you always shake your head when I read.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall shake my head when you write, if you don't do it better than you + did in making out this catalogue.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it's bad, but I was in a hurry when I did it, and I am in one + now.” And away went Rose, glad to escape a lecture. + </p> + <p> + But she got it when she came back, for Uncle Alec was still knitting his + brows over the list of books, and sternly demanded, pointing to a + tipsy-looking title staggering down the page, + </p> + <p> + “Is that meant for 'Pulverized Bones,' ma'am?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir; it's 'Paradise Lost.'” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm glad to know it, for I began to think you were planning to + study surgery or farming. And what is this, if you please? 'Babies' + Aprons' is all I can make of it.” + </p> + <p> + Rose looked hard at the scrawl, and presently announced, with an air of + superior wisdom, + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's 'Bacon's Essays.'” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Power did not teach anything so old-fashioned as writing, I see. Now + look at this memorandum Aunt Plenty gave me, and see what a handsome plain + hand that is. She went to a dame-school and learnt a few useful things + well; that is better than a smattering of half a dozen so-called higher + branches, I take the liberty of thinking.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm sure I was considered a bright girl at school, and learned + everything I was taught. Luly and me were the first in all our classes, + and 'specially praised for our French and music and those sort of things,” + said Rose, rather offended at Uncle Alec's criticism. + </p> + <p> + “I dare say; but if your French grammar was no better than your English, I + think the praise was not deserved, my dear.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, uncle, we did study English grammar, and I could parse beautifully. + Miss Power used to have us up to show off when people came. I don't see + but I talk as right as most girls.” + </p> + <p> + “I dare say you do, but we are all too careless about our English. Now, + think a minute, and tell me if these expressions are correct 'Luly and + me,' 'those sort of things,' and 'as right as most girls.'” + </p> + <p> + Rose pulled her pet curl and put up her lip, but had to own that she was + wrong, and said meekly, after a pause which threatened to be sulky, + </p> + <p> + “I suppose I should have said 'Luly and I,' in that case, and 'that sort + of things' and 'rightly,' though 'correctly' would have been a better + word, I guess.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you; and if you will kindly drop 'I guess,' I shall like my little + Yankee all the better. Now, see here, Rosy, I don't pretend to set myself + up for a model in anything, and you may come down on my grammar, manners + or morals as often as you think I'm wrong, and I'll thank you. I've been + knocking about the world for years, and have got careless, but I want my + girl to be what I call well-educated, even if she studies nothing but the + three 'Rs' for a year to come. Let us be thorough, no matter how slowly we + go.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke so earnestly and looked so sorry to have ruffled her that Rose + went and sat on the arm of his chair, saying, with a pretty air of + penitence, + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry I was cross, uncle, when I ought to thank you for taking so + much interest in me. I guess no, I think you are right about being + thorough, for I used to understand a great deal better when papa taught me + a few lessons than when Miss Power hurried me through so many. I declare + my head used to be such a jumble of French and German, history and + arithmetic, grammar and music, I used to feel sometimes as if it would + split. I'm sure I don't wonder it ached.” And she held on to it as if the + mere memory of the “jumble” made it swim. + </p> + <p> + “Yet that is considered an excellent school, I find, and I dare say it + would be if the benighted lady did not think it necessary to cram her + pupils like Thanks-giving turkeys, instead of feeding them in a natural + and wholesome way. It is the fault with most American schools, and the + poor little heads will go on aching till we learn better.” + </p> + <p> + This was one of Dr. Alec's hobbies, and Rose was afraid he was off for a + gallop, but he reined himself in and gave her thoughts a new turn by + saying suddenly, as he pulled out a fat pocket-book, + </p> + <p> + “Uncle Mac has put all your affairs into my hands now, and here is your + month's pocket money. You keep your own little accounts, I suppose?” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you. Yes, Uncle Mac gave me an account book when I went to school, + and I used to put down my expenses, but I couldn't make them go very well, + for figures are the one thing I am not at all clever about,” said Rose, + rummaging in her desk for a dilapidated little book, which she was ashamed + to show when she found it. + </p> + <p> + “Well, as figures are rather important things to most of us, and you may + have a good many accounts to keep some day, wouldn't it be wise to begin + at once and learn to manage your pennies before the pounds come to perplex + you?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought you would do all that fussy part and take care of the pounds, + as you call them. Need I worry about it? I do hate sums, so!” + </p> + <p> + “I shall take care of things till you are of age, but I mean that you + shall know how your property is managed, and do as much of it as you can + by and by; then you won't be dependent on the honesty of other people.” + </p> + <p> + “Gracious me! as if I wouldn't trust you with millions of billions if I + had them,” cried Rose, scandalised at the mere suggestion. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, but I might be tempted; guardians are sometimes; so you'd better keep + your eye on me, and in order to do that you must learn all about these + affairs,” answered Dr. Alec, as he made an entry in his own very neat + account-book. + </p> + <p> + Rose peeped over his shoulder at it, and then turned to the arithmetical + puzzle in her hand with a sigh of despair. + </p> + <p> + “Uncle, when you add up your expenses do you ever find you have got more + money than you had in the beginning?” + </p> + <p> + “No; I usually find that I have a good deal less than I had in the + beginning. Are you troubled in the peculiar way you mention?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; it is very curious, but I never can make things come out square.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps I can help you,” began Uncle Alec, in the most respectful tone. + </p> + <p> + “I think you had better, for if I have got to keep accounts I may as well + begin in the right way. But please don't laugh! I know I'm very stupid, + and my book is a disgrace, but I never could get it straight.” And with + great trepidation, Rose gave up her funny little accounts. + </p> + <p> + It really was good in Dr. Alec not to laugh, and Rose felt deeply grateful + when he said in a mildly suggestive tone, + </p> + <p> + “The dollars and cents seem to be rather mixed, perhaps if I just + straightened them out a bit we should find things all right.” + </p> + <p> + “Please do, and then show me on a fresh leaf how to make mine look nice + and ship-shape as yours do.” + </p> + <p> + As Rose stood by him watching the ease with which he quickly brought order + out of chaos, she privately resolved to hunt up her old arithmetic and + perfect herself in the four first rules, with a good tug at fractions, + before she read any more fairy tales. + </p> + <p> + “Am I a rich girl, uncle?” she asked suddenly, as he was copying a column + of figures. + </p> + <p> + “Rather a poor one, I should say, since you had to borrow a ninepence.” + </p> + <p> + “That was your fault, because you forgot my pocket-money. But, really, + shall I be rich by and by?” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid you will.” + </p> + <p> + “Why afraid, uncle?” + </p> + <p> + “Too much money is a bad thing.” + </p> + <p> + “But I can give it away, you know; that is always the pleasantest part of + having it I think.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad you feel so, for you can do much good with your fortune if you + know how to use it well.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall teach me, and when I am a woman we will set up a school where + nothing but the three R's shall be taught, and all the children live on + oatmeal, and the girls have waists a yard round,” said Rose, with a sudden + saucy smile dimpling her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “You are an impertinent little baggage, to turn on me in that way right in + the midst of my first attempt at teaching. Never mind, I'll have an extra + bitter dose for you next time, miss.” + </p> + <p> + “I knew you wanted to laugh, so I gave you a chance. Now, I will be good, + master, and do my lesson nicely.” + </p> + <p> + So Dr. Alec had his laugh, and then Rose sat down and took a lesson in + accounts which she never forgot. + </p> + <p> + “Now come and read aloud to me; my eyes are tired, and it is pleasant to + sit here by the fire while the rain pours outside and Aunt Jane lectures + upstairs,” said Uncle Alec, when last month's accounts had been put in + good order and a fresh page neatly begun. + </p> + <p> + Rose liked to read aloud, and gladly gave him the chapter in “Nicholas + Nickleby” where the Miss Kenwigses take their French lesson. She did her + very best, feeling that she was being criticised, and hoping that she + might not be found wanting in this as in other things. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I go on, sir?” she asked very meekly, when the chapter ended. + </p> + <p> + “If you are not tired, dear. It is a pleasure to hear you, for you read + remarkably well,” was the answer that filled her heart with pride and + pleasure. + </p> + <p> + “Do you really think so, uncle? I'm so glad! Papa taught me, and I read + for hours to him, but I thought perhaps, he liked it because he was fond + of me.” + </p> + <p> + “So am I; but you really do read unusually well, and I'm very glad of it, + for it is a rare accomplishment, and one I value highly. Come here in this + cosy, low chair; the light is better, and I can pull these curls if you go + too fast. I see you are going to be a great comfort as well as a great + credit to your old uncle, Rosy.” And Dr. Alec drew her close beside him + with such a fatherly look and tone that she felt it would be very easy to + love and obey him, since he knew how to mix praise and blame so pleasantly + together. + </p> + <p> + Another chapter was just finished, when the sound of a carriage warned + them that Aunt Jane was about to depart. Before they could go to meet her, + however, she appeared in the doorway looking like an unusually tall mummy + in her waterproof, with her glasses shining like cat's eyes from the + depths of the hood. + </p> + <p> + “Just as I thought! petting that child to death and letting her sit up + late reading trash. I do hope you feel the weight of the responsibility + you have taken upon yourself, Alec,” she said, with a certain grim sort of + satisfaction at seeing things go wrong. + </p> + <p> + “I think I have a very realising sense of it, sister Jane,” answered Dr. + Alec, with a comical shrug of the shoulders and a glance at Rose's bright + face. + </p> + <p> + “It is sad to see a great girl wasting these precious hours so. Now, my + boys have studied all day, and Mac is still at his books, I've no doubt, + while you have not had a lesson since you came, I suspect.” + </p> + <p> + “I've had five to-day, ma'am,” was Rose's very unexpected answer. + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad to hear it; and what were they, pray?” Rose looked very demure + as she replied, + </p> + <p> + “Navigation, geography, grammar, arithmetic, and keeping my temper.” + </p> + <p> + “Queer lessons, I fancy; and what have you learned from this remarkable + mixture, I should like to know?” + </p> + <p> + A naughty sparkle came into Rose's eyes as she answered, with a droll look + at her uncle, + </p> + <p> + “I can't tell you all, ma'am, but I have collected some useful information + about China, which you may like, especially the teas. The best are Lapsing + Souchong, Assam Pekoe, rare Ankoe, Flowery Pekoe, Howqua's mixture, + Scented Caper, Padral tea, black Congou, and green Twankey. Shanghai is on + the Woosung River. Hong Kong means 'Island of Sweet waters.' Singapore is + 'Lion's Town.' 'Chops' are the boats they live in; and they drink tea out + of little saucers. Principal productions are porcelain, tea, cinnamon, + shawls, tin, tamarinds and opium. They have beautiful temples and queer + gods; and in Canton is the Dwelling of the Holy Pigs, fourteen of them, + very big, and all blind.” + </p> + <p> + The effect of this remarkable burst was immense, especially the fact last + mentioned. It entirely took the wind out of Aunt Jane's sails; it was so + sudden, so varied and unexpected, that she had not a word to say. The + glasses remained fixed full upon Rose for a moment, and then, with a hasty + “Oh, indeed!” the excellent lady bundled into her carriage and drove away, + somewhat bewildered and very much disturbed. + </p> + <p> + She would have been more so if she had seen her reprehensible + brother-in-law dancing a triumphal polka down the hall with Rose in honour + of having silenced the enemy's battery for once. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 9—Phebe's Secret + </h2> + <p> + “Why do you keep smiling to yourself, Phebe?” asked Rose, as they were + working together one morning, for Dr. Alec considered house-work the best + sort of gymnastics for girls; so Rose took lessons of Phebe in sweeping, + dusting and bed-making. + </p> + <p> + “I was thinking about a nice little secret I know, and couldn't help + smiling.” + </p> + <p> + “Shall I know it, sometime?” + </p> + <p> + “Guess you will.” + </p> + <p> + “Shall I like it?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, won't you, though!” + </p> + <p> + “Will it happen soon?” + </p> + <p> + “Sometime this week.” + </p> + <p> + “I know what it is! The boys are going to have fireworks on the fourth, + and have got some surprise for me. Haven't they?” + </p> + <p> + “That's telling.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I can wait; only tell me one thing is uncle in it?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course he is; there's never any fun without him.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it's all right, and sure to be nice.” + </p> + <p> + Rose went out on the balcony to shake the rugs, and, having given them a + vigorous beating, hung them on the balustrade to air, while she took a + look at her plants. Several tall vases and jars stood there, and a month + of June sun and rain had worked wonders with the seeds and slips she had + planted. Morning-glories and nasturtiums ran all over the bars, making + haste to bloom. Scarlet beans and honeysuckles were climbing up from below + to meet their pretty neighbours, and the woodbine was hanging its green + festoons wherever it could cling. + </p> + <p> + The waters of the bay were dancing in the sunshine, a fresh wind stirred + the chestnut-trees with a pleasant sound, and the garden below was full of + roses, butterflies and bees. A great chirping and twittering went on among + the birds, busy with their summer house-keeping, and, far away, the + white-winged gulls were dipping and diving in the sea, where ships, like + larger birds, went sailing to and fro. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Phebe, it's such a lovely day, I do wish your fine secret was going + to happen right away! I feel just like having a good time; don't you?” + said Rose, waving her arms as if she was going to fly. + </p> + <p> + “I often feel that way, but I have to wait for my good times, and don't + stop working to wish for 'em. There, now you can finish as soon as the + dust settles; I must go do my stairs,” and Phebe trudged away with the + broom, singing as she went. + </p> + <p> + Rose leaned where she was, and fell to thinking how many good times she + had had lately, for the gardening had prospered finely, and she was + learning to swim and row, and there were drives and walks, and quiet hours + of reading and talk with Uncle Alec, and, best of all, the old pain and + ennui seldom troubled her now. She could work and play all day, sleep + sweetly all night, and enjoy life with the zest of a healthy, happy child. + She was far from being as strong and hearty as Phebe, but she was getting + on; the once pale cheeks had colour in them now, the hands were growing + plump and brown, and the belt was not much too loose. No one talked to her + about her health, and she forgot that she had “no constitution.” She took + no medicine but Dr. Alec's three great remedies, and they seemed to suit + her excellently. Aunt Plenty said it was the pills; but, as no second + batch had ever followed the first, I think the old lady was mistaken. + </p> + <p> + Rose looked worthy of her name as she stood smiling to herself over a + happier secret than any Phebe had a secret which she did not know herself + till she found out, some years later, the magic of good health. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “'Look only,' said the brownie, + 'At the pretty gown of blue, + At the kerchief pinned about her head, + And at her little shoe,”' +</pre> + <p> + said a voice from below, as a great cabbage-rose came flying against her + cheek. + </p> + <p> + “What is the princess dreaming about up there in her hanging-garden?” + added Dr. Alec as she flung back a morning-glory. + </p> + <p> + “I was wishing I could do something pleasant this fine day; something very + new and interesting, for the wind makes me feel frisky and gay.” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose we take a pull over to the Island? I intended to go this + afternoon; but if you feel more like it now, we can be off at once.” + </p> + <p> + “I do! I do! I'll come in fifteen minutes, uncle. I must just scrabble my + room to rights, for Phebe has got a great deal to do.” + </p> + <p> + Rose caught up the rugs and vanished as she spoke, while Dr. Alec went in, + saying to himself, with an indulgent smile, + </p> + <p> + “It may upset things a trifle, but half a child's pleasure consists in + having their fun when they want it.” + </p> + <p> + Never did duster flap more briskly than the one Rose used that day, and + never was a room “scrabbled” to rights in such haste as hers. Tables and + chairs flew into their places as if alive; curtains shook as if a gale was + blowing; china rattled and small articles tumbled about as if a young + earthquake was playing with them. The boating suit went on in a twinkling, + and Rose was off with a hop and a skip, little dreaming how many hours it + would be before she saw her pretty room again. + </p> + <p> + Uncle Alec was putting a large basket into the boat when she arrived, and + before they were off Phebe came running down with a queer, knobby bundle + done up in a water-proof. + </p> + <p> + “We can't eat half that luncheon, and I know we shall not need so many + wraps. I wouldn't lumber the boat up so,” said Rose, who still had secret + scares when on the water. + </p> + <p> + “Couldn't you make a smaller parcel, Phebe?” asked Dr. Alec, eyeing the + bundle suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, not in such a hurry,” and Phebe laughed as she gave a + particularly large knob a good poke. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it will do for ballast. Don't forget the note to Mrs. Jessie, I beg + of you.” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir. I'll send it right off,” and Phebe ran up the bank as if she had + wings to her feet. + </p> + <p> + “We'll take a look at the lighthouse first, for you have not been there + yet, and it is worth seeing. By the time we have done that it will be + pretty warm, and we will have lunch under the trees on the Island.” + </p> + <p> + Rose was ready for anything, and enjoyed her visit to the lighthouse on + the Point very much, especially climbing up the narrow stairs and going + inside the great lantern. They made a long stay, for Dr. Alec seemed in no + hurry to go, and kept looking through his spy-glass as if he expected to + discover something remarkable on sea or land. It was past twelve before + they reached the Island, and Rose was ready for her lunch long before she + got it. + </p> + <p> + “Now this is lovely! I do wish the boys were here. Won't it be nice to + have them with us all their vacation? Why, it begins to-day, doesn't it? + Oh, I wish I'd remembered it sooner, and perhaps they would have come with + us,” she said, as they lay luxuriously eating sandwiches under the old + apple-tree. + </p> + <p> + “So we might. Next time we won't be in such a hurry. I expect the lads + will take our heads off when they find us out,” answered Dr. Alec, + placidly drinking cold tea. + </p> + <p> + “Uncle, I smell a frying sort of a smell,” Rose said, pausing suddenly as + she was putting away the remains of the lunch half an hour later. + </p> + <p> + “So do I; it is fish, I think.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment they both sat with their noses in the air, sniffing like + hounds; then Dr. Alec sprang up, saying with great decision, + </p> + <p> + “Now, this won't do! No one is permitted on this island without asking + leave. I must see who dares to fry fish on my private property.” + </p> + <p> + Taking the basket on one arm and the bundle on the other, he strode away + towards the traitorous smell, looking as fierce as a lion, while Rose + marched behind under her umbrella. + </p> + <p> + “We are Robinson Crusoe and his man Friday going to see if the savages + have come,” she said presently, for her fancy was full of the dear old + stories that all children love so well. + </p> + <p> + “And there they are! Two tents and two boats, as I live! These rascals + mean to enjoy themselves, that's evident.” + </p> + <p> + “There ought to be more boats and no tents. I wonder where the prisoners + are?” + </p> + <p> + “There are traces of them,” and Dr. Alec pointed to the heads and tails of + fishes strewn on the grass. + </p> + <p> + “And there are more,” said Rose, laughing, as she pointed to a scarlet + heap of what looked like lobsters. + </p> + <p> + “The savages are probably eating their victims now; don't you hear the + knives rattle in that tent?” + </p> + <p> + “We ought to creep up and peep; Crusoe was cautious, you know, and Friday + scared out of his wits,” added Rose, still keeping up the joke. + </p> + <p> + “But this Crusoe is going to pounce upon them, regardless of consequences. + If I am killed and eaten, you seize the basket and run for the boat; there + are provisions enough for your voyage home.” + </p> + <p> + With that Uncle Alec slipped round to the front of the tent and, casting + in the big bundle like a bomb-shell, roared out, in a voice of thunder, + </p> + <p> + “Pirates, surrender!” + </p> + <p> + A crash, a shout, a laugh, and out came the savages, brandishing knives + and forks, chicken bones, and tin mugs, and all fell upon the intruder, + pommelling him unmercifully as they cried, + </p> + <p> + “You came too soon! We are not half ready! You've spoilt it all! Where is + Rose?” + </p> + <p> + “Here I am,” answered a half-stifled voice, and Rose was discovered + sitting on the pile of red flannel bathing clothes, which she had mistaken + for lobsters, and where she had fallen in a fit of merriment when she + discovered that the cannibals were her merry cousins. + </p> + <p> + “You good-for-nothing boys! You are always bursting out upon me in some + ridiculous way, and I always get taken in because I'm not used to such + pranks. Uncle is as bad as the rest, and it's great fun,” she said, as the + lads came round her, half scolding, half welcoming, and wholly enjoying + the double surprise. + </p> + <p> + “You were not to come till afternoon, and mamma was to be here to receive + you. Everything is in a mess now, except your tent; we got that in order + the first thing, and you can sit there and see us work,” said Archie, + doing the honours as usual. + </p> + <p> + “Rose felt it in her bones, as Dolly says, that something was in the wind, + and wanted to be off at once. So I let her come, and should have kept her + away an hour longer if your fish had not betrayed you,” explained Uncle + Alec, subsiding from a ferocious Crusoe into his good-natured self again. + </p> + <p> + “As this seat is rather damp, I think I'll rise,” said Rose, as the + excitement lessened a little. + </p> + <p> + Several fishy hands helped her up, and Charlie said, as he scattered the + scarlet garments over the grass with an oar, + </p> + <p> + “We had a jolly good swim before dinner, and I told the Brats to spread + these to dry. Hope you brought your things, Rose, for you belong to the + Lobsters, you know, and we can have no end of fun teaching you to dive and + float and tread water.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't bring anything—” began Rose, but was interrupted by the + Brats (otherwise Will and Geordie), who appeared bearing the big bundle, + so much demoralised by its fall that a red flannel tunic trailed out at + one end and a little blue dressing-gown at the other, while the knobs + proved to be a toilet-case, rubbers, and a silver mug. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that sly Phebe! This was the secret, and she bundled up those things + after I went down to the boat,” cried Rose, with sparkling eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Guess something is smashed inside, for a bit of glass fell out,” observed + Will, as they deposited the bundle at her feet. + </p> + <p> + “Catch a girl going anywhere without a looking-glass. We haven't got one + among the whole lot of us,” added Mac, with masculine scorn. + </p> + <p> + “Dandy has; I caught him touching up his wig behind the trees after our + swim,” cut in Geordie, wagging a derisive finger at Steve, who promptly + silenced him by a smart rap on the head with the drum-stick he had just + polished off. + </p> + <p> + “Come, come, you lazy lubbers, fall to work, or we shall not be ready for + mamma. Take Rose's things to her tent, and tell her all about it, Prince. + Mac and Steve, you cut away and bring up the rest of the straw; and you + small chaps, clear off the table, if you have stuffed all you can. Please, + uncle, I'd like your advice about the boundary lines and the best place + for the kitchen.” + </p> + <p> + Everyone obeyed the chief, and Rose was escorted to her tent by Charlie, + who devoted himself to her service. She was charmed with her quarters, and + still more so with the programme which he unfolded before her as they + worked. + </p> + <p> + “We always camp out somewhere in vacation, and this year we thought we'd + try the Island. It is handy, and our fireworks will show off well from + here.” + </p> + <p> + “Shall we stay over the Fourth? Three whole days! Oh, me! what a frolic it + will be!” + </p> + <p> + “Bless your heart, we often camp for a week, we big fellows; but this year + the small chaps wanted to come, so we let them. We have great larks, as + you'll see; for we have a cave and play Captain Kidd, and have shipwrecks, + and races, and all sorts of games. Arch and I are rather past that kind of + thing now, but we do it to please the children,” added Charlie, with a + sudden recollection of his sixteen years. + </p> + <p> + “I had no idea boys had such good times. Their plays never seemed a bit + interesting before. But I suppose that was because I never knew any boys + very well, or perhaps you are unusually nice ones,” observed Rose, with an + artless air of appreciation that was very flattering. + </p> + <p> + “We are a pretty clever set, I fancy; but we have a good many advantages, + you see. There are a tribe of us, to begin with; then our family has been + here for ages, and we have plenty of 'spondulics,' so we can rather lord + it over the other fellows, and do as we like. There, ma'am, you can hang + your smashed glass on that nail and do up your back hair as fine as you + please. You can have a blue blanket or a red one, and a straw pillow or an + air cushion for your head, whichever you like. You can trim up to any + extent, and be as free and easy as squaws in a wigwam, for this corner is + set apart for you ladies and we never cross the line uncle is drawing + until we ask leave. Anything more I can do for you, cousin?” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you. I think I'll leave the rest till auntie comes, and go and + help you somewhere else, if I may.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, indeed, come on and see to the kitchen. Can you cook?” asked + Charlie, as he led the way to the rocky nook where Archie was putting up a + sail-cloth awning. + </p> + <p> + “I can make tea and toast bread.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we'll shew you how to fry fish, and make chowder. Now you just set + these pots and pans round tastefully, and sort of tidy up a bit, for Aunt + Jessie insists on doing some of the work, and I want it to be decent + here.” + </p> + <p> + By four o'clock the camp was in order, and the weary workers settled down + on Lookout Rock to watch for Mrs. Jessie and Jamie, who was never far from + mamma's apron string. They looked like a flock of blue-birds, all being in + sailor rig, with blue ribbon enough flying from the seven hats to have set + up a milliner. Very tuneful blue-birds they were, too, for all the lads + sang, and the echo of their happy voices reached Mrs. Jessie long before + she saw them. + </p> + <p> + The moment the boat hove in sight up went the Island flag, and the + blue-jackets cheered lustily, as they did on every possible occasion, like + true young Americans. This welcome was answered by the flapping of a + handkerchief and the shrill “Rah! Rah! Rah!” of the one small tar who + stood in the stern waving his hat manfully, while a maternal hand clutched + him firmly in the rear. + </p> + <p> + Cleopatra landing from her golden galley never received a heartier + greeting than “Little Mum” as she was borne to her tent by the young folk, + for love of whom she smilingly resigned herself to three days of + discomfort; while Jamie immediately attached himself to Rose, assuring her + of his protection from the manifold perils which might assail them. + </p> + <p> + Taught by long experience that boys are always hungry, Aunt Jessie soon + proposed supper, and proceeded to get it, enveloped in an immense apron, + with an old hat of Archie's stuck atop of her cap. Rose helped, and tried + to be as handy as Phebe, though the peculiar style of table she had to set + made it no easy task. It was accomplished at last, and a very happy party + lay about under the trees, eating and drinking out of anyone's plate and + cup, and quite untroubled by the frequent appearance of ants and spiders + in places which these interesting insects are not expected to adorn. + </p> + <p> + “I never thought I should like to wash dishes, but I do,” said Rose, as + she sat in a boat after supper lazily rinsing plates in the sea, and + rocking luxuriously as she wiped them. + </p> + <p> + “Mum is mighty particular; we just give 'em a scrub with sand, and dust + 'em off with a bit of paper. It's much the best way, I think,” replied + Geordie, who reposed in another boat alongside. + </p> + <p> + “How Phebe would like this! I wonder uncle did not have her come.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe he tried to, but Dolly was as cross as two sticks, and said she + couldn't spare her. I'm sorry, for we all like the Phebe bird, and she'd + chirp like a good one out here, wouldn't she?” + </p> + <p> + “She ought to have a holiday like the rest of us. It's too bad to leave + her out.” + </p> + <p> + This thought came back to Rose several times that evening, for Phebe would + have added much to the little concert they had in the moonlight, would + have enjoyed the stories told, been quick at guessing the conundrums, and + laughed with all her heart at the fun. The merry going to bed would have + been the best of all, for Rose wanted someone to cuddle under the blue + blanket with her, there to whisper and giggle and tell secrets, as girls + delight to do. + </p> + <p> + Long after the rest were asleep, Rose lay wide awake, excited by the + novelty of all about her, and a thought that had come into her mind. Far + away she heard a city clock strike twelve; a large star like a mild eye + peeped in at the opening of the tent, and the soft plash of the waves + seemed calling her to come out. Aunt Jessie lay fast asleep, with Jamie + rolled up like a kitten at her feet, and neither stirred as Rose in her + wrapper crept out to see how the world looked at midnight. + </p> + <p> + She found it very lovely, and sat down on a cracker keg to enjoy it with a + heart full of the innocent sentiment of her years. Fortunately, Dr. Alec + saw her before she had time to catch cold, for coming out to tie back the + door-flap of his tent for more air, he beheld the small figure perched in + the moonlight. Having no fear of ghosts, he quietly approached, and, + seeing that she was wide awake, said, with a hand on her shining hair, + </p> + <p> + “What is my girl doing here?” + </p> + <p> + “Having a good time,” answered Rose, not at all startled. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder what she was thinking about with such a sober look.” + </p> + <p> + “The story you told of the brave sailor who gave up his place on the raft + to the woman, and the last drop of water to the poor baby. People who make + sacrifices are very much loved and admired, aren't they?” she asked, + earnestly. + </p> + <p> + “If the sacrifice is a true one. But many of the bravest never are known, + and get no praise. That does not lessen their beauty, though perhaps it + makes them harder, for we all like sympathy,” and Dr. Alec sighed a + patient sort of sigh. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you have made a great many? Would you mind telling me one of + them?” asked Rose, arrested by the sigh. + </p> + <p> + “My last was to give up smoking,” was the very unromantic answer to her + pensive question. + </p> + <p> + “Why did you?” + </p> + <p> + “Bad example for the boys.” + </p> + <p> + “That was very good of you, uncle! Was it hard?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm ashamed to say it was. But as a wise old fellow once said, 'It is + necessary to do right; it is not necessary to be happy.'” + </p> + <p> + Rose pondered over the saying as if it pleased her, and then said, with a + clear, bright look, + </p> + <p> + “A real sacrifice is giving up something you want or enjoy very much, + isn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Doing it one's own self because one loves another person very much and + wants her to be happy?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “And doing it pleasantly, and being glad about it, and not minding the + praise if it doesn't come?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, dear, that is the true spirit of self-sacrifice; you seem to + understand it, and I dare say you will have many chances in your life to + try the real thing. I hope they won't be very hard ones.” + </p> + <p> + “I think they will,” began Rose, and there stopped short. + </p> + <p> + “Well, make one now, and go to sleep, or my girl will be ill to-morrow, + and then the aunts will say camping out was bad for her.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll go good night!” and throwing him a kiss, the little ghost vanished, + leaving Uncle Alec to pace the shore and think about some of the + unsuspected sacrifices that had made him what he was. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 10—Rose's Sacrifice + </h2> + <p> + There certainly were “larks” on Campbell's Island next day, as Charlie had + foretold, and Rose took her part in them like one intent on enjoying every + minute to the utmost. There was a merry breakfast, a successful fishing + expedition, and then the lobsters came out in full force, for even Aunt + Jessie appeared in red flannel. There was nothing Uncle Alec could not do + in the water, and the boys tried their best to equal him in strength and + skill, so there was a great diving and ducking, for every one was bent on + distinguishing himself. + </p> + <p> + Rose swam out far beyond her depth, with uncle to float her back; Aunt + Jessie splashed placidly in the shallow pools, with Jamie paddling near by + like a little whale beside its mother; while the lads careered about, + looking like a flock of distracted flamingoes, and acting like the famous + dancing party in “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.” + </p> + <p> + Nothing but chowder would have lured them from their gambols in the briny + deep; that time-honoured dish demanded the concentrated action of several + mighty minds; so the “Water Babies” came ashore and fell to cooking. + </p> + <p> + It is unnecessary to say that, when done, it was the most remarkable + chowder ever cooked, and the quantity eaten would have amazed the world if + the secret had been divulged. After this exertion a siesta was considered + the thing, and people lay about in tents or out as they pleased, the boys + looking like warriors slumbering where they fell. + </p> + <p> + The elders had just settled to a comfortable nap when the youngsters rose, + refreshed and ready for further exploits. A hint sent them all off to the + cave, and there were discovered bows and arrows, battle clubs, old swords, + and various relics of an interesting nature. Perched upon a commanding + rock, with Jamie to “splain” things to her, Rose beheld a series of + stirring scenes enacted with great vigour and historical accuracy by her + gifted relatives. + </p> + <p> + Captain Cook was murdered by the natives of Owhyhee in the most thrilling + manner. Captain Kidd buried untold wealth in the chowder kettle at the + dead of night, and shot both the trusting villains who shared the secret + of the hiding place. Sinbad came ashore there and had manifold adventures, + and numberless wrecks bestrewed the sands. + </p> + <p> + Rose considered them by far the most exciting dramas she had ever + witnessed; and when the performance closed with a grand ballet of Feejee + Islanders, whose barbaric yells alarmed the gulls, she had no words in + which to express her gratification. + </p> + <p> + Another swim at sunset, another merry evening on the rocks watching the + lighted steamers pass seaward and the pleasure-boats come into port, ended + the second day of the camping out, and sent everyone to bed early that + they might be ready for the festivities of the morrow. + </p> + <p> + “Archie, didn't I hear uncle ask you to row home in the morning for fresh + milk and things?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, why?” + </p> + <p> + “Please, may I go too? I have something of great importance to arrange; + you know I was carried off in a hurry,” Rose said in a confidential + whisper as she was bidding her cousins good night. + </p> + <p> + “I'm willing, and I guess Charlie won't mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you; be sure you stand by me when I ask leave in the morning, and + don't say anything till then, except to Charlie. Promise,” urged Rose, so + eagerly, that Archie struck an attitude and cried dramatically, + </p> + <p> + “By yonder moon I swear!” + </p> + <p> + “Hush! it's all right, go along”; and Rose departed as if satisfied. + </p> + <p> + “She's a queer little thing, isn't she, Prince?” + </p> + <p> + “Rather a nice little thing, I think. I'm quite fond of her.” + </p> + <p> + Rose's quick ears caught both remarks, and she retired to her tent, saying + to herself with sleepy dignity, + </p> + <p> + “Little thing, indeed! Those boys talk as if I was a baby. They will treat + me with more respect after to-morrow, I guess.” + </p> + <p> + Archie did stand by her in the morning, and her request was readily + granted, as the lads were coming directly back. Off they went, and Rose + waved her hand to the islanders with a somewhat pensive air, for an heroic + purpose glowed within her, and the spirit of self-sacrifice was about to + be illustrated in a new and touching manner. + </p> + <p> + While the boys got the milk Rose ran to Phebe, ordered her to leave her + dishes, to put on her hat, and take a note back to Uncle Alec, which would + explain this somewhat mysterious performance. Phebe obeyed, and when she + went to the boat Rose accompanied her, telling the boys she was not ready + to go yet, but they could, some of them, come for her when she hung a + white signal on her balcony. + </p> + <p> + “But why not come now? What are you about, miss? Uncle won't like it,” + protested Charlie, in great amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Just do as I tell you, little boy; uncle will understand and explain. + Obey, as Phebe does, and ask no questions. I can have secrets as well as + other people”; and Rose walked off with an air of lofty independence that + impressed her friends immensely. + </p> + <p> + “It's some plot between uncle and herself, so we won't meddle. All right, + Phebe? Pull away, Prince”; and off they went to be received with much + surprise by the islanders. + </p> + <p> + This was the note Phebe bore: + </p> + <p> + “Dear Uncle, I am going to take Phebe's place to-day, and let her have all + the fun she can. Please don't mind what she says, but keep her, and tell + the boys to be very good to her for my sake. Don't think it is easy to do + this; it is very hard to give up the best day of all, but I feel so + selfish to have all the pleasure and Phebe none, that I wish to make this + sacrifice. Do let me, and don't laugh at it; I truly do not wish to be + praised, and I truly want to do it. Love to all from, + </p> + <p> + “Rose.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless the little dear, what a generous heart she has! Shall we go after + her, Jessie, or let her have her way?” said Dr. Alec, after the first + mingled amusement and astonishment had subsided. + </p> + <p> + “Let her alone, and don't spoil her little sacrifice. She means it, I + know, and the best way in which we can show our respect for her effort is + to give Phebe a pleasant day. I'm sure she has earned it”; and Mrs. Jessie + made a sign to the boys to suppress their disappointment and exert + themselves to please Rose's guest. + </p> + <p> + Phebe was with difficulty kept from going straight home, and declared that + she should not enjoy herself one bit without Miss Rose. + </p> + <p> + “She won't hold out all day, and we shall see her paddling back before + noon, I'll wager anything,” said Charlie; and the rest so strongly + inclined to his opinion that they resigned themselves to the loss of the + little queen of the revels, sure that it would be only a temporary one. + </p> + <p> + But hour after hour passed, and no signal appeared on the balcony, though + Phebe watched it hopefully. No passing boat brought the truant back, + though more than one pair of eyes looked out for the bright hair under the + round hat; and sunset came, bringing no Rose but the lovely colour in the + western sky. + </p> + <p> + “I really did not think the child had it in her. I fancied it was a bit of + sentiment, but I see she was in earnest, and means that her sacrifice + shall be a true one. Dear little soul! I'll make it up to her a thousand + times over, and beg her pardon for thinking it might be done for effect,” + Dr. Alec said remorsefully, as he strained his eyes through the dusk, + fancying he saw a small figure sitting in the garden as it had sat on the + keg the night before, laying the generous little plot that had cost more + than he could guess. + </p> + <p> + “Well, she can't help seeing the fireworks, any way, unless she is goose + enough to think she must hide in a dark closet and not look,” said Archie, + who was rather disgusted at Rose's seeming ingratitude. + </p> + <p> + “She will see ours capitally, but miss the big ones on the hill, unless + papa has forgotten all about them,” added Steve, cutting short the + harangue Mac had begun upon the festivals of the ancients. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure the sight of her will be better than the finest fireworks that + ever went off,” said Phebe, meditating an elopement with one of the boats + if she could get a chance. + </p> + <p> + “Let things work; if she resists a brilliant invitation we give her she + will be a heroine,” added Uncle Alec, secretly hoping that she would not. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Rose had spent a quiet, busy day helping Dolly, waiting on Aunt + Peace, and steadily resisting Aunt Plenty's attempts to send her back to + the happy island. It had been hard in the morning to come in from the + bright world outside, with flags flying, cannon booming, crackers popping, + and everyone making ready for a holiday, and go to washing cups, while + Dolly grumbled and the aunts lamented. It was very hard to see the day go + by, knowing how gay each hour must have been across the water, and how a + word from her would take her where she longed to be with all her heart. + But it was hardest of all when evening came and Aunt Peace was asleep, + Aunt Plenty seeing a gossip in the parlor, Dolly established in the porch + to enjoy the show, and nothing left for the little maid to do but sit + alone in her balcony and watch the gay rockets whizz up from island, hill, + and city, while bands played and boats laden with happy people went to and + fro in the fitful light. + </p> + <p> + Then it must be confessed that a tear or two dimmed the blue eyes, and + once, when a very brilliant display illuminated the island for a moment, + and she fancied she saw the tents, the curly head went down on the + railing, and a wide-awake nasturtium heard a little whisper, + </p> + <p> + “I hope someone wishes I was there!” + </p> + <p> + The tears were all gone, however, and she was watching the hill and island + answer each other with what Jamie called “whizzers, whirligigs and + busters,” and smiling as she thought how hard the boys must be working to + keep up such a steady fire, when Uncle Mac came walking in upon her, + saying hurriedly, + </p> + <p> + “Come, child, put on your tippet, pelisse, or whatever you call it, and + run off with me. I came to get Phebe, but aunt says she is gone, so I want + you. I've got Fun down in the boat, and I want you to go with us and see + my fireworks. Got them up for you, and you mustn't miss them, or I shall + be disappointed.” + </p> + <p> + “But, uncle,” began Rose, feeling as if she ought to refuse even a glimpse + of bliss, “perhaps—” + </p> + <p> + “I know, my dear, I know; aunt told me; but no one needs you now so much + as I do, and I insist on your coming,” said Uncle Mac, who seemed in a + great hurry to be off, yet was unusually kind. + </p> + <p> + So Rose went and found the little Chinaman with a funny lantern waiting to + help her in and convulse her with laughter trying to express his emotions + in pigeon English. The city clocks were striking nine as they got out into + the bay, and the island fireworks seemed to be over, for no rocket + answered the last Roman candle that shone on the Aunt-hill. + </p> + <p> + “Ours are done, I see, but they are going up all round the city, and how + pretty they are,” said Rose, folding her mantle about her, and surveying + the scene with pensive interest. + </p> + <p> + “Hope my fellows have not got into trouble up there,” muttered Uncle Mac, + adding with a satisfied chuckle, as a spark shone out, “No; there it goes! + Look, Rosy, and see how you like this one; it was ordered especially in + honour of your coming.” + </p> + <p> + Rose looked with all her eyes, and saw the spark grow into the likeness of + a golden vase, then green leaves came out, and then a crimson flower + glowing on the darkness with a splendid lustre. + </p> + <p> + “Is it a rose, uncle?” she asked, clasping her hands with delight as she + recognised the handsome flower. + </p> + <p> + “Of course it is! Look again, and guess what those are,” answered Uncle + Mac, chuckling and enjoying it all like a boy. + </p> + <p> + A wreath of what looked at first like purple brooms appeared below the + vase, but Rose guessed what they were meant for, and stood straight up, + holding by his shoulder, and crying excitedly, + </p> + <p> + “Thistles, uncle, Scotch thistles! There are seven of them one for each + boy! Oh, what a joke!” and she laughed so that she plumped into the bottom + of the boat and stayed there till the brilliant spectacle was quite gone. + </p> + <p> + “That was rather a neat thing, I flatter myself,” said Uncle Mac, in high + glee at the success of his illumination. “Now, shall I leave you on the + Island or take you home again, my good little girl?” he added, lifting her + up with such a tone of approbation in his voice that Rose kissed him on + the spot. + </p> + <p> + “Home, please uncle; and I thank you very very much for the beautiful + firework you got up for me. I'm so glad I saw it; and I know I shall dream + about it,” answered Rose steadily, though a wistful glance went toward the + Island, now so near that she could smell powder and see shadowy figures + flitting about. + </p> + <p> + Home they went; and Rose fell asleep saying to herself, “It was harder + than I thought, but I'm glad I did it, and I truly don't want any reward + but Phebe's pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 11—Poor Mac + </h2> + <p> + Rose's sacrifice was a failure in one respect, for, though the elders + loved her the better for it, and showed that they did, the boys were not + inspired with the sudden respect which she had hoped for. In fact, her + feelings were much hurt by overhearing Archie say that he couldn't see any + sense in it; and the Prince added another blow by pronouncing her “the + queerest chicken ever seen.” + </p> + <p> + It is apt to be so, and it is hard to bear; for, though we do not want + trumpets blown, we do like to have our little virtues appreciated, and + cannot help feeling disappointed if they are not. + </p> + <p> + A time soon came, however, when Rose, quite unconsciously, won not only + the respect of her cousins, but their gratitude and affection likewise. + </p> + <p> + Soon after the Island episode, Mac had a sunstroke, and was very ill for + some time. It was so sudden that everyone was startled, and for some days + the boy's life was in danger. He pulled through, however; and then, just + as the family were rejoicing, a new trouble appeared which cast a gloom + over them all. + </p> + <p> + Poor Mac's eyes gave out; and well they might, for he had abused them, and + never being very strong, they suffered doubly now. + </p> + <p> + No one dared to tell him the dark predictions of the great oculist who + came to look at them, and the boy tried to be patient, thinking that a few + weeks of rest would repair the overwork of several years. + </p> + <p> + He was forbidden to look at a book, and as that was the one thing he most + delighted in, it was a terrible affliction to the Worm. Everyone was very + ready to read to him, and at first the lads contended for this honour. But + as week after week went by, and Mac was still condemned to idleness and a + darkened room, their zeal abated, and one after the other fell off. It was + hard for the active fellows, right in the midst of their vacation; and + nobody blamed them when they contented themselves with brief calls, + running of errands, and warm expressions of sympathy. + </p> + <p> + The elders did their best, but Uncle Mac was a busy man, Aunt Jane's + reading was of a funereal sort, impossible to listen to long, and the + other aunties were all absorbed in their own cares, though they supplied + the boy with every delicacy they could invent. + </p> + <p> + Uncle Alec was a host in himself, but he could not give all his time to + the invalid; and if it had not been for Rose, the afflicted Worm would + have fared ill. Her pleasant voice suited him, her patience was unfailing, + her time of no apparent value, and her eager good-will was very + comforting. + </p> + <p> + The womanly power of self-devotion was strong in the child, and she + remained faithfully at her post when all the rest dropped away. Hour after + hour she sat in the dusky room, with one ray of light on her book, reading + to the boy, who lay with shaded eyes silently enjoying the only pleasure + that lightened the weary days. Sometimes he was peevish and hard to + please, sometimes he growled because his reader could not manage the dry + books he wished to hear, and sometimes he was so despondent that her heart + ached to see him. Through all these trials Rose persevered, using all her + little arts to please him. When he fretted, she was patient; when he + growled, she ploughed bravely through the hard pages not dry to her in one + sense, for quiet tears dropped on them now and then; and when Mac fell + into a despairing mood, she comforted him with every hopeful word she + dared to offer. + </p> + <p> + He said little, but she knew he was grateful, for she suited him better + than anyone else. If she was late, he was impatient; when she had to go, + he seemed forlorn; and when the tired head ached worst, she could always + soothe him to sleep, crooning the old songs her father used to love. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what I should do without that child,” Aunt Jane often said. + </p> + <p> + “She's worth all those racketing fellows put together,” Mac would add, + fumbling about to discover if the little chair was ready for her coming. + </p> + <p> + That was the sort of reward Rose liked, the thanks that cheered her; and + whenever she grew very tired, one look at the green shade, the curly head + so restless on the pillow, and the poor groping hands, touched her tender + heart and put new spirit into the weary voice. + </p> + <p> + She did not know how much she was learning, both from the books she read + and the daily sacrifices she made. Stories and poetry were her delight, + but Mac did not care for them; and since his favourite Greeks and Romans + were forbidden, he satisfied himself with travels, biographies, and the + history of great inventions or discoveries. Rose despised this taste at + first, but soon got interested in Livingstone's adventures, Hobson's + stirring life in India, and the brave trials and triumphs of Watt and + Arkwright, Fulton, and “Palissy, the Potter.” The true, strong books + helped the dreamy girl; her faithful service and sweet patience touched + and won the boy; and long afterward both learned to see how useful those + seemingly hard and weary hours had been to them. + </p> + <p> + One bright morning, as Rose sat down to begin a fat volume entitled + “History of the French Revolution,” expecting to come to great grief over + the long names, Mac, who was lumbering about the room like a blind bear, + stopped her by asking abruptly, + </p> + <p> + “What day of the month is it?” + </p> + <p> + “The seventh of August, I believe.” + </p> + <p> + “More than half my vacation gone, and I've only had a week of it! I call + that hard,” and he groaned dismally. + </p> + <p> + “So it is; but there is more to come, and you may be able to enjoy that.” + </p> + <p> + “May be able! I will be able! Does that old noodle think I'm going to stay + stived up here much longer?” + </p> + <p> + “I guess he does, unless your eyes get on faster than they have yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Has he said anything more lately?” + </p> + <p> + “I haven't seen him, you know. Shall I begin? this looks rather nice.” + </p> + <p> + “Read away; it's all one to me.” And Mac cast himself down upon the old + lounge, where his heavy head felt easiest. + </p> + <p> + Rose began with great spirit, and kept on gallantly for a couple of + chapters, getting over the unpronounceable names with unexpected success, + she thought, for her listener did not correct her once, and lay so still + she fancied he was deeply interested. All of a sudden she was arrested in + the middle of a fine paragraph by Mac, who sat bolt upright, brought both + feet down with a thump, and said, in a rough, excited tone, + </p> + <p> + “Stop! I don't hear a word, and you may as well save your breath to answer + my question.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked Rose, looking uneasy, for she had something on her + mind, and feared that he suspected what it was. His next words proved that + she was right. + </p> + <p> + “Now, look here, I want to know something, and you've got to tell me.” + </p> + <p> + “Please, don't—” began Rose, beseechingly. + </p> + <p> + “You must, or I'll pull off this shade and stare at the sun as hard as + ever I can stare. Come now!” and he half rose, as if ready to execute the + threat. + </p> + <p> + “I will! oh, I will tell, if I know! But don't be reckless and do anything + so crazy as that,” cried Rose, in great distress. + </p> + <p> + “Very well; then listen, and don't dodge, as everyone else does. Didn't + the doctor think my eyes worse the last time he came? Mother won't say, + but you shall.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe he did,” faltered Rose. + </p> + <p> + “I thought so! Did he say I should be able to go to school when it + begins?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Mac,” very low. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” + </p> + <p> + That was all, but Rose saw her cousin set his lips together and take a + long breath, as if she had hit him hard. He bore the disappointment + bravely, however, and asked quite steadily in a minute, + </p> + <p> + “How soon does he think I can study again?” + </p> + <p> + It was so hard to answer that! Yet Rose knew she must, for Aunt Jane had + declared she could not do it, and Uncle Mac had begged her to break the + truth to the poor lad. + </p> + <p> + “Not for a good many months.” + </p> + <p> + “How many?” he asked with a pathetic sort of gruffness. + </p> + <p> + “A year, perhaps.” + </p> + <p> + “A whole year! Why, I expected to be ready for college by that time.” And, + pushing up the shade, Mac stared at her with startled eyes, that soon + blinked and fell before the one ray of light. + </p> + <p> + “Plenty of time for that; you must be patient now, and get them thoroughly + well, or they will trouble you again when it will be harder to spare + them,” she said, with tears in her own eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I won't do it! I will study and get through somehow. It's all humbug + about taking care so long. These doctors like to keep hold of a fellow if + they can. But I won't stand it I vow I won't!” and he banged his fist down + on the unoffending pillow as if he were pommelling the hard-hearted + doctor. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Mac, listen to me,” Rose said very earnestly, though her voice shook + a little and her heart ached. “You know you have hurt your eyes reading by + fire-light and in the dusk, and sitting up late, and now you'll have to + pay for it; the doctor said so. You must be careful, and do as he tells + you, or you will be blind.” + </p> + <p> + “No!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it is true, and he wanted us to tell you that nothing but entire + rest would cure you. I know it's dreadfully hard, but we'll all help you; + I'll read all day long, and lead you, and wait upon you, and try to make + it easier.” + </p> + <p> + She stopped there, for it was evident that he did not hear a sound; the + word “blind” seemed to have knocked him down, for he had buried his face + in the pillow, and lay so still that Rose was frightened. She sat + motionless for many minutes, longing to comfort him, but not knowing how, + and wishing Uncle Alec would come, for he had promised to tell Mac. + </p> + <p> + Presently, a sort of choking sound came out of the pillow, and went + straight to her heart the most pathetic sob she ever heard, for, though it + was the most natural means of relief, the poor fellow must not indulge in + it because of the afflicted eyes. The “French Revolution” tumbled out of + her lap, and, running to the sofa, she knelt down by it, saying, with the + motherly sort of tenderness girls feel for any sorrowing creature, + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my dear, you mustn't cry! It is so bad for your poor eyes. Take your + head out of that hot pillow, and let me cool it. I don't wonder you feel + so, but please don't cry. I'll cry for you; it won't hurt me.” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke she pulled away the cushion with gentle force, and saw the + green shade all crushed and stained with the few hot tears that told how + bitter the disappointment had been. Mac felt her sympathy, but, being a + boy, did not thank her for it; only sat up with a jerk, saying, as he + tried to rub away the tell-tale drops with the sleeve of his jacket, + “Don't bother; weak eyes always water. I'm all right.” + </p> + <p> + But Rose cried out, and caught his arm, “Don't touch them with that rough + woollen stuff! Lie down and let me bathe them, there's a dear boy; then + there will be no harm done.” + </p> + <p> + “They do smart confoundedly. I say, don't you tell the other fellows that + I made a baby of myself, will you?” he added, yielding with a sigh to the + orders of his nurse, who had flown for the eye-wash and linen cambric + handkerchief. + </p> + <p> + “Of course I won't; but anyone would be upset at the idea of being well + troubled in this way. I'm sure you bear it splendidly, and you know it + isn't half so bad when you get used to it. Besides, it is only for a time, + and you can do lots of pleasant things if you can't study. You'll have to + wear blue goggles, perhaps; won't that be funny?” + </p> + <p> + And while she was pouring out all the comfortable words she could think + of, Rose was softly bathing the eyes and dabbing the hot forehead with + lavender-water, as her patient lay quiet with a look on his face that + grieved her sadly. + </p> + <p> + “Homer was blind, and so was Milton, and they did something to be + remembered by, in spite of it,” he said, as if to himself, in a solemn + tone, for even the blue goggles did not bring a smile. + </p> + <p> + “Papa had a picture of Milton and his daughters writing for him. It was a + very sweet picture, I thought,” observed Rose in a serious voice, trying + to meet the sufferer on his own ground. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps I could study if someone read and did the eye part. Do you + suppose I could, by and by?” he asked, with a sudden ray of hope. + </p> + <p> + “I dare say, if your head is strong enough. This sunstroke, you know, is + what upset you, and your brain needs rest, the doctor says.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll have a talk with the old fellow next time he comes, and find out + just what I may do; then I shall know where I am. What a fool I was that + day to be stewing my brains and letting the sun glare on my book till the + letters danced before me! I see 'em now when I shut my eyes; black balls + bobbing round, and stars and all sorts of queer things. Wonder if all + blind people do?” + </p> + <p> + “Don't think about them; I'll go on reading, shall I? We shall come to the + exciting part soon, and then you'll forget all this,” suggested Rose. + </p> + <p> + “No, I never shall forget. Hang the old 'Revolution'! I don't want to hear + another word of it. My head aches, and I'm hot. Oh, wouldn't I like to go + for a pull in the 'Stormy Petrel!”' and poor Mac tossed about as if he did + not know what to do with himself. + </p> + <p> + “Let me sing, and perhaps you'll drop off; then the day will seem + shorter,” said Rose, taking up a fan and sitting down beside him. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps I shall; I didn't sleep much last night, and when I did I dreamed + like fun. See here, you tell the people that I know, and it's all right, + and I don't want them to talk about it or howl over me. That's all; now + drone away, and I'll try to sleep. Wish I could for a year, and wake up + cured.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I wish, I wish you could!” + </p> + <p> + Rose said it so fervently that Mac was moved to grope for her apron and + hold on to a corner of it, as if it was comfortable to feel her near him. + But all he said was, + </p> + <p> + “You are a good little soul, Rosy. Give us 'The Birks'; that is a drowsy + one that always sends me off.” + </p> + <p> + Quite contented with this small return for all her sympathy, Rose waved + her fan and sang, in a dreamy tone, the pretty Scotch air, the burden of + which is, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Bonny lassie, will ye gang, will ye gang + To the Birks of Aberfeldie?” + </pre> + <p> + Whether the lassie went or not I cannot say, but the laddie was off to the + land of Nod, in about ten minutes, quite worn out with hearing the bad + tidings and the effort to bear them manfully. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 12—“The Other Fellows” + </h2> + <p> + Rose did tell “the people” what had passed, and no one “howled” over Mac, + or said a word to trouble him. He had his talk with the doctor, and got + very little comfort out of it, for he found that “just what he might do” + was nothing at all; though the prospect of some study by and by, if all + went well, gave him courage to bear the woes of the present. Having made + up his mind to this, he behaved so well that everyone was astonished, + never having suspected so much manliness in the quiet Worm. + </p> + <p> + The boys were much impressed, both by the greatness of the affliction + which hung over him and by his way of bearing it. They were very good to + him, but not always particularly wise in their attempts to cheer and + amuse; and Rose often found him much downcast after a visit of condolence + from the Clan. She still kept her place as head-nurse and chief-reader, + though the boys did their best in an irregular sort of way. They were + rather taken aback sometimes at finding Rose's services preferred to + their's, and privately confided to one another that “Old Mac was getting + fond of being molly-coddled.” But they could not help seeing how useful + she was, and owning that she alone had remained faithful a fact which + caused some of them much secret compunction now and then. + </p> + <p> + Rose felt that she ruled in that room, if nowhere else, for Aunt Jane left + a great deal to her, finding that her experience with her invalid father + fitted her for a nurse, and in a case like this, her youth was an + advantage rather than a drawback. Mac soon came to think that no one could + take care of him so well as Rose, and Rose soon grew fond of her patient, + though at first she had considered this cousin the least attractive of the + seven. He was not polite and sensible like Archie, nor gay and handsome + like Prince Charlie, nor neat and obliging like Steve, nor amusing like + the “Brats,” nor confiding and affectionate like little Jamie. He was + rough, absent-minded, careless, and awkward, rather priggish, and not at + all agreeable to a dainty, beauty-loving girl like Rose. + </p> + <p> + But when his trouble came upon him, she discovered many good things in + this cousin of hers, and learned not only to pity but to respect and love + the poor Worm, who tried to be patient, brave, and cheerful, and found it + a harder task than anyone guessed, except the little nurse, who saw him in + his gloomiest moods. She soon came to think that his friends did not + appreciate him, and upon one occasion was moved to free her mind in a way + that made a deep impression on the boys. + </p> + <p> + Vacation was almost over, and the time drawing near when Mac would be left + outside the happy school-world which he so much enjoyed. This made him + rather low in his mind, and his cousins exerted themselves to cheer him + up, especially one afternoon when a spasm of devotion seemed to seize them + all. Jamie trudged down the hill with a basket of blackberries which he + had “picked all his ownself,” as his scratched fingers and stained lips + plainly testified. Will and Geordie brought their puppies to beguile the + weary hours, and the three elder lads called to discuss baseball, cricket, + and kindred subjects, eminently fitted to remind the invalid of his + privations. + </p> + <p> + Rose had gone to drive with Uncle Alec, who declared she was getting as + pale as a potato sprout, living so much in a dark room. But her thoughts + were with her boy all the while, and she ran up to him the moment she + returned, to find things in a fine state of confusion. + </p> + <p> + With the best intentions in life, the lads had done more harm than good, + and the spectacle that met Nurse Rose's eye was a trying one. The puppies + were yelping, the small boys romping, and the big boys all talking at + once; the curtains were up, the room close, berries scattered freely + about, Mac's shade half off, his cheeks flushed, his temper ruffled, and + his voice loudest of all as he disputed hotly with Steve about lending + certain treasured books which he could no longer use. + </p> + <p> + Now Rose considered this her special kingdom, and came down upon the + invaders with an energy which amazed them and quelled the riot at once. + They had never seen her roused before, and the effect was tremendous; also + comical, for she drove the whole flock of boys out of the room like an + indignant little hen defending her brood. They all went as meekly as + sheep; the small lads fled from the house precipitately, but the three + elder ones only retired to the next room, and remained there hoping for a + chance to explain and apologise, and so appease the irate young lady, who + had suddenly turned the tables and clattered them about their ears. + </p> + <p> + As they waited, they observed her proceedings through the half-open door, + and commented upon them briefly but expressively, feeling quite bowed down + with remorse at the harm they had innocently done. + </p> + <p> + “She's put the room to rights in a jiffey. What jacks we were to let those + dogs in and kick up such a row,” observed Steve, after a prolonged peep. + </p> + <p> + “The poor old Worm turns as if she was treading on him instead of cuddling + him like a pussy cat. Isn't he cross, though?” added Charlie, as Mac was + heard growling about his “confounded head.” + </p> + <p> + “She will manage him; but it's mean in us to rumple him up and then leave + her to smooth him down. I'd go and help, but I don't know how,” said + Archie, looking much depressed, for he was a conscientious fellow, and + blamed himself for his want of thought. + </p> + <p> + “No, more do I. Odd, isn't it, what a knack women have for taking care of + sick folks?” and Charlie fell a-musing over this undeniable fact. + </p> + <p> + “She has been ever so good to Mac,” began Steve, in a self-reproachful + tone. + </p> + <p> + “Better than his own brother, hey?” cut in Archie, finding relief for his + own regret in the delinquencies of another. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you needn't preach; you didn't any of you do any more, and you + might have, for Mac likes you better than he does me. I always fret him, + he says, and it isn't my fault if I am a quiddle,” protested Steve, in + self-defence. + </p> + <p> + “We have all been selfish and neglected him, so we won't fight about it, + but try and do better,” said Archie, generously taking more than his share + of blame, for he had been less inattentive than either of the others. + </p> + <p> + “Rose has stood by him like a good one, and it's no wonder he likes to + have her round best. I should myself if I was down on my luck as he is,” + put in Charlie, feeling that he really had not done “the little thing” + justice. + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you what it is, boys we haven't been half good enough to Rose, + and we've got to make it up to her somehow,” said Archie, who had a very + manly sense of honour about paying his debts, even to a girl. + </p> + <p> + “I'm awfully sorry I made fun of her doll when Jamie lugged it out; and I + called her 'baby bunting' when she cried over the dead kitten. Girls are + such geese sometimes, I can't help it,” said Steve, confessing his + transgressions handsomely, and feeling quite ready to atone for them if he + only knew how. + </p> + <p> + “I'll go down on my knees and beg her pardon for treating her as if she + was a child. Don't it make her mad, though? Come to think of it, she's + only two years or so younger than I am. But she is so small and pretty, + she always seems like a dolly to me,” and the Prince looked down from his + lofty height of five feet five as if Rose was indeed a pygmy beside him. + </p> + <p> + “That dolly has got a real good little heart, and a bright mind of her + own, you'd better believe. Mac says she understands some things quicker + than he can, and mother thinks she is an uncommonly nice girl, though she + don't know all creation. You needn't put on airs, Charlie, though you are + a tall one, for Rose likes Archie better than you; she said she did + because he treated her respectfully.” + </p> + <p> + “Steve looks as fierce as a game-cock; but don't you get excited, my son, + for it won't do a bit of good. Of course, everybody likes the Chief best; + they ought to, and I'll punch their heads if they don't. So calm yourself, + Dandy, and mend your own manners before you come down on other people's.” + </p> + <p> + Thus the Prince with great dignity and perfect good nature, while Archie + looked modestly gratified with the flattering opinions of his kinsfolk, + and Steve subsided, feeling he had done his duty as a cousin and a + brother. A pause ensued, during which Aunt Jane appeared in the other + room, accompanied by a tea-tray sumptuously spread, and prepared to feed + her big nestling, as that was a task she allowed no one to share with her. + </p> + <p> + “If you have a minute to spare before you go, child, I wish you'd just + make Mac a fresh shade; this has got a berry stain on it, and he must be + tidy, for he is to go out to-morrow if it is a cloudy day,” said Mrs. + Jane, spreading toast in a stately manner, while Mac slopped his tea about + without receiving a word of reproof. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, aunt,” answered Rose, so meekly that the boys could hardly believe + it could be the same voice which had issued the stern command, “Out of + this room, every one of you!” not very long ago. + </p> + <p> + They had not time to retire, without unseemly haste, before she walked + into the parlour and sat down at the work-table without a word. It was + funny to see the look the three tall lads cast at the little person + sedately threading a needle with green silk. They all wanted to say + something expressive of repentance, but no one knew how to begin, and it + was evident, from the prim expression of Rose's face, that she intended to + stand upon her dignity till they had properly abased themselves. The pause + was becoming very awkward, when Charlie, who possessed all the persuasive + arts of a born scapegrace, went slowly down upon his knees before her, + beat his breast, and said, in a heart-broken tone, + </p> + <p> + “Please forgive me this time, and I'll never do so any more.” + </p> + <p> + It was very hard to keep sober, but Rose managed it and answered gravely, + </p> + <p> + “It is Mac's pardon you should ask, not mine, for you haven't hurt me, and + I shouldn't wonder if you had him a great deal, with all that light and + racket, and talk about things that only worry him.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you really think we've hurt him, cousin?” asked Archie, with a + troubled look, while Charlie settled down in a remorseful heap among the + table legs. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I do, for he has got a raging headache, and his eyes are as red as + as this emery bag,” answered Rose, solemnly plunging her needle into a fat + flannel strawberry. + </p> + <p> + Steve tore his hair, metaphorically speaking, for he clutched his + cherished top-knot, and wildly dishevelled it, as if that was the heaviest + penance he could inflict upon himself at such short notice. Charlie laid + himself out flat, melodramatically begging someone to take him away and + hang him; but Archie, who felt worst of all, said nothing except to vow + within himself that he would read to Mac till his own eyes were as red as + a dozen emery bags combined. + </p> + <p> + Seeing the wholesome effects of her treatment upon these culprits, Rose + felt that she might relent and allow them a gleam of hope. She found it + impossible to help trampling upon the prostrate Prince a little, in words + at least, for he had hurt her feelings oftener than he knew; so she gave + him a thimble-pie on the top of his head, and said, with an air of an + infinitely superior being, + </p> + <p> + “Don't be silly, but get up, and I'll tell you something much better to do + than sprawling on the floor and getting all over lint.” + </p> + <p> + Charlie obediently sat himself upon a hassock at her feet; the other + sinners drew near to catch the words of wisdom about to fall from her + lips, and Rose, softened by this gratifying humility, addressed them in + her most maternal tone. + </p> + <p> + “Now, boys, if you really want to be good to Mac, you can do it in this + way. Don't keep talking about things he can't do, or go and tell what fun + you have had batting your ridiculous balls about. Get some nice book and + read quietly; cheer him up about school, and offer to help him study by + and by; you can do that better than I, because I'm only a girl, and don't + learn Greek and Latin and all sorts of headachy stuff.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but you can do heaps of things better than we can; you've proved + that,” said Archie, with an approving look that delighted Rose, though she + could not resist giving Charlie one more rebuke, by saying, with a little + bridling of the head, and a curl of the lip that wanted to smile instead, + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad you think so, though I am a 'queer chicken.”' + </p> + <p> + This scathing remark caused the Prince to hide his face for shame, and + Steve to erect his head in the proud consciousness that this shot was not + meant for him. Archie laughed, and Rose, seeing a merry blue eye winking + at her from behind two brown hands, gave Charlie's ear a friendly tweak, + and extended the olive-branch of peace. + </p> + <p> + “Now we'll all be good, and plan nice things for poor Mac,” she said, + smiling so graciously that the boys felt as if the sun had suddenly burst + out from behind a heavy cloud and was shining with great brilliancy. + </p> + <p> + The storm had cleared the air, and quite a heavenly calm succeeded, during + which plans of a most varied and surprising sort were laid, for everyone + burned to make noble sacrifices upon the shrine of “poor Mac,” and Rose + was the guiding star to whom the others looked with most gratifying + submission. Of course, this elevated state of things could not endure + long, but it was very nice while it lasted, and left an excellent effect + upon the minds of all when the first ardour had subsided. + </p> + <p> + “There, that's ready for to-morrow, and I do hope it will be cloudy,” said + Rose, as she finished off the new shade, the progress of which the boys + had watched with interest. + </p> + <p> + “I'd bespoken an extra sunny day, but I'll tell the clerk of the weather + to change it. He's an obliging fellow, and he'll attend to it, so make + yourself easy,” said Charlie, who had become quite perky again. + </p> + <p> + “It is very easy for you to joke, but how would you like to wear a blinder + like that for weeks and weeks, sir?” and Rose quenched his rising spirits + by slipping the shade over his eyes, as he still sat on the cushion at her + feet. + </p> + <p> + “It's horrid! Take it off, take it off! I don't wonder the poor old boy + has the blues with a thing like that on”; and Charlie sat looking at what + seemed to him an instrument of torture, with such a sober face that Rose + took it gently away, and went in to bid Mac good-night. + </p> + <p> + “I shall go home with her, for it is getting darkish, and she is rather + timid,” said Archie, forgetting that he had often laughed at this very + timidity. + </p> + <p> + “I think I might, for she's taking care of my brother,” put in Steve, + asserting his rights. + </p> + <p> + “Let's all go, that will please her”; proposed Charlie, with a burst of + gallantry which electrified his mates. + </p> + <p> + “We will!” they said with one voice, and they did, to Rose's great + surprise and secret contentment; though Archie had all the care of her, + for the other two were leaping fences, running races, and having wrestling + matches all the way down. + </p> + <p> + They composed themselves on reaching the door, however; shook hands + cordially all round, made their best bows, and retired with great elegance + and dignity, leaving Rose to say to herself, with girlish satisfaction, as + she went in, + </p> + <p> + “Now, that is the way I like to be treated.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 13—Cosey Corner + </h2> + <p> + Vacation was over, the boys went back to school, and poor Mac was left + lamenting. He was out of the darkened room now, and promoted to blue + goggles, through which he took a gloomy view of life, as might have been + expected; for there was nothing he could do but wander about, and try to + amuse himself without using his eyes. Anyone who has ever been condemned + to that sort of idleness knows how irksome it is, and can understand the + state of mind which caused Mac to say to Rose in a desperate tone one day, + </p> + <p> + “Look here, if you don't invent some new employment or amusement for me, I + shall knock myself on the head as sure as you live.” + </p> + <p> + Rose flew to Uncle Alec for advice, and he ordered both patient and nurse + to the mountains for a month, with Aunt Jessie and Jamie as escort. Pokey + and her mother joined the party, and one bright September morning six very + happy-looking people were aboard the express train for Portland two + smiling mammas, laden with luncheon baskets and wraps; a pretty young girl + with a bag of books on her arm; a tall thin lad with his hat over his + eyes; and two small children, who sat with their short legs straight out + before them, and their chubby faces beaming with the first speechless + delight of “truly travelling.” + </p> + <p> + An especially splendid sunset seemed to have been prepared to welcome them + when, after a long day's journey, they drove into a wide, green door-yard, + where a white colt, a red cow, two cats, four kittens, many hens, and a + dozen people, old and young, were gaily disporting themselves. Everyone + nodded and smiled in the friendliest manner, and a lively old lady kissed + the new-comers all round, as she said heartily, + </p> + <p> + “Well, now, I'm proper glad to see you! Come right in and rest, and we'll + have tea in less than no time, for you must be tired. Lizzie, you show the + folks upstairs; Kitty, you fly round and help father in with the trunks; + and Jenny and I will have the table all ready by the time you come down. + Bless the dears, they want to go see the pussies, and so they shall!” + </p> + <p> + The three pretty daughters did “fly round,” and everyone felt at home at + once, all were so hospitable and kind. Aunt Jessie had raptures over the + home-made carpets, quilts and quaint furniture; Rose could not keep away + from the windows, for each framed a lovely picture; and the little folks + made friends at once with the other children, who filled their arms with + chickens and kittens, and did the honours handsomely. + </p> + <p> + The toot of a horn called all to supper, and a goodly party, including six + children besides the Camp-bells, assembled in the long dining-room, armed + with mountain appetites and the gayest spirits. It was impossible for + anyone to be shy or sober, for such gales of merriment arose they blew the + starch out of the stiffest, and made the saddest jolly. Mother Atkinson, + as all called their hostess, was the merriest there, and the busiest; for + she kept flying up to wait on the children, to bring out some new dish, or + to banish the live stock, who were of such a social turn that the colt + came into the entry and demanded sugar; the cats sat about in people's + laps, winking suggestively at the food; and speckled hens cleared the + kitchen floor of crumbs, as they joined in the chat with a cheerful + clucking. + </p> + <p> + Everybody turned out after tea to watch the sunset till all the lovely red + was gone, and mosquitoes wound their shrill horns to sound the retreat. + The music of an organ surprised the new-comers, and in the parlor they + found Father Atkinson playing sweetly on the little instrument made by + himself. All the children gathered about him, and, led by the tuneful + sisters, sang prettily till Pokey fell asleep behind the door, and Jamie + gaped audibly right in the middle of his favourite, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Coo,” said the little doves: “Coo,” said she, + “All in the top of the old pine-tree.” + </pre> + <p> + The older travellers, being tired, went to “bye low” at the same time, and + slept like tops in home-spun sheets, on husk mattresses made by Mother + Atkinson, who seemed to have put some soothing powder among them, so deep + and sweet was the slumber that came. + </p> + <p> + Next day began the wholesome out-of-door life, which works such wonders + with tired minds and feeble bodies. The weather was perfect, and the + mountain air made the children as frisky as young lambs; while the elders + went about smiling at one another, and saying, “Isn't it splendid?” Even + Mac, the “slow coach,” was seen to leap over a fence as if he really could + not help it; and when Rose ran after him with his broad-brimmed hat, he + made the spirited proposal to go into the woods and hunt for a catamount. + </p> + <p> + Jamie and Pokey were at once enrolled in the Cosey Corner Light Infantry a + truly superb company, composed entirely of officers, all wearing cocked + hats, carrying flags, waving swords, or beating drums. It was a spectacle + to stir the dullest soul when this gallant band marched out of the yard in + full regimentals, with Captain Dove a solemn, big-headed boy of eleven + issuing his orders with the gravity of a general, and his Falstaffian + regiment obeying them with more docility than skill. The little Snow + children did very well, and Lieutenant Jack Dove was fine to see; so was + Drummer Frank, the errand-boy of the house, as he rub-a-dub-dubbed with + all his heart and drumsticks. Jamie had “trained” before, and was made a + colonel at once; but Pokey was the best of all, and called forth a + spontaneous burst of applause from the spectators as she brought up the + rear, her cocked hat all over one eye, her flag trailing over her + shoulder, and her wooden sword straight up in the air; her face beaming + and every curl bobbing with delight as her fat legs tottered in the vain + attempt to keep step manfully. + </p> + <p> + Mac and Rose were picking blackberries in the bushes beside the road when + the soldiers passed without seeing them, and they witnessed a sight that + was both pretty and comical. A little farther on was one of the family + burial spots so common in those parts, and just this side of it Captain + Fred Dove ordered his company to halt, explaining his reason for so doing + in the following words, + </p> + <p> + “That's a graveyard, and it's proper to muffle the drums and lower the + flags as we go by, and we'd better take off our hats, too; it's more + respectable, I think.” + </p> + <p> + “Isn't that cunning of the dears?” whispered Rose, as the little troop + marched slowly by to the muffled roll of the drums, every flag and sword + held low, all the little heads uncovered, and the childish faces very + sober as the leafy shadows flickered over them. + </p> + <p> + “Let's follow and see what they are after,” proposed Mac, who found + sitting on the wall and being fed with blackberries luxurious but + tiresome. + </p> + <p> + So they followed and heard the music grow lively, saw the banners wave in + the breeze again when the graveyard was passed, and watched the company + file into the dilapidated old church that stood at the corner of three + woodland roads. Presently the sound of singing made the outsiders quicken + their steps, and, stealing up, they peeped in at one of the broken + windows. + </p> + <p> + Captain Dove was up in the old wooden pulpit, gazing solemnly down upon + his company, who, having stacked their arms in the porch, now sat in the + bare pews singing a Sunday-school hymn with great vigour and relish. + </p> + <p> + “Let us pray,” said Captain Dove, with as much reverence as an army + chaplain; and, folding his hands, he repeated a prayer which he thought + all would know an excellent little prayer, but not exactly appropriate to + the morning, for it was, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Now I lay me down to sleep.” + </pre> + <p> + Everyone joined in saying it, and it was a pretty sight to see the little + creatures bowing their curly heads and lisping out the words they knew so + well. Tears came into Rose's eyes as she looked; Mac took his hat off + involuntarily, and then clapped it on again as if ashamed of showing any + feeling. + </p> + <p> + “Now I shall preach you a short sermon, and my text is, 'Little children, + love one another.' I asked mamma to give me one, and she thought that + would be good; so you all sit still and I'll preach it. You mustn't + whisper, Marion, but hear me. It means that we should be good to each + other, and play fair, and not quarrel as we did this very day about the + wagon. Jack can't always drive, and needn't be mad because I like to go + with Frank. Annette ought to be horse sometimes and not always driver; and + Willie may as well make up his mind to let Marion build her house by his, + for she will do it, and he needn't fuss about it. Jamie seems to be a good + boy, but I shall preach to him if he isn't. No, Pokey, people don't kiss + in church or put their hats on. Now you must all remember what I tell you, + because I am the captain, and you should mind me.” + </p> + <p> + Here Lieutenant Jack spoke right out in meeting with the rebellious + remark, + </p> + <p> + “Don't care if you are; you'd better mind yourself, and tell how you took + away my strap, and kept the biggest doughnut, and didn't draw fair when we + had the truck.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and you slapped Frank; I saw you!” bawled Willie Snow, bobbing up in + his pew. + </p> + <p> + “And you took my book away and hid it 'cause I wouldn't go and swing when + you wanted me to,” added Annette, the oldest of the Snow trio. + </p> + <p> + “I shan't build my house by Willie's if he don't want me to, so now!” put + in little Marion, joining the mutiny. + </p> + <p> + “I will tiss Dimmy! and I tored up my hat 'tause a pin picked me,” shouted + Pokey, regardless of Jamie's efforts to restrain her. + </p> + <p> + Captain Dove looked rather taken aback at this outbreak in the ranks; but, + being a dignified and calm personage, he quelled the rising rebellion with + great tact and skill, by saying, briefly, + </p> + <p> + “We'll sing the last hymn; 'Sweet, sweet good-by' you all know that, so do + it nicely, and then we will go and have luncheon.” + </p> + <p> + Peace was instantly restored, and a burst of melody drowned the suppressed + giggles of Rose and Mac, who found it impossible to keep sober during the + latter part of this somewhat remarkable service. Fifteen minutes of repose + rendered it a physical impossibility for the company to march out as + quietly as they had marched in. I grieve to state that the entire troop + raced home as hard as they could pelt, and were soon skirmishing briskly + over their lunch, utterly oblivious of what Jamie (who had been much + impressed by the sermon) called “the captain's beautiful teck.” + </p> + <p> + It was astonishing how much they all found to do at Cosey Corner; and Mac, + instead of lying in a hammock and being read to, as he had expected, was + busiest of all. He was invited to survey and lay out Skeeterville, a town + which the children were getting up in a huckleberry pasture; and he found + much amusement in planning little roads, staking off house-lots, attending + to the water-works, and consulting with the “selectmen” about the best + sites for public buildings; for Mac was a boy still, in spite of his + fifteen years and his love of books. + </p> + <p> + Then he went fishing with a certain jovial gentleman from the West; and + though they seldom caught anything but colds, they had great fun and + exercise chasing the phantom trout they were bound to have. Mac also + developed a geological mania, and went tapping about at rocks and stones, + discoursing wisely of “strata, periods, and fossil remains”; while Rose + picked up leaves and lichens, and gave him lessons in botany in return for + his lectures on geology. + </p> + <p> + They led a very merry life; for the Atkinson girls kept up a sort of + perpetual picnic; and did it so capitally, that one was never tired of it. + So their visitors throve finely, and long before the month was out it was + evident that Dr. Alec had prescribed the right medicine for his patients. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 14—A Happy Birthday + </h2> + <p> + The twelfth of October was Rose's birthday, but no one seemed to remember + that interesting fact, and she felt delicate about mentioning it, so fell + asleep the night before wondering if she would have any presents. That + question was settled early the next morning, for she was awakened by a + soft tap on her face, and opening her eyes she beheld a little black and + white figure sitting on her pillow, staring at her with a pair of round + eyes very like blueberries, while one downy paw patted her nose to attract + her notice. It was Kitty Comet, the prettiest of all the pussies, and + Comet evidently had a mission to perform, for a pink bow adorned her neck, + and a bit of paper was pinned to it bearing the words, “For Miss Rose, + from Frank.” + </p> + <p> + That pleased her extremely, and that was only the beginning of the fun, + for surprises and presents kept popping out in the most delightful manner + all through the day, the Atkinson girls being famous jokers and Rose a + favourite. But the best gift of all came on the way to Mount Windy-Top, + where it was decided to picnic in honour of the great occasion. Three + jolly loads set off soon after breakfast, for everybody went, and + everybody seemed bound to have an extra good time, especially Mother + Atkinson, who wore a hat as broad-brimmed as an umbrella, and took the + dinner-horn to keep her flock from straying away. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to drive auntie and a lot of the babies, so you must ride the + pony. And please stay behind us a good bit when we go to the station, for + a parcel is coming, and you are not to see it till dinner-time. You won't + mind, will you?” said Mac, in a confidential aside during the wild flurry + of the start. + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit,” answered Rose. “It hurts my feelings very much to be told to + keep out of the way at any other time, but birthdays and Christmas it is + part of the fun to be blind and stupid, and poked into corners. I'll be + ready as soon as you are, Giglamps.” + </p> + <p> + “Stop under the big maple till I call then you can't possibly see + anything,” added Mac, as he mounted her on the pony his father had sent up + for his use. “Barkis” was so gentle and so “willin',” however, that Rose + was ashamed to be afraid to ride him; so she had learned, that she might + surprise Dr. Alec when she got home; meantime she had many a fine canter + “over the hills and far away” with Mac, who preferred Mr. Atkinson's old + Sorrel. + </p> + <p> + Away they went, and, coming to the red maple, Rose obediently paused; but + could not help stealing a glance in the forbidden direction before the + call came. Yes, there was a hamper going under the seat, and then she + caught sight of a tall man whom Mac seemed to be hustling into the + carriage in a great hurry. One look was enough, and with a cry of delight, + Rose was off down the road as fast as Barkis could go. + </p> + <p> + “Now I'll astonish uncle,” she thought. “I'll dash up in grand style, and + show him that I am not a coward, after all.” + </p> + <p> + Fired by this ambition, she startled Barkis by a sharp cut, and still more + bewildered him by leaving him to his own guidance down the steep, stony + road. The approach would have been a fine success if, just as Rose was + about to pull up and salute, two or three distracted hens had not scuttled + across the road with a great squawking, which caused Barkis to shy and + stop so suddenly that his careless rider landed in an ignominious heap + just under old Sorrel's astonished nose. + </p> + <p> + Rose was up again before Dr. Alec was out of the carryall, and threw two + dusty arms about his neck crying with a breathless voice, + </p> + <p> + “O uncle, I'm so glad to see you! It is better than a cart-load of + goodies, and so dear of you to come!” + </p> + <p> + “But aren't you hurt, child! That was a rough tumble, and I'm afraid you + must be damaged somewhere,” answered the Doctor, full of fond anxiety, as + he surveyed his girl with pride. + </p> + <p> + “My feelings are hurt, but my bones are all safe. It's too bad! I was + going to do it so nicely, and those stupid hens spoilt it all,” said Rose, + quite crestfallen, as well as much shaken. + </p> + <p> + “I couldn't believe my eyes when I asked 'Where is Rose?' and Mac pointed + to the little Amazon pelting down the hill at such a rate. You couldn't + have done anything that would please me more, and I'm delighted to see how + well you ride. Now, will you mount again, or shall we turn Mac out and + take you in?” asked Dr. Alec, as Aunt Jessie proposed a start, for the + others were beckoning them to follow. + </p> + <p> + “Pride goeth before a fall better not try to show off again, ma'am,” said + Mac, who would have been more than mortal if he had refrained from teasing + when so good a chance offered. + </p> + <p> + “Pride does go before a fall, but I wonder if a sprained ankle always + comes after it?” thought Rose, bravely concealing her pain, as she + answered, with great dignity, + </p> + <p> + “I prefer to ride. Come on, and see who will catch up first.” + </p> + <p> + She was up and away as she spoke, doing her best to efface the memory of + her downfall by sitting very erect, elbows down, head well up, and taking + the motion of the pony as Barkis cantered along as easily as a + rocking-chair. + </p> + <p> + “You ought to see her go over a fence and race when we ride together. She + can scud, too, like a deer when we play 'Follow the leader,' and skip + stones and bat balls almost as well as I can,” said Mac, in reply to his + uncle's praise of his pupil. + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid you will think her a sad tomboy, Alec; but really she seems so + well and happy, I have not the heart to check her. She has broken out in + the most unexpected way, and frisks like a colt; for she says she feels so + full of spirits she must run and shout whether it is proper or not,” added + Mrs. Jessie, who had been a pretty hoyden years ago herself. + </p> + <p> + “Good good! that's the best news you could tell me,” and Dr. Alec rubbed + his hands heartily. “Let the girl run and shout as much as she will it is + a sure sign of health, and as natural to a happy child as frisking is to + any young animal full of life. Tomboys make strong women usually, and I + had far rather find Rose playing football with Mac than puttering over + bead-work like that affected midget, Ariadne Blish.” + </p> + <p> + “But she cannot go on playing football very long, and we must not forget + that she has a woman's work to do by and by,” began Mrs. Jessie. + </p> + <p> + “Neither will Mac play football much longer, but he will be all the better + fitted for business, because of the health it gives him. Polish is easily + added, if the foundations are strong; but no amount of gilding will be of + use if your timber is not sound. I'm sure I'm right, Jessie; and if I can + do as well by my girl during the next six months as I have the last, my + experiment will succeed.” + </p> + <p> + “It certainly will; for when I contrast that bright, blooming face with + the pale, listless one that made my heart ache a while ago, I can believe + in almost any miracle,” said Mrs. Jessie, as Rose looked round to point + out a lovely view, with cheeks like the ruddy apples in the orchard near + by, eyes clear as the autumn sky overhead, and vigour in every line of her + girlish figure. + </p> + <p> + A general scramble among the rocks was followed by a regular gypsy lunch, + which the young folks had the rapture of helping to prepare. Mother + Atkinson put on her apron, turned up her sleeves, and fell to work as + gaily as if in her own kitchen, boiling the kettle slung on three sticks, + over a fire of cones and fir boughs; while the girls spread the mossy + table with a feast of country goodies, and the children tumbled about in + everyone's way till the toot of the horn made them settle down like a + flock of hungry birds. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the merry meal and a brief interval of repose were over, it was + unanimously voted to have some charades. A smooth, green spot between two + stately pines was chosen for the stage; shawls hung up, properties + collected, audience and actors separated, and a word quickly chosen. + </p> + <p> + The first scene discovered Mac in a despondent attitude and shabby dress, + evidently much troubled in mind. To him entered a remarkable creature with + a brown paper bag over its head. A little pink nose peeped through one + hole in the middle, white teeth through another, and above two eyes glared + fiercely. Spires of grass stuck in each side of the mouth seemed meant to + represent whiskers; the upper corners of the bag were twisted like ears, + and no one could doubt for a moment that the black scarf pinned on behind + was a tail. + </p> + <p> + This singular animal seemed in pantomime to be comforting his master and + offering advice, which was finally acted upon, for Mac pulled off his + boots, helped the little beast into them, and gave him a bag; then, + kissing his paw, with a hopeful gesture, the creature retired, purring so + successfully that there was a general cry of “Cat, puss, boots!” + </p> + <p> + “Cat is the word,” replied a voice, and the curtain fell. + </p> + <p> + The next scene was a puzzler, for in came another animal, on all-fours + this time, with a new sort of tail and long ears. A gray shawl concealed + its face, but an inquisitive sunbeam betrayed the glitter as of goggles + under the fringe. On its back rode a small gentleman in Eastern costume, + who appeared to find some difficulty in keeping his seat as his steed + jogged along. Suddenly a spirit appeared, all in white, with long + newspaper wings upon its back and golden locks about its face. Singularly + enough, the beast beheld this apparition and backed instantly, but the + rider evidently saw nothing and whipped up unmercifully, also + unsuccessfully, for the spirit stood directly in the path, and the amiable + beast would not budge a foot. A lively skirmish followed, which ended in + the Eastern gentleman being upset into a sweet-fern bush, while the better + bred animal abased itself before the shining one. + </p> + <p> + The children were all in the dark till Mother Atkinson said, in an + inquiring tone, + </p> + <p> + “If that isn't Balaam and the ass, I'd like to know what it is. Rose makes + a sweet angel, doesn't she?” + </p> + <p> + “Ass” was evidently the word, and the angel retired, smiling with mundane + satisfaction over the compliment that reached her ears. + </p> + <p> + The next was a pretty little scene from the immortal story of “Babes in + the Wood.” Jamie and Pokey came trotting in, hand in hand, and, having + been through the parts many times before, acted with great ease and much + fluency, audibly directing each other from time to time as they went + along. The berries were picked, the way lost, tears shed, baby consolation + administered, and then the little pair lay down among the brakes and died + with their eyes wide open and the toes of their four little boots turned + up to the daisies in the most pathetic manner. + </p> + <p> + “Now the wobins tum. You be twite dead, Dimmy, and I'll peep in and see + 'em,” one defunct innocent was heard to say. + </p> + <p> + “I hope they'll be quick, for I'm lying on a stone, and ants are walking + up my leg like fury,” murmured the other. + </p> + <p> + Here the robins came flapping in with red scarves over their breasts and + leaves in their mouths, which they carefully laid upon the babes wherever + they would show best. A prickly blackberry leaf placed directly over + Pokey's nose caused her to sneeze so violently that her little legs flew + into the air; Jamie gave a startled “Ow!” and the pitying fowls fled + giggling. + </p> + <p> + After some discussion it was decided that the syllable must be “strew or + strow” and then they waited to see if it was a good guess. + </p> + <p> + This scene discovered Annette Snow in bed, evidently very ill; Miss Jenny + was her anxious mamma, and her merry conversation amused the audience till + Mac came in as a physician, and made great fun with his big watch, pompous + manner, and absurd questions. He prescribed one pellet with an + unpronounceable name, and left after demanding twenty dollars for his + brief visit. + </p> + <p> + The pellet was administered, and such awful agonies immediately set in + that the distracted mamma bade a sympathetic neighbour run for Mother + Know-all. The neighbour ran, and in came a brisk little old lady in cap + and specs, with a bundle of herbs under her arm, which she at once applied + in all sorts of funny ways, explaining their virtues as she clapped a + plantain poultice here, put a pounded catnip plaster there, or tied a + couple of mullein leaves round the sufferer's throat. Instant relief + ensued, the dying child sat up and demanded baked beans. The grateful + parent offered fifty dollars; but Mother Know-all indignantly refused it + and went smiling away, declaring that a neighbourly turn needed no reward, + and a doctor's fee was all a humbug. + </p> + <p> + The audience were in fits of laughter over this scene, for Rose imitated + Mrs. Atkinson capitally, and the herb cure was a good hit at the excellent + lady's belief that “yarbs” would save mankind if properly applied. No one + enjoyed it more than herself, and the saucy children prepared for the + grand finale in high feather. + </p> + <p> + This closing scene was brief but striking, for two trains of cars whizzed + in from opposite sides, met with a terrible collision in the middle of the + stage, and a general smash-up completed the word catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + “Now let us act a proverb. I've got one all ready,” said Rose, who was + dying to distinguish herself in some way before Uncle Alec. + </p> + <p> + So everyone but Mac, the gay Westerner, and Rose, took their places on the + rocky seats and discussed the late beautiful and varied charade, in which + Pokey frankly pronounced her own scene the “bestest of all.” + </p> + <p> + In five minutes the curtain was lifted; nothing appeared but a very large + sheet of brown paper pinned to a tree, and on it was drawn a clock-face, + the hands pointing to four. A small note below informed the public that 4 + A.M. was the time. Hardly had the audience grasped this important fact + when a long waterproof serpent was seen uncoiling itself from behind a + stump. An inch-worm, perhaps, would be a better description, for it + travelled in the same humpy way as that pleasing reptile. Suddenly a very + wide-awake and active fowl advanced, pecking, chirping, and scratching + vigorously. A tuft of green leaves waved upon his crest, a larger tuft of + brakes made an umbrageous tail, and a shawl of many colours formed his + flapping wings. A truly noble bird, whose legs had the genuine strut, + whose eyes shone watchfully, and whose voice had a ring that evidently + struck terror into the catterpillar's soul, if it was a catterpillar. He + squirmed, he wriggled, he humped as fast as he could, trying to escape; + but all in vain. The tufted bird espied him, gave one warbling sort of + crow, pounced upon him, and flapped triumphantly away. + </p> + <p> + “That early bird got such a big worm he could hardly carry him off,” + laughed Aunt Jessie, as the children shouted over the joke suggested by + Mac's nickname. + </p> + <p> + “That is one of uncle's favourite proverbs, so I got it up for his + especial benefit,” said Rose, coming up with the two-legged worm beside + her. + </p> + <p> + “Very clever; what next?” asked Dr. Alec as she sat down beside him. + </p> + <p> + “The Dove boys are going to give us an 'Incident in the Life of Napoleon,' + as they call it; the children think it very splendid, and the little + fellows do it rather nicely,” answered Mac with condescension. + </p> + <p> + A tent appeared, and pacing to and fro before it was a little sentinel, + who, in a brief soliloquy, informed the observers that the elements were + in a great state of confusion, that he had marched some hundred miles or + so that day, and that he was dying for want of sleep. Then he paused, + leaned upon his gun, and seemed to doze; dropped slowly down, overpowered + with slumber, and finally lay flat, with his gun beside him, a faithless + little sentinel. Enter Napoleon, cocked hat, gray coat, high boots, folded + arms, grim mouth, and a melodramatic stride. Freddy Dove always covered + himself with glory in this part, and “took the stage” with a Napoleonic + attitude that brought down the house; for the big-headed boy, with solemn, + dark eyes and square brow, was “the very moral of that rascal, + Boneyparty,” Mother Atkinson said. + </p> + <p> + Some great scheme was evidently brewing in his mighty mind a trip across + the Alps, a bonfire at Moscow, or a little skirmish at Waterloo perhaps, + for he marched in silent majesty till suddenly a gentle snore disturbed + the imperial reverie. He saw the sleeping soldier and glared upon him, + saying in an awful tone, + </p> + <p> + “Ha! asleep at his post! Death is the penalty he must die!” + </p> + <p> + Picking up the musket, he is about to execute summary justice, as emperors + are in the habit of doing, when something in the face of the weary + sentinel appears to touch him. And well it might, for a most engaging + little warrior was Jack as he lay with his shako half off, his childish + face trying to keep sober, and a great black moustache over his rosy + mouth. It would have softened the heart of any Napoleon, and the Little + Corporal proved himself a man by relenting, and saying, with a lofty + gesture of forgiveness, + </p> + <p> + “Brave fellow, he is worn out; I will let him sleep, and mount guard in + his place.” + </p> + <p> + Then, shouldering the gun, this noble being strode to and fro with a + dignity which thrilled the younger spectators. The sentinel awakes, sees + what has happened, and gives himself up for lost. But the Emperor restores + his weapon, and, with that smile which won all hearts, says, pointing to a + high rock whereon a crow happens to be sitting, “Be brave, be vigilant, + and remember that from yonder Pyramid generations are beholding you,” and + with these memorable words he vanishes, leaving the grateful soldier bolt + upright, with his hand at his temple and deathless devotion stamped upon + his youthful countenance. + </p> + <p> + The applause which followed this superb piece had hardly subsided, when a + sudden splash and a shrill cry caused a general rush toward the waterfall + that went gambolling down the rocks, singing sweetly as it ran. Pokey had + tried to gambol also, and had tumbled into a shallow pool, whither Jamie + had gallantly followed, in a vain attempt to fish her out, and both were + paddling about half frightened, half pleased with the unexpected bath. + </p> + <p> + This mishap made it necessary to get the dripping infants home as soon as + possible; so the wagons were loaded up, and away they went, as merry as if + the mountain air had really been “Oxygenated Sweets not Bitters,” as Dr. + Alec suggested when Mac said he felt as jolly as if he had been drinking + champagne instead of the current wine that came with a great frosted cake + wreathed with sugar roses in Aunt Plenty's hamper of goodies. + </p> + <p> + Rose took part in all the fun, and never betrayed by look or word the + twinges of pain she suffered in her ankle. She excused herself from the + games in the evening, however, and sat talking to Uncle Alec in a lively + way, that both amazed and delighted him; for she confided to him that she + played horse with the children, drilled with the light infantry, climbed + trees, and did other dreadful things that would have caused the aunts to + cry aloud if they knew of them. + </p> + <p> + “I don't care a pin what they say if you don't mind, uncle,” she answered, + when he pictured the dismay of the good ladies. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, it's all very well to defy them, but you are getting so rampant, I'm + afraid you will defy me next, and then where are we?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I won't! I shouldn't dare; because you are my guardian, and can put + me in a strait-jacket if you like;” and Rose laughed in his face, even + while she nestled closer with a confiding gesture pleasant to see. + </p> + <p> + “Upon my word, Rosy, I begin to feel like the man who bought an elephant, + and then didn't know what to do with him. I thought I had got a pet and + plaything for years to come; but here you are growing up like a + bean-stalk, and I shall find I've got a strong-minded little woman on my + hands before I can turn round. There's predicament for a man and an + uncle!” + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec's comic distress was mercifully relieved for the time being by a + dance of goblins on the lawn, where the children, with pumpkin lanterns on + their heads, frisked about like will-o'-the-wisps, as a parting surprise. + </p> + <p> + When Rose went to bed, she found that Uncle Alec had not forgotten her; + for on the table stood a delicate little easel, holding two miniatures set + in velvet. She knew them both, and stood looking at them till her eyes + brimmed over with tears that were both sweet and sad; for they were the + faces of her father and mother, beautifully copied from portraits fast + fading away. + </p> + <p> + Presently, she knelt down, and, putting her arms round the little shrine, + kissed one after the other, saying with an earnest voice, “I'll truly try + to make them glad to see me by and by.” + </p> + <p> + And that was Rose's little prayer on the night of her fourteenth birthday. + </p> + <p> + Two days later the Campbells went home, a larger party than when they + came; for Dr. Alec was escort and Kitty Comet was borne in state in a + basket, with a bottle of milk, some tiny sandwiches, and a doll's dish to + drink out of, as well as a bit of carpet to lie on in her palace car, out + of which she kept popping her head in the most fascinating manner. + </p> + <p> + There was a great kissing and cuddling, waving of handkerchiefs, and last + good-byes, as they went; and when they had started, Mother Atkinson came + running after them, to tuck in some little pies, hot from the oven, “for + the dears, who might get tired of bread and butter during that long day's + travel.” + </p> + <p> + Another start, and another halt; for the Snow children came shrieking up + to demand the three kittens that Pokey was cooly carrying off in a + travelling bag. The unhappy kits were rescued, half smothered, and + restored to their lawful owners, amid dire lamentation from the little + kidnapper, who declared that she only “tooked um 'cause they'd want to go + wid their sister Tomit.” + </p> + <p> + Start number three and stoppage number three, as Frank hailed them with + the luncheon basket, which had been forgotten, after everyone had + protested that it was safely in. + </p> + <p> + All went well after that, and the long journey was pleasantly beguiled by + Pokey and Pussy, who played together so prettily that they were considered + public benefactors. + </p> + <p> + “Rose doesn't want to go home, for she knows the aunts won't let her + rampage as she did up at Cosey Corner,” said Mac, as they approached the + old house. + </p> + <p> + “I can't rampage if I want to for a time, at least; and I'll tell you why. + I sprained my ankle when I tumbled off of Barkis, and it gets worse and + worse; though I've done all I know to cure it and hide it, so it shouldn't + trouble anyone,” whispered Rose, knitting her brows with pain, as she + prepared to descend, wishing her uncle would take her instead of her + bundles. + </p> + <p> + How he did it, she never knew; but Mac had her up the steps and on the + parlour sofa before she could put her foot to the ground. + </p> + <p> + “There you are right side up with care; and mind, now, if your ankle + bothers you, and you are laid up with it, I am to be your footman. It's + only fair, you know; for I don't forget how good you have been to me.” And + Mac went to call Phebe, so full of gratitude and good-will that his very + goggles shone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 15—Ear-Rings + </h2> + <p> + Rose's sprain proved to be a serious one, owing to neglect, and Dr. Alec + ordered her to lie on the sofa for a fortnight at least; whereat she + groaned dismally, but dared not openly complain, lest the boys turn upon + her with some of the wise little sermons on patience which she had + delivered for their benefit. + </p> + <p> + It was Mac's turn now, and honourably did he repay his debt; for, as + school was still forbidden, he had plenty of leisure, and devoted most of + it to Rose. He took many steps for her, and even allowed her to teach him + to knit, after assuring himself that many a brave Scotchman knew how to + “click the pricks.” She was obliged to take a solemn vow of secrecy, + however, before he would consent; for, though he did not mind being called + “Giglamps,” “Granny” was more than his boyish soul could bear, and at the + approach of any of the Clan his knitting vanished as if by magic, which + frequent “chucking” out of sight did not improve the stripe he was doing + for Rose's new afghan. + </p> + <p> + She was busy with this pretty work one bright October afternoon, all + nicely established on her sofa in the upper hall, while Jamie and Pokey + (lent for her amusement) were keeping house in a corner, with Comet and + Rose's old doll for their “childerns.” + </p> + <p> + Presently, Phebe appeared with a card. Rose read it, made a grimace, then + laughed and said, + </p> + <p> + “I'll see Miss Blish,” and immediately put on her company face, pulled out + her locket, and settled her curls. + </p> + <p> + “You dear thing, how do you do? I've been trying to call every day since + you got back, but I have so many engagements, I really couldn't manage it + till to-day. So glad you are alone, for mamma said I could sit awhile, and + I brought my lace-work to show you, for it's perfectly lovely.” cried Miss + Blish, greeting Rose with a kiss, which was not very warmly returned, + though Rose politely thanked her for coming, and bid Phebe roll up the + easy chair. + </p> + <p> + “How nice to have a maid!” said Ariadne, as she settled herself with much + commotion. “Still, dear, you must be very lonely, and feel the need of a + bosom friend.” + </p> + <p> + “I have my cousins,” began Rose, with dignity, for her visitor's + patronising manner ruffled her temper. + </p> + <p> + “Gracious, child! you don't make friends of those great boys, do you? + Mamma says she really doesn't think it's proper for you to be with them so + much.” + </p> + <p> + “They are like brothers, and my aunts do think it's proper,” replied Rose, + rather sharply, for it struck her that this was none of Miss Blish's + business. + </p> + <p> + “I was merely going to say I should be glad to have you for my bosom + friend, for Hatty Mason and I have had an awful quarrel, and don't speak. + She is too mean to live, so I gave her up. Just think, she never paid back + one of the caramels I've given her, and never invited me to her party. I + could have forgiven the caramels, but to be left out in that rude way was + more than I could bear, and I told her never to look at me again as long + as she lived.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very kind, but I don't think I want a bosom friend, thank you,” + said Rose, as Ariadne stopped to bridle and shake her flaxen head over the + delinquent Hatty Mason. + </p> + <p> + Now, in her heart Miss Blish thought Rose “a stuck-up puss,” but the other + girls wanted to know her and couldn't, the old house was a charming place + to visit, the lads were considered fine fellows, and the Campbells “are + one of our first families,” mamma said. So Ariadne concealed her vexation + at Rose's coolness, and changed the subject as fast as possible. + </p> + <p> + “Studying French, I see; who is your teacher?” she asked, flitting over + the leaves of “Paul and Virginia,” that lay on the table. + </p> + <p> + “I don't study it, for I read French as well as English, and uncle and I + often speak it for hours. He talks like a native, and says I have a + remarkably good accent.” + </p> + <p> + Rose really could not help this small display of superiority, for French + was one of her strong points, and she was vain of it, though she usually + managed to hide this weakness. She felt that Ariadne would be the better + for a little crushing, and could not resist the temptation to patronise in + her turn. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, indeed!” said Miss Blish, rather blankly, for French was not her + strong point by any means. + </p> + <p> + “I am to go abroad with uncle in a year or two, and he knows how important + it is to understand the languages. Half the girls who leave school can't + speak decent French, and when they go abroad they are so mortified. I + shall be very glad to help you, if you like, for, of course, you have no + one to talk with at home.” + </p> + <p> + Now Ariadne, though she looked like a wax doll, had feelings within her + instead of sawdust, and these feelings were hurt by Rose's lofty tone. She + thought her more “stuck up” than ever, but did not know how to bring her + down, yet longed to do it, for she felt as if she had received a box on + the ear, and involuntarily put her hand up to it. The touch of an ear-ring + consoled her, and suggested a way of returning tit for tat in a telling + manner. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, dear; I don't need any help, for our teacher is from Paris, + and of course he speaks better French than your uncle.” Then she added, + with a gesture of her head that set the little bells on her ears to + tingling: “How do you like my new ear-rings? Papa gave them to me last + week, and everyone says they are lovely.” + </p> + <p> + Rose came down from her high horse with a rapidity that was comical, for + Ariadne had the upper hand now. Rose adored pretty things, longed to wear + them, and the desire of her girlish soul was to have her ears bored, only + Dr. Alec thought it foolish, so she never had done it. She would gladly + have given all the French she could jabber for a pair of golden bells with + pearl-tipped tongues, like those Ariadne wore; and, clasping her hands, + she answered, in a tone that went to the hearer's heart, + </p> + <p> + “They are too sweet for anything! If uncle would only let me wear some, I + should be perfectly happy.” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't mind what he says. Papa laughed at me at first, but he likes + them now, and says I shall have diamond solitaires when I am eighteen,” + said Ariadne, quite satisfied with her shot. + </p> + <p> + “I've got a pair now that were mamma's, and a beautiful little pair of + pearl and turquoise ones, that I am dying to wear,” sighed Rose. + </p> + <p> + “Then do it. I'll pierce your ears, and you must wear a bit of silk in + them till they are well; your curls will hide them nicely; then, some day, + slip in your smallest ear-rings, and see if your uncle don't like them.” + </p> + <p> + “I asked him if it wouldn't do my eyes good once when they were red, and + he only laughed. People do cure weak eyes that way, don't they?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, indeed, and yours are sort of red. Let me see. Yes, I really think + you ought to do it before they get worse,” said Ariadne, peering into the + large clear eye offered for inspection. + </p> + <p> + “Does it hurt much?” asked Rose, wavering. + </p> + <p> + “Oh dear, no; just a prick and a pull, and it's all over. I've done lots + of ears, and know just how. Come, push up your hair and get a big needle.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't quite like to do it without asking uncle's leave,” faltered Rose, + when all was ready for the operation. + </p> + <p> + “Did he ever forbid it?” demanded Ariadne, hovering over her prey like a + vampire. + </p> + <p> + “No, never!” + </p> + <p> + “Then do it, unless you are afraid,” cried Miss Blish, bent on + accomplishing the deed. + </p> + <p> + That last word settled the matter, and, closing her eyes, Rose said + “Punch!” in the tone of one giving the fatal order “Fire!” + </p> + <p> + Ariadne punched, and the victim bore it in heroic silence, though she + turned pale and her eyes were full of tears of anguish. + </p> + <p> + “There! Now pull the bits of silk often, and cold-cream your ears every + night, and you'll soon be ready for the rings,” said Ariadne, well pleased + with her job, for the girl who spoke French with “a fine accent” lay flat + upon the sofa, looking as exhausted as if she had had both ears cut off. + </p> + <p> + “It does hurt dreadfully, and I know uncle won't like it,” sighed Rose, as + remorse began to gnaw. “Promise not to tell, or I shall be teased to + death,” she added, anxiously, entirely forgetting the two little pitchers + gifted with eyes as well as ears, who had been watching the whole + performance from afar. + </p> + <p> + “Never. Mercy me, what's that?” and Ariadne started as a sudden sound of + steps and voices came up from below. + </p> + <p> + “It's the boys! Hide the needle. Do my ears show? Don't breathe a word!” + whispered Rose, scrambling about to conceal all traces of their iniquity + from the sharp eyes of the Clan. + </p> + <p> + Up they came, all in good order, laden with the proceeds of a nutting + expedition, for they always reported to Rose and paid tribute to their + queen in the handsomest manner. + </p> + <p> + “How many, and how big! We'll have a grand roasting frolic after tea, + won't we?” said Rose, plunging both hands into a bag of glossy brown nuts, + while the Clan “stood at ease” and nodded to Ariadne. + </p> + <p> + “That lot was picked especially for you, Rosy. I got every one myself, and + they are extra whackers,” said Mac, presenting a bushel or so. + </p> + <p> + “You should have seen Giglamps when he was after them. He pitched out of + the tree, and would have broken his blessed old neck if Arch had not + caught him,” observed Steve, as he lounged gracefully in the window seat. + </p> + <p> + “You needn't talk, Dandy, when you didn't know a chestnut from a beech, + and kept on thrashing till I told you of it,” retorted Mac, festooning + himself over the back of the sofa, being a privileged boy. + </p> + <p> + “I don't make mistakes when I thrash you, old Worm, so you'd better mind + what you are about,” answered Steve, without a ray of proper respect for + his elder brother. + </p> + <p> + “It is getting dark, and I must go, or mamma will be alarmed,” said + Ariadne, rising in sudden haste, though she hoped to be asked to remain to + the nut-party. + </p> + <p> + No one invited her; and all the while she was putting on her things and + chatting to Rose the boys were telegraphing to one another the sad fact + that someone ought to escort the young lady home. Not a boy felt heroic + enough to cast himself into the breach, however; even polite Archie + shirked the duty, saying to Charlie, as they quietly slipped into an + adjoining room, + </p> + <p> + “I'm not going to do all the gallivanting. Let Steve take that chit home + and show his manners.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll be hanged if I do!” answered Prince, who disliked Miss Blish because + she tried to be coquettish with him. + </p> + <p> + “Then I will,” and, to the dismay of both recreant lads, Dr. Alec walked + out of the room to offer his services to the “chit.” + </p> + <p> + He was too late, however, for Mac, obeying a look from Rose, had already + made a victim of himself, and trudged meekly away, wishing the gentle + Ariadne at the bottom of the Red Sea. + </p> + <p> + “Then I will take this lady down to tea, as the other one has found a + gentleman to go home with her. I see the lamps are lighted below, and I + smell a smell which tells me that auntie has something extra nice for us + to-night.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, Dr. Alec was preparing to carry Rose downstairs as usual; but + Archie and Prince rushed forward, begging with penitent eagerness for the + honour of carrying her in an arm-chair. Rose consented, fearing that her + uncle's keen eye would discover the fatal bits of silk; so the boys + crossed hands, and, taking a good grip of each curly pate, she was borne + down in state, while the others followed by way of the banisters. + </p> + <p> + Tea was ordered earlier than usual, so that Jamie and his dolly could have + a taste, at least, of the holiday fun, for they were to stay till seven, + and be allowed twelve roasted chestnuts apiece, which they were under + bonds not to eat till next day. + </p> + <p> + Tea was despatched rapidly, therefore, and the party gathered round the + wide hearth in the dining-room, where the nuts were soon dancing gaily on + hot shovels or bouncing out among the company, thereby causing delightful + panics among the little ones. + </p> + <p> + “Come, Rosy, tell us a story while we work, for you can't help much, and + must amuse us as your share,” proposed Mac, who sat in the shade pricking + nuts, and who knew by experience what a capital little Scheherazade his + cousin was. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we poor monkeys can't burn our paws for nothing, so tell away, + Pussy,” added Charlie, as he threw several hot nuts into her lap and shook + his fingers afterwards. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I happen to have a little story with a moral to it in my mind, and + I will tell it, though it is intended for younger children than you,” + answered Rose, who was rather fond of telling instructive tales. + </p> + <p> + “Fire away,” said Geordie, and she obeyed, little thinking what a + disastrous story it would prove to herself. + </p> + <p> + “Well, once upon a time, a little girl went to see a young lady who was + very fond of her. Now, the young lady happened to be lame, and had to have + her foot bandaged up every day; so she kept a basketful of bandages, all + nicely rolled and ready. The little girl liked to play with this basket, + and one day, when she thought no one saw her, she took one of the rolls + without asking leave, and put it in her pocket.” + </p> + <p> + Here Pokey, who had been peering lovingly down at the five warm nuts that + lay at the bottom of her tiny pocket, suddenly looked up and said, “Oh!” + in a startled tone, as if the moral tale had become intensely interesting + all at once. + </p> + <p> + Rose heard and saw the innocent betrayal of the small sinner, and went on + in a most impressive manner, while the boys nudged one another and winked + as they caught the joke. + </p> + <p> + “But an eye did see this naughty little girl, and whose eye do you think + it was?” + </p> + <p> + “Eye of Dod,” murmured conscience-stricken Pokey, spreading two chubby + little hands before the round face, which they were not half big enough to + hide. + </p> + <p> + Rose was rather taken aback by this reply, but, feeling that she was + producing a good effect, she added seriously, + </p> + <p> + “Yes, God saw her, and so did the young lady, but she did not say + anything; she waited to see what the little girl would do about it. She + had been very happy before she took the bandage, but when it was in her + pocket she seemed troubled, and pretty soon stopped playing, and sat down + in a corner looking very sober. She thought a few minutes, and then went + and put back the roll very softly, and her face cleared up, and she was a + happy child again. The young lady was glad to see that, and wondered what + made the little girl put it back.” + </p> + <p> + “Tonscience p'icked her,” murmured a contrite voice from behind the small + hands pressed tightly over Pokey's red face. + </p> + <p> + “And why did she take it, do you suppose?” asked Rose, in a school-marmish + tone, feeling that all the listeners were interested in her tale and its + unexpected application. + </p> + <p> + “It was so nice and wound, and she wanted it deffly,” answered the little + voice. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm glad she had such a good conscience. The moral is that people + who steal don't enjoy what they take, and are not happy till they put it + back. What makes that little girl hide her face?” asked Rose, as she + concluded. + </p> + <p> + “Me's so 'shamed of Pokey,” sobbed the small culprit, quite overcome by + remorse and confusion at this awful disclosure. + </p> + <p> + “Come, Rose, it's too bad to tell her little tricks before everyone, and + preach at her in that way; you wouldn't like it yourself,” began Dr. Alec, + taking the weeper on his knee and administering consolation in the shape + of kisses and nuts. + </p> + <p> + Before Rose could express her regret, Jamie, who had been reddening and + ruffling like a little turkey-cock for several minutes, burst out + indignantly, bent on avenging the wound given to his beloved dolly. + </p> + <p> + “I know something bad that you did, and I'm going to tell right out. You + thought we didn't see you, but we did, and you said uncle wouldn't like + it, and the boys would tease, and you made Ariadne promise not to tell, + and she punched holes in your ears to put ear-rings in. So now! and that's + much badder than to take an old piece of rag; and I hate you for making my + Pokey cry.” + </p> + <p> + Jamie's somewhat incoherent explosion produced such an effect that Pokey's + small sin was instantly forgotten, and Rose felt that her hour had come. + </p> + <p> + “What! what! what!” cried the boys in a chorus, dropping their shovels and + knives to gather round Rose, for a guilty clutching at her ears betrayed + her, and with a feeble cry of “Ariadne made me!” she hid her head among + the pillows like an absurd little ostrich. + </p> + <p> + “Now she'll go prancing round with bird cages and baskets and carts and + pigs, for all I know, in her ears, as the other girls do, and won't she + look like a goose?” asked one tormentor, tweaking a curl that strayed out + from the cushions. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't think she'd be so silly,” said Mac, in a tone of disappointment + that told Rose she had sunk in the esteem of her wise cousin. + </p> + <p> + “That Blish girl is a nuisance, and ought not to be allowed to come here + with her nonsensical notions,” said the Prince, feeling a strong desire to + shake that young person as an angry dog might shake a mischievous kitten. + </p> + <p> + “How do you like it, uncle?” asked Archie, who, being the head of a family + himself, believed in preserving discipline at all costs. + </p> + <p> + “I am very much surprised; but I see she is a girl, after all, and must + have her vanities like all the rest of them,” answered Dr. Alec, with a + sigh, as if he had expected to find Rose a sort of angel, above all + earthly temptations. + </p> + <p> + “What shall you do about it, sir?” inquired Geordie, wondering what + punishment would be inflicted on a feminine culprit. + </p> + <p> + “As she is fond of ornaments, perhaps we had better give her a nose-ring + also. I have one somewhere that a Fiji belle once wore; I'll look it up,” + and, leaving Pokey to Jamie's care, Dr. Alec rose as if to carry out his + suggestion in earnest. + </p> + <p> + “Good! good! We'll do it right away! Here's a gimlet, so you hold her, + boys, while I get her dear little nose all ready,” cried Charlie, whisking + away the pillow as the other boys danced about the sofa in true Fiji + style. + </p> + <p> + It was a dreadful moment, for Rose could not run away she could only grasp + her precious nose with one hand and extend the other, crying distractedly, + </p> + <p> + “O uncle, save me, save me!” + </p> + <p> + Of course he saved her; and when she was securely barricaded by his strong + arm, she confessed her folly in such humiliation of spirit, that the lads, + after a good laugh at her, decided to forgive her and lay all the blame on + the tempter, Ariadne. Even Dr. Alec relented so far as to propose two gold + rings for the ears instead of one copper one for the nose; a proceeding + which proved that if Rose had all the weakness of her sex for jewellery, + he had all the inconsistency of his in giving a pretty penitent exactly + what she wanted, spite of his better judgment. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 16—Bread and Button-Holes + </h2> + <p> + “What in the world is my girl thinking about all alone here, with such a + solemn face?” asked Dr. Alec, coming into the study, one November day, to + find Rose sitting there with folded hands and a very thoughtful aspect. + </p> + <p> + “Uncle, I want to have some serious conversation with you, if you have + time,” she said, coming out of a brown study, as if she had not heard his + question. + </p> + <p> + “I'm entirely at your service, and most happy to listen,” he answered, in + his politest manner, for when Rose put on her womanly little airs he + always treated her with a playful sort of respect that pleased her very + much. + </p> + <p> + Now, as he sat down beside her, she said, very soberly, + </p> + <p> + “I've been trying to decide what trade I would learn, and I want you to + advise me.” + </p> + <p> + “Trade, my dear?” and Dr. Alec looked so astonished that she hastened to + explain. + </p> + <p> + “I forgot that you didn't hear the talk about it up at Cosey Corner. You + see we used to sit under the pines and sew, and talk a great deal all the + ladies, I mean and I liked it very much. Mother Atkinson thought that + everyone should have a trade, or something to make a living out of, for + rich people may grow poor, you know, and poor people have to work. Her + girls were very clever, and could do ever so many things, and Aunt Jessie + thought the old lady was right; so when I saw how happy and independent + those young ladies were, I wanted to have a trade, and then it wouldn't + matter about money, though I like to have it well enough.” + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec listened to this explanation with a curious mixture of surprise, + pleasure, and amusement in his face, and looked at his little niece as if + she had suddenly changed into a young woman. She had grown a good deal in + the last six months, and an amount of thinking had gone on in that young + head which would have astonished him greatly could he have known it all, + for Rose was one of the children who observe and meditate much, and now + and then nonplus their friends by a wise or curious remark. + </p> + <p> + “I quite agree with the ladies, and shall be glad to help you decide on + something if I can,” said the Doctor seriously. “What do you incline to? A + natural taste or talent is a great help in choosing, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I haven't any talent, or any especial taste that I can see, and that is + why I can't decide, uncle. So, I think it would be a good plan to pick out + some very useful business and learn it, because I don't do it for + pleasure, you see, but as a part of my education, and to be ready in case + I'm ever poor,” answered Rose, looking as if she rather longed for a + little poverty so that her useful gift might be exercised. + </p> + <p> + “Well, now, there is one very excellent, necessary, and womanly + accomplishment that no girl should be without, for it is a help to rich + and poor, and the comfort of families depends upon it. This fine talent is + neglected nowadays, and considered old-fashioned, which is a sad mistake, + and one that I don't mean to make in bringing up my girl. It should be a + part of every girl's education, and I know of a most accomplished lady who + will teach you in the best and pleasantest manner.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what is it?” cried Rose eagerly, charmed to be met in this helpful + and cordial way. + </p> + <p> + “Housekeeping!” answered Dr. Alec. + </p> + <p> + “Is that an accomplishment?” asked Rose, while her face fell, for she had + indulged in all sorts of vague, delightful dreams. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; it is one of the most beautiful as well as useful of all the arts a + woman can learn. Not so romantic, perhaps, as singing, painting, writing, + or teaching, even; but one that makes many happy and comfortable, and home + the sweetest place in the world. Yes, you may open your big eyes; but it + is a fact that I had rather see you a good housekeeper than the greatest + belle in the city. It need not interfere with any talent you may possess, + but it is a necessary part of your training, and I hope that you will set + about it at once, now that you are well and strong.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is the lady?” asked Rose, rather impressed by her uncle's earnest + speech. + </p> + <p> + “Aunt Plenty.” + </p> + <p> + “Is she accomplished?” began Rose in a wondering tone, for this great-aunt + of hers had seemed the least cultivated of them all. + </p> + <p> + “In the good old-fashioned way she is very accomplished, and has made this + house a happy home to us all, ever since we can remember. She is not + elegant, but genuinely good, and so beloved and respected that there will + be universal mourning for her when her place is empty. No one can fill it, + for the solid, homely virtues of the dear soul have gone out of fashion, + as I say, and nothing new can be half so satisfactory, to me at least.” + </p> + <p> + “I should like to have people feel so about me. Can she teach me to do + what she does, and to grow as good?” asked Rose, with a little prick of + remorse for even thinking that Aunt Plenty was a commonplace old lady. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if you don't despise such simple lessons as she can give. I know it + would fill her dear old heart with pride and pleasure to feel that anyone + cared to learn of her, for she fancies her day gone by. Let her teach you + how to be what she has been a skilful, frugal, cheerful housewife; the + maker and the keeper of a happy home, and by and by you will see what a + valuable lesson it is.” + </p> + <p> + “I will, uncle. But how shall I begin?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll speak to her about it, and she will make it all right with Dolly, + for cooking is one of the main things, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “So it is! I don't mind that a bit, for I like to mess, and used to try at + home; but I had no one to tell me, so I never did much but spoil my + aprons. Pies are great fun, only Dolly is so cross, I don't believe she + will ever let me do a thing in the kitchen.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'll cook in the parlour. I fancy Aunt Plenty will manage her, so + don't be troubled. Only mind this, I'd rather you learned how to make good + bread than the best pies ever baked. When you bring me a handsome, + wholesome loaf, entirely made by yourself, I shall be more pleased than if + you offered me a pair of slippers embroidered in the very latest style. I + don't wish to bribe you, but I'll give you my heartiest kiss, and promise + to eat every crumb of the loaf myself.” + </p> + <p> + “It's a bargain! it's a bargain! Come and tell aunty all about it, for I'm + in a hurry to begin,” cried Rose, dancing before him toward the parlor, + where Miss Plenty sat alone knitting contentedly, yet ready to run at the + first call for help of any sort, from any quarter. + </p> + <p> + No need to tell how surprised and gratified she was at the invitation she + received to teach the child the domestic arts which were her only + accomplishments, nor to relate how energetically she set about her + pleasant task. Dolly dared not grumble, for Miss Plenty was the one person + whom she obeyed, and Phebe openly rejoiced, for these new lessons brought + Rose nearer to her, and glorified the kitchen in the good girl's eyes. + </p> + <p> + To tell the truth, the elder aunts had sometimes felt that they did not + have quite their share of the little niece who had won their hearts long + ago, and was the sunshine of the house. They talked it over together + sometimes, but always ended by saying that as Alec had all the + responsibility, he should have the larger share of the dear girl's love + and time, and they would be contented with such crumbs of comfort as they + could get. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec had found out this little secret, and, after reproaching himself + for being blind and selfish, was trying to devise some way of mending + matters without troubling anyone, when Rose's new whim suggested an + excellent method of weaning her a little from himself. He did not know how + fond he was of her till he gave her up to the new teacher, and often could + not resist peeping in at the door to see how she got on, or stealing sly + looks through the slide when she was deep in dough, or listening intently + to some impressive lecture from Aunt Plenty. They caught him at it now and + then, and ordered him off the premises at the point of the rolling-pin; + or, if unusually successful, and, therefore, in a milder mood, they lured + him away with bribes of ginger-bread, a stray pickle, or a tart that was + not quite symmetrical enough to suit their critical eyes. + </p> + <p> + Of course he made a point of partaking copiously of all the delectable + messes that now appeared at table, for both the cooks were on their + mettle, and he fared sumptuously every day. But an especial relish was + given to any dish when, in reply to his honest praise of it, Rose coloured + up with innocent pride, and said modestly, + </p> + <p> + “I made that, uncle, and I'm glad you like it.” + </p> + <p> + It was some time before the perfect loaf appeared, for bread-making is an + art not easily learned, and Aunt Plenty was very thorough in her teaching; + so Rose studied yeast first, and through various stages of cake and + biscuit came at last to the crowning glory of the “handsome, wholesome + loaf.” It appeared at tea-time, on a silver salver, proudly borne in by + Phebe, who could not refrain from whispering, with a beaming face, as she + set it down before Dr. Alec, + </p> + <p> + “Ain't it just lovely, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “It is a regularly splendid loaf! Did my girl make it all herself?” he + asked, surveying the shapely, sweet-smelling object with real interest and + pleasure. + </p> + <p> + “Every particle herself, and never asked a bit of help or advice from + anyone,” answered Aunt Plenty, folding her hands with an air of + unmitigated satisfaction, for her pupil certainly did her great credit. + </p> + <p> + “I've had so many failures and troubles that I really thought I never + should be able to do it alone. Dolly let one splendid batch burn up + because I forgot it. She was there and smelt it, but never did a thing, + for she said, when I undertook to bake bread I must give my whole mind to + it. Wasn't it hard? She might have called me at least,” said Rose, + recollecting, with a sigh, the anguish of that moment. + </p> + <p> + “She meant you should learn by experience, as Rosamond did in that little + affair of the purple jar, you remember.” + </p> + <p> + “I always thought it very unfair in her mother not to warn the poor thing + a little bit; and she was regularly mean when Rosamond asked for a bowl to + put the purple stuff in, and she said, in such a provoking way, 'I did not + agree to lend you a bowl, but I will, my dear.' Ugh! I always want to + shake that hateful woman, though she was a moral mamma.” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind her now, but tell me all about my loaf,” said Dr. Alec, much + amused at Rose's burst of indignation. + </p> + <p> + “There's nothing to tell, uncle, except that I did my best, gave my mind + to it, and sat watching over it all the while it was in the oven till I + was quite baked myself. Everything went right this time, and it came out a + nice, round, crusty loaf, as you see. Now taste it, and tell me if it is + good as well as handsome.” + </p> + <p> + “Must I cut it? Can't I put it under a glass cover and keep it in the + parlor as they do wax flowers and fine works of that sort?” + </p> + <p> + “What an idea, uncle! It would mould and be spoilt. Besides, people would + laugh at us, and make fun of my old-fashioned accomplishment. You promised + to eat it, and you must; not all at once, but as soon as you can, so I can + make you some more.” + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec solemnly cut off his favourite crusty slice, and solemnly ate it; + then wiped his lips, and brushing back Rose's hair, solemnly kissed her on + the forehead, saying, heartily, + </p> + <p> + “My dear, it is perfect bread, and you are an honour to your teacher. When + we have our model school I shall offer a prize for the best bread, and you + will get it.” + </p> + <p> + “I've got it already, and I'm quite satisfied,” said Rose, slipping into + her seat, and trying to hide her right hand which had a burn on it. + </p> + <p> + But Dr. Alec saw it, guessed how it came there, and after tea insisted on + easing the pain which she would hardly confess. + </p> + <p> + “Aunt Clara says I am spoiling my hands, but I don't care, for I've had + such good times with Aunt Plenty, and I think she has enjoyed it as much + as I have. Only one thing troubles me, uncle, and I want to ask you about + it,” said Rose, as they paced up and down the hall in the twilight, the + bandaged hand very carefully laid on Dr. Alec's arm. + </p> + <p> + “More little confidences? I like them immensely, so tell away, my dear.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you see I feel as if Aunt Peace would like to do something for me, + and I've found out what it can be. You know she can't go about like Aunty + Plen, and we are so busy nowadays that she is rather lonely, I'm afraid. + So I want to take lessons in sewing of her. She works so beautifully, and + it is a useful thing, you know, and I ought to be a good needlewoman as + well as housekeeper, oughtn't I?” + </p> + <p> + “Bless your kind little heart, that is what I was thinking of the other + day when Aunt Peace said she saw you very seldom now, you were so busy I + wanted to speak of it, but fancied you had as much on your hands as you + could manage. It would delight the dear woman to teach you all her + delicate handicraft, especially button-holes, for I believe that is where + young ladies fail; at least, I've heard them say so. So, do you devote + your mind to button-holes; make 'em all over my clothes if you want + something to practice on. I'll wear any quantity.” + </p> + <p> + Rose laughed at this reckless offer, but promised to attend to that + important branch, though she confessed that darning was her weak point. + Whereupon Uncle Alec engaged to supply her with socks in all stages of + dilapidation, and to have a new set at once, so that she could run the + heels for him as a pleasant beginning. + </p> + <p> + Then they went up to make their request in due form, to the great delight + of gentle Aunt Peace, who got quite excited with the fun that went on + while they would yarn, looked up darning needles, and fitted out a nice + little mending basket for her pupil. + </p> + <p> + Very busy and very happy were Rose's days now, for in the morning she went + about the house with Aunt Plenty attending to linen-closets and + store-rooms, pickling and preserving, exploring garret and cellar to see + that all was right, and learning, in the good old-fashioned manner, to + look well after the ways of the household. + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon, after her walk or drive, she sat with Aunt Peace plying + her needle, while Aunt Plenty, whose eyes were failing, knitted and + chatted briskly, telling many a pleasant story of old times, till the + three were moved to laugh and cry together, for the busy needles were + embroidering all sorts of bright patterns on the lives of the workers, + though they seemed to be only stitching cotton and darning hose. + </p> + <p> + It was a pretty sight to see the rosy-faced little maid sitting between + the two old ladies, listening dutifully to their instructions, and + cheering the lessons with her lively chatter and blithe laugh. If the + kitchen had proved attractive to Dr. Alec when Rose was there at work, the + sewing-room was quite irresistible, and he made himself so agreeable that + no one had the heart to drive him away, especially when he read aloud or + spun yarns. + </p> + <p> + “There! I've made you a new set of warm night-gowns with four button-holes + in each. See if they are not neatly done,” said Rose, one day, some weeks + after the new lessons began. + </p> + <p> + “Even to a thread, and nice little bars across the end so I can't tear + them when I twitch the buttons out. Most superior work, ma'am, and I'm + deeply grateful; so much so, that I'll sew on these buttons myself, and + save those tired fingers from another prick.” + </p> + <p> + “You sew them on?” cried Rose, with her eyes wide open in amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Wait a bit till I get my sewing tackle, and then you shall see what I can + do.” + </p> + <p> + “Can he, really?” asked Rose of Aunt Peace, as Uncle Alec marched off with + a comical air of importance. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, I taught him years ago, before he went to sea; and I suppose he + has had to do things for himself, more or less, ever since; so he has kept + his hand in.” + </p> + <p> + He evidently had, for he was soon back with a funny little work-bag, out + of which he produced a thimble without a top; and, having threaded his + needle, he proceeded to sew on the buttons so handily that Rose was much + impressed and amused. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if there is anything in the world that you cannot do,” she said, + in a tone of respectful admiration. + </p> + <p> + “There are one or two things that I am not up to yet,” he answered, with a + laugh in the corner of his eye, as he waxed his thread with a flourish. + </p> + <p> + “I should like to know what?” + </p> + <p> + “Bread and button-holes, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 17—Good Bargains + </h2> + <p> + It was a rainy Sunday afternoon, and four boys were trying to spend it + quietly in the “liberry,” as Jamie called the room devoted to books and + boys, at Aunt Jessie's. Will and Geordie were sprawling on the sofa, deep + in the adventures of the scapegraces and ragamuffins whose histories are + now the fashion. Archie lounged in the easy chair, surrounded by + newspapers; Charlie stood upon the rug, in an Englishman's favourite + attitude, and, I regret to say, both were smoking cigars. + </p> + <p> + “It is my opinion that this day will never come to an end,” said Prince, + with a yawn that nearly rent him asunder. + </p> + <p> + “Read and improve your mind, my son,” answered Archie, peering solemnly + over the paper behind which he had been dozing. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you preach, parson, but put on your boots and come out for a tramp, + instead of mulling over the fire like a granny.” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you, tramps in an easterly storm don't strike me as amusing.” + There Archie stopped and held up his hand, for a pleasant voice was heard + saying outside, + </p> + <p> + “Are the boys in the library, auntie?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, dear, and longing for sunshine; so run in and make it for them,” + answered Mrs. Jessie. + </p> + <p> + “It's Rose,” and Archie threw his cigar into the fire. + </p> + <p> + “What's that for?” asked Charlie. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen don't smoke before ladies.” + </p> + <p> + “True; but I'm not going to waste my weed,” and Prince poked his into the + empty inkstand that served them for an ash tray. + </p> + <p> + A gentle tap at the door was answered by a chorus of “Come in,” and Rose + appeared, looking blooming and breezy with the chilly air. + </p> + <p> + “If I disturb you, say so, and I'll go away,” she began, pausing on the + threshold with modest hesitation, for something in the elder boys' faces + excited her curiosity. + </p> + <p> + “You never disturb us, cousin,” said the smokers, while the readers tore + themselves from the heroes of the bar-room and gutter long enough to nod + affably to their guest. + </p> + <p> + As Rose bent to warm her hands, one end of Archie's cigar stuck out of the + ashes, smoking furiously and smelling strongly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you bad boys, how could you do it, to-day of all days?” she said + reproachfully. + </p> + <p> + “Where's the harm?” asked Archie. + </p> + <p> + “You know as well as I do; your mother doesn't like it, and it's a bad + habit, for it wastes money and does you no good.” + </p> + <p> + “Fiddlesticks! every man smokes, even Uncle Alec, whom you think so + perfect,” began Charlie, in his teasing way. + </p> + <p> + “No, he doesn't! He has given it up, and I know why,” cried Rose eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “Now I think of it, I haven't seen the old meerschaum since he came home. + Did he stop it on our account?” asked Archie. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” and Rose told the little scene on the seashore in the camping-out + time. + </p> + <p> + Archie seemed much impressed, and said manfully, “He won't have done that + in vain so far as I'm concerned. I don't care a pin about smoking, so can + give it up as easy as not, and I promise you I will. I only do it now and + then for fun.” + </p> + <p> + “You too?” and Rose looked up at the bonny Prince, who never looked less + bonny than at that moment, for he had resumed his cigar just to torment + her. + </p> + <p> + Now Charlie cared as little as Archie about smoking, but it would not do + to yield too soon: so he shook his head, gave a great puff, and said + loftily, + </p> + <p> + “You women are always asking us to give up harmless little things just + because you don't approve of them. How would you like it if we did the + same by you, miss?” + </p> + <p> + “If I did harmful or silly things, I'd thank you for telling me of them, + and I'd try to mend my ways,” answered Rose heartily. + </p> + <p> + “Well, now, we'll see if you mean what you say. I'll give up smoking to + please you, if you will give up something to please me,” said Prince, + seeing a good chance to lord it over the weaker vessel at small cost to + himself. + </p> + <p> + “I'll agree if it is as foolish as cigars.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it's ever so much sillier.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I promise; what is it?” and Rose quite trembled with anxiety to know + which of her pet habits or possessions she must lose. + </p> + <p> + “Give up your ear-rings,” and Charlie laughed wickedly, sure that she + would never hold to that bargain. + </p> + <p> + Rose uttered a cry and clapped both hands to her ears where the gold rings + hung. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Charlie, wouldn't anything else do as well? I've been through so much + teasing and trouble, I do want to enjoy my pretty ear-rings, for I can + wear them now.” + </p> + <p> + “Wear as many as you like, and I'll smoke in peace,” returned this bad + boy. + </p> + <p> + “Will nothing else satisfy you?” imploringly. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” sternly. + </p> + <p> + Rose stood silent for a minute, thinking of something Aunt Jessie once + said “You have more influence over the boys than you know; use it for + their good, and I shall thank you all my life.” Here was a chance to do + some good by sacrificing a little vanity of her own. She felt it was right + to do it, yet found it very hard, and asked wistfully, + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean never wear them, Charlie?” + </p> + <p> + “Never, unless you want me to smoke.” + </p> + <p> + “I never do.” + </p> + <p> + “Then clinch the bargain.” + </p> + <p> + He had no idea she would do it, and was much surprised when she took the + dear rings from her ears, with a quick gesture, and held them out to him, + saying, in a tone that made the colour come up to his brown cheek, it was + so full of sweet good will, + </p> + <p> + “I care more for my cousins than for my ear-rings, so I promise, and I'll + keep my word.” + </p> + <p> + “For shame, Prince! let her wear her little danglers if she likes, and + don't bargain about doing what you know is right,” cried Archie, coming + out of his grove of newspapers with an indignant bounce. + </p> + <p> + But Rose was bent on showing her aunt that she could use her influence for + the boys' good, and said steadily, + </p> + <p> + “It is fair, and I want it to be so, then you will believe I'm in earnest. + Here, each of you wear one of these on your watch-guard to remind you. I + shall not forget, because very soon I cannot wear ear-rings if I want to.” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke, Rose offered a little ring to each cousin, and the boys, + seeing how sincere she was, obeyed her. When the pledges were safe, Rose + stretched a hand to each, and the lads gave hers a hearty grip, half + pleased and half ashamed of their part in the compact. + </p> + <p> + Just at that moment Dr. Alec and Mrs. Jessie came in. + </p> + <p> + “What's this? Dancing Ladies' Triumph on Sunday?” exclaimed Uncle Alec, + surveying the trio with surprise. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, it is the Anti-Tobacco League. Will you join?” said Charlie, + while Rose slipped away to her aunt, and Archie buried both cigars behind + the back log. + </p> + <p> + When the mystery was explained, the elders were well pleased, and Rose + received a vote of thanks, which made her feel as if she had done a + service to her country, as she had, for every boy who grows up free from + bad habits bids fair to make a good citizen. + </p> + <p> + “I wish Rose would drive a bargain with Will and Geordie also, for I think + these books are as bad for the small boys as cigars for the large ones,” + said Mrs. Jessie, sitting down on the sofa between the readers, who + politely curled up their legs to make room for her. + </p> + <p> + “I thought they were all the fashion,” answered Dr. Alec, settling in the + big chair with Rose. + </p> + <p> + “So is smoking, but it is harmful. The writers of these popular stories + intend to do good, I have no doubt, but it seems to me they fail because + their motto is, 'Be smart, and you will be rich,' instead of 'Be honest, + and you will be happy.' I do not judge hastily, Alec, for I have read a + dozen, at least, of these stories, and, with much that is attractive to + boys, I find a great deal to condemn in them, and other parents say the + same when I ask them.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Mum, that's too bad! I like 'em tip-top. This one is a regular + screamer,” cried Will. + </p> + <p> + “They're bully books, and I'd like to know where's the harm,” added + Geordie. + </p> + <p> + “You have just shown us one of the chief evils, and that is slang,” + answered their mother quickly. + </p> + <p> + “Must have it, ma'am. If these chaps talked all right, there'd be no fun + in 'em,” protested Will. + </p> + <p> + “A boot-black mustn't use good grammar, and a newsboy must swear a little, + or he wouldn't be natural,” explained Geordie, both boys ready to fight + gallantly for their favourites. + </p> + <p> + “But my sons are neither boot-blacks nor newsboys, and I object to hearing + them use such words as 'screamer,' 'bully,' and 'buster.' In fact, I fail + to see the advantage of writing books about such people unless it is done + in a very different way. I cannot think they will help to refine the + ragamuffins if they read them, and I'm sure they can do no good to the + better class of boys, who through these books are introduced to police + courts, counterfeiters' dens, gambling houses, drinking saloons, and all + sorts of low life.” + </p> + <p> + “Some of them are about first-rate boys, mother; and they go to sea and + study, and sail round the world, having great larks all the way.” + </p> + <p> + “I have read about them, Geordie, and though they are better than the + others, I am not satisfied with these optical delusions, as I call them. + Now, I put it to you, boys, is it natural for lads from fifteen to + eighteen to command ships, defeat pirates, outwit smugglers, and so cover + themselves with glory, that Admiral Farragut invites them to dinner, + saying, 'Noble boy, you are an honour to your country!' Or, if the hero is + in the army, he has hair-breadth escapes and adventures enough in one + small volume to turn his hair white, and in the end he goes to Washington + at the express desire of the President or Commander-in-chief to be + promoted to no end of stars and bars. Even if the hero is merely an honest + boy trying to get his living, he is not permitted to do so in a natural + way, by hard work and years of patient effort, but is suddenly adopted by + a millionaire whose pocket-book he has returned; or a rich uncle appears + from sea just in the nick of time; or the remarkable boy earns a few + dollars, speculates in pea-nuts or neckties, and grows rich so rapidly + that Sinbad in the diamond valley is a pauper compared to him. Isn't it + so, boys?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, the fellows in these books are mighty lucky, and very smart, I must + say,” answered Will, surveying an illustration on the open page before + him, where a small but virtuous youth is upsetting a tipsy giant in a + bar-room, and under it the elegant inscription, “Dick Dauntless punches + the head of Sam Soaker.” + </p> + <p> + “It gives boys such wrong ideas of life and business; shows them so much + evil and vulgarity that they need not know about, and makes the one + success worth having a fortune, a lord's daughter, or some worldly honour, + often not worth the time it takes to win. It does seem to me that some one + might write stories that should be lively, natural and helpful tales in + which the English should be good, the morals pure, and the characters such + as we can love in spite of the faults that all may have. I can't bear to + see such crowds of eager little fellows at the libraries reading such + trash; weak, when it is not wicked, and totally unfit to feed the hungry + minds that feast on it for want of something better. There! my lecture is + done; now I should like to hear what you gentlemen have to say,” and Aunt + Jessie subsided with a pretty flush on the face that was full of motherly + anxiety for her boys. + </p> + <p> + “Tom Brown just suits mother, and me too, so I wish Mr. Hughes would write + another story as good,” said Archie. + </p> + <p> + “You don't find things of this sort in Tom Brown; yet these books are all + in the Sunday-school libraries” and Mrs. Jessie read the following + paragraph from the book she had taken from Will's hand, + </p> + <p> + “'In this place we saw a tooth of John the Baptist. Ben said he could see + locust and wild honey sticking to it. I couldn't. Perhaps John used a + piece of the true cross for a tooth-pick.'” + </p> + <p> + “A larky sort of a boy says that, Mum, and we skip the parts where they + describe what they saw in the different countries,” cried Will. + </p> + <p> + “And those descriptions, taken mostly from guidebooks, I fancy, are the + only parts of any real worth. The scrapes of the bad boys make up the rest + of the story, and it is for those you read these books, I think,” answered + his mother, stroking back the hair off the honest little face that looked + rather abashed at this true statement of the case. + </p> + <p> + “Anyway, mother, the ship part is useful, for we learn how to sail her, + and by and by that will all come handy when we go to sea,” put in Geordie. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, then you can explain this manoeuvre to me, of course,” and Mrs. + Jessie read from another page the following nautical paragraph, + </p> + <p> + “The wind is south-south-west, and we can have her up four points closer + to the wind, and still be six points off the wind. As she luffs up we + shall man the fore and main sheets, slack on the weather, and haul on the + lee braces.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess I could, if I wasn't afraid of uncle. He knows so much more than + I do, he'd laugh,” began Geordie, evidently puzzled by the question. + </p> + <p> + “Ho, you know you can't, so why make believe? We don't understand half of + the sea lingo, Mum, and I dare say it's all wrong,” cried Will, suddenly + going over to the enemy, to Geordie's great disgust. + </p> + <p> + “I do wish the boys wouldn't talk to me as if I was a ship,” said Rose, + bringing forward a private grievance. “Coming home from church this + morning, the wind blew me about, and Will called out, right in the street, + 'Brail up the foresail, and take in the flying-jib, that will ease her.'” + </p> + <p> + The boys shouted at the plaintive tone in which Rose repeated the words + that offended her, and Will vainly endeavoured to explain that he only + meant to tell her to wrap her cloak closer, and tie a veil over the + tempest-tossed feathers in her hat. + </p> + <p> + “To tell the truth, if the boys must have slang, I can bear the 'sea + lingo,' as Will calls it, better than the other. It afflicts me less to + hear my sons talk about 'brailing up the foresail' than doing as they + 'darn please,' and 'cut your cable' is decidedly preferable to 'let her + rip.' I once made a rule that I would have no slang in the house. I give + it up now, for I cannot keep it; but I will not have rubbishy books; so, + Archie, please send these two after your cigars.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Jessie held both the small boys fast with an arm round each neck, and + when she took this base advantage of them they could only squirm with + dismay. “Yes, right behind the back log,” she continued, energetically. + “There, my hearties (you like sea slang, so I'll give you a bit) now, I + want you to promise not to read any more stuff for a month, and I'll agree + to supply you with wholesome fare.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, mother, not a single one?” cried Will. + </p> + <p> + “Couldn't we just finish those?” pleaded Geordie. + </p> + <p> + “The boys threw away half-smoked cigars; and your books must go after + them. Surely you would not be outdone by the 'old fellows,' as you call + them, or be less obedient to little Mum than they were to Rose.” + </p> + <p> + “Course not! Come on, Geordie,” and Will took the vow like a hero. His + brother sighed and obeyed, but privately resolved to finish his story the + minute the month was over. + </p> + <p> + “You have laid out a hard task for yourself, Jessie, in trying to provide + good reading for boys who have been living on sensation stories. It will + be like going from raspberry tarts to plain bread and butter; but you will + probably save them from a bilious fever,” said Dr. Alec, much amused at + the proceedings. + </p> + <p> + “I remember hearing grandpa say that a love for good books was one of the + best safeguards a man could have,” began Archie, staring thoughtfully at + the fine library before him. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but there's no time to read nowadays; a fellow has to keep + scratching round to make money or he's nobody,” cut in Charlie, trying to + look worldly-wise. + </p> + <p> + “This love of money is the curse of America, and for the sake of it men + will sell honour and honesty, till we don't know whom to trust, and it is + only a genius like Agassiz who dares to say, 'I cannot waste my time in + getting rich,'” said Mrs. Jessie sadly. + </p> + <p> + “Do you want us to be poor, mother?” asked Archie, wondering. + </p> + <p> + “No, dear, and you never need be, while you can use your hands; but I am + afraid of this thirst for wealth, and the temptations it brings. O, my + boys! I tremble for the time when I must let you go, because I think it + would break my heart to have you fail as so many fail. It would be far + easier to see you dead if it could be said of you as of Sumner 'No man + dared offer him a bribe.'” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Jessie was so earnest in her motherly anxiety that her voice faltered + over the last words, and she hugged the yellow heads closer in her arms, + as if she feared to let them leave that safe harbour for the great sea + where so many little boats go down. The younger lads nestled closer to + her, and Archie said, in his quiet, resolute way, + </p> + <p> + “I cannot promise to be an Agassiz or a Sumner, mother; but I do promise + to be an honest man, please God.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I'm satisfied!” and holding fast the hand he gave her, she sealed + his promise with a kiss that had all a mother's hope and faith in it. + </p> + <p> + “I don't see how they ever can be bad, she is so fond and proud of them,” + whispered Rose, quite touched by the little scene. + </p> + <p> + “You must help her make them what they should be. You have begun already, + and when I see those rings where they are, my girl is prettier in my sight + than if the biggest diamonds that ever twinkled shone in her ears,” + answered Dr. Alec, looking at her with approving eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I'm so glad you think I can do anything, for I perfectly ache to be + useful; everyone is so good to me, especially Aunt Jessie.” + </p> + <p> + “I think you are in a fair way to pay your debts, Rosy, for when girls + give up their little vanities, and boys their small vices, and try to + strengthen each other in well-doing, matters are going as they ought. Work + away, my dear, and help their mother keep these sons fit friends for an + innocent creature like yourself; they will be the manlier men for it, I + can assure you.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 18—Fashion and Physiology + </h2> + <p> + “Please, sir, I guess you'd better step up right away, or it will be too + late, for I heard Miss Rose say she knew you wouldn't like it, and she'd + never dare to let you see her.” + </p> + <p> + Phebe said this as she popped her head into the study, where Dr. Alec sat + reading a new book. + </p> + <p> + “They are at it, are they?” he said, looking up quickly, and giving + himself a shake, as if ready for a battle of some sort. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, as hard as they can talk, and Miss Rose don't seem to know what + to do, for the things are ever so stylish, and she looks elegant in 'em; + though I like her best in the old ones,” answered Phebe. + </p> + <p> + “You are a girl of sense. I'll settle matters for Rosy, and you'll lend a + hand. Is everything ready in her room, and are you sure you understand how + they go?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, sir; but they are so funny! I know Miss Rose will think it's a + joke,” and Phebe laughed as if something tickled her immensely. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind what she thinks so long as she obeys. Tell her to do it for my + sake, and she will find it the best joke she ever saw. I expect to have a + tough time of it, but we'll win yet,” said the Doctor, as he marched + upstairs with the book in his hand, and an odd smile on his face. + </p> + <p> + There was such a clatter of tongues in the sewing-room that no one heard + his tap at the door, so he pushed it open and took an observation. Aunt + Plenty, Aunt Clara, and Aunt Jessie were all absorbed in gazing at Rose, + who slowly revolved between them and the great mirror, in a full winter + costume of the latest fashion. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my heart! worse even than I expected,” thought the Doctor, with an + inward groan, for, to his benighted eyes, the girl looked like a trussed + fowl, and the fine new dress had neither grace, beauty, nor fitness to + recommend it. + </p> + <p> + The suit was of two peculiar shades of blue, so arranged that patches of + light and dark distracted the eye. The upper skirt was tied so lightly + back that it was impossible to take a long step, and the under one was so + loaded with plaited frills that it “wobbled” no other word will express it + ungracefully, both fore and aft. A bunch of folds was gathered up just + below the waist behind, and a great bow rode a-top. A small jacket of the + same material was adorned with a high ruff at the back, and laid well open + over the breast, to display some lace and a locket. Heavy fringes, bows, + puffs, ruffles, and revers finished off the dress, making one's head ache + to think of the amount of work wasted, for not a single graceful line + struck the eye, and the beauty of the material was quite lost in the + profusion of ornament. + </p> + <p> + A high velvet hat, audaciously turned up in front, with a bunch of pink + roses and a sweeping plume, was cocked over one ear, and, with her curls + braided into a club at the back of her neck, Rose's head looked more like + that of a dashing young cavalier than a modest little girl's. High-heeled + boots tilted her well forward, a tiny muff pinioned her arms, and a + spotted veil, tied so closely over her face that her eyelashes were + rumpled by it, gave the last touch of absurdity to her appearance. + </p> + <p> + “Now she looks like other girls, and as I like to see her,” Mrs. Clara was + saying, with an air of great satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “She does look like a fashionable young lady, but somehow I miss my little + Rose, for children dressed like children in my day,” answered Aunt Plenty, + peering through her glasses with a troubled look, for she could not + imagine the creature before her ever sitting in her lap, running to wait + upon her, or making the house gay with a child's blithe presence. + </p> + <p> + “Things have changed since your day, Aunt, and it takes time to get used + to new ways. But you, Jessie, surely like this costume better than the + dowdy things Rose has been wearing all summer. Now, be honest, and own you + do,” said Mrs. Clara, bent on being praised for her work. + </p> + <p> + “Well, dear to be quite honest, then, I think it is frightful,” answered + Mrs. Jessie, with a candour that caused revolving Rose to stop in dismay. + </p> + <p> + “Hear, hear,” cried a deep voice, and with a general start the ladies + became aware that the enemy was among them. + </p> + <p> + Rose blushed up to her hat brim, and stood, looking, as she felt, like a + fool, while Mrs. Clara hastened to explain. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, I don't expect you to like it, Alec, but I don't consider you + a judge of what is proper and becoming for a young lady. Therefore, I have + taken the liberty of providing a pretty street suit for Rose. She need not + wear it if you object, for I know we promised to let you do what you liked + with the poor dear for a year.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a street costume, is it?” asked the Doctor, mildly. “Do you know, I + never should have guessed that it was meant for winter weather and brisk + locomotion. Take a turn, Rosy, and let me see all its beauties and + advantages.” + </p> + <p> + Rose tried to walk off with her usual free tread, but the under-skirt got + in her way, the over-skirt was so tight she could not take a long step, + and her boots made it impossible to carry herself perfectly erect. + </p> + <p> + “I haven't got used to it yet,” she said, petulantly, kicking at her + train, as she turned to toddle back again. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose a mad dog or a runaway horse was after you, could you get out of + the way without upsetting, Colonel,” asked the Doctor, with a twinkle in + the eyes that were fixed on the rakish hat. + </p> + <p> + “Don't think I could, but I'll try,” and Rose made a rush across the room. + Her boot-heels caught on a rug, several strings broke, her hat tipped over + her eyes, and she plunged promiscuously into a chair, where she sat + laughing so infectiously that all but Mrs. Clara joined in her mirth. + </p> + <p> + “I should say that a walking suit in which one could not walk, and a + winter suit which exposes the throat, head, and feet to cold and damp, was + rather a failure, Clara, especially as it has no beauty to reconcile one + to its utter unfitness,” said Dr. Alec, as he helped Rose undo her veil, + adding, in a low tone, “Nice thing for the eyes; you'll soon see spots + when it's off as well as when it's on, and, by and by, be a case for an + oculist.” + </p> + <p> + “No beauty!” cried Mrs. Clara, warmly, “Now, that is just a man's + blindness. This is the best of silk and camel's hair, real ostrich + feathers, and an expensive ermine muff. What could be in better taste, or + more proper for a young girl?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll shew you, if Rose will go to her room and oblige me by putting on + what she finds there,” answered the Doctor, with unexpected readiness. + </p> + <p> + “Alec, if it is a Bloomer, I shall protest. I've been expecting it, but I + know I cannot bear to see that pretty child sacrificed to your wild ideas + of health. Tell me it isn't a Bloomer!” and Mrs. Clara clasped her hands + imploringly. + </p> + <p> + “It is not.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank Heaven!” and she resigned herself with a sigh of relief, adding + plaintively, “I did hope you'd accept my suit, for poor Rose has been + afflicted with frightful clothes long enough to spoil the taste of any + girl.” + </p> + <p> + “You talk of my afflicting the child, and then make a helpless guy like + that of her!” answered the Doctor, pointing to the little fashion plate + that was scuttling out of sight as fast as it could go. + </p> + <p> + He closed the door with a shrug, but before anyone could speak, his quick + eye fell upon an object which caused him to frown, and demand in an + indignant tone, + </p> + <p> + “After all I have said, were you really going to tempt my girl with those + abominable things?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought we put them away when she wouldn't wear them,” murmured Mrs. + Clara, whisking a little pair of corsets out of sight with guilty haste. + “I only brought them to try, for Rose is growing stout, and will have no + figure if it is not attended to soon,” she added, with an air of calm + conviction that roused the Doctor still more, for this was one of his + especial abominations. + </p> + <p> + “Growing stout! Yes, thank Heaven, she is, and shall continue to do it, + for Nature knows how to mould a woman better than any corset-maker, and I + won't have her interfered with. My dear Clara, have you lost your senses + that you can for a moment dream of putting a growing girl into an + instrument of torture like this?” and with a sudden gesture he plucked + forth the offending corsets from under the sofa cushion, and held them out + with the expression one would wear on beholding the thumbscrews or the + rack of ancient times. + </p> + <p> + “Don't be absurd, Alec. There is no torture about it, for tight lacing is + out of fashion, and we have nice, sensible things nowadays. Everyone wears + them; even babies have stiffened waists to support their weak little + backs,” began Mrs. Clara, rushing to the defence of the pet delusion of + most women. + </p> + <p> + “I know it, and so the poor little souls have weak backs all their days, + as their mothers had before them. It is vain to argue the matter, and I + won't try, but I wish to state, once for all, that if I ever see a pair of + corsets near Rose, I'll put them in the fire, and you may send the bill to + me.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke the corsets were on their way to destruction, but Mrs. Jessie + caught his arm, exclaiming merrily, “Don't burn them, for mercy sake, + Alec; they are full of whalebones, and will make a dreadful odour. Give + them to me. I'll see that they do no harm.” + </p> + <p> + “Whalebones, indeed! A regular fence of them, and metal gate-posts in + front. As if our own bones were not enough, if we'd give them a chance to + do their duty,” growled the Doctor, yielding up the bone of contention + with a last shake of contempt. Then his face cleared suddenly, and he held + up his finger, saying, with a smile, “Hear those girls laugh; cramped + lungs could not make hearty music like that.” + </p> + <p> + Peals of laughter issued from Rose's room, and smiles involuntarily + touched the lips of those who listened to the happy sound. + </p> + <p> + “Some new prank of yours, Alec?” asked Aunt Plenty, indulgently, for she + had come to believe in most of her nephew's odd notions, because they + seemed to work so well. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, ma'am, my last, and I hope you will like it. I discovered what Clara + was at, and got my rival suit ready for to-day. I'm not going to 'afflict' + Rose, but let her choose, and if I'm not entirely mistaken, she will like + my rig best. While we wait I'll explain, and then you will appreciate the + general effect better. I got hold of this little book, and was struck with + its good sense and good taste, for it suggests a way to clothe women both + healthfully and handsomely, and that is a great point. It begins at the + foundations, as you will see if you will look at these pictures, and I + should think women would rejoice at this lightening of their burdens.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, the Doctor laid the book before Aunt Plenty, who obediently + brought her spectacles to bear upon the illustrations, and after a long + look exclaimed, with a scandalised face, + </p> + <p> + “Mercy on us, these things are like the night-drawers Jamie wears! You + don't mean to say you want Rose to come out in this costume? It's not + proper, and I won't consent to it!” + </p> + <p> + “I do mean it, and I'm sure my sensible aunt will consent when she + understands that these well I'll call them by an Indian name, and say + pajamas are for underwear, and Rose can have as pretty frocks as she likes + outside. These two suits of flannel, each in one piece from head to foot, + with a skirt or so hung on this easily-fitting waist, will keep the child + warm without burdening her with belts, and gathers, and buckles, and + bunches round the waist, and leave free the muscles that need plenty of + room to work in. She shall never have the back-ache if I can help it, nor + the long list of ills you dear women think you cannot escape.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't consider it modest, and I'm sure Rose will be shocked at it,” + began Mrs. Clara, but stopped suddenly, as Rose appeared in the doorway, + not looking shocked a bit. + </p> + <p> + “Come on, my hygienic model, and let us see you,” said her uncle, with an + approving glance, as she walked in, looking so mischievously merry, that + it was evident she enjoyed the joke. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't see anything remarkable. That is a neat, plain suit; the + materials are good, and it's not unbecoming, if you want her to look like + a little school-girl; but it has not a particle of style, and no one would + ever give it a second glance,” said Mrs. Clara, feeling that her last + remark condemned the whole thing. + </p> + <p> + “Exactly what I want,” answered the provoking Doctor, rubbing his hands + with a satisfied air. “Rosy looks now like what she is, a modest little + girl, who does not want to be stared at. I think she would get a glance of + approval, though, from people who like sense and simplicity rather than + fuss and feathers. Revolve, my Hebe, and let me refresh my eyes by the + sight of you.” + </p> + <p> + There was very little to see, however, only a pretty Gabrielle dress, of a + soft warm shade of brown, coming to the tops of a trim pair of boots with + low heels. A seal-skin sack, cap, and mittens, with a glimpse of scarlet + at the throat, and the pretty curls tied up with a bright velvet of the + same colour, completed the external adornment, making her look like a + robin redbreast wintry, yet warm. + </p> + <p> + “How do you like it, Rosy?” asked the Doctor, feeling that her opinion was + more important to the success of his new idea than that of all the aunts + on the hill. + </p> + <p> + “I feel very odd and light, but I'm warm as a toast, and nothing seems to + be in my way,” answered Rose, with a skip which displayed shapely gaiters + on legs that now might be as free and active as a boy's under the modest + skirts of the girl. + </p> + <p> + “You can run away from the mad dogs, and walk off at a smart pace without + tumbling on your nose, now, I fancy?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, uncle! suppose the dog coming, I just hop over a wall so and when I + walk of a cold day, I go like this.” + </p> + <p> + Entering fully into the spirit of the thing, Rose swung herself over the + high back of the sofa as easily as one of her cousins, and then went down + the long hall as if her stout boots were related to the famous + seven-leaguers. + </p> + <p> + “There! you see how it will be; dress her in that boyish way and she will + act like a boy. I do hate all these inventions of strong-minded women!” + exclaimed Mrs. Clara, as Rose came back at a run. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, but you see some of these sensible inventions come from the brain of + a fashionable modiste, who will make you more lovely, or what you value + more 'stylish' outside and comfortable within. Mrs. Van Tassel has been to + Madame Stone, and is wearing a full suit of this sort. Van himself told + me, when I asked how she was, that she had given up lying on the sofa, and + was going about in a most astonishing way, considering her feeble health.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't say so! Let me see that book a moment,” and Aunt Clara examined + the new patterns with a more respectful air, for if the elegant Mrs. Van + Tassel wore these “dreadful things” it would never do to be left behind, + in spite of her prejudices. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec looked at Mrs. Jessie, and both smiled, for “little Mum” had been + in the secret, and enjoyed it mightily. + </p> + <p> + “I thought that would settle it,” he said with a nod. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't wait for Mrs. Van to lead the way, and for once in my life I + have adopted a new fashion before Clara. My freedom suit is ordered, and + you may see me playing tag with Rose and the boys before long,” answered + Mrs. Jessie, nodding back at him. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Aunt Plenty was examining Rose's costume, for the hat and sack + were off, and the girl was eagerly explaining the new under-garments. + </p> + <p> + “See, auntie, all nice scarlet flannel, and a gay little petticoat, and + long stockings, oh, so warm! Phebe and I nearly died laughing when I put + this rig on, but I like it ever so much. The dress is so comfortable, and + doesn't need any belt or sash, and I can sit without rumpling any + trimming, that's such a comfort! I like to be tidy, and so, when I wear + fussed-up things, I'm thinking of my clothes all the time, and that's + tiresome. Do say you like it. I resolved I would, just to please uncle, + for he does know more about health than anyone else, I'm sure, and I'd + wear a bag if he asked me to do it.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't ask that, Rose, but I wish you'd weigh and compare the two suits, + and then choose which seems best. I leave it to your own commonsense,” + answered Dr. Alec, feeling pretty sure he had won. + </p> + <p> + “Why, I take this one, of course, uncle. The other is fashionable, and yes + I must say I think it's pretty but it's very heavy, and I should have to + go round like a walking doll if I wore it. I'm much obliged to auntie, but + I'll keep this, please.” + </p> + <p> + Rose spoke gently but decidedly, though there was a look of regret when + her eye fell on the other suit which Phebe had brought in; and it was very + natural to like to look as other girls did. Aunt Clara sighed; Uncle Alec + smiled, and said heartily, + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, dear; now read this book and you will understand why I ask it + of you. Then, if you like, I'll give you a new lesson; you asked for one + yesterday, and this is more necessary than French or housekeeping.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what?” and Rose caught up the book which Mrs. Clara had thrown down + with a disgusted look. + </p> + <p> + Though Dr. Alec was forty, the boyish love of teasing was not yet dead in + him, and, being much elated at his victory, he could not resist the + temptation of shocking Mrs. Clara by suggesting dreadful possibilities, so + he answered, half in earnest, half in jest, “Physiology, Rose. Wouldn't + you like to be a little medical student, with Uncle Doctor for teacher, + and be ready to take up his practice when he has to stop? If you agree, + I'll hunt up my old skeleton to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + That was too much for Aunt Clara, and she hastily departed, with her mind + in a sad state of perturbation about Mrs. Van Tassel's new costume and + Rose's new study. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 19—Brother Bones + </h2> + <p> + Rose accepted her uncle's offer, as Aunt Myra discovered two or three days + later. Coming in for an early call, and hearing voices in the study, she + opened the door, gave a cry and shut it quickly, looking a good deal + startled. The Doctor appeared in a moment, and begged to know what the + matter was. + </p> + <p> + “How can you ask when that long box looks so like a coffin I thought it + was one, and that dreadful thing stared me in the face as I opened the + door,” answered Mrs. Myra, pointing to the skeleton that hung from the + chandelier cheerfully grinning at all beholders. + </p> + <p> + “This is a medical college where women are freely admitted, so walk in, + madam, and join the class if you'll do me the honour,” said the Doctor, + waving her forward with his politest bow. + </p> + <p> + “Do, auntie, it's perfectly splendid,” cried Rose's voice, and Rose's + blooming face was seen behind the ribs of the skeleton, smiling and + nodding in the gayest possible manner. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing, child?” demanded Aunt Myra, dropping into a chair and + staring about her. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'm learning bones to-day, and I like it so much. There are twelve + ribs, you know, and the two lower ones are called floating ribs, because + they are not fastened to the breastbone. That's why they go in so easily + if you lace tight and squeeze the lungs and heart in the let me see, what + was that big word oh, I know thoracic cavity,” and Rose beamed with pride + as she aired her little bit of knowledge. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think that is a good sort of thing for her to be poking over? She + is a nervous child, and I'm afraid it will be bad for her,” said Aunt + Myra, watching Rose as she counted vertebrae, and waggled a hip-joint in + its socket with an inquiring expression. + </p> + <p> + “An excellent study, for she enjoys it, and I mean to teach her how to + manage her nerves so that they won't be a curse to her, as many a woman's + become through ignorance or want of thought. To make a mystery or terror + of these things is a mistake, and I mean Rose shall understand and respect + her body so well that she won't dare to trifle with it as most women do.” + </p> + <p> + “And she really likes it?” + </p> + <p> + “Very much, auntie! It's all so wonderful, and so nicely planned, you can + hardly believe what you see. Just think, there are 600,000,000 air cells + in one pair of lungs, and 2,000 pores to a square inch of surface; so you + see what quantities of air we must have, and what care we should take of + our skin so all the little doors will open and shut right. And brains, + auntie, you've no idea how curious they are; I haven't got to them yet, + but I long to, and uncle is going to show me a manikin that you can take + to pieces. Just think how nice it will be to see all the organs in their + places; I only wish they could be made to work as ours do.” + </p> + <p> + It was funny to see Aunt Myra's face as Rose stood before her talking + rapidly with one hand laid in the friendliest manner on the skeleton's + shoulder. Every word both the Doctor and Rose uttered hit the good lady in + her weakest spot, and as she looked and listened a long array of bottles + and pill-boxes rose up before her, reproaching her with the “ignorance and + want of thought” that made her what she was, a nervous, dyspeptic, unhappy + old woman. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't know but you may be right, Alec, only I wouldn't carry it + too far. Women don't need much of this sort of knowledge, and are not fit + for it. I couldn't bear to touch that ugly thing, and it gives me the + creeps to hear about 'organs,'” said Aunt Myra, with a sigh and her hand + on her side. + </p> + <p> + “Wouldn't it be a comfort to know that your liver was on the right side, + auntie, and not on the left!” asked Rose with a naughty laugh in her eyes, + for she had lately learnt that Aunt Myra's liver complaint was not in the + proper place. + </p> + <p> + “It's a dying world, child, and it don't much matter where the pain is, + for sooner or later we all drop off and are seen no more,” was Aunt Myra's + cheerful reply. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I intend to know what kills me if I can, and meantime, I'm going to + enjoy myself in spite of a dying world. I wish you'd do so too, and come + and study with uncle, it would do you good, I'm sure,” and Rose went back + to counting vertebrae with such a happy face, that Aunt Myra had not the + heart to say a word to dampen her ardour. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps it's as well to let her do what she likes the little while she is + with us. But pray be careful of her, Alec, and not allow her to overwork,” + she whispered as she went out. + </p> + <p> + “That's exactly what I'm trying to do, ma'am, and rather a hard job I find + it,” he added, as he shut the door, for the dear aunts were dreadfully in + his way sometimes. + </p> + <p> + Half an hour later came another interruption in the shape of Mac, who + announced his arrival by the brief but elegant remark, + </p> + <p> + “Hullo! what new game is this?” + </p> + <p> + Rose explained, Mac gave a long whistle of surprise, and then took a + promenade round the skeleton, observing gravely, + </p> + <p> + “Brother Bones looks very jolly, but I can't say much for his beauty.” + </p> + <p> + “You mustn't make fun of him, for he's a good old fellow, and you'd be + just as ugly if your flesh was off,” said Rose, defending her new friend + with warmth. + </p> + <p> + “I dare say, so I'll keep my flesh on, thank you. You are so busy you + can't read to a fellow, I suppose?” asked Mac, whose eyes were better, but + still too weak for books. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you want to come and join my class? Uncle explains it all to us, + and you can take a look at the plates as they come along. We'll give up + bones today and have eyes instead; that will be more interesting to you,” + added Rose, seeing no ardent thirst for physiological information in his + face. + </p> + <p> + “Rose, we must not fly about from one thing to another in this way,” began + Dr. Alec, but she whispered quickly, with a nod towards Mac, whose goggles + were turned wistfully in the direction of the forbidden books, + </p> + <p> + “He's blue to-day, and we must amuse him; give a little lecture on eyes, + and it will do him good. No matter about me, uncle.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well; the class will please be seated,” and the Doctor gave a + sounding rap on the table. + </p> + <p> + “Come, sit by me, dear, then we can both see the pictures; and if your + head gets tired you can lie down,” said Rose, generously opening her + little college to a brother, and kindly providing for the weaknesses that + all humanity is subject to. + </p> + <p> + Side by side they sat and listened to a very simple explanation of the + mechanism of the eye, finding it as wonderful as a fairy tale, for fine + plates illustrated it, and a very willing teacher did his best to make the + lesson pleasant. + </p> + <p> + “Jove! if I'd known what mischief I was doing to that mighty delicate + machine of mine, you wouldn't have caught me reading by firelight, or + studying with a glare of sunshine on my book,” said Mac, peering solemnly + at a magnified eye-ball; then, pushing it away, he added indignantly, “Why + isn't a fellow taught all about his works, and how to manage 'em, and not + left to go blundering into all sorts of worries? Telling him after he's + down isn't much use, for then he's found it out himself and won't thank + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Mac, that's just what I keep lecturing about, and people won't + listen. You lads need that sort of knowledge so much, and fathers and + mothers ought to be able to give it to you. Few of them are able, and so + we all go blundering, as you say. Less Greek and Latin and more knowledge + of the laws of health for my boys, if I had them. Mathematics are all very + well, but morals are better, and I wish, how I wish that I could help + teachers and parents to feel it as they ought.” + </p> + <p> + “Some do; Aunt Jessie and her boys have capital talks, and I wish we + could; but mother's so busy with her housekeeping, and father with his + business, there never seems to be any time for that sort of thing; even if + there was, it don't seem as if it would be easy to talk to them, because + we've never got into the way of it, you know.” + </p> + <p> + Poor Mac was right there, and expressed a want that many a boy and girl + feels. Fathers and mothers are too absorbed in business and housekeeping + to study their children, and cherish that sweet and natural confidence + which is a child's surest safeguard, and a parent's subtlest power. So the + young hearts hide trouble or temptation till the harm is done, and mutual + regret comes too late. Happy the boys and girls who tell all things freely + to father or mother, sure of pity, help, and pardon; and thrice happy the + parents who, out of their own experience, and by their own virtues, can + teach and uplift the souls for which they are responsible. + </p> + <p> + This longing stirred in the hearts of Rose and Mac, and by a natural + impulse both turned to Dr. Alec, for in this queer world of ours, fatherly + and motherly hearts often beat warm and wise in the breasts of bachelor + uncles and maiden aunts; and it is my private opinion that these worthy + creatures are a beautiful provision of nature for the cherishing of other + people's children. They certainly get great comfort out of it, and receive + much innocent affection that otherwise would be lost. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec was one of these, and his big heart had room for every one of the + eight cousins, especially orphaned Rose and afflicted Mac; so, when the + boy uttered that unconscious reproach to his parents, and Rose added with + a sigh, “It must be beautiful to have a mother!” the good Doctor yearned + over them, and, shutting his book with a decided slam, said in that + cordial voice of his, + </p> + <p> + “Now, look here, children, you just come and tell me all your worries, and + with God's help, I'll settle them for you. That is what I'm here for, I + believe, and it will be a great happiness to me if you can trust me.” + </p> + <p> + “We can, uncle, and we will!” both answered, with a heartiness that + gratified him much. + </p> + <p> + “Good! now school is dismissed, and I advise you to go and refresh your + 600,000,000 air cells by a brisk run in the garden. Come again whenever + you like, Mac, and we'll teach you all we can about your 'works,' as you + call them, so you can keep them running smoothly.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll come, sir, much obliged,” and the class in physiology went out to + walk. + </p> + <p> + Mac did come again, glad to find something he could study in spite of his + weak eyes, and learned much that was of more value than anything his + school had ever taught him. + </p> + <p> + Of course, the other lads made great fun of the whole thing, and plagued + Dr. Alec's students half out of their lives. But they kept on + persistently, and one day something happened which made the other fellows + behave themselves for ever after. + </p> + <p> + It was a holiday, and Rose up in her room thought she heard the voices of + her cousins, so she ran down to welcome them, but found no one there. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind, they will be here soon, and then we'll have a frolic,” she + said to herself, and thinking she had been mistaken she went into the + study to wait. She was lounging over the table looking at a map when an + odd noise caught her ear. A gentle tapping somewhere, and following the + sound it seemed to come from the inside of the long case in which the + skeleton lived when not professionally engaged. This case stood upright in + a niche between two book-cases at the back of the room, a darkish corner, + where Brother Bones, as the boys would call him, was out of the way. + </p> + <p> + As Rose stood looking in that direction, and wondering if a rat had got + shut in, the door of the case swung slowly open, and with a great start + she saw a bony arm lifted, and a bony finger beckon to her. For a minute + she was frightened, and ran to the study door with a fluttering heart, but + just as she touched the handle a queer, stifled sort of giggle made her + stop short and turn red with anger. She paused an instant to collect + herself, and then went softly toward the bony beckoner. A nearer look + revealed black threads tied to the arm and fingers, the ends of threads + disappearing through holes bored in the back of the case. Peeping into the + dark recess, she also caught sight of the tip of an elbow covered with a + rough gray cloth which she knew very well. + </p> + <p> + Quick as a flash she understood the joke, her fear vanished, and with a + wicked smile, she whipped out her scissors, cut the threads, and the bony + arm dropped with a rattle. Before she could say, “Come out, Charlie, and + let my skeleton alone,” a sudden irruption of boys, all in a high state of + tickle, proclaimed to the hidden rogue that his joke was a failure. + </p> + <p> + “I told him not to do it, because it might give you a start,” explained + Archie, emerging from the closet. + </p> + <p> + “I had a smelling bottle all ready if she fainted away,” added Steve, + popping up from behind the great chair. + </p> + <p> + “It's too bad of you not to squawk and run; we depended on it, it's such + fun to howl after you,” said Will and Geordie, rolling out from under the + sofa in a promiscuous heap. + </p> + <p> + “You are getting altogether too strong-minded, Rose; most girls would have + been in a jolly twitter to see this old fellow waggling his finger at + them,” complained Charlie, squeezing out from his tight quarters, dusty + and disgusted. + </p> + <p> + “I'm used to your pranks now, so I'm always on the watch and prepared. But + I won't have Brother Bones made fun of. I know uncle wouldn't like it, so + please don't,” began Rose just as Dr. Alec came in, and, seeing the state + of the case at a glance, he said quietly, + </p> + <p> + “Hear how I got that skeleton, and then I'm sure you will treat it with + respect.” + </p> + <p> + The boys settled down at once on any article of furniture that was nearest + and listened dutifully. + </p> + <p> + “Years ago, when I was in the hospital, a poor fellow was brought there + with a rare and very painful disease. There was no hope for him, but we + did our best, and he was so grateful that when he died he left us his body + that we might discover the mysteries of his complaint, and so be able to + help others afflicted in the same way. It did do good, and his brave + patience made us remember him long after he was gone. He thought I had + been kind to him, and said to a fellow-student of mine, 'Tell the Doctor I + lave him me bones, for I've nothing else in the wide world, and I'll nos + be wanting 'em at all, at all, when the great pain hat kilt me entirely.' + So that is how they came to be mine, and why I've kept them carefully, + for, though only a poor, ignorant fellow, Mike Nolan did what he could to + help others, and prove his gratitude to those who tried to help him.” + </p> + <p> + As Dr. Alec paused, Archie closed the door of the case as respectfully as + if the mummy of an Egyptian king was inside; Will and Geordie looked + solemnly at one another, evidently much impressed, and Charlie pensively + remarked from the coal-hod where he sat, + </p> + <p> + “I've often heard of a skeleton in the house, but I think few people have + one as useful and as interesting as ours.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 20—Under The Mistletoe + </h2> + <p> + Rose made Phebe promise that she would bring her stocking into the + “Bower,” as she called her pretty room, on Christmas morning, because that + first delicious rummage loses half its charm if two little night-caps at + least do not meet over the treasures, and two happy voices Oh and Ah + together. + </p> + <p> + So when Rose opened her eyes that day they fell upon faithful Phebe, + rolled up in a shawl, sitting on the rug before a blazing fire, with her + untouched stocking laid beside her. + </p> + <p> + “Merry Christmas!” cried the little mistress smiling gaily. + </p> + <p> + “Merry Christmas!” answered the little maid, so heartily that it did one + good to hear her. + </p> + <p> + “Bring the stockings right away, Phebe, and let's see what we've got,” + said Rose, sitting up among the pillows, and looking as eager as a child. + </p> + <p> + A pair of long knobby hose were laid out upon the coverlet, and their + contents examined with delight, though each knew every blessed thing that + had been put into the other's stocking. + </p> + <p> + Never mind what they were; it is evident that they were quite + satisfactory, for as Rose leaned back, she said, with a luxurious sigh of + satisfaction, “Now, I believe I've got everything in the world that I + want,” and Phebe answered, smiling over a lapful of treasures, “This is + the most splendid Christmas I ever had since I was born.” Then she added + with an important air, + </p> + <p> + “Do wish for something else, because I happen to know of two more presents + outside the door this minute.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, me, what richness!” cried Rose, much excited. “I used to wish for a + pair of glass slippers like Cinderella's, but as I can't have them, I + really don't know what to ask for.” + </p> + <p> + Phebe clapped her hands as she skipped off the bed and ran to the door, + saying merrily, “One of them is for your feet, anyway. I don't know what + you'll say to the other, but I think it's elegant.” + </p> + <p> + So did Rose, when a shining pair of skates and a fine sled appeared. + </p> + <p> + “Uncle sent those; I know he did; and, now I see them, I remember that I + did want to skate and coast. Isn't it a beauty? See! they fit nicely,” + and, sitting on the new sled, Rose tried a skate on her little bare foot, + while Phebe stood by admiring the pretty tableau. + </p> + <p> + “Now we must hurry and get dressed, for there is a deal to do to-day, and + I want to get through in time to try my sled before dinner.” + </p> + <p> + “Gracious me, and I ought to be dusting my parlors this blessed minute!” + and mistress and maid separated with such happy faces that anyone would + have known what day it was without being told. + </p> + <p> + “Birnam Wood has come to Dunsinane, Rosy,” said Dr. Alec, as he left the + breakfast table to open the door for a procession of holly, hemlock, and + cedar boughs that came marching up the steps. + </p> + <p> + Snowballs and “Merry Christmases!” flew about pretty briskly for several + minutes; then all fell to work trimming the old house, for the family + always dined together there on that day. + </p> + <p> + “I rode miles and mileses, as Ben says, to get this fine bit, and I'm + going to hang it there as the last touch to the rig-a-madooning,” said + Charlie, as he fastened a dull green branch to the chandelier in the front + parlor. + </p> + <p> + “It isn't very pretty,” said Rose, who was trimming the chimney-piece with + glossy holly sprays. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind that, it's mistletoe, and anyone who stands under it will get + kissed whether they like it or not. Now's your time, ladies,” answered the + saucy Prince, keeping his place and looking sentimentally at the girls, + who retired precipitately from the dangerous spot. + </p> + <p> + “You won't catch me,” said Rose, with great dignity. + </p> + <p> + “See if I don't!” + </p> + <p> + “I've got my eye on Phebe,” observed Will, in a patronising tone that made + them all laugh. + </p> + <p> + “Bless the dear; I shan't mind it a bit,” answered Phebe, with such a + maternal air that Will's budding gallantry was chilled to death. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the mistletoe bough,” sang Rose. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the mistletoe bough!” echoed all the boys, and the teasing ended in + the plaintive ballad they all liked so well. + </p> + <p> + There was plenty of time to try the new skates before dinner, and then + Rose took her first lesson on the little bay, which seemed to have frozen + over for that express purpose. She found tumbling down and getting up + again warm work for a time, but with six boys to teach her, she managed at + last to stand alone; and, satisfied with that success, she refreshed + herself with a dozen grand coasts on the Amazon, as her sled was called. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that fatal colour! it breaks my heart to see it,” croaked Aunt Myra, + as Rose came down a little late, with cheeks almost as ruddy as the holly + berries on the wall, and every curl as smooth as Phebe's careful hands + could make it. + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad to see that Alec allows the poor child to make herself pretty in + spite of his absurd notions,” added Aunt Clara, taking infinite + satisfaction in the fact that Rose's blue silk dress had three frills on + it. + </p> + <p> + “She's a very intelligent child, and has a nice little manner of her own,” + observed Aunt Jane, with unusual affability; for Rose had just handed Mac + a screen to guard his eyes from the brilliant fire. + </p> + <p> + “If I had a daughter like that to show my Jem when he gets home, I should + be a very proud and happy woman,” thought Aunt Jessie, and then reproached + herself for not being perfectly satisfied with her four brave lads. + </p> + <p> + Aunt Plenty was too absorbed in the dinner to have an eye for anything + else; if she had not been, she would have seen what an effect her new cap + produced upon the boys. The good lady owned that she did “love a dressy + cap,” and on this occasion her head gear was magnificent; for the towering + structure of lace was adorned with buff ribbons to such an extent that it + looked as if a flock of yellow butterflies had settled on her dear old + head. When she trotted about the rooms the ruches quivered, the little + bows all stood erect, and the streamers waved in the breeze so comically + that it was absolutely necessary for Archie to smother the Brats in the + curtains till they had had their first laugh out. + </p> + <p> + Uncle Mac had brought Fun See to dinner, and it was a mercy he did, for + the elder lads found a vent for their merriment in joking the young + Chinaman on his improved appearance. He was in American costume now, with + a cropped head, and spoke remarkably good English after six months at + school; but, for all that, his yellow face and beady eyes made a curious + contrast to the blonde Campbells all about him. Will called him the + “Typhoon,” meaning Tycoon, and the name stuck to him to his great disgust. + </p> + <p> + Aunt Peace was brought down and set in the chair of state at table, for + she never failed to join the family on this day, and sat smiling at them + all, “like an embodiment of Peace on earth,” Uncle Alec said, as he took + his place beside her, while Uncle Mac supported Aunt Plenty at the other + end. + </p> + <p> + “I ate hardly any breakfast, and I've done everything I know to make + myself extra hungry, but I really don't think I can eat straight through, + unless I burst my buttons off,” whispered Geordie to Will, as he surveyed + the bounteous stores before him with a hopeless sigh. + </p> + <p> + “A fellow never knows what he can do till he tries,” answered Will, + attacking his heaped-up plate with an evident intention of doing his duty + like a man. + </p> + <p> + Everybody knows what a Christmas dinner is, so we need waste no words in + describing this one, but hasten at once to tell what happened at the end + of it. The end, by the way, was so long in coming that the gas was lighted + before dessert was over, for a snow flurry had come on and the wintry + daylight faded fast. But that only made it all the jollier in the warm, + bright rooms, full of happy souls. Everyone was very merry, but Archie + seemed particularly uplifted so much so, that Charlie confided to Rose + that he was afraid the Chief had been at the decanters. + </p> + <p> + Rose indignantly denied the insinuation, for when healths were drunk in + the good old-fashioned way to suit the elders, she had observed that Aunt + Jessie's boys filled their glasses with water, and had done the same + herself in spite of the Prince's jokes about “the rosy.” + </p> + <p> + But Archie certainly was unusually excited, and when someone remembered + that it was the anniversary of Uncle Jem's wedding, and wished he was + there to make a speech, his son electrified the family by trying to do it + for him. It was rather incoherent and flowery, as maiden speeches are apt + to be, but the end was considered superb; for, turning to his mother with + a queer little choke in his voice, he said that she “deserved to be + blessed with peace and plenty, to be crowned with roses and lads'-love, + and to receive the cargo of happiness sailing home to her in spite of wind + or tide to add another Jem to the family jewels.” + </p> + <p> + That allusion to the Captain, now on his return trip, made Mrs. Jessie sob + in her napkin, and set the boys cheering. Then, as if that was not + sensation enough, Archie suddenly dashed out of the room, as if he had + lost his wits. + </p> + <p> + “Too bashful to stay and be praised,” began Charlie, excusing the + peculiarities of his chief as in duty bound. + </p> + <p> + “Phebe beckoned to him; I saw her,” cried Rose, staring hard at the door. + </p> + <p> + “Is it more presents coming?” asked Jamie, just as his brother + re-appeared, looking more excited than ever. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; a present for mother, and here it is!” roared Archie, flinging wide + the door to let in a tall man, who cried out, + </p> + <p> + “Where's my little woman? The first kiss for her, then the rest may come + on as fast as they like.” + </p> + <p> + Before the words were out of his mouth, Mrs. Jessie was half-hidden under + his rough great-coat, and four boys were prancing about him clamouring for + their turn. + </p> + <p> + Of course, there was a joyful tumult for a time, during which Rose slipped + into the window recess and watched what went on, as if it were a chapter + in a Christmas story. It was good to see bluff Uncle Jem look proudly at + his tall son, and fondly hug the little ones. It was better still to see + him shake his brothers' hands as if he would never leave off, and kiss all + the sisters in a way that made even solemn Aunt Myra brighten up for a + minute. But it was best of all to see him finally established in + grandfather's chair, with his “little woman” beside him, his three + youngest boys in his lap, and Archie hovering over him like a large-sized + cherub. That really was, as Charlie said, “A landscape to do one's heart + good.” + </p> + <p> + “All hearty and all here, thank God!” said Captain Jem in the first pause + that came, as he looked about him with a grateful face. + </p> + <p> + “All but Rose,” answered loyal little Jamie, remembering the absent. + </p> + <p> + “Faith, I forgot the child! Where is George's little girl?” asked the + Captain, who had not seen her since she was a baby. + </p> + <p> + “You'd better say Alec's great girl,” said Uncle Mac, who professed to be + madly jealous of his brother. + </p> + <p> + “Here I am, sir,” and Rose appeared from behind the curtains, looking as + if she had rather have stayed there. + </p> + <p> + “Saint George Germain, how the mite has grown!” cried Captain Jem, as he + tumbled the boys out of his lap, and rose to greet the tall girl, like a + gentleman as he was. But, somehow, when he shook her hand it looked so + small in his big one, and her face reminded him so strongly of his dead + brother, that he was not satisfied with so cold a welcome, and with a + sudden softening of the keen eyes he took her up in his arms, whispering, + with a rough cheek against her smooth one, + </p> + <p> + “God bless you, child! forgive me if I forgot you for a minute, and be + sure that not one of your kinsfolk is happier to see you here than Uncle + Jem.” + </p> + <p> + That made it all right; and when he set her down, Rose's face was so + bright it was evident that some spell had been used to banish the feeling + of neglect that had kept her moping behind the curtain so long. + </p> + <p> + That everyone sat round and heard all about the voyage home how the + Captain had set his heart on getting there in time to keep Christmas; how + everything had conspired to thwart his plan; and how, at the very last + minute, he had managed to do it, and had sent a telegram to Archie, + bidding him keep the secret, and be ready for his father at any moment, + for the ship got into another port, and he might be late. + </p> + <p> + Then Archie told how that telegram had burnt in his pocket all + dinner-time; how he had to take Phebe into his confidence, and how clever + she was to keep the Captain back till the speech was over and he could + come in with effect. + </p> + <p> + The elders would have sat and talked all the evening, but the young folks + were bent on having their usual Christmas frolic; so, after an hour of + pleasant chat, they began to get restless, and having consulted together + in dumb show, they devised a way to very effectually break up the family + council. + </p> + <p> + Steve vanished, and, sooner than the boys imagined Dandy could get himself + up, the skirl of the bag-pipe was heard in the hall, and the bonny piper + came to lead Clan Campbell to the revel. + </p> + <p> + “Draw it mild, Stevie, my man; ye play unco weel, but ye mak a most + infernal din,” cried Uncle Jem, with his hands over his ears, for this + accomplishment was new to him, and “took him all aback,” as he expressed + it. + </p> + <p> + So Steve droned out a Highland reel as softly as he could, and the boys + danced it to a circle of admiring relations. Captain Jem was a true + sailor, however, and could not stand idle while anything lively was going + on; so, when the piper's breath gave out, he cut a splendid pigeon-wing + into the middle of the hall, saying, “Who can dance a Fore and After?” + and, waiting for no reply, began to whistle the air so invitingly that Mrs + Jessie “set” to him laughing like a girl; Rose and Charlie took their + places behind, and away went the four with a spirit and skill that + inspired all the rest to “cut in” as fast as they could. + </p> + <p> + That was a grand beginning, and they had many another dance before anyone + would own they were tired. Even Fun See distinguished himself with Aunt + Plenty, whom he greatly admired as the stoutest lady in the company; + plumpness being considered a beauty in his country. The merry old soul + professed herself immensely flattered by his admiration, and the boys + declared she “set her cap at him,” else he would never have dared to catch + her under the mistletoe, and, rising on the tips of his own toes, + gallantly salute her fat cheek. + </p> + <p> + How they all laughed at her astonishment, and how Fun's little black eyes + twinkled over this exploit! Charlie put him up to it, and Charlie was so + bent on catching Rose, that he laid all sorts of pitfalls for her, and + bribed the other lads to help him. But Rose was wide-awake, and escaped + all his snares, professing great contempt for such foolish customs. Poor + Phebe did not fare so well, and Archie was the only one who took a base + advantage of her as she stood innocently offering tea to Aunt Myra, whom + she happened to meet just under the fatal bough. If his father's arrival + had not rather upset him, I doubt if the dignified Chief would have done + it, for he apologized at once in the handsomest manner, and caught the + tray that nearly dropped from Phebe's hands. + </p> + <p> + Jamie boldly invited all the ladies to come and salute him; and as for + Uncle Jem, he behaved as if the entire room was a grove of mistletoe. + Uncle Alec slyly laid a bit of it on Aunt Peace's cap, and then softly + kissed her; which little joke seemed to please her very much, for she + liked to have part in all the home pastimes, and Alec was her favourite + nephew. + </p> + <p> + Charlie alone failed to catch his shy bird, and the oftener she escaped + the more determined he was to ensnare her. When every other wile had been + tried in vain, he got Archie to propose a game with forfeits. + </p> + <p> + “I understand that dodge,” thought Rose, and was on her guard so carefully + that not one among the pile soon collected belonged to her. + </p> + <p> + “Now let us redeem them and play something else,” said Will, quite + unconscious of the deeply-laid plots all about him. + </p> + <p> + “One more round and then we will,” answered the Prince, who had now baited + his trap anew. + </p> + <p> + Just as the question came to Rose, Jamie's voice was heard in the hall, + crying distressfully, “Oh, come quick, quick!” Rose started up, missed the + question, and was greeted with a general cry of “Forfeit! forfeit!” in + which the little traitor came to join. + </p> + <p> + “Now I've got her,” thought the young rascal, exulting in his fun-loving + soul. + </p> + <p> + “Now I'm lost,” thought Rose, as she gave up her pin-cushion with a + sternly defiant look that would have daunted anyone but the reckless + Prince. In fact, it made even him think twice, and resolve to “let Rose + off easy,'' she had been so clever. + </p> + <p> + “Here's a very pretty pawn, and what shall be done to redeem it?” asked + Steve, holding the pin-cushion over Charlie's head, for he had insisted on + being judge, and kept that for the last. + </p> + <p> + “Fine or superfine?” + </p> + <p> + “Super.” + </p> + <p> + “Hum, well, she shall take old Mac under the mistletoe, and kiss him + prettily. Won't he be mad, though?” and this bad boy chuckled over the + discomfort he had caused two harmless beings. + </p> + <p> + There was an impressive pause among the young folks in their corner, for + they all knew that Mac would “be mad,” since he hated nonsense of this + sort, and had gone to talk with the elders when the game began. At this + moment he was standing before the fire, listening to a discussion between + his uncles and his father, looking as wise as a young owl, and blissfully + unconscious of the plots against him. + </p> + <p> + Charlie expected that Rose would say, “I won't!” therefore he was rather + astonished, not to say gratified, when, after a look at the victim, she + laughed suddenly, and, going up to the group of gentlemen, drew her uncle + Mac under the mistletoe and surprised him with a hearty kiss. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, my dear,” said the innocent gentleman, looking much pleased at + the unexpected honour. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, come; that's not fair,” began Charlie. But Rose cut him short by + saying, as she made him a fine courtesy, + </p> + <p> + “You said 'Old Mac,' and though it was very disrespectful, I did it. That + was your last chance, sir, and you've lost it.” + </p> + <p> + He certainly had, for, as he spoke, Rose pulled down the mistletoe and + threw it into the fire, while the boys jeered at the crestfallen Prince, + and exalted quick-witted Rose to the skies. + </p> + <p> + “What's the joke?” asked young Mac, waked out of a brown study by the + laughter, in which the elders joined. + </p> + <p> + But there was a regular shout when, the matter having been explained to + him, Mac took a meditative stare at Rose through his goggles, and said in + a philosophical tone, “Well, I don't think I should have minded much if + she had done it.” + </p> + <p> + That tickled the lads immensely, and nothing but the appearance of a + slight refection would have induced them to stop chaffing the poor Worm, + who could not see anything funny in the beautiful resignation he had shown + on this trying occasion. + </p> + <p> + Soon after this, the discovery of Jamie curled up in the sofa corner, as + sound asleep as a dormouse, suggested the propriety of going home, and a + general move was made. + </p> + <p> + They were all standing about the hall lingering over the good-nights, when + the sound of a voice softly singing “Sweet Home,” made them pause and + listen. It was Phebe, poor little Phebe, who never had a home, never knew + the love of father or mother, brother or sister; who stood all alone in + the wide world, yet was not sad nor afraid, but took her bits of happiness + gratefully, and sung over her work without a thought of discontent. + </p> + <p> + I fancy the happy family standing there together remembered this and felt + the beauty of it, for when the solitary voice came to the burden of its + song, other voices took it up and finished it so sweetly, that the old + house seemed to echo the word “Home” in the ears of both the orphan girls, + who had just spent their first Christmas under its hospitable roof. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 21—A Scare + </h2> + <p> + “Brother Alec, you surely don't mean to allow that child to go out such a + bitter cold day as this,” said Mrs. Myra, looking into the study, where + the Doctor sat reading his paper, one February morning. + </p> + <p> + “Why not? If a delicate invalid like yourself can bear it, surely my + hearty girl can, especially as she is dressed for cold weather,” answered + Dr. Alec with provoking confidence. + </p> + <p> + “But you have no idea how sharp the wind is. I am chilled to the very + marrow of my bones,” answered Aunt Myra, chafing the end of her purple + nose with her sombre glove. + </p> + <p> + “I don't doubt it, ma'am, if you will wear crape and silk instead of fur + and flannel. Rosy goes out in all weathers, and will be none the worse for + an hour's brisk skating.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I warn you that you are trifling with the child's health, and + depending too much on the seeming improvement she has made this year. She + is a delicate creature for all that, and will drop away suddenly at the + first serious attack, as her poor mother did,” croaked Aunt Myra, with a + despondent wag of the big bonnet. + </p> + <p> + “I'll risk it,” answered Dr. Alec, knitting his brows, as he always did + when any allusion was made to that other Rose. + </p> + <p> + “Mark my words, you will repent it,” and with that awful prophecy, Aunt + Myra departed like a black shadow. + </p> + <p> + Now it must be confessed that among the Doctor's failings and he had his + share was a very masculine dislike of advice which was thrust upon him + unasked. He always listened with respect to the great-aunts, and often + consulted Mrs. Jessie; but the other three ladies tried his patience + sorely, by constant warnings, complaints and counsels. Aunt Myra was an + especial trial, and he always turned contrary the moment she began to + talk. He could not help it, and often laughed about it with comic + frankness. Here now was a sample of it, for he had just been thinking that + Rose had better defer her run till the wind went down and the sun was + warmer. But Aunt Myra spoke, and he could not resist the temptation to + make light of her advice, and let Rose brave the cold. He had no fear of + its harming her, for she went out every day, and it was a great + satisfaction to him to see her run down the avenue a minute afterward, + with her skates on her arm, looking like a rosy-faced Esquimaux in her + seal-skin suit, as she smiled at Aunt Myra stalking along as solemnly as a + crow. + </p> + <p> + “I hope the child won't stay out long, for this wind is enough to chill + the marrow in younger bones than Myra's,” thought Dr. Alec, half an hour + later, as he drove toward the city to see the few patients he had + consented to take for old acquaintance' sake. + </p> + <p> + The thought returned several times that morning, for it was truly a bitter + day, and, in spite of his bear-skin coat, the Doctor shivered. But he had + great faith in Rose's good sense, and it never occurred to him that she + was making a little Casabianca of herself, with the difference of freezing + instead of burning at her post. + </p> + <p> + You see, Mac had made an appointment to meet her at a certain spot, and + have a grand skating bout as soon as the few lessons he was allowed were + over. She had promised to wait for him, and did so with a faithfulness + that cost her dear, because Mac forgot his appointment when the lessons + were done, and became absorbed in a chemical experiment, till a general + combustion of gases drove him out of his laboratory. Then he suddenly + remembered Rose, and would gladly have hurried away to her, but his mother + forbade his going out, for the sharp wind would hurt his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “She will wait and wait, mother, for she always keeps her word, and I told + her to hold on till I came,” explained Mac, with visions of a shivering + little figure watching on the windy hill-top. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, your uncle won't let her go out such a day as this. If he + does, she will have the sense to come here for you, or to go home again + when you don't appear,” said Aunt Jane, returning to her “Watts on the + Mind.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish Steve would just cut up and see if she's there, since I can't go,” + began Mac, anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “Steve won't stir a peg, thank you. He's got his own toes to thaw out, and + wants his dinner,” answered Dandy, just in from school, and wrestling + impatiently with his boots. + </p> + <p> + So Mac resigned himself, and Rose waited dutifully till dinner-time + assured her that her waiting was in vain. She had done her best to keep + warm, had skated till she was tired and hot, then stood watching others + till she was chilled; tried to get up a glow again by trotting up and down + the road, but failed to do so, and finally cuddled disconsolately under a + pine-tree to wait and watch. When she at length started for home, she was + benumbed with cold, and could hardly make her way against the wind that + buffeted the frost-bitten rose most unmercifully. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec was basking in the warmth of the study fire, after his drive, + when the sound of a stifled sob made him hurry to the door and look + anxiously into the hall. Rose lay in a shivering bunch near the register, + with her things half off, wringing her hands, and trying not to cry with + the pain returning warmth brought to her half-frozen fingers. + </p> + <p> + “My darling, what is it?” and Uncle Alec had her in his arms in a minute. + </p> + <p> + “Mac didn't come I can't get warm the fire makes me ache!” and with a long + shiver Rose burst out crying, while her teeth chattered, and her poor + little nose was so blue, it made one's heart ache to see it. + </p> + <p> + In less time than it takes to tell it, Dr. Alec had her on the sofa rolled + up in the bear-skin coat, with Phebe rubbing her cold feet while he rubbed + the aching hands, and Aunt Plenty made a comfortable hot drink, and Aunt + Peace sent down her own foot-warmer and embroidered blanket “for the + dear.” + </p> + <p> + Full of remorseful tenderness, Uncle Alec worked over his new patient till + she declared she was all right again. He would not let her get up to + dinner, but fed her himself, and then forgot his own while he sat watching + her fall into a drowse, for Aunt Plenty's cordial made her sleepy. + </p> + <p> + She lay so several hours for the drowse deepened into a heavy sleep, and + Uncle Alec, still at his post, saw with growing anxiety that a feverish + colour began to burn in her cheeks, that her breathing was quick and + uneven, and now and then she gave a little moan, as if in pain. Suddenly + she woke up with a start, and seeing Aunt Plenty bending over her, put out + her arms like a sick child, saying wearily, + </p> + <p> + “Please, could I go to bed?” + </p> + <p> + “The best place for you, deary. Take her right up, Alec; I've got the hot + water ready, and after a nice bath, she shall have a cup of my sage tea, + and be rolled up in blankets to sleep off her cold,” answered the old + lady, cheerily, as she bustled away to give orders. + </p> + <p> + “Are you in pain, darling?” asked Uncle Alec, as he carried her up. + </p> + <p> + “My side aches when I breathe, and I feel stiff and queer; but it isn't + bad, so don't be troubled, uncle,” whispered Rose, with a little hot hand + against his cheek. + </p> + <p> + But the poor doctor did look troubled, and had cause to do so, for just + then Rose tried to laugh at Dolly charging into the room with a + warming-pan, but could not, for the sharp pain took her breath away and + made her cry out. + </p> + <p> + “Pleurisy,” sighed Aunt Plenty, from the depths of the bath-tub. + </p> + <p> + “Pewmonia!” groaned Dolly, burrowing among the bedclothes with the + long-handled pan, as if bent on fishing up that treacherous disease. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, is it bad?” asked Phebe, nearly dropping a pail of hot water in her + dismay, for she knew nothing of sickness, and Dolly's suggestion had a + peculiarly dreadful sound to her. + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” ordered the Doctor, in a tone that silenced all further + predictions, and made everyone work with a will. + </p> + <p> + “Make her as comfortable as you can, and when she is in her little bed + I'll come and say good-night,” he added, when the bath was ready and the + blankets browning nicely before the fire. + </p> + <p> + Then he went away to talk quite cheerfully to Aunt Peace about its being + “only a chill”; after which he tramped up and down the hall, pulling his + beard and knitting his brows, sure signs of great inward perturbation. + </p> + <p> + “I thought it would be too good luck to get through the year without a + downfall. Confound my perversity! Why couldn't I take Myra's advice and + keep Rose at home. It's not fair that the poor child should suffer for my + sinful over-confidence. She shall not suffer for it! Pneumonia, indeed! I + defy it,” and he shook his fist in the ugly face of an Indian idol that + happened to be before him, as if that particularly hideous god had some + spite against his own little goddess. + </p> + <p> + In spite of his defiance his heart sunk when he saw Rose again, for the + pain was worse, and the bath and blankets, the warming-pan and piping-hot + sage tea, were all in vain. For several hours there was no rest for the + poor child, and all manner of gloomy forebodings haunted the minds of + those who hovered about her with faces full of the tenderest anxiety. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of the worst paroxysm Charlie came to leave a message from + his mother, and was met by Phebe coming despondently downstairs with a + mustard plaster that had brought no relief. + </p> + <p> + “What the dickens is the matter? You look as dismal as a tombstone,” he + said, as she held up her hand to stop his lively whistling. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Rose is dreadful sick.” + </p> + <p> + “The deuce she is!” + </p> + <p> + “Don't swear, Mr. Charlie; she really is, and it's Mr. Mac's fault,” and + Phebe told the sad tale in a few sharp words, for she felt at war with the + entire race of boys at that moment. + </p> + <p> + “I'll give it to him, make your mind easy about that,” said Charlie, with + an ominous doubling up of his fist. “But Rose isn't dangerously ill, is + she?” he added anxiously, as Aunt Plenty was seen to trot across the upper + hall, shaking a bottle violently as she went. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but she is though. The Doctor don't say much, but he don't call it a + 'chill' any more. It's 'pleurisy' now, and I'm so afraid it will be + pewmonia to-morrow,” answered Phebe, with a despairing glance at the + plaster. + </p> + <p> + Charlie exploded into a stifled laugh at the new pronunciation of + pneumonia, to Phebe's great indignation. + </p> + <p> + “How can you have the heart to do it, and she in such horrid pain? Hark to + that, and then laugh if you darst,” she said with a tragic gesture, and + her black eyes full of fire. + </p> + <p> + Charlie listened and heard little moans that went to his heart and made + his face as sober as Phebe's. “O uncle, please stop the pain, and let me + rest a minute! Don't tell the boys I wasn't brave. I try to bear it, but + it's so sharp I can't help crying.” + </p> + <p> + Neither could Charlie, when he heard the broken voice say that; but, + boy-like, he wouldn't own it, and said pettishly, as he rubbed his sleeve + across his eyes, + </p> + <p> + “Don't hold that confounded thing right under my nose; the mustard makes + my eyes smart.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't see how it can, when it hasn't any more strength in it than meal. + The Doctor said so, and I'm going to get some better,” began Phebe, not a + bit ashamed of the great tears that were bedewing the condemned plaster. + </p> + <p> + “I'll go!” and Charlie was off like a shot, glad of an excuse to get out + of sight for a few minutes. + </p> + <p> + When he came back all inconvenient emotion had been disposed of, and, + having delivered a box of the hottest mustard procurable for money, he + departed to “blow up” Mac, that being his next duty in his opinion. He did + it so energetically and thoroughly that the poor Worm was cast into the + depths of remorseful despair, and went to bed that evening feeling that he + was an outcast from among men, and bore the mark of Cain upon his brow. + </p> + <p> + Thanks to the skill of the Doctor, and the devotion of his helpers, Rose + grew easier about midnight, and all hoped that the worst was over. Phebe + was making tea by the study fire, for the Doctor had forgotten to eat and + drink since Rose was ill, and Aunt Plenty insisted on his having a “good + cordial dish of tea” after his exertions. A tap on the window startled + Phebe, and, looking up, she saw a face peering in. She was not afraid, for + a second look showed her that it was neither ghost nor burglar, but Mac, + looking pale and wild in the wintry moonlight. + </p> + <p> + “Come and let a fellow in,” he said in a low tone, and when he stood in + the hall he clutched Phebe's arm, whispering gruffly, “How is Rose?” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks be to goodness, she's better,” answered Phebe, with a smile that + was like broad sunshine to the poor lad's anxious heart. + </p> + <p> + “And she will be all right again to-morrow?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear no! Dolly says she's sure to have rheumatic fever, if she don't + have noo-monia!” answered Phebe, careful to pronounce the word rightly + this time. + </p> + <p> + Down went Mac's face, and remorse began to gnaw at him again as he gave a + great sigh and said doubtfully, + </p> + <p> + “I suppose I couldn't see her?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not at this time of night, when we want her to go to sleep!” + </p> + <p> + Mac opened his mouth to say something more, when a sneeze came upon him + unawares, and a loud “Ah rash hoo!” awoke the echoes of the quiet house. + </p> + <p> + “Why didn't you stop it?” said Phebe reproachfully. “I dare say you've + waked her up.” + </p> + <p> + “Didn't know it was coming. Just my luck!” groaned Mac, turning to go + before his unfortunate presence did more harm. + </p> + <p> + But a voice from the stair-head called softly, “Mac, come up; Rose wants + to see you.” + </p> + <p> + Up he went, and found his uncle waiting for him. + </p> + <p> + “What brings you here at this hour, my boy?” asked the Doctor in a + whisper. + </p> + <p> + “Charlie said it was all my fault, and if she died I'd killed her. I + couldn't sleep, so I came to see how she was, and no one knows it but + Steve,” he said with such a troubled face and voice that the Doctor had + not the heart to blame him. + </p> + <p> + Before he could say anything more a feeble voice called “Mac!” and with a + hasty “Stay a minute just to please her, and then slip away, for I want + her to sleep,” the Doctor led him into the room. + </p> + <p> + The face on the pillow looked very pale and childish, and the smile that + welcomed Mac was very faint, for Rose was spent with pain, yet could not + rest till she had said a word of comfort to her cousin. + </p> + <p> + “I knew your funny sneeze, and I guessed that you came to see how I did, + though it is very late. Don't be worried, I'm better now, and it is my + fault I was ill, not yours; for I needn't have been so silly as to wait in + the cold just because I said I would.” + </p> + <p> + Mac hastened to explain, to load himself with reproaches, and to beg her + not to die on any account, for Charlie's lecture had made a deep + impression on the poor boy's mind. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't know there was any danger of my dying,” and Rose looked up at + him with a solemn expression in her great eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I hope not; but people do sometimes go suddenly, you know, and I + couldn't rest till I'd asked you to forgive me,” faltered Mac, thinking + that Rose looked very like an angel already, with the golden hair loose on + the pillow, and the meekness of suffering on her little white face. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I shall die; uncle won't let me; but if I do, remember I + forgave you.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him with a tender light in her eyes, and, seeing how + pathetic his dumb grief was, she added softly, drawing his head down, “I + wouldn't kiss you under the mistletoe, but I will now, for I want you to + be sure I do forgive and love you just the same.” + </p> + <p> + That quite upset poor Mac; he could only murmur his thanks and get out of + the room as fast as possible, to grope his way to the couch at the far end + of the hall, and lie there till he fell asleep, worn out with trying not + to “make a baby” of himself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 22—Something to do + </h2> + <p> + Whatever danger there might have been from the effects of that sudden + chill, it was soon over, though, of course, Aunt Myra refused to believe + it, and Dr. Alec cherished his girl with redoubled vigilance and + tenderness for months afterward. Rose quite enjoyed being sick, because as + soon as the pain ended the fun began, and for a week or two she led the + life of a little princess secluded in the Bower, while every one served, + amused, and watched over her in the most delightful manner. But the doctor + was called away to see an old friend, who was dangerously ill, and then + Rose felt like a young bird deprived of its mother's sheltering wing; + especially on one afternoon when the aunts were taking their naps, and the + house was very still within while snow fell softly without. + </p> + <p> + “I'll go and hunt up Phebe, she is always nice and busy, and likes to have + me help her. If Dolly is out of the way we can make caramels and surprise + the boys when they come,” Rose said to herself, as she threw down her book + and felt ready for society of some sort. + </p> + <p> + She took the precaution to peep through the slide before she entered the + kitchen, for Dolly allowed no messing when she was round. But the coast + was clear, and no one but Phebe appeared, sitting at the table with her + head on her arms apparently asleep. Rose was just about to wake her with a + “Boo!” when she lifted her head, dried her wet eyes with her blue apron, + and fell to work with a resolute face on something she was evidently much + interested in. Rose could not make out what it was, and her curiosity was + greatly excited, for Phebe was writing with a sputtering pen on some bits + of brown paper, apparently copying something from a little book. + </p> + <p> + “I must know what the dear thing is about, and why she cried, and then set + her lips tight and went to work with all her might,” thought Rose, + forgetting all about the caramels, and, going round to the door, she + entered the kitchen, saying pleasantly, + </p> + <p> + “Phebe, I want something to do. Can't you let me help you about anything, + or shall I be in the way?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear no, miss; I always love to have you round when things are tidy. + What would you like to do?” answered Phebe, opening a drawer as if about + to sweep her own affairs out of sight; but Rose stopped her, exclaiming, + like a curious child, + </p> + <p> + “Let me see! What is it? I won't tell if you'd rather not have Dolly + know.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm only trying to study a bit; but I'm so stupid I don't get on much,” + answered the girl reluctantly, permitting her little mistress to examine + the poor contrivances she was trying to work with. + </p> + <p> + A broken slate that had blown off the roof, an inch or two of pencil, an + old almanac for a reader, several bits of brown or yellow paper ironed + smoothly and sewn together for a copy-book, and the copies sundry receipts + written in Aunt Plenty's neat hand. These, with a small bottle of ink and + a rusty pen, made up Phebe's outfit, and it was little wonder that she did + not “get on” in spite of the patient persistence that dried the desponding + tears and drove along the sputtering pen with a will. + </p> + <p> + “You may laugh if you want to, Miss Rose, I know my things are queer, and + that's why I hide 'em; but I don't mind since you've found me out, and I + ain't a bit ashamed except of being so backward at my age,” said Phebe + humbly, though her cheeks grew redder as she washed out some crooked + capitals with a tear or two not yet dried upon the slate. + </p> + <p> + “Laugh at you! I feel more like crying to think what a selfish girl I am, + to have loads of books and things and never remember to give you some. Why + didn't you come and ask me, and not go struggling along alone in this way? + It was very wrong of you, Phebe, and I'll never forgive you if you do so + again,” answered Rose, with one hand on Phebe's shoulder, while the other + gently turned the leaves of the poor little copy-book. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't like to ask for anything more when you are so good to me all the + time, miss, dear,” began Phebe, looking up with grateful eyes. + </p> + <p> + “O you proud thing! just as if it wasn't fun to give away, and I had the + best of it. Now, see here, I've got a plan and you mustn't say no, or I + shall scold. I want something to do, and I'm going to teach you all I + know; it won't take long,” and Rose laughed as she put her arm around + Phebe's neck, and patted the smooth dark head with the kind little hand + that so loved to give. + </p> + <p> + “It would be just heavenly!” and Phebe's face shone at the mere idea; but + fell again as she added wistfully, “Only I'm afraid I ought not to let you + do it, Miss Rose. It will take time, and maybe the Doctor wouldn't like + it.” + </p> + <p> + “He didn't want me to study much, but he never said a word about teaching, + and I don't believe he will mind a bit. Anyway, we can try it till he + comes, so pack up your things and go right to my room and we'll begin this + very day; I'd truly like to do it, and we'll have nice times, see if we + don't!” cried Rose eagerly. + </p> + <p> + It was a pretty sight to see Phebe bundle her humble outfit into her + apron, and spring up as if the desire of her heart had suddenly been made + a happy fact to her; it was a still prettier sight to see Rose run gaily + on before, smiling like a good fairy as she beckoned to the other, singing + as she went, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “The way into my parlour is up a winding stair, + And many are the curious things I'll show you when you're there. + Will you, will you walk in, Phebe dear?” + </pre> + <p> + “Oh, won't I!” answered Phebe fervently, adding, as they entered the + Bower, “You are the dearest spider that ever was, and I'm the happiest + fly.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to be very strict, so sit down in that chair and don't say a + word till school is ready to open,” ordered Rose, delighted with the + prospect of such a useful and pleasant “something to do.” + </p> + <p> + So Phebe sat demurely in her place while her new teacher laid forth books + and slates, a pretty inkstand and a little globe; hastily tore a bit off + her big sponge, sharpened pencils with more energy than skill, and when + all was ready gave a prance of satisfaction that set the pupil laughing. + </p> + <p> + “Now the school is open, and I shall hear you read, so that I may know in + which class to put you, Miss Moore,” began Rose with great dignity, as she + laid a book before her scholar, and sat down in the easy chair with a long + rule in her hand. + </p> + <p> + Phebe did pretty well, only tripping now and then over a hard word, and + pronouncing identical “identickle,” in a sober way that tickled Rose, + though never a smile betrayed her. The spelling lesson which followed was + rather discouraging; Phebe's ideas of geography were very vague, and + grammar was nowhere, though the pupil protested that she tried so hard to + “talk nice like educated folks” that Dolly called her “a stuck-up piece + who didn't know her place.” + </p> + <p> + “Dolly's an old goose, so don't you mind her, for she will say 'nater,' + 'vittles,' and 'doos' as long as she lives, and insist that they are + right. You do talk very nicely, Phebe, I've observed it, and grammar will + help you, and show you some things are right and others ain't are not, I + mean,” added Rose, correcting herself, and feeling that she must mind her + own parts of speech if she was to serve as an example for Phebe. + </p> + <p> + When the arithmetic came, the little teacher was surprised to find her + scholar quicker in some things than herself, for Phebe had worked away at + the columns in the butcher's and baker's books till she could add so + quickly and correctly that Rose was amazed, and felt that in this branch + the pupil would soon excel the teacher if she kept on at the same pace. + Her praise cheered Phebe immensely, and they went bravely on, both getting + so interested that time flew unheeded till Aunt Plenty appeared, + exclaiming, as she stared at the two heads bent over one slate, + </p> + <p> + “Bless my heart, what is going on now?” + </p> + <p> + “School, aunty. I'm teaching Phebe, and it's great fun!” cried Rose, + looking up with a bright face. + </p> + <p> + But Phebe's was brighter, though she added with a wistful look, + </p> + <p> + “Maybe I ought to have asked leave first; only when Miss Rose proposed + this, I was so happy I forgot to. Shall I stop, ma'am?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not, child; I'm glad to see you fond of your book, and to find + Rose helping you along. My blessed mother used to sit at work with her + maids about her, teaching them many a useful thing in the good old fashion + that's gone by now. Only don't neglect your work, dear, or let the books + interfere with the duties.” + </p> + <p> + As Aunt Plenty spoke, with her kind old face beaming approvingly upon the + girls, Phebe glanced at the clock, saw that it pointed to five, knew that + Dolly would soon be down, expecting to find preparations for supper under + way, and, hastily dropping her pencil, she jumped up, saying, + </p> + <p> + “Please, can I go? I'll clear up after I've done my chores.” + </p> + <p> + “School is dismissed,” answered Rose, and with a grateful “Thank you, + heaps and heaps!” Phebe ran away singing the multiplication table as she + set the tea ditto. + </p> + <p> + That was the way it began, and for a week the class of one went on with + great pleasure and profit to all concerned; for the pupil proved a bright + one, and came to her lessons as to a feast, while the young teacher did + her best to be worthy the high opinion held of her, for Phebe firmly + believed that Miss Rose knew everything in the way of learning. + </p> + <p> + Of course the lads found out what was going on, and chaffed the girls + about the “Seminary,” as they called the new enterprise; but they thought + it a good thing on the whole, kindly offered to give lessons in Greek and + Latin gratis, and decided among themselves that “Rose was a little trump + to give the Phebe-bird such a capital boost.” + </p> + <p> + Rose herself had some doubts as to how it would strike her uncle, and + concocted a wheedlesome speech which should at once convince him that it + was the most useful, wholesome, and delightful plan ever devised. But she + got no chance to deliver her address, for Dr. Alec came upon her so + unexpectedly that it went out of her head entirely. She was sitting on the + floor in the library, poring over a big book laid open in her lap, and + knew nothing of the long-desired arrival till two large, warm hands met + under her chin and gently turned her head back, so that someone could kiss + her heartily on either cheek, while a fatherly voice said, half + reproachfully, “Why is my girl brooding over a dusty Encyclopedia when she + ought to be running to meet the old gentleman who couldn't get on another + minute without her?” + </p> + <p> + “O uncle! I'm so glad! and so sorry! Why didn't you let us know what time + you'd be here, or call out the minute you came? Haven't I been home-sick + for you? and now I'm so happy to have you back I could hug your dear old + curly head off,” cried Rose, as the Encyclopedia went down with a bang, + and she up with a spring that carried her into Dr. Alec's arms, to be kept + there in the sort of embrace a man gives to the dearest creature the world + holds for him. + </p> + <p> + Presently he was in his easy chair with Rose upon his knee smiling up in + his face and talking as fast as her tongue could go, while he watched her + with an expression of supreme content, as he stroked the smooth round + cheek, or held the little hand in his, rejoicing to see how rosy was the + one, how plump and strong the other. + </p> + <p> + “Have you had a good time? Did you save the poor lady? Aren't you glad to + be home again with your girl to torment you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, to all those questions. Now tell me what you've been at, little + sinner? Aunty Plen says you want to consult me about some new and + remarkable project which you have dared to start in my absence.” + </p> + <p> + “She didn't tell you, I hope?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a word more expect that you were rather doubtful how I'd take it, and + so wanted to 'fess' yourself and get round me as you always try to do, + though you don't often succeed. Now, then, own up and take the + consequences.” + </p> + <p> + So Rose told about her school in her pretty, earnest way, dwelling on + Phebe's hunger for knowledge, and the delight it was to help her, adding, + with a wise nod, + </p> + <p> + “And it helps me too, uncle, for she is so quick and eager I have to do my + best or she will get ahead of me in some things. To-day, now, she had the + word 'cotton' in a lesson and asked all about it, and I was ashamed to + find I really knew so little that I could only say that it was a plant + that grew down South in a kind of a pod, and was made into cloth. That's + what I was reading up when you came, and to-morrow I shall tell her all + about it, and indigo too. So you see it teaches me also, and is as good as + a general review of what I've learned, in a pleasanter way than going over + it alone.” + </p> + <p> + “You artful little baggage! that's the way you expect to get round me, is + it? That's not studying, I suppose?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, it's teaching; and please, I like it much better than having a + good time by myself. Besides, you know, I adopted Phebe and promised to be + a sister to her, so I am bound to keep my word, am I not?” answered Rose, + looking both anxious and resolute as she waited for her sentence. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec was evidently already won, for Rose had described the old slate + and brown paper copy-book with pathetic effect, and the excellent man had + not only decided to send Phebe to school long before the story was done, + but reproached himself for forgetting his duty to one little girl in his + love for another. So when Rose tried to look meek and failed utterly, he + laughed and pinched her cheek, and answered in that genial way which adds + such warmth and grace to any favour, + </p> + <p> + “I haven't the slightest objection in the world. In fact, I was beginning + to think I might let you go at your books again, moderately, since you are + so well; and this is an excellent way to try your powers. Phebe is a + brave, bright lass, and shall have a fair chance in the world, if we can + give it to her, so that if she ever finds her friends they need not be + ashamed of her.” + </p> + <p> + “I think she has found some already,” began Rose eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “Hey? what? has anyone turned up since I've been gone?” asked Dr. Alec + quickly, for it was a firm belief in the family that Phebe would prove to + be “somebody” sooner or later. + </p> + <p> + “No, her best friend turned up when you came home, uncle,” answered Rose + with an approving pat, adding gratefully, “I can't half thank you for + being so good to my girl, but she will, because I know she is going to + make a woman to be proud of, she's so strong and true, and loving.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless your dear heart, I haven't begun to do anything yet, more shame to + me! But I'm going at it now, and as soon as she gets on a bit, she shall + go to school as long as she likes. How will that do for a beginning?” + </p> + <p> + “It will be 'just heavenly,' as Phebe says, for it is the wish of her life + to 'get lots of schooling,' and she will be too happy when I tell her. May + I, please? it will be so lovely to see the dear thing open her big eyes + and clap her hands at the splendid news.” + </p> + <p> + “No one shall have a finger in this nice little pie; you shall do it all + yourself, only don't go too fast, or make too many castles in the air, my + dear; for time and patience must go into this pie of ours if it is to turn + out well.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, uncle, only when it is opened won't 'the birds begin to sing?”' + laughed Rose, taking a turn about the room as a vent for the joyful + emotions that made her eyes shine. All of a sudden she stopped and asked + soberly, + </p> + <p> + “If Phebe goes to school who will do her work? I'm willing, if I can.” + </p> + <p> + “Come here and I'll tell you a secret. Dolly's 'bones' are getting so + troublesome, and her dear old temper so bad, that the aunts have decided + to pension her off and let her go and live with her daughter, who has + married very well. I saw her this week, and she'd like to have her mother + come, so in the spring we shall have a grand change, and get a new cook + and chamber-girl if any can be found to suit our honoured relatives.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, me! how can I ever get on without Phebe? Couldn't she stay, just so I + could see her? I'd pay her board rather than have her go, I'm so fond of + her.” + </p> + <p> + How Dr. Alec laughed at that proposal, and how satisfied Rose was when he + explained that Phebe was still to be her maid, with no duties except such + as she could easily perform between school-hours. + </p> + <p> + “She is a proud creature, for all her humble ways, and even from us would + not take a favour if she did not earn it somewhere. So this arrangement + makes it all square and comfortable, you see, and she will pay for the + schooling by curling these goldilocks a dozen times a day if you let her.” + </p> + <p> + “Your plans are always so wise and kind! That's why they work so well, I + suppose, and why people let you do what you like with them. I really don't + see how other girls get along without an Uncle Alec!” answered Rose, with + a sigh of pity for those who had missed so great a blessing. + </p> + <p> + When Phebe was told the splendid news, she did not “stand on her head with + rapture,” as Charlie prophesied she would, but took it quietly, because it + was such a happy thing she had no words “big and beautiful enough to thank + them in,” she said; but every hour of her day was brightened by this + granted wish, and dedicated to the service of those who gave it. + </p> + <p> + Her heart was so full of content that if overflowed in music, and the + sweet voice singing all about the house gave thanks so blithely that no + other words were needed. Her willing feet were never tired of taking steps + for those who had smoothed her way; her skilful hands were always busy in + some labour of love for them, and on the face fast growing in comeliness + there was an almost womanly expression of devotion, which proved how well + Phebe had already learned one of life's great lessons gratitude. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 23—Peace-Making + </h2> + <p> + “Steve, I want you to tell me something,” said Rose to Dandy, who was + making faces at himself in the glass, while he waited for an answer to the + note he brought from his mother to Aunt Plenty. + </p> + <p> + “P'raps I will, and p'raps I won't. What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Haven't Arch and Charlie quarrelled?” + </p> + <p> + “Dare say; we fellows are always having little rows, you know. I do + believe a sty is coming on my star-board eye,” and Steve affected to be + absorbed in a survey of his yellow lashes. + </p> + <p> + “No, that won't do; I want to know all about it; for I'm sure something + more serious than a 'little row' is the matter. Come, please tell me, + Stenie, there's a dear.” + </p> + <p> + “Botheration! you don't want me to turn telltale, do you?” growled Steve, + pulling his top-knot, as he always did when perplexed. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I do,” was Rose's decided answer for she saw from his manner that + she was right, and determined to have the secret out of him if coaxing + would do it. “I don't wish you to tell things to everyone, of course, but + to me you may, and you must, because I have a right to know. You boys need + somebody to look after you, and I'm going to do it, for girls are nice + peacemakers, and know how to manage people. Uncle said so, and he is never + wrong.” + </p> + <p> + Steve was about to indulge in a derisive hoot at the idea of her looking + after them, but a sudden thought restrained him, and suggested a way in + which he could satisfy Rose, and better himself at the same time. + </p> + <p> + “What will you give me if I'll tell you every bit about it?” he asked, + with a sudden red in his cheeks and an uneasy look in his eyes, for he was + half ashamed of the proposition. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want?” and Rose looked up rather surprised at his question. + </p> + <p> + “I'd like to borrow some money. I shouldn't think of asking you, only Mac + never has a cent. since he's set up his old chemical shop, where he'll + blow himself to bits some day, and you and uncle will have the fun of + putting him together again,” and Steve tried to look as if the idea amused + him. + </p> + <p> + “I'll lend it to you with pleasure, so tell away,” said Rose, bound to get + at the secret. + </p> + <p> + Evidently much relieved by the promise, Steve set his top-knot cheerfully + erect again, and briefly stated the case. + </p> + <p> + “As you say, it's all right to tell you, but don't let the boys know I + blabbed, or Prince will take my head off. You see, Archie don't like some + of the fellows Charlie goes with, and cuts 'em. That makes Prince mad, and + he holds on just to plague Arch, so they don't speak to one another, if + they can help it, and that's the row.” + </p> + <p> + “Are those boys bad?” asked Rose, anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “Guess not, only rather wild. They are older than our fellows, but they + like Prince, he's such a jolly boy; sings so well, dances jigs and + breakdowns, you know, and plays any game that's going. He beat Morse at + billiards, and that's something to brag of, for Morse thinks he knows + everything. I saw the match, and it was great fun!” + </p> + <p> + Steve got quite excited over the prowess of Charlie, whom he admired + immensely, and tried to imitate. Rose did not know half the danger of such + gifts and tastes as Charlie's, but felt instinctively that something must + be wrong if Archie disapproved. + </p> + <p> + “If Prince likes any billiard-playing boy better than Archie, I don't + think much of his sense,” she said severely. + </p> + <p> + “Of course he doesn't; but, you see, Charlie and Arch are both as proud as + they can be, and won't give in. I suppose Arch is right, but I don't blame + Charlie a bit for liking to be with the others sometimes, they are such a + jolly set,” and Steve shook his head morally, even while his eye twinkled + over the memory of some of the exploits of the “jolly set.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear me!” sighed Rose, “I don't see what I can do about it, but I + wish the boys would make up, for Prince can't come to any harm with + Archie, he's so good and sensible.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the trouble; Arch preaches, and Prince won't stand it. He told + Arch he was a prig and a parson, and Arch told him he wasn't a gentleman. + My boots! weren't they both mad, though! I thought for a minute they'd + pitch into one another and have it out. Wish they had, and not gone + stalking round stiff and glum ever since. Mac and I settle our rows with a + bat or so over the head, and then we are all right.” + </p> + <p> + Rose couldn't help laughing as Steve sparred away at a fat sofa-pillow, to + illustrate his meaning; and, having given it several scientific whacks, he + pulled down his cuffs and smiled upon her with benign pity for her + feminine ignorance of this summary way of settling a quarrel. + </p> + <p> + “What droll things boys are!” she said, with a mixture of admiration and + perplexity in her face, which Steve accepted as a compliment to his sex. + </p> + <p> + “We're a pretty clever invention, miss, and you can't get on without us,” + he answered, with his nose in the air. Then, taking a sudden plunge into + business, he added, “How about that bit of money you were going to lend + me? I've told, now you pay up.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I will! How much do you want?” and Rose pulled out her purse. + </p> + <p> + “Could you spare five dollars? I want to pay a little debt of honour that + is rather pressing,” and Steve put on a mannish air that was comical to + see. + </p> + <p> + “Aren't all debts honourable?” asked innocent Rose. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, of course; but this is a bet I made, and it ought to be settled up + at once,” began Steve, finding it awkward to explain. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't bet, it's not right, and I know your father wouldn't like it. + Promise you won't do so again; please promise!” and Rose held fast the + hand into which she had just put the money. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I won't. It's worried me a good deal, but I was joked into it. Much + obliged, cousin, I'm all right now,” and Steve departed hastily. + </p> + <p> + Having decided to be a peace-maker, Rose waited for an opportunity, and + very soon it came. + </p> + <p> + She was spending the day with Aunt Clara, who had been entertaining some + young guests, and invited Rose to meet them, for she thought it high time + her niece conquered her bashfulness and saw a little of society. Dinner + was over, and everyone had gone. Aunt Clara was resting before going out + to an evening party, and Rose was waiting for Charlie to come and take her + home. + </p> + <p> + She sat alone in the elegant drawing-room, feeling particularly nice and + pretty, for she had her best frock on, a pair of gold bands her aunt had + just given her, and a tea-rose bud in her sash, like the beautiful Miss + Van Tassel, whom everyone admired. She had spread out her little skirts to + the best advantage, and, leaning back in a luxurious chair, sat admiring + her own feet in new slippers with rosettes almost as big as dahlias. + Presently Charlie came lounging in, looking rather sleepy and queer, Rose + thought. On seeing her, however, he roused up and said with a smile that + ended in a gape, + </p> + <p> + “I thought you were with mother, so I took forty winks after I got those + girls off. Now, I'm at your service, Rosamunda, whenever you like.” + </p> + <p> + “You look as if your head ached. If it does, don't mind me. I'm not afraid + to run home alone, it's so early,” answered Rose, observing the flushed + cheeks and heavy eyes of her cousin. + </p> + <p> + “I think I see myself letting you do it. Champagne always makes my + headache, but the air will set me up.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you drink it, then?” asked Rose, anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “Can't help it, when I'm host. Now, don't you begin to lecture; I've had + enough of Archie's old-fashioned notions, and I don't want any more.” + </p> + <p> + Charlie's tone was decidedly cross, and his whole manner so unlike his + usual merry good-nature, that Rose felt crushed, and answered meekly, + </p> + <p> + “I wasn't going to lecture, only when people like other people, they can't + bear to see them suffer pain.” + </p> + <p> + That brought Charlie round at once, for Rose's lips trembled a little, + though she tried to hide it by smelling the flower she pulled from her + sash. + </p> + <p> + “I'm a regular bear, and I beg your pardon for being so cross, Rosy,” he + said in the old frank way that was so winning. + </p> + <p> + “I wish you'd beg Archie's too, and be good friends again. You never were + cross when he was your chum,” Rose said, looking up at him as he bent + toward her from the low chimney-piece, where he had been leaning his + elbows. + </p> + <p> + In an instant he stood as stiff and straight as a ramrod, and the heavy + eyes kindled with an angry spark as he said, in his high and mighty + manner, + </p> + <p> + “You'd better not meddle with what you don't understand, cousin.” + </p> + <p> + “But I do understand, and it troubles me very much to see you so cold and + stiff to one another. You always used to be together, and now you hardly + speak. You are so ready to beg my pardon I don't see why you can't beg + Archie's, if you are in the wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not!” this was so short and sharp that Rose started, and Charlie + added in a calmer but still very haughty tone: “A gentleman always begs + pardon when he has been rude to a lady, but one man doesn't apologize to + another man who has insulted him.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my heart, what a pepperpot!” thought Rose, and, hoping to make him + laugh, she added slyly: “I was not talking about men, but boys, and one of + them a Prince, who ought to set a good example to his subjects.” + </p> + <p> + But Charlie would not relent, and tried to turn the subject by saying + gravely, as he unfastened the little gold ring from his watch-guard, + </p> + <p> + “I've broken my word, so I want to give this back and free you from the + bargain. I'm sorry, but I think it a foolish promise, and don't intend to + keep it. Choose a pair of ear-rings to suit yourself, as my forfeit. You + have a right to wear them now.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I can only wear one, and that is no use, for Archie will keep his + word I'm sure!” Rose was so mortified and grieved at this downfall of her + hopes that she spoke sharply, and would not take the ring the deserter + offered her. + </p> + <p> + He shrugged his shoulders, and threw it into her lap, trying to look cool + and careless, but failing entirely, for he was ashamed of himself, and out + of sorts generally. Rose wanted to cry, but pride would not let her, and, + being very angry, she relieved herself by talk instead of tears. Looking + pale and excited, she rose out of her chair, cast away the ring, and said + in a voice that she vainly tried to keep steady, + </p> + <p> + “You are not at all the boy I thought you were, and I don't respect you + one bit. I've tried to help you be good, but you won't let me, and I shall + not try any more. You talk a great deal about being a gentleman, but you + are not, for you've broken your word, and I can never trust you again. I + don't wish you to go home with me. I'd rather have Mary. Good-night.” + </p> + <p> + And with that last dreadful blow, Rose walked out of the room, leaving + Charlie as much astonished as if one of his pet pigeons had flown in his + face and pecked at him. She was so seldom angry, that when her temper did + get the better of her it made a deep impression on the lads, for it was + generally a righteous sort of indignation at some injustice or + wrong-doing, not childish passion. + </p> + <p> + Her little thunderstorm cleared off in a sob or two as she put on her + things in the entry-closet, and when she emerged she looked the brighter + for the shower. A hasty good-night to Aunt Clara now under the hands of + the hairdresser and then she crept down to find Mary the maid. But Mary + was out, so was the man, and Rose slipped away by the back-door, + flattering herself that she had escaped the awkwardness of having Charlie + for escort. + </p> + <p> + There she was mistaken, however, for the gate had hardly closed behind her + when a well-known tramp was heard, and the Prince was beside her, saying + in a tone of penitent politeness that banished Rose's wrath like magic, + </p> + <p> + “You needn't speak to me if you don't choose, but I must see you safely + home, cousin.” + </p> + <p> + She turned at once, put out her hand, and answered heartily, + </p> + <p> + “I was the cross one. Please forgive me, and let's be friends again.” + </p> + <p> + Now that was better than a dozen sermons on the beauty of forgiveness, and + did Charlie more good, for it showed him how sweet humility was, and + proved that Rose practised as she preached. + </p> + <p> + He shook the hand warmly, then drew it through his arm and said, as if + anxious to recover the good opinion with the loss of which he had been + threatened, + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Rosy, I've put the ring back, and I'm going to try again. But + you don't know how hard it is to stand being laughed at.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I do! Ariadne plagues me every time I see her, because I don't wear + ear-rings after all the trouble I had getting ready for them.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, but her twaddle isn't half as bad as the chaffing I get. It takes a + deal of pluck to hold out when you are told you are tied to an apron + string, and all that sort of thing,” sighed Charlie. + </p> + <p> + “I thought you had a 'deal of pluck,' as you call it. The boys all say you + are the bravest of the seven,” said Rose. + </p> + <p> + “So I am about some things, but I cannot bear to be laughed at.” + </p> + <p> + “It is hard, but if one is right won't that make it easier?” + </p> + <p> + “Not to me; it might to a pious parson like Arch.” + </p> + <p> + “Please don't call him names! I guess he has what is called moral courage, + and you physical courage. Uncle explained the difference to me, and moral + is the best, though often it doesn't look so,” said Rose thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + Charlie didn't like that, and answered quickly, “I don't believe he'd + stand it any better than I do, if he had those fellows at him.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps that's why he keeps out of their way, and wants you to.” + </p> + <p> + Rose had him there, and Charlie felt it, but would not give in just yet, + though he was going fast, for somehow, in the dark he seemed to see things + clearer than in the light, and found it very easy to be confidential when + it was “only Rose.” + </p> + <p> + “If he was my brother, now, he'd have some right to interfere,” began + Charlie, in an injured tone. + </p> + <p> + “I wish he was!” cried Rose. + </p> + <p> + “So do I,” answered Charlie, and then they both laughed at his + inconsistency. + </p> + <p> + The laugh did them good, and when Prince spoke again, it was in a + different tone pensive, not proud nor perverse. + </p> + <p> + “You see, it's hard upon me that I have no brothers and sisters. The + others are better off and needn't go abroad for chums if they don't like. + I am all alone, and I'd be thankful even for a little sister.” + </p> + <p> + Rose thought that very pathetic, and, overlooking the uncomplimentary word + “even” in that last sentence, she said, with a timid sort of earnestness + that conquered her cousin at once, + </p> + <p> + “Play I was a little sister. I know I'm silly, but perhaps I'm better than + nothing, and I'd dearly love to do it.” + </p> + <p> + “So should I! and we will, for you are not silly, my dear, but a very + sensible girl, we all think, and I'm proud to have you for a sister. + There, now!” and Charlie looked down at the curly head bobbing along + beside him with real affection in his face. + </p> + <p> + Rose gave a skip of pleasure, and laid one seal-skin mitten over the other + on his arm, as she said happily, + </p> + <p> + “That's so nice of you! Now, you needn't be lonely any more, and I'll try + to fill Archie's place till he comes back, for I know he will, as soon as + you let him.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't mind telling you that while he was my mate I never missed + brothers and sisters, or wanted anyone else; but since he cast me off, + I'll be hanged if I don't feel as forlorn as old Crusoe before Friday + turned up.” + </p> + <p> + This burst of confidence confirmed Rose in her purpose of winning + Charlie's Mentor back to him, but she said no more, contented to have done + so well. They parted excellent friends, and Prince went home, wondering + why “a fellow didn't mind saying things to a girl or woman which they + would die before they'd own to another fellow.” + </p> + <p> + Rose also had some sage reflections upon the subject, and fell asleep + thinking that there were a great many curious things in this world, and + feeling that she was beginning to find out some of them. + </p> + <p> + Next day she trudged up the hill to see Archie, and having told him as + much as she thought best about her talk with Charlie, begged him to forget + and forgive. + </p> + <p> + “I've been thinking that perhaps I ought to, though I am in the right. I'm + no end fond of Charlie, and he's the best-hearted lad alive; but he can't + say No, and that will play the mischief with him, if he does not take + care,” said Archie in his grave, kind way. + </p> + <p> + “While father was home, I was very busy with him, so Prince got into a set + I don't like. They try to be fast, and think it's manly, and they flatter + him, and lead him on to do all sorts of things play for money, and bet, + and loaf about. I hate to have him do so, and tried to stop it, but went + to work the wrong way, so we got into a mess.” + </p> + <p> + “He is all ready to make up if you don't say much, for he owned to me he + was wrong; but I don't think he will own it to you, in words,” began Rose. + </p> + <p> + “I don't care for that; if he'll just drop those row-dies and come back, + I'll hold my tongue and not preach. I wonder if he owes those fellows + money, and so doesn't like to break off till he can pay it. I hope not, + but don't dare to ask; though, perhaps, Steve knows, he's always after + Prince, more's the pity,” and Archie looked anxious. + </p> + <p> + “I think Steve does know, for he talked about debts of honour the day I + gave him—” There Rose stopped short and turned scarlet. + </p> + <p> + But Archie ordered her to “fess,” and had the whole story in five minutes, + for none dared disobey the Chief. He completed her affliction by putting a + five-dollar bill into her pocket by main force, looking both indignant and + resolute as he said, + </p> + <p> + “Never do so again; but send Steve to me, if he is afraid to go to his + father. Charlie had nothing to do with that; he wouldn't borrow a penny of + a girl, don't think it. But that's the harm he does Steve, who adores him, + and tries to be like him in all things. Don't say a word; I'll make it all + right, and no one shall blame you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh me! I always make trouble by trying to help, and then letting out the + wrong thing,” sighed Rose, much depressed by her slip of the tongue. + </p> + <p> + Archie comforted her with the novel remark that it was always best to tell + the truth, and made her quite cheerful by promising to heal the breach + with Charlie as soon as possible. + </p> + <p> + He kept his word so well that the very next afternoon, as Rose looked out + of the window, she beheld the joyful spectacle of Archie and Prince coming + up the avenue, arm-in-arm, as of old, talking away as if to make up for + the unhappy silence of the past weeks. + </p> + <p> + Rose dropped her work, hurried to the door, and, opening it wide, stood + there smiling down upon them so happily, that the faces of the lads + brightened as they ran up the steps eager to show that all was well with + them. + </p> + <p> + “Here's our little peace-maker!” said Archie, shaking hands with vigour. + </p> + <p> + But Charlie added, with a look that made Rose very proud and happy, “And + my little sister.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 24—Which? + </h2> + <p> + “Uncle, I have discovered what girls are made for,” said Rose, the day + after the reconciliation of Archie and the Prince. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my dear, what is it?” asked Dr. Alec, who was “planking the deck,” + as he called his daily promenade up and down the hall. + </p> + <p> + “To take care of boys,” answered Rose, quite beaming with satisfaction as + she spoke. “Phebe laughed when I told her, and said she thought girls had + better learn to take care of themselves first. But that's because she + hasn't got seven boy-cousins as I have.” + </p> + <p> + “She is right, nevertheless, Rosy, and so are you, for the two things go + together, and in helping seven lads you are unconsciously doing much to + improve one lass,” said Dr. Alec, stopping to nod and smile at the + bright-faced figure resting on the old bamboo chair, after a lively game + of battledore and shuttlecock, in place of a run which a storm prevented. + </p> + <p> + “Am I? I'm glad of that; but really, uncle, I do feel as if I must take + care of the boys, for they come to me in all sorts of troubles, and ask + advice, and I like it so much. Only I don't always know what to do, and + I'm going to consult you privately and then surprise them with my wisdom.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, my dear; what's the first worry? I see you have something on + your little mind, so come and tell uncle.” + </p> + <p> + Rose put her arm in his, and, pacing to and fro, told him all about + Charlie, asking what she could do to keep him straight, and be a real + sister to him. + </p> + <p> + “Could you make up your mind to go and stay with Aunt Clara a month?” + asked the Doctor, when she ended. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir; but I shouldn't like it. Do you really want me to go?” + </p> + <p> + “The best cure for Charlie is a daily dose of Rose water, or Rose and + water, or Rose and water; will you go and see that he takes it?” laughed + Dr. Alec. + </p> + <p> + “You mean that if I'm there and try to make it pleasant, he will stay at + home and keep out of mischief?” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly.” + </p> + <p> + “But could I make it pleasant? He would want the boys.” + </p> + <p> + “No danger but he'd have the boys, for they swarm after you like bees + after their queen. Haven't you found that out?” + </p> + <p> + “Aunt Plen often says they never used to be here half so much before I + came, but I never thought I made the difference, it seemed so natural to + have them round.” + </p> + <p> + “Little modesty doesn't know what a magnet she is; but she will find it + out some day,” and the Doctor softly stroked the cheek that had grown rosy + with pleasure at the thought of being so much loved. “Now, you see, if I + move the magnet to Aunt Clara's, the lads will go there as sure as iron to + steel, and Charlie will be so happy at home he won't care for these + mischievous mates of his I hope,” added the Doctor, well knowing how hard + it was to wean a seventeen-year-old boy from his first taste of what is + called “seeing life,” which, alas! often ends in seeing death. + </p> + <p> + “I'll go, uncle, right away! Aunt Clara is always asking me, and will be + glad to get me. I shall have to dress and dine late, and see lots of + company, and be very fashionable, but I'll try not to let it hurt me; and + if I get in a puzzle or worried about anything I can run to you,” answered + Rose, good-will conquering timidity. + </p> + <p> + So it was decided, and without saying much about the real reason for this + visit, Rose was transplanted to Aunt Clara's, feeling that she had a work + to do, and very eager to do it well. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec was right about the bees, for the boys did follow their queen, + and astonished Mrs. Clara by their sudden assiduity in making calls, + dropping in to dinner, and getting up evening frolics. Charlie was a + devoted host, and tried to show his gratitude by being very kind to his + “little sister,” for he guessed why she came, and his heart was touched by + her artless endeavours to “help him be good.” + </p> + <p> + Rose often longed to be back in the old house with the simpler pleasures + and more useful duties of the life there; but, having made up her mind, in + spite of Phebe, that “girls were made to take care of boys,” here motherly + little soul found much to enjoy in the new task she had undertaken. + </p> + <p> + It was a pretty sight to see the one earnest, sweet-faced girl among the + flock of tall lads, trying to understand, to help and please them with a + patient affection that worked many a small miracle unperceived. Slang, + rough manners, and careless habits were banished or bettered by the + presence of a little gentlewoman; and all the manly virtues cropping up + were encouraged by the hearty admiration bestowed upon them by one whose + good opinion all valued more than they confessed; while Rose tried to + imitate the good qualities she praised in them, to put away her girlish + vanities and fears, to be strong and just, and frank and brave, as well as + modest, kind, and beautiful. + </p> + <p> + This trial worked so well that when the month was over, Mac and Steve + demanded a visit in their turn, and Rose went, feeling that she would like + to hear grim Aunt Jane say, as Aunt Clara did at parting, “I wish I could + keep you all my life, dear.” + </p> + <p> + After Mac and Steve had had their turn, Archie and Company bore her away + for some weeks; and with them she was so happy, she felt as if she would + like to stay for ever, if she could have Uncle Alec also. + </p> + <p> + Of course, Aunt Myra could not be neglected, and, with secret despair, + Rose went to the “Mausoleum,” as the boys called her gloomy abode. + Fortunately, she was very near home, and Dr. Alec dropped in so often that + her visit was far less dismal than she expected. Between them, they + actually made Aunt Myra laugh heartily more than once; and Rose did her so + much good by letting in the sunshine, singing about the silent house, + cooking wholesome messes, and amusing the old lady with funny little + lectures on physiology, that she forgot to take her pills and gave up + “Mum's Elixir,” because she slept so well, after the long walks and drives + she was beguiled into taking, that she needed no narcotic. + </p> + <p> + So the winter flew rapidly away, and it was May before Rose was fairly + settled again at home. They called her the “Monthly Rose,” because she had + spent a month with each of the aunts, and left such pleasant memories of + bloom and fragrance behind her, that all wanted the family flower back + again. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec rejoiced greatly over his recovered treasure; but as the time + drew near when his year of experiment ended, he had many a secret fear + that Rose might like to make her home for the next twelve month with Aunt + Jessie, or even Aunt Clara, for Charlie's sake. He said nothing, but + waited with much anxiety for the day when the matter should be decided; + and while he waited he did his best to finish as far as possible the task + he had begun so well. + </p> + <p> + Rose was very happy now, being out nearly all day enjoying the beautiful + awakening of the world, for spring came bright and early, as if anxious to + do its part. The old horse-chestnuts budded round her windows, green + things sprung up like magic in the garden under her hands, hardy flowers + bloomed as fast as they could, the birds sang blithely overhead, and every + day a chorus of pleasant voices cried, “Good morning, cousin, isn't it + jolly weather?” + </p> + <p> + No one remembered the date of the eventful conversation which resulted in + the Doctor's experiment (no one but himself at least); so when the aunts + were invited to tea one Saturday they came quite unsuspiciously, and were + all sitting together having a social chat, when Brother Alec entered with + two photographs in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Do you remember that?” he said, showing one to Aunt Clara, who happened + to be nearest. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, indeed; it is very like her when she came. Quite her sad, + unchildlike expression, and thin little face, with the big dark eyes.” + </p> + <p> + The picture was passed round, and all agreed that “it was very like Rose a + year ago.” This point being settled, the Doctor showed the second picture, + which was received with great approbation, and pronounced a “charming + likeness.” + </p> + <p> + It certainly was, and a striking contrast to the first one, for it was a + blooming, smiling face, full of girlish spirit and health, with no sign of + melancholy, though the soft eyes were thoughtful, and the lines about the + lips betrayed a sensitive nature. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec set both photographs on the chimneypiece, and, falling back a + step or two, surveyed them with infinite satisfaction for several minutes, + then wheeled round, saying briefly, as he pointed to the two faces, + </p> + <p> + “Time is up; how do you think my experiment has succeeded, ladies?” + </p> + <p> + “Bless me, so it is!” cried Aunt Plenty, dropping a stitch in her + surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Beautifully, dear,” answered Aunt Peace, smiling entire approval. + </p> + <p> + “She certainly has improved, but appearances are deceitful, and she had no + constitution to build upon,” croaked Aunt Myra. + </p> + <p> + “I am willing to allow that, as far as mere health goes, the experiment is + a success,” graciously observed Aunt Jane, unable to forget Rose's + kindness to her Mac. + </p> + <p> + “So am I; and I'll go farther, for I really do believe Alec has done + wonders for the child; she will be a beauty in two or three years,” added + Aunt Clara, feeling that she could say nothing better than that. + </p> + <p> + “I always knew he would succeed, and I'm so glad you all allow it, for he + deserves more credit than you know, and more praise than he will ever + get,” cried Aunt Jessie, clapping her hands with an enthusiasm that caused + Jamie's little red stocking to wave like a triumphal banner in the air. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec made them a splendid bow, looking much gratified, and then said + soberly, + </p> + <p> + “Thank you; now the question is, shall I go on? for this is only the + beginning. None of you know the hindrances I've had, the mistakes I've + made, the study I've given the case, and the anxiety I've often felt. + Sister Myra is right is one thing Rose is a delicate creature, quick to + flourish in the sunshine, and as quick to droop without it. She has no + special weakness, but inherits her mother's sensitive nature, and needs + the wisest, tenderest care, to keep a very ardent little soul from wearing + out a finely organised little body. I think I have found the right + treatment, and; with you to help me, I believe we may build up a lovely + and a noble woman, who will be a pride and comfort to us all.” + </p> + <p> + There Dr. Alec stopped to get his breath, for he had spoken very + earnestly, and his voice got a little husky over the last words. A gentle + murmur from the aunts seemed to encourage him, and he went on with an + engaging smile, for the good man was slyly trying to win all the ladies to + vote for him when the time came. + </p> + <p> + “Now, I don't wish to be selfish or arbitrary, because I am her guardian, + and I shall leave Rose free to choose for herself. We all want her, and if + she likes to make her home with any of you rather than with me, she shall + do so. In fact, I encouraged her visits last winter, that she might see + what we can all offer her, and judge where she will be happiest. Is not + that the fairest way? Will you agree to abide by her choice, as I do?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we will,” said all the aunts, in quite a flutter of excitement at + the prospect of having Rose for a whole year. + </p> + <p> + “Good! she will be here directly, and then we will settle the question for + another year. A most important year, mind you, for she has got a good + start, and will blossom rapidly now if all goes well with her. So I beg of + you don't undo my work, but deal very wisely and gently with my little + girl, for if any harm come to her, I think it would break my heart.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, Dr. Alec turned his back abruptly and affected to be + examining the pictures again; but the aunts understood how dear the child + was to the solitary man who had loved her mother years ago, and who now + found his happiness in cherishing the little Rose who was so like her. The + good ladies nodded and sighed, and telegraphed to one another that none of + them would complain if not chosen, or ever try to rob Brother Alec of his + “Heart's Delight,” as the boys called Rose. + </p> + <p> + Just then a pleasant sound of happy voices came up from the garden, and + smiles broke out on all serious faces. Dr. Alec turned at once, saying, as + he threw back his head, “There she is; now for it!” + </p> + <p> + The cousins had been a-Maying, and soon came flocking in laden with the + spoils. + </p> + <p> + “Here is our bonny Scotch rose with all her thorns about her,” said Dr. + Alec, surveying her with unusual pride and tenderness, as she went to show + Aunt Peace her basket full of early flowers, fresh leaves, and curious + lichens. + </p> + <p> + “Leave your clutter in the hall, boys, and sit quietly down if you choose + to stop here, for we are busy,” said Aunt Plenty, shaking her finger at + the turbulent Clan, who were bubbling over with the jollity born of spring + sunshine and healthy exercise. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, we choose to stay! Wouldn't miss our Saturday high tea for + anything,” said the Chief, as he restored order among his men with a nod, + a word, and an occasional shake. + </p> + <p> + “What is up? a court-martial?” asked Charlie, looking at the assembled + ladies with affected awe and real curiosity, for these faces betrayed that + some interesting business was afloat. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Alec explained in a few words, which he made as brief and calm as he + could; but the effect was exciting, nevertheless, for each of the lads + began at once to bribe, entice, and wheedle “our cousin” to choose his + home. + </p> + <p> + “You really ought to come to us for mother's sake, as a relish, you know, + for she must be perfectly satiated with boys,” began Archie, using the + strongest argument he could think of at the moment. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do! we'll never slam, or bounce at you or call you 'fraid cat,' if + you only will,” besought Geordie and Will, distorting their countenances + in the attempt to smile with overpowering sweetness. + </p> + <p> + “And I'll always wash my hands 'fore I touch you, and you shall be my + dolly, 'cause Pokey's gone away, and I'll love you *hard*,” cried Jamie, + clinging to her with his chubby face full of affection. + </p> + <p> + “Brothers and sister ought to live together; especially when the brother + needs some one to make home pleasant for him,” added Charlie, with the + wheedlesome tone and look that Rose always found so difficult to resist. + </p> + <p> + “You had her longest, and it's our turn now; Mac needs her more than you + do, Prince, for she's 'the light of his eyes,' he says. Come, Rose, choose + us, and I'll never use the musky pomade you hate again as long as I live,” + said Steve, with his most killing air, as he offered this noble sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + Mac peered wistfully over his goggles, saying in an unusually wide-awake + and earnest way, -- + </p> + <p> + “Do, cousin, then we can study chemistry together. My experiments don't + blow up very often now, and the gases aren't at all bad when you get used + to them.” + </p> + <p> + Rose meantime had stood quite still, with the flowers dropping from her + hands as her eyes went from one eager face to another, while smiles + rippled over her own at the various enticements offered her. During the + laugh that followed Mac's handsome proposition, she looked at her uncle, + whose eyes were fixed on her with an expression of love and longing that + went to her heart. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! yes,” she thought, “he wants me most! I've often longed to give him + something that he wished for very much, and now I can.” + </p> + <p> + So, when, at a sudden gesture from Aunt Peace, silence fell, Rose said + slowly, with a pretty colour in her cheeks, and a beseeching look about + the room, as if asking pardon of the boys, + </p> + <p> + “It's very hard to choose when everybody is so fond of me; therefore I + think I'd better go to the one who seems to need me most.” + </p> + <p> + “No, dear, the one you love the best and will be happiest with,” said Dr. + Alec quickly, as a doleful sniff from Aunt Myra, and a murmur of “My + sainted Caroline,” made Rose pause and look that way. + </p> + <p> + “Take time, cousin; don't be in a hurry to make up your mind, and + remember, 'Codlin's your friend,'” added Charlie, hopeful still. + </p> + <p> + “I don't want any time! I know who I love best, who I'm happiest with, and + I choose uncle. Will he have me?” cried Rose, in a tone that produced a + sympathetic thrill among the hearers, it was so full of tender confidence + and love. + </p> + <p> + If she really had any doubt, the look in Dr. Alec's face banished it + without a word, as he opened wide his arms, and she ran into them, feeling + that home was there. + </p> + <p> + No one spoke for a minute, but there were signs of emotion among the + aunts, which warned the boys to bestir themselves before the water-works + began to play. So they took hands and began to prance about uncle and + niece, singing, with sudden inspiration, the nursery rhyme, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Ring around a Rosy!” + </pre> + <p> + Of course that put an end to all sentiment, and Rose emerged laughing from + Dr. Alec's bosom, with the mark of a waistcoat button nicely imprinted on + her left cheek. He saw it, and said with a merry kiss that half effaced + it, “This is my ewe lamb, and I have set my mark on her, so no one can + steal her away.” + </p> + <p> + That tickled the boys, and they set up a shout of, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Uncle had a little lamb!” + </pre> + <p> + But Rose hushed the noise by slipping into the circle, and making them + dance prettily like lads and lasses round a May-pole; while Phebe, coming + in with fresh water for the flowers, began to twitter, chirp, and coo, as + if all the birds of the air had come to join in the spring revel of the + eight cousins. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Eight Cousins, by Louisa M. 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Alcott + + + + +Preface + +The Author is quite aware of the defects of this little story, many +of which were unavoidable, as it first appeared serially. But, as +Uncle Alec's experiment was intended to amuse the young folks, +rather than suggest educational improvements for the +consideration of the elders, she trusts that these shortcomings will +be overlooked by the friends of the Eight Cousins, and she will try +to make amends in a second volume, which shall attempt to show +The Rose in Bloom. + +L.M.A. + + + + +Chapter 1 - Two Girls + +Rose sat all alone in the big best parlor, with her little +handkerchief laid ready to catch the first tear, for she was thinking +of her troubles, and a shower was expected. She had retired to this +room as a good place in which to be miserable; for it was dark and +still, full of ancient furniture, sombre curtains, and hung all around +with portraits of solemn old gentlemen in wigs, severe-nosed +ladies in top-heavy caps, and staring children in little bob-tailed +coats or short-waisted frocks. It was an excellent place for woe; +and the fitful spring rain that pattered on the window-pane seemed +to sob, "Cry away: I'm with you." + +Rose really did have some cause to be sad; for she had no mother, +and had lately lost her father also, which left her no home but this +with her great-aunts. She had been with them only a week, and, +though the dear old ladies had tried their best to make her happy, +they had not succeeded very well, for she was unlike any child they +had ever seen, and they felt very much as if they had the care of a +low-spirited butterfly. + +They had given her the freedom of the house, and for a day or two +she had amused herself roaming all over it, for it was a capital old +mansion, and was full of all manner of odd nooks, charming +rooms, and mysterious passages. Windows broke out in +unexpected places, little balconies overhung the garden most +romantically, and there was a long upper hall full of curiosities +from all parts of the world; for the Campbells had been +sea-captains for generations. + +Aunt Plenty had even allowed Rose to rummage in her great china +closet a spicy retreat, rich in all the "goodies" that children love; +but Rose seemed to care little for these toothsome temptations; +and when that hope failed, Aunt Plenty gave up in despair. + +Gentle Aunt Peace had tried all sorts of pretty needle-work, and +planned a doll's wardrobe that would have won the heart of even +an older child. But Rose took little interest in pink satin hats and +tiny hose, though she sewed dutifully till her aunt caught her +wiping tears away with the train of a wedding-dress, and that +discovery put an end to the sewing society. + +Then both old ladies put their heads together and picked out the +model child of the neighbourhood to come and play with their +niece. But Ariadne Blish was the worst failure of all, for Rose +could not bear the sight of her, and said she was so like a wax doll +she longed to give her a pinch and see if she would squeak. So +prim little Ariadne was sent home, and the exhausted aunties left +Rose to her own devices for a day or two. + +Bad weather and a cold kept her in-doors, and she spent most of +her time in the library where her father's books were stored. Here +she read a great deal, cried a little, and dreamed many of the +innocent bright dreams in which imaginative children find such +comfort and delight. This suited her better than anything else, but +it was not good for her, and she grew pale, heavy-eyed and listless, +though Aunt Plenty gave her iron enough to make a cooking-stove, +and Aunt Peace petted her like a poodle. + +Seeing this, the poor aunties racked their brains for a new +amusement and determined to venture a bold stroke, though not +very hopeful of its success. They said nothing to Rose about their +plan for this Saturday afternoon, but let her alone till the time +came for the grand surprise, little dreaming that the odd child +would find pleasure for herself in a most unexpected quarter. + +Before she had time to squeeze out a single tear a sound broke the +stillness, making her prick up her ears. It was only the soft twitter +of a bird, but it seemed to be a peculiarly gifted bird, for while she +listened the soft twitter changed to a lively whistle, then a trill, a +coo, a chirp, and ended in a musical mixture of all the notes, as if +the bird burst out laughing. Rose laughed also, and, forgetting her +woes, jumped up, saying eagerly + +"It is a mocking-bird. Where is it?" + +Running down the long hall, she peeped out at both doors, but saw +nothing feathered except a draggle-tailed chicken under a burdock +leaf. She listened again, and the sound seemed to be in the house. +Away she went, much excited by the chase, and following the +changeful song, it led her to the china-closet door. + +"In there? How funny!" she said. But when she entered, not a bird +appeared except the everlastingly kissing swallows on the Canton +china that lined the shelves. All of a sudden Rose's face +brightened, and, softly opening the slide, she peered into the +kitchen. But the music had stopped, and all she saw was a girl in a +blue apron scrubbing the hearth. Rose stared about her for a +minute, and then asked abruptly + +"Did you hear that mocking-bird?" + +"I should call it a phebe-bird," answered the girl, looking up with a +twinkle in her black eyes. + +"Where did it go?" + +"It is here still." + +"Where?" + +"In my throat. Do you want to hear it?" + +"Oh, yes! I'll come in." And Rose crept through the slide to the +wide shelf on the other side, being too hurried and puzzled to go +round by the door. + +The girl wiped her hands, crossed her feet on the little island of +carpet where she was stranded in a sea of soap-suds, and then, sure +enough, out of her slender throat came the swallow's twitter, the +robin's whistle, the blue-jay's call, the thrush's song, the +wood-dove's coo, and many another familiar note, all ending as +before with the musical ecstacy of a bobolink singing and +swinging among the meadow grass on a bright June day. + +Rose was so astonished that she nearly fell off her perch, and when +the little concert was over clapped her hands delightedly. + +"Oh, it was lovely! Who taught you?" + +"The birds," answered the girl, with a smile, as she fell to work +again. + +"It is very wonderful! I can sing, but nothing half so fine as that. +What is your name, please?" + +"Phebe Moore." + +"I've heard of phebe-birds; but I don't believe the real ones could +do that," laughed Rose, adding, as she watched with interest the +scattering of dabs of soft soap over the bricks, "May I stay and see +you work? It is very lonely in the parlor." + +"Yes, indeed, if you want to," answered Phebe, wringing out her +cloth in a capable sort of way that impressed Rose very much. + +"It must be fun to swash the water round and dig out the soap. I'd +love to do it, only aunt wouldn't like it, I suppose," said Rose, quite +taken with the new employment. + +"You'd soon get tired, so you'd better keep tidy and look on." + +"I suppose you help your mother a good deal?" + +"I haven't got any folks." + +"Why, where do you live, then?" + +"I'm going to live here, I hope. Debby wants some one to help +round, and I've come to try for a week." + +"I hope you will stay, for it is very dull," said Rose, who had taken +a sudden fancy to this girl, who sung like a bird and worked like a +woman. + +"Hope I shall; for I'm fifteen now, and old enough to earn my own +living. You have come to stay a spell, haven't you?" asked Phebe, +looking up at her guest and wondering how life could be dull to a +girl who wore a silk frock, a daintily frilled apron, a pretty locket, +and had her hair tied up with a velvet snood. + +"Yes, I shall stay till my uncle comes. He is my guardian now, and +I don't know what he will do with me. Have you a guardian?" + +"My sakes, no! I was left on the poor-house steps a little mite of a +baby, and Miss Rogers took a liking to me, so I've been there ever +since. But she is dead now, and I take care of myself." + +"How interesting! It is like Arabella Montgomery in the 'Gypsy's +Child.' Did you ever read that sweet story?" asked Rose, who was +fond of tales of found-lings, and had read many. + +"I don't have any books to read, and all the spare time I get I run +off into the woods; that rests me better than stories," answered +Phebe, as she finished one job and began on another. + +Rose watched her as she got out a great pan of beans to look over, +and wondered how it would seem to have life all work and no play. +Presently Phebe seemed to think it was her turn to ask questions, +and said, wistfully + +"You've had lots of schooling, I suppose?" + +"Oh, dear me, yes! I've been at boarding school nearly a year, and +I'm almost dead with lessons. The more I got, the more Miss +Power gave me, and I was so miserable that I 'most cried my eyes +out. Papa never gave me hard things to do, and he always taught +me so pleasantly I loved to study. Oh, we were so happy and so +fond of one another! But now he is gone, and I am left all alone." + +The tear that would not come when Rose sat waiting for it came +now of its own accord two of them in fact and rolled down her +cheeks, telling the tale of love and sorrow better than any words +could do it. + +For a minute there was no sound in the kitchen but the little +daughter's sobbing and the sympathetic patter of the rain. Phebe +stopped rattling her beans from one pan to another, and her eyes +were full of pity as they rested on the curly head bent down on +Rose's knee, for she saw that the heart under the pretty locket +ached with its loss, and the dainty apron was used to dry sadder +tears than any she had ever shed. + +Somehow, she felt more contented with her brown calico gown +and blue-checked pinafore; envy changed to compassion; and if +she had dared she would have gone and hugged her afflicted guest. + +Fearing that might not be considered proper, she said, in her +cheery voice + +"I'm sure you ain't all alone with such a lot of folks belonging to +you, and all so rich and clever. You'll be petted to pieces, Debby +says, because you are the only girl in the family." + +Phebe's last words made Rose smile in spite of her tears, and she +looked out from behind her apron with an April face, saying in a +tone of comic distress + +"That's one of my troubles! I've got six aunts, and they all want me, +and I don't know any of them very well. Papa named this place the +Aunt-hill, and now I see why." + +Phebe laughed with her as she said encouragingly, + +"Everyone calls it so, and it's a real good name, for all the Mrs. +Campbells live handy by, and keep coming up to see the old +ladies." + +"I could stand the aunts, but there are dozens of cousins, dreadful +boys all of them, and I detest boys! Some of them came to see me +last Wednesday, but I was lying down, and when auntie came to +call me I went under the quilt and pretended to be asleep. I shall +have to see them some time, but I do dread it so." And Rose gave a +shudder, for, having lived alone with her invalid father, she knew +nothing of boys, and considered them a species of wild animal. + +"Oh! I guess you'll like 'em. I've seen 'em flying round when they +come over from the Point, sometimes in their boats and sometimes +on horseback. If you like boats and horses, you'll enjoy yourself +first-rate." + +"But I don't! I'm afraid of horses, and boats make me ill, and I hate +boys!" And poor Rose wrung her hands at the awful prospect +before her. One of these horrors alone she could have borne, but +all together were too much for her, and she began to think of a +speedy return to the detested school. + +Phebe laughed at her woe till the beans danced in the pan, but tried +to comfort her by suggesting a means of relief. + +"Perhaps your uncle will take you away where there ain't any boys. +Debby says he is a real kind man, and always bring heaps of nice +things when he comes." + +"Yes, but you see that is another trouble, for I don't know Uncle +Alec at all. He hardly ever came to see us, though he sent me +pretty things very often. Now I belong to him, and shall have to +mind him, till I am eighteen. I may not like him a bit, and I fret +about it all the time." + +"Well, I wouldn't borrow trouble, but have a real good time. I'm +sure I should think I was in clover if I had folks and money, and +nothing to do but enjoy myself," began Phebe, but got no further, +for a sudden rush and tumble outside made them both jump. + +"It's thunder," said Phebe. + +"It's a circus!" cried Rose, who from her elevated perch had caught +glimpses of a gay cart of some sort and several ponies with flying +manes and tails. + +The sound died away, and the girls were about to continue their +confidences when old Debby appeared, looking rather cross and +sleepy after her nap. + +"You are wanted in the parlor, Miss Rose." + +"Has anybody come?" + +"Little girls shouldn't ask questions, but do as they are bid," was +all Debby would answer. + +"I do hope it isn't Aunt Myra; she always scares me out of my wits +asking how my cough is, and groaning over me as if I was going to +die," said Rose, preparing to retire the way she came, for the slide, +being cut for the admission of bouncing Christmas turkeys and +puddings, was plenty large enough for a slender girl. + +"Guess you'll wish it was Aunt Myra when you see who has come. +Don't never let me catch you coming into my kitchen that way +again, or I'll shut you up in the big b'iler," growled Debby, who +thought it her duty to snub children on all occasions. + + + +Chapter 2 - The Clan + +Rose scrambled into the china-closet as rapidly as possible, and +there refreshed herself by making faces at Debby, while she settled +her plumage and screwed up her courage. Then she crept softly +down the hall and peeped into the parlor. No one appeared, and all +was so still she felt sure the company was upstairs. So she skipped +boldly through the half-open folding-doors, to behold on the other +side a sight that nearly took her breath away. + +Seven boys stood in a row all ages, all sizes, all yellow-haired and +blue-eyed, all in full Scotch costume, and all smiling, nodding, and +saying as with one voice, "How are you, cousin?" + +Rose gave a little gasp, and looked wildly about her as if ready to +fly, for fear magnified the seven and the room seemed full of boys. +Before she could run, however, the tallest lad stepped out of the +line, saying pleasantly + +"Don't be frightened. This is the Clan come to welcome you; and +I'm the chief, Archie, at your service." + +He held out his hand as he spoke, and Rose timidly put her own +into a brown paw, which closed over the white morsel and held it +as the chief continued his introductions. + +"We came in full rig, for we always turn out in style on grand +occasions. Hope you like it. Now I'll tell you who these chaps are, +and then we shall be all right. This big one is Prince Charlie, Aunt +Clara's boy. She has but one, so he is an extra good one. This old +fellow is Mac, the bookworm, called Worm for short. This sweet +creature is Steve the Dandy. Look at his gloves and top-knot, if you +please. They are Aunt Jane's lads, and a precious pair you'd better +believe. These are the Brats, my brothers, Geordie and Will, and +Jamie the Baby. Now, my men, step out and show your manners." + +At this command, to Rose's great dismay, six more hands were +offered, and it was evident that she was expected to shake them +all. It was a trying moment to the bashful child; but, remembering +that they were her kinsmen come to welcome her, she tried her +best to return the greeting cordially. + +This impressive ceremony being over, the Clan broke ranks, and +both rooms instantly appeared to be pervaded with boys. Rose +hastily retired to the shelter of a big chair and sat there watching +the invaders and wondering when her aunt would come and rescue +her. + +As if bound to do their duty manfully, yet rather oppressed by it, +each lad paused beside her chair in his wanderings, made a brief +remark, received a still briefer answer, and then sheered off with a +relieved expression. + +Archie came first, and, leaning over the chair-back, observed in a +paternal tone + +"I'm glad you've come, cousin, and I hope you'll find the Aunt-hill +pretty jolly." + +"I think I shall." + +Mac shook his hair out of his eyes, stumbled over a stool, and +asked abruptly + +"Did you bring any books with you?" + +"Four boxes full. They are in the library." + +Mac vanished from the room, and Steve, striking an attitude which +displayed his costume effectively, said with an affable smile + +"We were sorry not to see you last Wednesday. I hope your cold is +better." + +"Yes, thank you." And a smile began to dimple about Rose's +mouth, as she remembered her retreat under the bed-cover. + +Feeling that he had been received with distinguished marks of +attention, Steve strolled away with his topknot higher than ever, +and Prince Charlie pranced across the room, saying in a free and +easy tone + +"Mamma sent her love and hopes you will be well enough to come +over for a day next week. It must be desperately dull here for a +little thing like you." + +"I'm thirteen and a half, though I do look small," cried Rose, +forgetting her shyness in indignation at this insult to her newly +acquired teens. + +"Beg pardon, ma'am; never should have guessed it." And Charlie +went off with a laugh, glad to have struck a spark out of his meek +cousin. + +Geordie and Will came together, two sturdy eleven and twelve +year olders, and, fixing their round blue eyes on Rose, fired off a +question apiece, as if it was a shooting match and she the target. + +"Did you bring your monkey?" + +"No; he is dead." + +"Are you going to have a boat?" + +"I hope not." + +Here the two, with a right-about-face movement, abruptly marched +away, and little Jamie demanded with childish frankness + +"Did you bring me anything nice?" + +"Yes, lots of candy," answered Rose, whereupon Jamie ascended +into her lap with a sounding kiss and the announcement that he +liked her very much. + +This proceeding rather startled Rose, for the other lads looked and +laughed, and in her confusion she said hastily to the young usurper + +"Did you see the circus go by?" + +"When? Where?" cried all the boys in great excitement at once. + +"Just before you came. At least I thought it was a circus, for I saw +a red and black sort of cart and ever so many little ponies, and--" + +She got no farther, for a general shout made her pause suddenly, as +Archie explained the joke by saying in the middle of his laugh + +"It was our new dog-cart and the Shetland ponies. You'll never +hear the last of your circus, cousin." + +"But there were so many, and they went so fast, and the cart was so +very red," began Rose, trying to explain her mistake. + +"Come and see them all!" cried the Prince. And before she knew +what was happening, she was borne away to the barn and +tumultuously introduced to three shaggy ponies and the gay new +dog-cart. + +She had never visited these regions before, and had her doubts as +to the propriety of her being there now, but when she suggested +that "Auntie might not like it," there was a general cry of + +"She told us to amuse you, and we can do it ever so much better +out here than poking round in the house." + +"I'm afraid I shall get cold without my sacque," began Rose, who +wanted to stay, but felt rather out of her element. + +"No, you won't! We'll fix you," cried the lads, as one clapped his +cap on her head, another tied a rough jacket round her neck by the +sleeves, a third neatly smothered her in a carriage blanket, and a +fourth threw open the door of the old barouche that stood there, +saying with a flourish + +"Step in, ma'am, and make yourself comfortable while we show +you some fun." + +So Rose sat in state enjoying herself very much, for the lads +proceeded to dance a Highland Fling with a spirit and skill that +made her clap her hands and laugh as she had not done for weeks. + +"How is that, my lassie?" asked the Prince, coming up all flushed +and breathless when the ballet was over. + +"It was splendid! I never went to the theatre but once, and the +dancing was not half so pretty as this. What clever boys you must +be!" said Rose, smiling upon her kinsmen like a little queen upon +her subjects. + +"Ah, we're a fine lot, and that is only the beginning of our larks. +We haven't got the pipes here or we'd + + 'Sing for you, play for you + A dulcy melody."' + +answered Charlie, looking much elated at her praise. + +"I did not know we were Scotch; papa never said anything about it, +or seemed to care about Scotland, except to have me sing the old +ballads," said Rose, beginning to feel as if she had left America +behind her somewhere. + +"Neither did we till lately. We've been reading Scott's novels, and +all of a sudden we remembered that our grandfather was a +Scotchman. So we hunted up the old stories, got a bagpipe, put on +our plaids, and went in, heart and soul, for the glory of the Clan. +We've been at it some time now, and it's great fun. Our people like +it, and I think we are a pretty canny set." + +Archie said this from the other coach-step, where he had perched, +while the rest climbed up before and behind to join in the chat as +they rested. + +"I'm Fitzjames and he's Roderick Dhu, and we'll give you the +broadsword combat some day. It's a great thing, you'd better +believe," added the Prince. + +"Yes, and you should hear Steve play the pipes. He makes 'em skirl +like a good one," cried Will from the box, eager to air the +accomplishments of his race. + +"Mac's the fellow to hunt up the old stories and tell us how to dress +right, and pick out rousing bits for us to speak and sing," put in +Geordie, saying a good word for the absent Worm. + +"And what do you and Will do?" asked Rose of Jamie, who sat +beside her as if bound to keep her in sight till the promised gift had +been handed over. + +"Oh, I'm the little foot-page, and do errands, and Will and Geordie +are the troops when we march, and the stags when we hunt, and +the traitors when we want to cut any heads off." + +"They are very obliging, I'm sure," said Rose, whereat the "utility +men" beamed with modest pride and resolved to enact Wallace +and Montrose as soon as possible for their cousin's special benefit. + +"Let's have a game of tag," cried the Prince, swinging himself up to +a beam with a sounding slap on Stevie's shoulder. + +Regardless of his gloves, Dandy tore after him, and the rest +swarmed in every direction as if bent on breaking their necks and +dislocating their joints as rapidly as possible. + +It was a new and astonishing spectacle to Rose, fresh from a prim +boarding-school, and she watched the active lads with breathless +interest, thinking their antics far superior to those of Mops, the +dear departed monkey. + +Will had just covered himself with glory by pitching off a high loft +head first and coming up all right, when Phebe appeared with a +cloak, hood, and rubbers, also a message from Aunt Plenty that +"Miss Rose was to come in directly." + +"All right; we'll bring her!" answered Archie, issuing some +mysterious order, which was so promptly obeyed that, before Rose +could get out of the carriage, the boys had caught hold of the pole +and rattled her out of the barn, round the oval and up to the front +door with a cheer that brought two caps to an upper window, and +caused Debby to cry aloud from the back porch + +"Them harum-scarum boys will certainly be the death of that +delicate little creter!" + +But the "delicate little creter" seemed all the better for her trip, and +ran up the steps looking rosy, gay, and dishevelled, to be received +with lamentation by Aunt Plenty, who begged her to go and lie +down at once. + +"Oh, please don't! We have come to tea with our cousin, and we'll +be as good as gold if you'll let us stay, auntie," clamoured the boys, +who not only approved of "our cousin" but had no mind to lose +their tea, for Aunt Plenty's name but feebly expressed her bountiful +nature. + +"Well, dears, you can; only be quiet, and let Rose go and take her +iron and be made tidy, and then we will see what we can find for +supper," said the old lady as she trotted away, followed by a volley +of directions for the approaching feast. + +"Marmalade for me, auntie." + +"Plenty of plum-cake, please." + +"Tell Debby to trot out the baked pears." + +"I'm your man for lemon-pie, ma'am." + +"Do have fritters; Rose will like 'em." + +"She'd rather have tarts, I know." + +When Rose came down, fifteen minutes later, with every curl +smoothed and her most beruffled apron on, she found the boys +loafing about the long hall, and paused on the half-way landing to +take an observation, for till now she had not really examined her +new-found cousins. + +There was a strong family resemblance among them, though some +of the yellow heads were darker than others, some of the cheeks +brown instead of rosy, and the ages varied all the way from +sixteen-year-old Archie to Jamie, who was ten years younger. +None of them were especially comely but the Prince, yet all were +hearty, happy-looking lads, and Rose decided that boys were not as +dreadful as she had expected to find them. + +They were all so characteristically employed that she could not +help smiling as she looked. Archie and Charlie, evidently great +cronies, were pacing up and down, shoulder to shoulder, whistling +"Bonnie Dundee"; Mac was reading in a corner, with his book +close to his near-sighted eyes; Dandy was arranging his hair before +the oval glass in the hat-stand; Geordie and Will investigating the +internal economy of the moon-faced clock; and Jamie lay kicking +up his heels on the mat at the foot of the stairs, bent on demanding +his sweeties the instant Rose appeared. + +She guessed his intention, and forestalled his demand by dropping +a handful of sugar-plums down upon him. + +At his cry of rapture the other lads looked up and smiled +involuntarily, for the little kinswoman standing there above was a +winsome sight with her shy, soft eyes, bright hair, and laughing +face. The black frock reminded them of her loss, and filled the +boyish hearts with a kindly desire to be good to "our cousin," who +had no longer any home but this. + +"There she is, as fine as you please," cried Steve, kissing his hand +to her. + +"Come on, Missy; tea is ready," added the Prince encouragingly. + +"I shall take her in." And Archie offered his arm with great dignity, +an honour that made Rose turn as red as a cherry and long to run +upstairs again. + +It was a merry supper, and the two elder boys added much to the +fun by tormenting the rest with dark hints of some interesting +event which was about to occur. Something uncommonly fine, +they declared it was, but enveloped in the deepest mystery for the +present. + +"Did I ever see it?" asked Jamie. + +"Not to remember it; but Mac and Steve have, and liked it +immensely," answered Archie, thereby causing the two mentioned +to neglect Debby's delectable fritters for several minutes, while +they cudgelled their brains. + +"Who will have it first?" asked Will, with his mouth full of +marmalade. + +"Aunt Plenty, I guess." + +"When will she have it?" demanded Geordie, bouncing in his seat +with impatience. + +"Sometime on Monday." + +"Heart alive! what is the boy talking about?" cried the old lady +from behind the tall urn, which left little to be seen but the +topmost bow of her cap. + +"Doesn't auntie know?" asked a chorus of voices. + +"No; and that's the best of the joke, for she is desperately fond of +it." + +"What colour is it?" asked Rose, joining in the fun. + +"Blue and brown." + +"Is it good to eat?" asked Jamie. + +"Some people think so, but I shouldn't like to try it," answered +Charlie, laughing so he split his tea. + +"Who does it belong to?" put in Steve. + +Archie and the Prince stared at one another rather blankly for a +minute, then Archie answered with a twinkle of the eye that made +Charlie explode again + +"To Grandfather Campbell." + +This was a poser, and they gave up the puzzle, though Jamie +confided to Rose that he did not think he could live till Monday +without knowing what this remarkable thing was. + +Soon after tea the Clan departed, singing "All the blue bonnets are +over the border," at the tops of their voices. + +"Well, dear, how do you like your cousins?" asked Aunt Plenty, as +the last pony frisked round the corner and the din died away. + +"Pretty well, ma'am; but I like Phebe better." An answer which +caused Aunt Plenty to hold up her hands in despair and trot away +to tell sister Peace that she never should understand that child, and +it was a mercy Alec was coming soon to take the responsibility off +their hands. + +Fatigued by the unusual exertions of the afternoon, Rose curled +herself up in the sofa corner to rest and think about the great +mystery, little guessing that she was to know it first of all. + +Right in the middle of her meditations she fell asleep and dreamed +she was at home again in her own little bed. She seemed to wake +and see her father bending over her; to hear him say, "My little +Rose"; to answer, "Yes, papa"; and then to feel him take her in his +arms and kiss her tenderly. So sweet, so real was the dream, that +she started up with a cry of joy to find herself in the arms of a +brown, bearded man, who held her close, and whispered in a voice +so like her father's that she clung to him involuntarily + +"This is my little girl, and I am Uncle Alec." + + + +Chapter 3 - Uncles + +When Rose woke next morning, she was not sure whether she had +dreamed what occurred the night before, or it had actually +happened. So she hopped up and dressed, although it was an hour +earlier than she usually rose, for she could not sleep any more, +being possessed with a strong desire to slip down and see if the big +portmanteau and packing cases were really in the hall. She seemed +to remember tumbling over them when she went to bed, for the +aunts had sent her off very punctually, because they wanted their +pet nephew all to themselves. + +The sun was shining, and Rose opened her window to let in the +soft May air fresh from the sea. As she leaned over her little +balcony, watching an early bird get the worm, and wondering how +she should like Uncle Alec, she saw a man leap the garden wall +and come whistling up the path. At first she thought it was some +trespasser, but a second look showed her that it was her uncle +returning from an early dip into the sea. She had hardly dared to +look at him the night before, because whenever she tried to do so +she always found a pair of keen blue eyes looking at her. Now she +could take a good stare at him as he lingered along, looking about +him as if glad to see the old place again. + +A brown, breezy man, in a blue jacket, with no hat on the curly +head, which he shook now and then like a water dog; +broad-shouldered, alert in his motions, and with a general air of +strength and stability about him which pleased Rose, though she +could not explain the feeling of comfort it gave her. She had just +said to herself, with a sense of relief, "I guess I shall like him, +though he looks as if he made people mind," when he lifted his +eyes to examine the budding horse-chestnut overhead, and saw the +eager face peering down at him. He waved his hand to her, +nodded, and called out in a bluff, cheery voice + +"You are on deck early, little niece." + +"I got up to see if you had really come, uncle." + +"Did you? Well, come down here and make sure of it." + +"I'm not allowed to go out before breakfast, sir." + +"Oh, indeed!" with a shrug. "Then I'll come aboard and salute," he +added; and, to Rose's great amazement, Uncle Alec went up one of +the pillars of the back piazza hand over hand, stepped across the +roof, and swung himself into her balcony, saying, as he landed on +the wide balustrade: "Have you any doubts about me now, ma'am?" + +Rose was so taken aback, she could only answer with a smile as +she went to meet him. + +"How does my girl do this morning?" he asked, taking the little +cold hand she gave him in both his big warm ones. + +"Pretty well, thank you, sir." + +"Ah, but it should be very well. Why isn't it?" + +"I always wake up with a headache, and feel tired." + +"Don't you sleep well?" + +"I lie awake a long time, and then I dream, and my sleep does not +seem to rest me much." + +"What do you do all day?" + +"Oh, I read, and sew a little, and take naps, and sit with auntie." + +"No running about out of doors, or house-work, or riding, hey?" + +"Aunt Plenty says I'm not strong enough for much exercise. I drive +out with her sometimes, but I don't care for it." + +"I'm not surprised at that," said Uncle Alec, half to himself, adding, +in his quick way: "Who have you had to play with?" + +"No one but Ariadne Blish, and she was such a goose I couldn't +bear her. The boys came yesterday, and seemed rather nice; but, of +course, I couldn't play with them." + +"Why not?" + +"I'm too old to play with boys." + +"Not a bit of it; that's just what you need, for you've been +molly-coddled too much. They are good lads, and you'll be mixed +up with them more or less for years to come, so you may as well +be friends and playmates at once. I will look you up some girls +also, if I can find a sensible one who is not spoilt by her +nonsensical education." + +"Phebe is sensible, I'm sure, and I like her, though I only saw her +yesterday," cried Rose, waking up suddenly. + +"And who is Phebe, if you please?" + +Rose eagerly told all she knew, and Uncle Alec listened, with an +odd smile lurking about his mouth, though his eyes were quite +sober as he watched the face before him. + +"I'm glad to see that you are not aristocratic in your tastes, but I +don't quite make out why you like this young lady from the +poor-house." + +"You may laugh at me, but I do. I can't tell why, only she seems so +happy and busy, and sings so beautifully, and is strong enough to +scrub and sweep, and hasn't any troubles to plague her," said Rose, +making a funny jumble of reasons in her efforts to explain. + +"How do you know that?" + +"Oh, I was telling her about mine, and asked if she had any, and +she said, 'No, only I'd like to go to school, and I mean to some +day." + +"So she doesn't call desertion, poverty, and hard work, troubles? +She's a brave little girl, and I shall be proud to know her." And +Uncle Alec gave an approving nod, that made Rose wish she had +been the one to earn it. + +"But what are these troubles of yours, child?" he asked, after a +minute of silence. + +"Please don't ask me, uncle." + +"Can't you tell them to me as well as to Phebe?" + +Something in his tone made Rose feel that it would be better to +speak out and be done with it, so she answered, with sudden colour +and averted eyes + +"The greatest one was losing dear papa." + +As she said that, Uncle Alec's arm came gently round her, and he +drew her to him, saying, in the voice so like papa's + +"That is a trouble which I cannot cure, my child; but I shall try to +make you feel it less. What else, dear?" + +"I am so tired and poorly all the time, I can't do anything I want to, +and it makes me cross," sighed Rose, rubbing the aching head like +a fretful child. + +"That we can cure and we will," said her uncle, with a decided nod +that made the curls bob on his head, to that Rose saw the gray ones +underneath the brown. + +"Aunt Myra says I have no constitution, and never shall be strong," +observed Rose, in a pensive tone, as if it was rather a nice thing to +be an invalid. + +"Aunt Myra is a ahem! an excellent woman, but it is her hobby to +believe that everyone is tottering on the brink of the grave; and, +upon my life, I believe she is offended if people don't fall into it! +We will show her how to make constitutions and turn pale-faced +little ghosts into rosy, hearty girls. That's my business, you know," +he added, more quietly, for his sudden outburst had rather startled +Rose. + +"I had forgotten you were a doctor. I'm glad of it, for I do want to +be well, only I hope you won't give me much medicine, for I've +taken quarts already, and it does me no good." + +As she spoke, Rose pointed to a little table just inside the window, +on which appeared a regiment of bottles. + +"Ah, ha! Now we'll see what mischief these blessed women have +been at." And, making a long arm, Dr. Alec set the bottles on the +wide railing before him, examined each carefully, smiled over +some, frowned over others, and said, as he put down the last: "Now +I'll show you the best way to take these messes." And, as quick as a +flash, he sent one after another smashing down into the posy-beds +below. + +"But Aunt Plenty won't like it; and Aunt Myra will be angry, for +she sent most of them!" cried Rose, half frightened and half +pleased at such energetic measures. + +"You are my patient now, and I'll take the responsibility. My way +of giving physic is evidently the best, for you look better already," +he said, laughing so infectiously that Rose followed suit, saying +saucily + +"If I don't like your medicines any better than those, I shall throw +them into the garden, and then what will you do?" + +"When I prescribe such rubbish, I'll give you leave to pitch it +overboard as soon as you like. Now what is the next trouble?" + +"I hoped you would forget to ask." + +"But how can I help you if I don't know them? Come, let us have +No. 3." + +"It is very wrong, I suppose, but I do sometimes wish I had not +quite so many aunts. They are all very good to me, and I want to +please them; but they are so different, I feel sort of pulled to pieces +among them," said Rose, trying to express the emotions of a stray +chicken with six hens all clucking over it at once. + +Uncle Alec threw back his head and laughed like a boy, for he +could entirely understand how the good ladies had each put in her +oar and tried to paddle her own way, to the great disturbance of the +waters and the entire bewilderment of poor Rose. + +"I intend to try a course of uncles now, and see how that suits your +constitution. I'm going to have you all to myself, and no one is to +give a word of advice unless I ask it. There is no other way to keep +order aboard, and I am captain of this little craft, for a time at +least. What comes next?" + +But Rose stuck there, and grew so red, her uncle guessed what that +trouble was. + +"I don't think I can tell this one. It wouldn't be polite, and I feel +pretty sure that it isn't going to be a trouble any more." + +As she blushed and stammered over these words, Dr. Alec turned +his eyes away to the distant sea, and said so seriously, so tenderly, +that she felt every word and long remembered them + +"My child, I don't expect you to love and trust me all at once, but I +do want you to believe that I shall give my whole heart to this new +duty; and if I make mistakes, as I probably shall, no one will grieve +over them more bitterly than I. It is my fault that I am a stranger to +you, when I want to be your best friend. That is one of my +mistakes, and I never repented it more deeply than I do now. Your +father and I had a trouble once, and I thought I could never forgive +him; so I kept away for years. Thank God, we made it all up the +last time I saw him, and he told me then, that if he was forced to +leave her he should bequeath his little girl to me as a token of his +love. I can't fill his place, but I shall try to be a father to her; and if +she learns to love me half as well as she did the good one she has +lost, I shall be a proud and happy man. Will she believe this and +try?" + +Something in Uncle Alec's face touched Rose to the heart, and +when he held out his hand with that anxious troubled look in his +eyes, she was moved to put up her innocent lips and seal the +contract with a confiding kiss. The strong arm held her close a +minute, and she felt the broad chest heave once as if with a great +sigh of relief; but not a word was spoken till a tap at the door made +both start. + +Rose popped her head through the window to say "come in," while +Dr. Alec hastily rubbed the sleeve of his jacket across his eyes and +began to whistle again. + +Phebe appeared with a cup of coffee. + +"Debby told me to bring this and help you get up," she said, +opening her black eyes wide, as if she wondered how on earth "the +sailor man" got there. + +"I'm all dressed, so I don't need any help. I hope that is good and +strong," added Rose, eyeing the steaming cup with an eager look. + +But she did not get it, for a brown hand took possession of it as her +uncle said quickly + +"Hold hard, my lass, and let me overhaul that dose before you take +it. Do you drink all this strong coffee every morning, Rose?" + +"Yes, sir, and I like it. Auntie says it 'tones' me up, and I always +feel better after it." + +"This accounts for the sleepless nights, the flutter your heart gets +into at the least start, and this is why that cheek of yours is pale +yellow instead of rosy red. No more coffee for you, my dear, and +by and by you'll see that I am right. Any new milk downstairs, +Phebe?" + +"Yes, sir, plenty right in from the barn." + +"That's the drink for my patient. Go bring me a pitcherful, and +another cup; I want a draught myself. This won't hurt the +honeysuckles, for they have no nerves to speak of." And, to Rose's +great discomfort, the coffee went after the medicine. + +Dr. Alec saw the injured look she put on, but took no notice, and +presently banished it by saying pleasantly + +"I've got a capital little cup among my traps, and I'll give it to you +to drink your milk in, as it is made of wood that is supposed to +improve whatever is put into it something like a quassia cup. That +reminds me; one of the boxes Phebe wanted to lug upstairs last +night is for you. Knowing that I was coming home to find a +ready-made daughter, I picked up all sorts of odd and pretty trifles +along the way, hoping she would be able to find something she +liked among them all. Early to-morrow we'll have a grand +rummage. Here's our milk! I propose the health of Miss Rose +Campbell and drink it with all my heart." + +It was impossible for Rose to pout with the prospect of a delightful +boxful of gifts dancing before her eyes; so, in spite of herself, she +smiled as she drank her own health, and found that fresh milk was +not a hard dose to take. + +"Now I must be off, before I am caught again with my wig in a +toss," said Dr. Alec, preparing to descend the way he came. + +"Do you always go in and out like a cat, uncle?" asked Rose, much +amused at his odd ways. + +"I used to sneak out of my window when I was a boy, so I need not +disturb the aunts, and now I rather like it, for it's the shortest road, +and it keeps me limber when I have no rigging to climb. Good-bye +till breakfast." And away he went down the water-spout, over the +roof, and vanished among the budding honey-suckles below. + +"Ain't he a funny guardeen?" exclaimed Phebe, as she went off +with the cups. + +"He is a very kind one, I think," answered Rose, following, to +prowl round the big boxes and try to guess which was hers. + +When her uncle appeared at sound of the bell, he found her +surveying with an anxious face a new dish that smoked upon the +table. + +"Got a fresh trouble, Rosy?" he asked, stroking her smooth head. + +"Uncle, are you going to make me eat oatmeal?" asked Rose, in a +tragic tone. + +"Don't you like it?" + +"I de-test it!" answered Rose, with all the emphasis which a +turned-up nose, a shudder, and a groan could give to the three +words. + +"You are not a true Scotchwoman, if you don't like the 'parritch.' +It's a pity, for I made it myself, and thought we'd have such a good +time with all that cream to float it in. Well, never mind." And he +sat down with a disappointed air. + +Rose had made up her mind to be obstinate about it, because she +did heartily "detest" the dish; but as Uncle Alec did not attempt to +make her obey, she suddenly changed her mind and thought she +would. + +"I'll try to eat it to please you, uncle; but people are always saying +how wholesome it is, and that makes me hate it," she said, +half-ashamed at her silly excuse. + +"I do want you to like it, because I wish my girl to be as well and +strong as Jessie's boys, who are brought up on this in the good old +fashion. No hot bread and fried stuff for them, and they are the +biggest and bonniest lads of the lot. Bless you, auntie, and good +morning!" + +Dr. Alec turned to greet the old lady, and, with a firm resolve to +eat or die in the attempt, Rose sat down. + +In five minutes she forgot what she was eating, so interested was +she in the chat that went on. It amused her very much to hear Aunt +Plenty call her forty-year-old nephew "my dear boy"; and Uncle +Alec was so full of lively gossip about all creation in general, and +the Aunt-hill in particular, that the detested porridge vanished +without a murmur. + +"You will go to church with us, I hope, Alec, if you are not too +tired," said the old lady, when breakfast was over. + +"I came all the way from Calcutta for that express purpose, ma'am. +Only I must send the sisters word of my arrival, for they don't +expect me till to-morrow, you know, and there will be a row in +church if those boys see me without warning." + +"I'll send Ben up the hill, and you can step over to Myra's yourself; +it will please her, and you will have plenty of time." + +Dr. Alec was off at once, and they saw no more of him till the old +barouche was at the door, and Aunt Plenty just rustling downstairs +in her Sunday best, with Rose like a little black shadow behind +her. + +Away they drove in state, and all the way Uncle Alec's hat was +more off his head than on, for everyone they met smiled and +bowed, and gave him as blithe a greeting as the day permitted. + +It was evident that the warning had been a wise one, for, in spite of +time and place, the lads were in such a ferment that their elders sat +in momentary dread of an unseemly outbreak somewhere. It was +simply impossible to keep those fourteen eyes off Uncle Alec, and +the dreadful things that were done during sermon-time will hardly +be believed. + +Rose dared not look up after a while, for these bad boys vented +their emotions upon her till she was ready to laugh and cry with +mingled amusement and vexation. Charlie winked rapturously at +her behind his mother's fan; Mac openly pointed to the tall figure +beside her; Jamie stared fixedly over the back of his pew, till Rose +thought his round eyes would drop out of his head; George fell +over a stool and dropped three books in his excitement; Will drew +sailors and Chinamen on his clean cuffs, and displayed them, to +Rose's great tribulation; Steve nearly upset the whole party by +burning his nose with salts, as he pretended to be overcome by his +joy; even dignified Archie disgraced himself by writing in his +hymn book, "Isn't he blue and brown?" and passing it politely to +Rose. + +Her only salvation was trying to fix her attention upon Uncle Mac +a portly, placid gentleman, who seemed entirely unconscious of +the iniquities of the Clan, and dozed peacefully in his pew corner. +This was the only uncle Rose had met for years, for Uncle Jem and +Uncle Steve, the husbands of Aunt Jessie and Aunt Clara, were at +sea, and Aunt Myra was a widow. Uncle Mac was a merchant, very +rich and busy, and as quiet as a mouse at home, for he was in such +a minority among the women folk he dared not open his lips, and +let his wife rule undisturbed. + +Rose liked the big, kindly, silent man who came to her when papa +died, was always sending her splendid boxes of goodies at school, +and often invited her into his great warehouse, full of teas and +spices, wines and all sorts of foreign fruits, there to eat and carry +away whatever she liked. She had secretly regretted that he was +not to be her guardian; but since she had seen Uncle Alec she felt +better about it, for she did not particularly admire Aunt Jane. + +When church was over, Dr. Alec got into the porch as quickly as +possible, and there the young bears had a hug all round, while the +sisters shook hands and welcomed him with bright faces and glad +hearts. Rose was nearly crushed flat behind a door in that +dangerous passage from pew to porch; but Uncle Mac rescued her, +and put her into the carriage for safe keeping. + +"Now, girls, I want you to come and dine with Alec; Mac also, of +course. But I cannot ask the boys, for we did not expect this dear +fellow till tomorrow, you know, so I made no preparations. Send +the lads home, and let them wait till Monday, for really I was +shocked at their behaviour in church," said Aunt Plenty, as she +followed Rose. + +In any other place the defrauded boys would have set up a howl; as +it was, they growled and protested till Dr. Alec settled the matter +by saying + +"Never mind, old chaps, I'll make it up to you to-morrow, if you +sheer off quietly; if you don't, not a blessed thing shall you have +out of my big boxes." + + + +Chapter 4 - Aunts + +All dinner-time Rose felt that she was going to be talked about, +and afterward she was sure of it, for Aunt Plenty whispered to her +as they went into the parlour + +"Run up and sit awhile with Sister Peace, my dear. She likes to +have you read while she rests, and we are going to be busy." + +Rose obeyed, and the quiet rooms above were so like a church that +she soon composed her ruffled feelings, and was unconsciously a +little minister of happiness to the sweet old lady, who for years had +sat there patiently waiting to be set free from pain. + +Rose knew the sad romance of her life, and it gave a certain tender +charm to this great-aunt of hers, whom she already loved. When +Peace was twenty, she was about to be married; all was done, the +wedding dress lay ready, the flowers were waiting to be put on, the +happy hour at hand, when word came that the lover was dead. +They thought that gentle Peace would die, too; but she bore it +bravely, put away her bridal gear, took up her life afresh, and lived +on a beautiful, meek woman, with hair as white as snow and +cheeks that never bloomed again. She wore no black, but soft, pale +colours, as if always ready for the marriage that had never come. + +For thirty years she had lived on, fading slowly, but cheerful, busy, +and full of interest in all that went on in the family; especially the +joys and sorrows of the young girls growing up about her, and to +them she was adviser, confidante, and friend in all their tender +trials and delights. A truly beautiful old maiden, with her silvery +hair, tranquil face, and an atmosphere of repose about her that +soothed whoever came to her! + +Aunt Plenty was utterly dissimilar, being a stout, brisk old lady, +with a sharp eye, a lively tongue, and a face like a winter-apple. +Always trotting, chatting, and bustling, she was a regular Martha, +cumbered with the cares of this world and quite happy in them. + +Rose was right; and while she softly read psalms to Aunt Peace, +the other ladies were talking about her little self in the frankest +manner. + +"Well, Alec, how do you like your ward?" began Aunt Jane, as they +all settled down, and Uncle Mac deposited himself in a corner to +finish his doze. + +"I should like her better if I could have begun at the beginning, and +so got a fair start. Poor George led such a solitary life that the child +has suffered in many ways, and since he died she has been going +on worse than ever, judging from the state I find her in." + +"My dear boy, we did what we thought best while waiting for you +to wind up your affairs and get home. I always told George he was +wrong to bring her up as he did; but he never took my advice, and +now here we are with this poor dear child upon our hands. I, for +one, freely confess that I don't know what to do with her any more +than if she was one of those strange, outlandish birds you used to +bring home from foreign parts." And Aunt Plenty gave a perplexed +shake of the head which caused great commotion among the stiff +loops of purple ribbon that bristled all over the cap like crocus +buds. + +"If my advice had been taken, she would have remained at the +excellent school where I placed her. But our aunt thought best to +remove her because she complained, and she has been dawdling +about ever since she came. A most ruinous state of things for a +morbid, spoilt girl like Rose," said Mrs. Jane, severely. + +She had never forgiven the old ladies for yielding to Rose's +pathetic petition that she might wait her guardian's arrival before +beginning another term at the school, which was a regular Blimber +hot-bed, and turned out many a feminine Toots. + +"I never thought it the proper school for a child in good +circumstances an heiress, in fact, as Rose is. It is all very well for +girls who are to get their own living by teaching, and that sort of +thing; but all she needs is a year or two at a fashionable finishing +school, so that at eighteen she can come out with eclat," put in +Aunt Clara, who had been a beauty and a belle, and was still a +handsome woman. + +"Dear, dear! how short-sighted you all are to be discussing +education and plans for the future, when this unhappy child is so +plainly marked for the tomb," sighed Aunt Myra, with a lugubrious +sniff and a solemn wag of the funereal bonnet, which she refused +to remove, being afflicted with a chronic catarrh. + +"Now, it is my opinion that the dear thing only wants freedom, +rest, and care. There is look in her eyes that goes to my heart, for it +shows that she feels the need of what none of us can give her a +mother," said Aunt Jessie, with tears in her own bright eyes at the +thought of her boys being left, as Rose was, to the care of others. + +Uncle Alec, who had listened silently as each spoke, turned +quickly towards the last sister, and said, with a decided nod of +approval + +"You've got it, Jessie; and, with you to help me, I hope to make the +child feel that she is not quite fatherless and motherless." + +"I'll do my best, Alec; and I think you will need me, for, wise as +you are, you cannot understand a tender, timid little creature like +Rose as a woman can," said Mrs. Jessie, smiling back at him with +a heart full of motherly goodwill. + +"I cannot help feeling that I, who have had a daughter of my own, +can best bring up a girl; and I am very much surprised that George +did not entrust her to me," observed Aunt Myra, with an air of +melancholy importance, for she was the only one who had given a +daughter to the family, and she felt that she had distinguished +herself, though ill-natured people said that she had dosed her +darling to death. + +"I never blamed him in the least, when I remember the perilous +experiments you tried with poor Carrie," began Mrs. Jane, in her +hard voice. + +"Jane Campbell, I will not hear a word! My sainted Caroline is a +sacred object," cried Aunt Myra, rising as if to leave the room. + +Dr. Alec detained her, feeling that he must define his position at +once, and maintain it manfully if he hoped to have any success in +his new undertaking. + +"Now, my dear souls, don't let us quarrel and make Rose a bone of +contention though, upon my word, she is almost a bone, poor little +lass! You have had her among you for a year, and done what you +liked. I cannot say that your success is great, but that is owing to +too many fingers in the pie. Now, I intend to try my way for a year, +and if at the end of it she is not in better trim than now, I'll give up +the case, and hand her over to someone else. That's fair, I think." + +"She will not be here a year hence, poor darling, so no one need +dread future responsibility," said Aunt Myra, folding her black +gloves as if all ready for the funeral. + +"By Jupiter! Myra, you are enough to damp the ardour of a saint!" +cried Dr. Alec, with a sudden spark in his eyes. "Your croaking +will worry that child out of her wits, for she is an imaginative puss, +and will fret and fancy untold horrors. You have put it into her +head that she has no constitution, and she rather likes the idea. If +she had not had a pretty good one, she would have been 'marked +for the tomb' by this time, at the rate you have been going on with +her. I will not have any interference please understand that; so just +wash your hands of her, and let me manage till I want help, then +I'll ask for it." + +"Hear, hear!" came from the corner where Uncle Mac was +apparently wrapt in slumber. + +"You were appointed guardian, so we can do nothing. But I predict +that the girl will be spoilt, utterly spoilt," answered Mrs. Jane, +grimly. + +"Thank you, sister. I have an idea that if a woman can bring up two +boys as perfectly as you do yours, a man, if he devotes his whole +mind to it, may at least attempt as much with one girl," replied Dr. +Alec, with a humorous look that tickled the others immensely, for +it was a well-known fact in the family that Jane's boys were more +indulged than all the other lads put together. + +"I am quite easy, for I really do think that Alec will improve the +child's health; and by the time his year is out, it will be quite soon +enough for her to go to Madame Roccabella's and be finished off," +said Aunt Clara, settling her rings, and thinking, with languid +satisfaction, of the time when she could bring out a pretty and +accomplished niece. + +"I suppose you will stay here in the old place, unless you think of +marrying, and it's high time you did," put in Mrs. Jane, much +nettled at her brother's last hit. + +"No, thank you. Come and have a cigar, Mac," said Dr. Alec, +abruptly. + +"Don't marry; women enough in the family already," muttered +Uncle Mac; and then the gentlemen hastily fled. + +"Aunt Peace would like to see you all, she says," was the message +Rose brought before the ladies could begin again. + +"Hectic, hectic! dear me, dear me!" murmured Aunt Myra, as the +shadow of her gloomy bonnet fell upon Rose, and the stiff tips of a +black glove touched the cheek where the colour deepened under so +many eyes. + +"I am glad these pretty curls are natural; they will be invaluable by +and by," said Aunt Clara, taking an observation with her head on +one side. + +"Now that your uncle has come, I no longer expect you to review +the studies of the past year. I trust your time will not be entirely +wasted in frivolous sports, however," added Aunt Jane, sailing out +of the room with the air of a martyr. + +Aunt Jessie said not a word, but kissed her little niece, with a look +of tender sympathy that made Rose cling to her a minute, and +follow her with grateful eyes as the door closed behind her. + +After everybody had gone home, Dr. Alec paced up and down the +lower hall in the twilight for an hour, thinking so intently that +sometimes he frowned, sometimes he smiled, and more than once +he stood still in a brown study. All of a sudden he said, half aloud, +as if he had made up his mind + +"I might as well begin at once, and give the child something new to +think about, for Myra's dismals and Jane's lectures have made her +as blue as a little indigo bag." + +Diving into one of the trunks that stood in a corner, he brought up, +after a brisk rummage, a silken cushion, prettily embroidered, and +a quaint cup of dark carved wood. + +"This will do for a start," he said, as he plumped up the cushion +and dusted the cup. "It won't do to begin too energetically, or Rose +will be frightened. I must beguile her gently and pleasantly along +till I've won her confidence, and then she will be ready for +anything." + +Just then Phebe came out of the dining-room with a plate of brown +bread, for Rose had been allowed no hot biscuit for tea. + +"I'll relieve you of some of that," said Dr. Alec, and, helping +himself to a generous slice, he retired to the study, leaving Phebe +to wonder at his appetite. + +She would have wondered still more if she had seen him making +that brown bread into neat little pills, which he packed into an +attractive ivory box, out of which he emptied his own bits of +lovage. + +"There! if they insist on medicine, I'll order these, and no harm +will be done. I will have my own way, but I'll keep the peace, if +possible, and confess the joke when my experiment has +succeeded," he said to himself, looking very much like a +mischievous boy, as he went on with his innocent prescriptions. + +Rose was playing softly on the small organ that stood in the upper +hall, so that Aunt Peace could enjoy it; and all the while he talked +with the old ladies, Uncle Alec was listening to the fitful music of +the child, and thinking of another Rose who used to play for him. + +As the clock struck eight, he called out + +"Time for my girl to be abed, else she won't be up early, and I'm +full of jolly plans for to-morrow. Come and see what I've found for +you to begin upon." + +Rose ran in and listened with bright attentive face, while Dr. Alec +said impressively + +"In my wanderings over the face of the earth, I have picked up +some excellent remedies, and, as they are rather agreeable ones, I +think you and I will try them. This is a herb-pillow, given to me by +a wise old woman when I was ill in India. It is filled with saffron, +poppies, and other soothing plants; so lay your little head on it +to-night, sleep sweetly without a dream, and wake to-morrow +without a pain." + +"Shall I really? How nice it smells." And Rose willingly received +the pretty pillow, and stood enjoying its faint, sweet odour, as she +listened to the doctor's next remedy. + +"This is the cup I told you of. Its virtue depends, they say, on the +drinker filling it himself; so you must learn to milk. I'll teach you." + +"I'm afraid I never can," said Rose; but she surveyed the cup with +favour, for a funny little imp danced on the handle, as if all ready +to take a header into the white sea below. + +"Don't you think she ought to have something more strengthening +than milk, Alec? I really shall feel anxious if she does not have a +tonic of some sort," said Aunt Plenty, eyeing the new remedies +suspiciously, for she had more faith in her old-fashioned doses +than all the magic cups and poppy pillows of the East. + +"Well, ma'am, I'm willing to give her a pill, if you think best. It is +a very simple one, and very large quantities may be taken without +harm. You know hasheesh is the extract of hemp? Well, this is a +preparation of corn and rye, much used in old times, and I hope +it will be again." + +"Dear me, how singular!" said Aunt Plenty, bringing her spectacles +to bear upon the pills, with a face so full of respectful interest that +it was almost too much for Dr. Alec's gravity. + +"Take one in the morning, and a good-night to you, my dear," he +said, dismissing his patient with a hearty kiss. + +Then, as she vanished, he put both hands into his hair, exclaiming, +with a comical mixture of anxiety and amusement + +"When I think what I have undertaken, I declare to you, aunt, I feel +like running away and not coming back till Rose is eighteen!" + + + +Chapter 5 - A Belt and a Box + +When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, +the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold +of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with +care. When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing + +"Where are you going, my pretty maid?" + +"I'm going a-milking, sir, she said," answered Rose, waving the +cup; and then they finished the verse together in fine style. + +Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled +that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down +the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed + +"What in the world are you doing about so early?" + +"Clearing our pipes for the day, ma'am. Look here, auntie, can I +have this room?" said Dr. Alec, making her a sailor's bow. + +"Any room you like, except sister's." + +"Thanks. And may I go rummaging round in the garrets and +glory-holes to furnish it as I like?" + +"My dear boy, you may turn the house upside down if you will +only stay in it." + +"That's a handsome offer, I'm sure. I'll stay, ma'am; here's my little +anchor, so you will get more than you want of me this time." + +"That's inpossible! Put on your jacket, Rose. Don't tire her out with +antics, Alec. Yes, sister, I'm coming!" and the cabbage vanished +suddenly. + +The first milking lesson was a droll one; but after several scares +and many vain attempts, Rose at last managed to fill her cup, while +Ben held Clover's tail so that it could not flap, and Dr. Alec kept +her from turning to stare at the new milkmaid, who objected to +both these proceedings very much. + +"You look chilly in spite of all this laughing. Take a smart run +round the garden and get up a glow," said the doctor, as they left +the barn. + +"I'm too old for running, uncle; Miss Power said it was not +lady-like for girls in their teens," answered Rose, primly. + +"I take the liberty of differing from Madame Prunes and Prisms, +and, as your physician, I order you to run. Off with you!" said +Uncle Alec, with a look and a gesture that made Rose scurry away +as fast as she could go. + +Anxious to please him, she raced round the beds till she came back +to the porch where he stood, and, dropping down upon the steps, +she sat panting, with cheeks as rosy as the rigolette on her +shoulders. + +"Very well done, child; I see you have not lost the use of your +limbs though you are in your teens. That belt is too tight; unfasten +it, then you can take a long breath without panting so." + +"It isn't tight, sir; I can breathe perfectly well," began Rose, trying +to compose herself. + +Her uncle's only answer was to lift her up and unhook the new belt +of which she was so proud. The moment the clasp was open the +belt flew apart several inches, for it was impossible to restrain the +involuntary sigh of relief that flatly contradicted her words. + +"Why, I didn't know it was tight! it didn't feel so a bit. Of course it +would open if I puff like this, but I never do, because I hardly ever +run," explained Rose, rather discomfited by this discovery. + +"I see you don't half fill your lungs, and so you can wear this +absurd thing without feeling it. The idea of cramping a tender little +waist in a stiff band of leather and steel just when it ought to be +growing," said Dr. Alec, surveying the belt with great disfavour as +he put the clasp forward several holes, to Rose's secret dismay, for +she was proud of her slender figure, and daily rejoiced that she +wasn't as stout as Luly Miller, a former schoolmate, who vainly +tried to repress her plumpness. + +"It will fall off if it is so loose," she said anxiously, as she stood +watching him pull her precious belt about. + +"Not if you keep taking long breaths to hold it on. That is what I +want you to do, and when you have filled this out we will go on +enlarging it till your waist is more like that of Hebe, goddess of +health, and less like that of a fashion-plate the ugliest thing +imaginable." + +"How it does look!" and Rose gave a glance of scorn at the loose +belt hanging round her trim little waist. "It will be lost, and then I +shall feel badly, for it cost ever so much, and is real steel and +Russia leather. Just smell how nice." + +"If it is lost I'll give you a better one. A soft silken sash is much +fitter for a pretty child like you than a plated harness like this; and +I've got no end of Italian scarfs and Turkish sashes among my +traps. Ah! that makes you feel better, doesn't it?" and he pinched +the cheek that had suddenly dimpled with a smile. + +"It is very silly of me, but I can't help liking to know that" here she +stopped and blushed and held down her head, ashamed to add, +"you think I am pretty." + +Dr. Alec's eyed twinkled, but he said very soberly + +"Rose, are you vain?" + +"I'm afraid I am," answered a very meek voice from behind the veil +of hair that hid the red face. + +"That is a sad fault." And he sighed as if grieved at the confession. + +"I know it is, and I try not to be; but people praise me, and I can't +help liking it, for I really don't think I am repulsive." + +The last word and the funny tone in which it was uttered were too +much for Dr. Alec, and he laughed in spite of himself, to Rose's +great relief. + +"I quite agree with you; and in order that you may be still less +repulsive, I want you to grow as fine a girl as Phebe." + +"Phebe!" and Rose looked so amazed that her uncle nearly went +off again. + +"Yes, Phebe; for she has what you need health. If you dear little +girls would only learn what real beauty is, and not pinch and starve +and bleach yourselves out so, you'd save an immense deal of time +and money and pain. A happy soul in a healthy body makes the +best sort of beauty for man or woman. Do you understand that, my +dear?" + +"Yes, sir," answered Rose, much taken down by this comparison +with the girl from the poor-house. It nettled her sadly, and she +showed that it did by saying quickly + +"I suppose you would like to have me sweep and scrub, and wear +an old brown dress, and go round with my sleeves rolled up, as +Phebe does?" + +"I should very much, if you could work as well as she does, and +show as strong a pair of arms as she can. I haven't seen a prettier +picture for some time than she made of herself this morning, up to +the elbows in suds, singing like a blackbird whilst she scrubbed on +the back stoop." + +"Well, I do think you are the queerest man that ever lived!" was all +Rose could find to say after this display of bad taste. + +"I haven't begun to show you my oddities yet, so you must make up +your mind to worse shocks than this," he said, with such a +whimsical look that she was glad the sound of a bell prevented her +showing more plainly what a blow her little vanities had already +received. + +"You will find your box all open up in auntie's parlor, and there +you can amuse her and yourself by rummaging to your heart's +content; I've got to be cruising round all the morning getting my +room to rights," said Dr. Alec, as they rose from breakfast. + +"Can't I help you, uncle?" asked Rose, quite burning to be useful. + +"No, thank you, I'm going to borrow Phebe for a while, if Aunt +Plenty can spare her." + +"Anybody anything, Alec. You will want me, I know, so I'll give +orders about dinner and be all ready to lend a hand"; and the old +lady bustled away full of interest and good-will. + +"Uncle will find that I can do some things that Phebe can't, so +now!" thought Rose, with a toss of the head as she flew to Aunt +Peace and the long-desired box. + +Every little girl can easily imagine what an extra good time she +had diving into a sea of treasures and fishing up one pretty thing +after another, till the air was full of the mingled odours of musk +and sandalwood, the room gay with bright colours, and Rose in a +rapture of delight. She began to forgive Dr. Alec for the oatmeal +diet when she saw a lovely ivory workbox; became resigned to the +state of her belt when she found a pile of rainbow-coloured sashes; +and when she came to some distractingly pretty bottles of attar of +rose, she felt that they almost atoned for the great sin of thinking +Phebe the finer girl of the two. + +Dr. Alec meanwhile had apparently taken Aunt Plenty at her word, +and was turning the house upside down. A general revolution was +evidently going on in the green-room, for the dark damask curtains +were seen bundling away in Phebe's arms; the air-tight stove +retiring to the cellar on Ben's shoulder; and the great bedstead +going up garret in a fragmentary state, escorted by three bearers. +Aunt Plenty was constantly on the trot among her store-rooms, +camphor-chests, and linen-closets, looking as if the new order of +things both amazed and amused her. + +Half the peculiar performances of Dr. Alec cannot be revealed; but +as Rose glanced up from her box now and then she caught +glimpses of him striding by, bearing a bamboo chair, a pair of +ancient andirons, a queer Japanese screen, a rug or two, and finally +a large bathing-pan upon his head. + +"What a curious room it will be," she said, as she sat resting and +refreshing herself with "Lumps of Delight," all the way from +Cairo. + +"I fancy you will like it, deary," answered Aunt Peace, looking up +with a smile from some pretty trifle she was making with blue silk +and white muslin. + +Rose did not see the smile, for just at that moment her uncle +paused at the door, and she sprang up to dance before him, saying, +with a face full of childish happiness + +"Look at me! look at me! I'm splendid I don't know myself. I +haven't put these things on right, I dare say, but I do like them so +much!" + +"You look as gay as a parrot in your fez and cabaja, and it does my +heart good to see the little black shadow turned into a rainbow," +said Uncle Alec, surveying the bright figure before him with great +approbation. + +He did not say it, but he thought she made a much prettier picture +than Phebe at the wash-tub, for she had stuck a purple fez on her +blonde head, tied several brilliant scarfs about her waist, and put +on a truly gorgeous scarlet jacket with a golden sun embroidered +on the back, a silver moon on the front, and stars of all sizes on the +sleeves. A pair of Turkish slippers adorned her feet, and necklaces +of amber, coral, and filigree hung about her neck, while one hand +held a smelling-bottle, and the other the spicy box of oriental +sweetmeats. + +"I feel like a girl in the 'Arabian Nights,' and expect to find a magic +carpet or a wonderful talisman somewhere. Only I don't see how I +ever can thank you for all these lovely things," she said, stopping +her dance, as if suddenly oppressed with gratitude. + +"I'll tell you how by leaving off the black clothes, that never should +have been kept so long on such a child, and wearing the gay ones +I've brought. It will do your spirits good, and cheer up this sober +old house. Won't it, auntie?" + +"I think you are right, Alec, and it is fortunate that we have not +begun on her spring clothes yet, for Myra thought she ought not to +wear anything brighter than violet, and she is too pale for that." + +"You just let me direct Miss Hemming how to make some of these +things. You will be surprised to see how much I know about piping +hems and gathering arm-holes and shirring biases," began Dr. +Alec, patting a pile of muslin, cloth and silk with a knowing air. + +Aunt Peace and Rose laughed so that he could not display his +knowledge any farther, till they stopped, when he said +good-naturedly + +"That will go a great way toward filling out the belt, so laugh +away, Morgiana, and I'll go back to my work, or I never shall be +done." + +"I couldn't help it, 'shirred biases' were so very funny!" Rose said, +as she turned to her box after the splendid laugh. "But really, +auntie," she added soberly, "I feel as if I ought not to have so many +nice things. I suppose it wouldn't do to give Phebe some of them? +Uncle might not like it." + +"He would not mind; but they are not suitable for Phebe. Some of +the dresses you are done with would be more useful, if they can be +made over to fit her," answered Aunt Peace in the prudent, +moderate tone which is so trying to our feelings when we indulge +in little fits of charitable enthusiasm. + +"I'd rather give her new ones, for I think she is a little bit proud and +might not like old things. If she was my sister it would do, because +sisters don't mind, but she isn't, and that makes it bad, you see. I +know how I can manage beautifully; I'll adopt her!" and Rose +looked quite radiant with this new idea. + +"I'm afraid you could not do it legally till you are older, but you +might see if she likes the plan, and at any rate you can be very kind +to her, for in one sense we are all sisters, and should help one +another." + +The sweet old face looked at her so kindly that Rose was fired +with a desire to settle the matter at once, and rushed away to the +kitchen, just as she was. Phebe was there, polishing up the antique +andirons so busily that she started when a voice cried out: "Smell +that, taste this, and look at me!" + +Phebe sniffed attar of rose, crunched the "Lump of Delight" tucked +into her mouth, and stared with all her eyes at little Morgiana +prancing about the room like a brilliant paroquet. + +"My stars, ain't you splendid!" was all she could say, holding up +two dusty hands. + +"I've got heaps of lovely things upstairs, and I'll show them all to +you, and I'd go halves, only auntie thinks they wouldn't be useful, +so I shall give you something else; and you won't mind, will you? +because I want to adopt you as Arabella was in the story. Won't +that be nice?" + +"Why, Miss Rose, have you lost your wits?" + +No wonder Phebe asked, for Rose talked very fast, and looked so +odd in her new costume, and was so eager she could not stop to +explain. Seeing Phebe's bewilderment, she quieted down and said, +with a pretty air of earnestness + +"It isn't fair that I should have so much and you so little, and I want +to be as good to you as if you were my sister, for Aunt Peace says +we are all sisters really. I thought if I adopted you as much as I can +now, it would be nicer. Will you let me, please?" + +To Rose's great surprise, Phebe sat down on the floor and hid her +face in her apron for a minute without answering a word. + +"Oh, dear, now she's offended, and I don't know what to do," +thought Rose, much discouraged by this reception of her offer. + +"Please, forgive me; I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, and hope +you won't think--" she faltered presently, feeling that she must undo +the mischief, if possible. + +But Phebe gave her another surprise, by dropping the apron and +showing a face all smiles, in spite of tears in the eyes, as she put +both arms round Rose and said, with a laugh and sob + +"I think you are the dearest girl in the world, and I'll let you do +anything you like with me." + +"Then you do like the plan? You didn't cry because I seemed to be +kind of patronising? I truly didn't mean to be," cried Rose, +delighted. + +"I guess I do like it! and cried because no one was ever so good to +me before, and I couldn't help it. As for patronising, you may walk +on me if you want to, and I won't mind," said Phebe, in a burst of +gratitude, for the words, "we are sisters" went straight to her lonely +heart and nestled there. + +"Well, now, we can play I'm a good sprite out of the box, or, what +is better, a fairy godmother come down the chimney, and you are +Cinderella, and must say what you want," said Rose, trying to put +the question delicately. + +Phebe understood that, for she had a good deal of natural +refinement, though she did come from the poor-house. + +"I don't feel as if I wanted anything now, Miss Rose, but to find +some way of thanking you for all you've done," she said, rubbing +off a tear that went rolling down the bridge of her nose in the most +unromantic way. + +"Why, I haven't done anything but given you a bit of candy! Here, +have some more, and eat 'em while you work, and think what I can +do. I must go and clear up, so good-bye, and don't forget I've +adopted you." + +"You've given me sweeter things than candy, and I'm not likely to +forget it." And carefully wiping off the brick-dust, Phebe pressed +the little hand Rose offered warmly in both her hard ones, while +the black eyes followed the departing visitor with a grateful look +that made them very soft and bright. + + + +Chapter 6 - Uncle Alec's Room + +Soon after dinner, and before she had got acquainted with half her +new possessions, Dr. Alec proposed a drive, to carry round the first +instalment of gifts to the aunts and cousins. Rose was quite ready +to go, being anxious to try a certain soft burnous from the box, +which not only possessed a most engaging little hood, but had +funny tassels bobbing in all directions. + +The big carriage was full of parcels, and even Ben's seat was +loaded with Indian war clubs, a Chinese kite of immense size, and +a pair of polished ox-horns from Africa. Uncle Alec, very blue as +to his clothes, and very brown as to his face, sat bolt upright, +surveying well known places with interest, while Rose, feeling +unusually elegant and comfortable, leaned back folded in her soft +mantle, and played she was an Eastern princess making a royal +progress among her subjects. + +At three of the places their calls were brief, for Aunt Myra's +catarrh was unusually bad; Aunt Clara had a room full of +company; and Aunt Jane showed such a tendency to discuss the +population, productions, and politics of Europe, Asia and Africa, +that even Dr. Alec was dismayed, and got away as soon as +possible. + +"Now we will have a good time! I do hope the boys will be at +home," said Rose, with a sigh of relief, as they wound yet higher +up the hill to Aunt Jessie's. + +"I left this for the last call, so that we might find the lads just in +from school. Yes, there is Jamie on the gate watching for us; now +you'll see the Clan gather; they are always swarming about +together." + +The instant Jamie saw the approaching guests he gave a shrill +whistle, which was answered by echoes from meadow, house and +barn, as the cousins came running from all directions, shouting, +"Hooray for Uncle Alec!" They went at the carriage like +highwaymen, robbed it of every parcel, took the occupants +prisoners, and marched them into the house with great exultation. + +"Little Mum! little Mum! here they are with lots of goodies! Come +down and see the fun right away! Quick!" bawled Will and +Geordie amidst a general ripping off of papers and a reckless +cutting of strings that soon turned the tidy room into a chaos. + +Down came Aunt Jessie with her pretty cap half on, but such a +beaming face below it that one rather thought the fly-away +head-gear an improvement than otherwise. She had hardly time to +greet Rose and the doctor before the boys were about her, each +clamouring for her to see his gift and rejoice over it with him, for +"little Mum" went halves in everything. The great horns +skirmished about her as if to toss her to the ceiling; the war clubs +hurtled over her head as if to annihilate her; an amazing medley +from the four quarters of the globe filled her lap, and seven excited +boys all talked to her at once. + +But she liked it; oh dear, yes! and sat smiling, admiring, and +explaining, quite untroubled by the din, which made Rose cover up +her ears and Dr. Alec threaten instant flight if the riot was not +quelled. That threat produced a lull, and while the uncle received +thanks in one corner, the aunt had some little confidences made to +her in the other. + +"Well, dear, and how are things going with you now? Better, I +hope, than they were a week ago." + +"Aunt Jessie, I think I'm going to be very happy, now uncle has +come. He does the queerest things, but he is so good to me I can't +help loving him"; and, nestling closer to little Mum, Rose told all +that had happened, ending with a rapturous account of the splendid +box. + +"I am very glad, dear. But, Rose, I must warn you of one thing; +don't let uncle spoil you." + +"But I like to be spoilt, auntie." + +"I don't doubt it; but if you turn out badly when the year is over he +will be blamed, and his experiment prove a failure. That would be +a pity, wouldn't it? when he wants to do so much for you, and can +do it if his kind heart does not get in the way of his good +judgment." + +"I never thought of that, and I'll try not to be spoilt. But how +can I help it?" asked Rose anxiously. + +"By not complaining of the wholesome things he wants you to do; +by giving him cheerful obedience as well as love; and even making +some small sacrifices for his sake." + +"I will, I truly will! and when I get in a worry about things may I +come to you? Uncle told me to, and I feel as if I shouldn't be +afraid." + +"You may, darling; this is the place where little troubles are best +cured, and this is what mothers are for, I fancy"; and Aunt Jessie +drew the curly head to her shoulder with a tender look that proved +how well she knew what medicine the child most needed. + +It was so sweet and comfortable that Rose sat still enjoying it till a +little voice said + +"Mamma, don't you think Pokey would like some of my shells? +Rose gave Phebe some of her nice things, and it was very good of +her. Can I?" + +"Who is Pokey?" asked Rose, popping up her head, attracted by the +odd name. + +"My dolly; do you want to see her?" asked Jamie, who had been +much impressed by the tale of adoption he had overheard. + +"Yes; I'm fond of dollies, only don't tell the boys, or they will laugh +at me." + +"They don't laugh at me, and they play with my dolly a great deal; +but she likes me best"; and Jamie ran away to produce his pet. + +"I brought my old doll, but I keep her hidden because I am too big +to play with her, and yet I can't bear to throw her away, I'm so fond +of her," said Rose, continuing her confidences in a whisper. + +"You can come and play with Jamie's whenever you like, for we +believe in dollies up here," began Aunt Jessie, smiling to herself as +if something amused her. + +Just then Jamie came back, and Rose understood the smile, for his +dolly proved to be a pretty four-year-old little girl, who trotted in +as fast as her fat legs would carry her, and making straight for the +shells, scrambled up an armful, saying, with a laugh that showed +her little white teeth + +"All for Dimmy and me, for Dimmy and me!" + +"That's my dolly; isn't she a nice one?" asked Jamie, proudly +surveying his pet with his hands behind him and his short legs +rather far apart a manly attitude copied from his brothers. + +"She is a dear dolly. But why call her Pokey?" asked Rose, +charmed with the new plaything. + +"She is such an inquisitive little body she is always poking that +mite of a nose into everything; and as Paul Pry did not suit, the +boys fell to calling her Pokey. Not a pretty name, but very +expressive." + +It certainly was, for, having examined the shells, the busy tot laid +hold of everything she could find, and continued her researches till +Archie caught her sucking his carved ivory chessmen to see if they +were not barley sugar. Rice paper pictures were also discovered +crumpled up in her tiny pocket, and she nearly smashed Will's +ostrich egg by trying to sit upon it. + +"Here, Jim, take her away; she's worse than the puppies, and we +can't have her round," commanded the elder brother, picking her +up and handing her over to the little fellow, who received her with +open arms and the warning remark + +"You'd better mind what you do, for I'm going to 'dopt Pokey like +Rose did Phebe, and then you'll have to be very good to her, you +big fellows." + +"'Dopt away, baby, and I'll give you a cage to keep her in, or you +won't have her long, for she is getting worse than a monkey"; and +Archie went back to his mates, while Aunt Jessie, foreseeing a +crisis, proposed that Jamie should take his dolly home, as she was +borrowed, and it was time her visit ended. + +"My dolly is better than yours, isn't she? 'cause she can walk and +talk and sing and dance, and yours can't do anything, can she?" +asked Jamie with pride, as he regarded his Pokey, who just then +had been moved to execute a funny little jig and warble the +well-known couplet + + "'Puss-tat, puss-tat, where you been?' + 'I been Lunnin, to saw a Tween."' + +After which superb display she retired, escorted by Jamie, both +making a fearful din blowing on conch shells. + +"We must tear ourselves away, Rose, because I want to get you +home before sunset. Will you come for a drive, Jessie?" said Dr. +Alec, as the music died away in the distance. + +"No, thank you; but I see the boys want a scamper, so, if you don't +mind, they may escort you home, but not go in. That is only +allowed on holidays." + +The words were hardly out of Aunt Jessie's mouth when Archie +said, in a tone of command + +"Pass the word, lads. Boot and saddle, and be quick about it." + +"All right!" And in a moment not a vestige of boy remained but the +litter on the floor. + +The cavalcade went down the hill at a pace that made Rose cling +to her uncle's arm, for the fat old horses got excited by the antics +of the ponies careering all about them, and went as fast as they +could pelt, with the gay dog-cart rattling in front, for Archie and +Charlie scorned shelties since this magnificent equipage had been +set up. Ben enjoyed the fun, and the lads cut up capers till Rose +declared that "circus" was the proper name for them after all. + +When they reached the house they dismounted, and stood, three on +each side the steps, in martial attitudes, while her ladyship was +handed out with great elegance by Uncle Alec. Then the Clan +saluted, mounted at word of command, and with a wild whoop tore +down the avenue in what they considered the true Arab style. + +"That was splendid, now it is safely ended," said Rose, skipping up +the steps with her head over her shoulder to watch the dear tassels +bob about. + +"I shall get you a pony as soon as you are a little stronger," said Dr. +Alec, watching her with a smile. + +"Oh, I couldn't ride one of those horrid, frisky little beasts! They +roll their eyes and bounce about so, I should die of fright," cried +Rose, clasping her hands tragically. + +"Are you a coward?" + +"About horses I am." + +"Never mind, then; come and see my new room"; and he led the +way upstairs without another word. + +As Rose followed she remembered her promise to Aunt Jessie, and +was sorry she had objected so decidedly. She was a great deal +more sorry five minutes later, and well she might be. + +"Now, take a good look, and tell me what you think of it," said Dr. +Alec, opening the door and letting her enter before him, while +Phebe was seen whisking down the backstairs with a dust-pan. + +Rose walked to the middle of the room, stood still, and gazed +about her with eyes that brightened as they looked, for all was +changed. + +This chamber had been built out over the library to suit some +fancy, and had been unused for years, except at Christmas times, +when the old house overflowed. It had three windows one to the +east, that overlooked the bay; one to the south, where the +horse-chestnuts waved their green fans; and one to the west, +towards the hill and the evening sky. A ruddy sunset burned there +now, filling the room with an enchanted glow; the soft murmur of +the sea was heard, and a robin chirped "Good-night!" among the +budding trees. + +Rose saw and heard these things first, and felt their beauty with a +child's quick instinct; then her eye took in the altered aspect of the +room, once so shrouded, still and solitary, now so full of light and +warmth and simple luxury. + +India matting covered the floor, with a gay rug here and there; the +antique andirons shone on the wide hearth, where a cheery blaze +dispelled the dampness of the long-closed room. Bamboo lounges +and chairs stood about, and quaint little tables in cosy corners; one +bearing a pretty basket, one a desk, and on a third lay several +familiar-looking books. In a recess stood a narrow white bed, with +a lovely Madonna hanging over it. The Japanese screen half-folded +back showed a delicate toilet service of blue and white set forth on +a marble slab, and near by was the great bath-pan, with Turkish +towels and a sponge as big as Rose's head. + +"Uncle must love cold water like a duck," she thought, with a +shiver. + +Then her eye went on to the tall cabinet, where a half-open door +revealed a tempting array of the drawers, shelves and "cubby +holes," which so delight the hearts of children. + +"What a grand place for my new things," she thought, wondering +what her uncle kept in that cedar retreat. + +"Oh me, what a sweet toilet table!" was her next mental +exclamation, as she approached this inviting spot. + +A round old-fashioned mirror hung over it, with a gilt eagle a-top, +holding in his beak the knot of blue ribbon that tied up a curtain of +muslin falling on either side of the table, where appeared little +ivory-handled brushes, two slender silver candle-sticks, a porcelain +match-box, several pretty trays for small matters, and, most +imposing of all, a plump blue silk cushion, coquettishly trimmed +with lace, and pink rose-buds at the corners. + +That cushion rather astonished Rose; in fact, the whole table did, +and she was just thinking, with a sly smile + +"Uncle is a dandy, but I never should have guessed it," when he +opened the door of a large closet, saying, with a careless wave of +the hand + +"Men like plenty of room for their rattle-traps; don't you think that +ought to satisfy me?" + +Rose peeped in and gave a start, though all she saw was what one +usually finds in closets clothes and boots, boxes and bags. Ah! but +you see these clothes were small black and white frocks; the row +of little boots that stood below had never been on Dr. Alec's feet; +the green bandbox had a gray veil straying out of it, and yes! the +bag hanging on the door was certainly her own piece-bag, with a +hole in one corner. She gave a quick look round the room and +understood now why it had seemed too dainty for a man, why her +Testament and Prayer Book were on the table by the bed, and what +those rose-buds meant on the blue cushion. It came upon her in +one delicious burst that this little paradise was all for her, and, not +knowing how else to express her gratitude, she caught Dr. Alec +round the neck, saying impetuously + +"O uncle, you are too good to me! I'll do anything you ask me; ride +wild horses and take freezing baths and eat bad-tasting messes, and +let my clothes hang on me, to show how much I thank you for this +dear, sweet, lovely room!" + +"You like it, then? But why do you think it is yours, my lass?" +asked Dr. Alec, as he sat down looking well pleased, and drew his +excited little niece to his knee. + +"I don't think, I know it is for me; I see it in your face, and I feel as +if I didn't half deserve it. Aunt Jessie said you would spoil me, and +I must not let you. I'm afraid this looks like it, and perhaps oh me! +perhaps I ought not to have this beautiful room after all!" and Rose +tried to look as if she could be heroic enough to give it up if it was +best. + +"I owe Mrs. Jessie one for that," said Dr. Alec, trying to frown, +though in his secret soul he felt that she was quite right. Then he +smiled that cordial smile, which was like sunshine on his brown +face, as he said + +"This is part of the cure, Rose, and I put you here that you might +take my three great remedies in the best and easiest way. Plenty of +sun, fresh air, and cold water; also cheerful surroundings, and +some work; for Phebe is to show you how to take care of this +room, and be your little maid as well as friend and teacher. Does +that sound hard and disagreeable to you, dear?" + +"No, sir; very, very pleasant, and I'll do my best to be a good +patient. But I really don't think anyone could be sick in this +delightful room," she said, with a long sigh of happiness as her eye +went from one pleasant object to another. + +"Then you like my sort of medicine better than Aunt Myra's, and +don't want to throw it out of the window, hey?" + + + +Chapter 7 - A Trip to China + +"Come, little girl, I've got another dose for you. I fancy you won't +take it as well as you did the last, but you will like it better after a +while," said Dr. Alec, about a week after the grand surprise. + +Rose was sitting in her pretty room, where she would gladly have +spent all her time if it had been allowed; but she looked up with a +smile, for she had ceased to fear her uncle's remedies, and was +always ready to try a new one. The last had been a set of light +gardening tools, with which she had helped him put the +flower-beds in order, learning all sorts of new and pleasant things +about the plants as she worked, for, though she had studied botany +at school, it seemed very dry stuff compared with Uncle Alec's +lively lesson. + +"What is it now?" she asked, shutting her work-box without a +murmur. + +"Salt-water." + +"How must I take it?" + +"Put on the new suit Miss Hemming sent home yesterday, and +come down to the beach; then I'll show you." + +"Yes, sir," answered Rose obediently, adding to herself, with a +shiver, as he went off: "It is too early for bathing, so I know it is +something to do with a dreadful boat." + +Putting on the new suit of blue flannel, prettily trimmed with +white, and the little sailor-hat with long streamers, diverted her +mind from the approaching trial, till a shrill whistle reminded her +that her uncle was waiting. Away she ran through the garden, +down the sandy path, out upon the strip of beach that belonged to +the house, and here she found Dr. Alec busy with a slender red and +white boat that lay rocking on the rising tide. + +"That is a dear little boat; and 'Bonnie Belle' is a pretty name," she +said, trying not to show how nervous she felt. + +"It is for you; so sit in the stern and learn to steer, till you are ready +to learn to row." + +"Do all boats wiggle about in that way?" she asked, lingering as if +to tie her hat more firmly. + +"Oh, yes, pitch about like nutshells when the sea is a bit rough," +answered her sailor uncle, never guessing her secret woe. + +"Is it rough to-day?" + +"Not very; it looks a trifle squally to the eastward, but we are all +right till the wind changes. Come." + +"Can you swim, uncle?" asked Rose, clutching at his arm as he +took her hand. + +"Like a fish. Now then." + +"Oh, please hold me very tight till I get there! Why do you have the +stern so far away?" and, stifling several squeaks of alarm in her +passage, Rose crept to the distant seat, and sat there holding on +with both hands and looking as if she expected every wave to bring +a sudden shipwreck. + +Uncle Alec took no notice of her fear, but patiently instructed her +in the art of steering, till she was so absorbed in remembering +which was starboard and which larboard, that she forgot to say +"OW!" every time a big wave slapped against the boat. + +"Now where shall we go?" she asked, as the wind blew freshly in +her face, and a few, long swift strokes sent them half across the +little bay. + +"Suppose we go to China?" + +"Isn't that rather a long voyage?" + +"Not as I go. Steer round the Point into the harbour, and I'll give +you a glimpse of China in twenty minutes or so." + +"I should like that!" and Rose sat wondering what he meant, while +she enjoyed the new sights all about her. + +Behind them the green Aunt-hill sloped gently upward to the grove +at the top, and all along the seaward side stood familiar houses, +stately, cosy, or picturesque. As they rounded the Point, the great +bay opened before them full of shipping, and the city lay beyond, +its spires rising above the tall masts with their gay streamers. + +"Are we going there?" she asked, for she had never seen this aspect +of the rich and busy old city before. + +"Yes. Uncle Mac has a ship just in from Hong Kong, and I thought +you would like to go and see it." + +"Oh, I should. I love dearly to go poking about in the warehouses +with Uncle Mac; everything is so curious and new to me; and I'm +specially interested in China because you have been there." + +"I'll show you two genuine Chinamen who have just arrived. You +will like to welcome Whang Lo and Fun See, I'm sure." + +"Don't ask me to speak to them, uncle; I shall be sure to laugh at +the odd names and the pig-tails and the slanting eyes. Please let me +just trot round after you; I like that best." + +"Very well; now steer toward the wharf where the big ship with the +queer flag is. That's the 'Rajah,' and we will go aboard if we can." + +In among the ships they went, by the wharves where the water was +green and still, and queer barnacles grew on the slippery piles. Odd +smells saluted her nose, and odd sights met her eyes, but Rose +liked it all, and played she was really landing in Hong Kong when +they glided up to the steps in the shadow of the tall "Rajah." Boxes +and bales were rising out of the hold and being carried into the +warehouse by stout porters, who tugged and bawled and clattered +about with small trucks, or worked cranes with iron claws that +came down and clutched heavy weights, whisking them aloft to +where wide doors like mouths swallowed them up. + +Dr. Alec took her aboard the ship, and she had the satisfaction of +poking her inquisitive little nose into every available corner, at the +risk of being crushed, lost, or drowned. + +"Well, child, how would you like to take a voyage round the world +with me in a jolly old craft like this?" asked her uncle, as they +rested a minute in the captain's cabin. + +"I should like to see the world, but not in such a small, untidy, +smelly place as this. We would go in a yacht all clean and +comfortable; Charlie says that is the proper way," answered Rose, +surveying the close quarters with little favour. + +"You are not a true Campbell if you don't like the smell of tar and +salt-water, nor Charlie either, with his luxurious yacht. Now come +ashore and chin-chin with the Celestials." + +After a delightful progress through the great warehouse, peeping +and picking as they went, they found Uncle Mac and the yellow +gentlemen in his private room, where samples, gifts, curiosities, +and newly arrived treasures of all sorts were piled up in pleasing +pro-fusion and con-fusion. + +As soon as possible Rose retired to a corner, with a porcelain god +on one side, a green dragon on the other, and, what was still more +embarrassing, Fun See sat on a tea-chest in front, and stared at her +with his beady black eyes till she did not know where to look. + +Mr. Whang Lo was an elderly gentleman in American costume, +with his pig-tail neatly wound round his head. He spoke English, +and was talking busily with Uncle Mac in the most commonplace +way so Rose considered him a failure. But Fun See was +delightfully Chinese from his junk-like shoes to the button on his +pagoda hat; for he had got himself up in style, and was a mass of +silk jackets and slouchy trousers. He was short and fat, and +waddled comically; his eyes were very "slanting," as Rose said; his +queue was long, so were his nails; his yellow face was plump and +shiny, and he was altogether a highly satisfactory Chinaman. + +Uncle Alec told her that Fun See had come out to be educated and +could only speak a little pigeon English; so she must be kind to the +poor fellow, for he was only a lad, though he looked nearly as old +as Mr. Whang Lo. Rose said she would be kind; but had not the +least idea how to entertain the queer guest, who looked as if he had +walked out of one of the rice-paper landscapes on the wall, and sat +nodding at her so like a toy Mandarin that she could hardly keep +sober. + +In the midst of her polite perplexity, Uncle Mac saw the two young +people gazing wistfully at one another, and seemed to enjoy the +joke of this making acquaintance under difficulties. Taking a box +from his table, he gave it to Fun See, with an order that seemed to +please him very much. + +Descending from his perch, he fell to unpacking it with great +neatness and despatch, while Rose watched him, wondering what +was going to happen. Presently, out from the wrappings came a +teapot, which caused her to clasp her hands with delight, for it was +made in the likeness of a plump little Chinaman. His hat was the +cover, his queue the handle, and his pipe the nose. It stood upon +feet in shoes turned up at the toes, and the smile on the fat, sleepy +face was so like that on Fun's when he displayed the teapot, that +Rose couldn't help laughing, which pleased him much. + +Two pretty cups with covers, and a fine scarlet tray completed the +set, and made one long to have a "dish of tea," even in Chinese +style, without cream or sugar. + +When he had arranged them on a little table before her, Fun +signified in pantomime that they were hers, from her uncle. She +returned her thanks in the same way, whereupon he returned to his +tea-chest, and, having no other means of communication, they sat +smiling and nodding at one another in an absurd sort of way till a +new idea seemed to strike Fun. Tumbling off his seat, he waddled +away as fast as his petticoats permitted, leaving Rose hoping that +he had not gone to get a roasted rat, a stewed puppy, or any other +foreign mess which civility would oblige her to eat. + +While she waited for her funny new friend, she improved her mind +in a way that would have charmed Aunt Jane. The gentlemen were +talking over all sorts of things, and she listened attentively, storing +up much of what she heard, for she had an excellent memory, and +longed to distinguish herself by being able to produce some useful +information when reproached with her ignorance. + +She was just trying to impress upon her mind that Amoy was two +hundred and eighty miles from Hong Kong, when Fun came +scuffling back, bearing what she thought was a small sword, till he +unfurled an immense fan, and presented it with a string of Chinese +compliments, the meaning of which would have amused her even +more than the sound, if she could have understood it. + +She had never seen such an astonishing fan, and at once became +absorbed in examining it. Of course, there was no perspective +whatever, which only gave it a peculiar charm to Rose, for in one +place a lovely lady, with blue knitting-needles in her hair, sat +directly upon the spire of a stately pagoda. In another charming +view a brook appeared to flow in at the front door of a stout +gentleman's house, and out at his chimney. In a third a zig-zag wall +went up into the sky like a flash of lightning, and a bird with two +tails was apparently brooding over a fisherman whose boat was +just going aground upon the moon. + +It was altogether a fascinating thing, and she would have sat +wafting it to and fro all the afternoon, to Fun's great satisfaction, +if Dr. Alec's attention had not suddenly been called to her by a +breeze from the big fan that blew his hair into his eyes, and +reminded him that they must go. So the pretty china was repacked, +Rose furled her fan, and with several parcels of choice teas for the +old ladies stowed away in Dr. Alec's pockets, they took their leave, +after Fun had saluted them with "the three bendings and the nine +knockings," as they salute the Emperor, or "Son of Heaven," at +home. + +"I feel as if I had really been to China, and I'm sure I look so," +said Rose, as they glided out of the shadow of the "Rajah." + +She certainly did, for Mr. Whang Lo had given her a Chinese +umbrella; Uncle Alec had got some lanterns to light up her +balcony; the great fan lay in her lap, and the tea-set reposed at her +feet. + +"This is not a bad way to study geography, is it?" asked her uncle, +who had observed her attention to the talk. + +"It is a very pleasant way, and I really think I have learned more +about China to-day than in all the lessons I had at school, though I +used to rattle off the answers as fast as I could go. No one +explained anything to us, so all I remember is that tea and silk +come from there, and the women have little bits of feet. I saw Fun +looking at mine, and he must have thought them perfectly +immense," answered Rose, surveying her stout boots with sudden +contempt. + +"We will have out the maps and the globe, and I'll show you some +of my journeys, telling stories as we go. That will be next best to +doing it actually." + +"You are so fond of travelling, I should think it would be very dull +for you here, uncle. Do you know, Aunt Plenty says she is sure you +will be off in a year or two." + +"Very likely." + +"Oh, me! what shall I do then?" sighed Rose, in a tone of despair +that made Uncle Alec's face brighten with a look of genuine +pleasure as he said significantly + +"Next time I go I shall take my little anchor with me. How will that +suit?" + +"Really, uncle?" + +"Really, niece." + +Rose gave a little bounce of rapture which caused the boat to +"wiggle" in a way that speedily quieted her down. But she sat +beaming joyfully and trying to think which of some hundred +questions she would ask first, when Dr. Alec said, pointing to a +boat that was coming up behind them in great style + +"How well those fellows row! Look at them, and take notes for +your own use by and by." + +The "Stormy Petrel" was manned by half a dozen jaunty looking +sailors, who made a fine display of blue shirts and shiny hats, with +stars and anchors in every direction. + +"How beautifully they go, and they are only boys. Why, I do +believe they are our boys! Yes, I see Charlie laughing over his +shoulder. Row, uncle, row! Oh, please do, and not let them catch +up with us!" cried Rose, in such a state of excitement that the new +umbrella nearly went overboard. + +"All right, here we go!" and away they did go with a long steady +sweep of the oars that carried the "Bonnie Belle" through the water +with a rush. + +The lads pulled their prettiest, but Dr. Alec would have reached +the Point first, if Rose, in her flurry, had not retarded him by +jerking the rudder ropes in a most unseamanlike way, and just as +she got right again her hat blew off. That put an end to the race, +and while they were still fishing for the hat the other boat came +alongside, with all the oars in the air, and the jolly young tars ready +for a frolic. + +"Did you catch a crab, uncle?" + +"No, a blue-fish," he answered, as the dripping hat was landed on a +seat to dry. + +"What have you been doing?" + +"Seeing Fun." + +"Good for you, Rose! I know what you mean. We are going to have +him up to show us how to fly the big kite, for we can't get the hang +of it. Isn't he great fun, though?" + +"No, little Fun." + +"Come, stop joking, and show us what you've got." + +"You'd better hoist that fan for a sail." + +"Lend Dandy your umbrella; he hates to burn his pretty nose." + +"I say, uncle, are you going to have a Feast of Lanterns?" + +"No, I'm going to have a feast of bread and butter, for it's tea-time. +If that black cloud doesn't lie, we shall have a gust before long, so +you had better get home as soon as you can, or your mother will be +anxious, Archie." + +"Ay, ay, skipper. Good-night, Rose; come out often, and we'll +teach you all there is to know about rowing," was Charlie's modest +invitation. + +Then the boats parted company, and across the water from the +"Petrel's" crew came a verse from one of the Nonsense songs in +which the boys delighted. + + "Oh, Timballoo! how happy we are, + We live in a sieve and a crockery jar! + And all night long, in the starlight pale, + We sail away, with a pea-green sail, + And whistle and warble a moony song + To the echoing sound of a coppery gong. + Far and few, far and few + Are the lands where the Jumblies live; + Their heads are green, and their hands are blue, + And they went to sea in a sieve." + + + +Chapter 8 - And what came of it + +"Uncle, could you lend me a ninepence? I'll return it as soon as I +get my pocket-money," said Rose, coming into the library in a +great hurry that evening. + +"I think I could, and I won't charge any interest for it, so you need +not be in any hurry to repay me. Come back here and help me +settle these books if you have nothing pleasanter to do," answered +Dr. Alec, handing out the money with that readiness which is so +delightful when we ask small loans. + +"I'll come in a minute; I've been longing to fix my books, but didn't +dare to touch them, because you always shake your head when I +read." + +"I shall shake my head when you write, if you don't do it better +than you did in making out this catalogue." + +"I know it's bad, but I was in a hurry when I did it, and I am in one +now." And away went Rose, glad to escape a lecture. + +But she got it when she came back, for Uncle Alec was still +knitting his brows over the list of books, and sternly demanded, +pointing to a tipsy-looking title staggering down the page + +"Is that meant for 'Pulverized Bones,' ma'am?" + +"No, sir; it's 'Paradise Lost.' " + +"Well, I'm glad to know it, for I began to think you were planning +to study surgery or farming. And what is this, if you please? +'Babies' Aprons' is all I can make of it." + +Rose looked hard at the scrawl, and presently announced, with an +air of superior wisdom + +"Oh, that's 'Bacon's Essays.' " + +"Miss Power did not teach anything so old-fashioned as writing, I +see. Now look at this memorandum Aunt Plenty gave me, and see +what a handsome plain hand that is. She went to a dame-school +and learnt a few useful things well; that is better than a smattering +of half a dozen so-called higher branches, I take the liberty of +thinking." + +"Well, I'm sure I was considered a bright girl at school, and learned +everything I was taught. Luly and me were the first in all our +classes, and 'specially praised for our French and music and those +sort of things," said Rose, rather offended at Uncle Alec's +criticism. + +"I dare say; but if your French grammar was no better than your +English, I think the praise was not deserved, my dear." + +"Why, uncle, we did study English grammar, and I could parse +beautifully. Miss Power used to have us up to show off when +people came. I don't see but I talk as right as most girls." + +"I dare say you do, but we are all too careless about our English. +Now, think a minute, and tell me if these expressions are correct +'Luly and me,' 'those sort of things,' and 'as right as most girls.' " + +Rose pulled her pet curl and put up her lip, but had to own that she +was wrong, and said meekly, after a pause which threatened to be +sulky + +"I suppose I should have said 'Luly and I,' in that case, and 'that sort +of things' and 'rightly,' though 'correctly' would have been a better +word, I guess." + +"Thank you; and if you will kindly drop 'I guess,' I shall like my +little Yankee all the better. Now, see here, Rosy, I don't pretend to +set myself up for a model in anything, and you may come down on +my grammar, manners or morals as often as you think I'm wrong, +and I'll thank you. I've been knocking about the world for years, +and have got careless, but I want my girl to be what I call +well-educated, even if she studies nothing but the three 'Rs' for a +year to come. Let us be thorough, no matter how slowly we go." + +He spoke so earnestly and looked so sorry to have ruffled her that +Rose went and sat on the arm of his chair, saying, with a pretty air +of penitence + +"I'm sorry I was cross, uncle, when I ought to thank you for taking +so much interest in me. I guess no, I think you are right about +being thorough, for I used to understand a great deal better when +papa taught me a few lessons than when Miss Power hurried me +through so many. I declare my head used to be such a jumble of +French and German, history and arithmetic, grammar and music, I +used to feel sometimes as if it would split. I'm sure I don't wonder +it ached." And she held on to it as if the mere memory of the +"jumble" made it swim. + +"Yet that is considered an excellent school, I find, and I dare say it +would be if the benighted lady did not think it necessary to cram +her pupils like Thanks-giving turkeys, instead of feeding them in a +natural and wholesome way. It is the fault with most American +schools, and the poor little heads will go on aching till we learn +better." + +This was one of Dr. Alec's hobbies, and Rose was afraid he was off +for a gallop, but he reined himself in and gave her thoughts a new +turn by saying suddenly, as he pulled out a fat pocket-book + +"Uncle Mac has put all your affairs into my hands now, and here is +your month's pocket money. You keep your own little accounts, I +suppose?" + +"Thank you. Yes, Uncle Mac gave me an account book when I +went to school, and I used to put down my expenses, but I couldn't +make them go very well, for figures are the one thing I am not at +all clever about," said Rose, rummaging in her desk for a +dilapidated little book, which she was ashamed to show when she +found it. + +"Well, as figures are rather important things to most of us, and you +may have a good many accounts to keep some day, wouldn't it be +wise to begin at once and learn to manage your pennies before the +pounds come to perplex you?" + +"I thought you would do all that fussy part and take care of the +pounds, as you call them. Need I worry about it? I do hate sums, +so!" + +"I shall take care of things till you are of age, but I mean that you +shall know how your property is managed, and do as much of it as +you can by and by; then you won't be dependent on the honesty of +other people." + +"Gracious me! as if I wouldn't trust you with millions of billions if +I had them," cried Rose, scandalised at the mere suggestion. + +"Ah, but I might be tempted; guardians are sometimes; so you'd +better keep your eye on me, and in order to do that you must learn +all about these affairs," answered Dr. Alec, as he made an entry in +his own very neat account-book. + +Rose peeped over his shoulder at it, and then turned to the +arithmetical puzzle in her hand with a sigh of despair. + +"Uncle, when you add up your expenses do you ever find you have +got more money than you had in the beginning?" + +"No; I usually find that I have a good deal less than I had in the +beginning. Are you troubled in the peculiar way you mention?" + +"Yes; it is very curious, but I never can make things come out +square." + +"Perhaps I can help you," began Uncle Alec, in the most respectful +tone. + +"I think you had better, for if I have got to keep accounts I may as +well begin in the right way. But please don't laugh! I know I'm very +stupid, and my book is a disgrace, but I never could get it straight." +And with great trepidation, Rose gave up her funny little accounts. + +It really was good in Dr. Alec not to laugh, and Rose felt deeply +grateful when he said in a mildly suggestive tone + +"The dollars and cents seem to be rather mixed, perhaps if I just +straightened them out a bit we should find things all right." + +"Please do, and then show me on a fresh leaf how to make mine +look nice and ship-shape as yours do." + +As Rose stood by him watching the ease with which he quickly +brought order out of chaos, she privately resolved to hunt up her +old arithmetic and perfect herself in the four first rules, with a +good tug at fractions, before she read any more fairy tales. + +"Am I a rich girl, uncle?" she asked suddenly, as he was copying a +column of figures. + +"Rather a poor one, I should say, since you had to borrow a +ninepence." + +"That was your fault, because you forgot my pocket-money. But, +really, shall I be rich by and by?" + +"I am afraid you will." + +"Why afraid, uncle?" + +"Too much money is a bad thing." + +"But I can give it away, you know; that is always the pleasantest +part of having it I think." + +"I'm glad you feel so, for you can do much good with your fortune +if you know how to use it well." + +"You shall teach me, and when I am a woman we will set up a +school where nothing but the three R's shall be taught, and all the +children live on oatmeal, and the girls have waists a yard round," +said Rose, with a sudden saucy smile dimpling her cheeks. + +"You are an impertinent little baggage, to turn on me in that way +right in the midst of my first attempt at teaching. Never mind, I'll +have an extra bitter dose for you next time, miss." + +"I knew you wanted to laugh, so I gave you a chance. Now, I will +be good, master, and do my lesson nicely." + +So Dr. Alec had his laugh, and then Rose sat down and took a +lesson in accounts which she never forgot. + +"Now come and read aloud to me; my eyes are tired, and it is +pleasant to sit here by the fire while the rain pours outside and +Aunt Jane lectures upstairs," said Uncle Alec, when last month's +accounts had been put in good order and a fresh page neatly begun. + +Rose liked to read aloud, and gladly gave him the chapter in +"Nicholas Nickleby" where the Miss Kenwigses take their French +lesson. She did her very best, feeling that she was being criticised, +and hoping that she might not be found wanting in this as in other +things. + +"Shall I go on, sir?" she asked very meekly, when the chapter +ended. + +"If you are not tired, dear. It is a pleasure to hear you, for you read +remarkably well," was the answer that filled her heart with pride +and pleasure. + +"Do you really think so, uncle? I'm so glad! Papa taught me, and I +read for hours to him, but I thought perhaps, he liked it because he +was fond of me." + +"So am I; but you really do read unusually well, and I'm very glad +of it, for it is a rare accomplishment, and one I value highly. Come +here in this cosy, low chair; the light is better, and I can pull these +curls if you go too fast. I see you are going to be a great comfort as +well as a great credit to your old uncle, Rosy." And Dr. Alec drew +her close beside him with such a fatherly look and tone that she +felt it would be very easy to love and obey him, since he knew how +to mix praise and blame so pleasantly together. + +Another chapter was just finished, when the sound of a carriage +warned them that Aunt Jane was about to depart. Before they +could go to meet her, however, she appeared in the doorway +looking like an unusually tall mummy in her waterproof, with her +glasses shining like cat's eyes from the depths of the hood. + +"Just as I thought! petting that child to death and letting her sit up +late reading trash. I do hope you feel the weight of the +responsibility you have taken upon yourself, Alec," she said, with a +certain grim sort of satisfaction at seeing things go wrong. + +"I think I have a very realising sense of it, sister Jane," answered +Dr. Alec, with a comical shrug of the shoulders and a glance at +Rose's bright face. + +"It is sad to see a great girl wasting these precious hours so. Now, +my boys have studied all day, and Mac is still at his books, I've no +doubt, while you have not had a lesson since you came, I suspect." + +"I've had five to-day, ma'am," was Rose's very unexpected answer. + +"I'm glad to hear it; and what were they, pray?" Rose looked very +demure as she replied + +"Navigation, geography, grammar, arithmetic, and keeping my +temper." + +"Queer lessons, I fancy; and what have you learned from this +remarkable mixture, I should like to know?" + +A naughty sparkle came into Rose's eyes as she answered, with a +droll look at her uncle + +"I can't tell you all, ma'am, but I have collected some useful +information about China, which you may like, especially the teas. +The best are Lapsing Souchong, Assam Pekoe, rare Ankoe, +Flowery Pekoe, Howqua's mixture, Scented Caper, Padral tea, +black Congou, and green Twankey. Shanghai is on the Woosung +River. Hong Kong means 'Island of Sweet waters.' Singapore is +'Lion's Town.' 'Chops' are the boats they live in; and they drink tea +out of little saucers. Principal productions are porcelain, tea, +cinnamon, shawls, tin, tamarinds and opium. They have beautiful +temples and queer gods; and in Canton is the Dwelling of the Holy +Pigs, fourteen of them, very big, and all blind." + +The effect of this remarkable burst was immense, especially the +fact last mentioned. It entirely took the wind out of Aunt Jane's +sails; it was so sudden, so varied and unexpected, that she had not +a word to say. The glasses remained fixed full upon Rose for a +moment, and then, with a hasty "Oh, indeed!" the excellent lady +bundled into her carriage and drove away, somewhat bewildered +and very much disturbed. + +She would have been more so if she had seen her reprehensible +brother-in-law dancing a triumphal polka down the hall with Rose +in honour of having silenced the enemy's battery for once. + + + +Chapter 9 - Phebe's Secret + +"Why do you keep smiling to yourself, Phebe?" asked Rose, as +they were working together one morning, for Dr. Alec considered +house-work the best sort of gymnastics for girls; so Rose took +lessons of Phebe in sweeping, dusting and bed-making. + +"I was thinking about a nice little secret I know, and couldn't help +smiling." + +"Shall I know it, sometime?" + +"Guess you will." + +"Shall I like it?" + +"Oh, won't you, though!" + +"Will it happen soon?" + +"Sometime this week." + +"I know what it is! The boys are going to have fireworks on the +fourth, and have got some surprise for me. Haven't they?" + +"That's telling." + +"Well, I can wait; only tell me one thing is uncle in it?" + +"Of course he is; there's never any fun without him." + +"Then it's all right, and sure to be nice." + +Rose went out on the balcony to shake the rugs, and, having given +them a vigorous beating, hung them on the balustrade to air, while +she took a look at her plants. Several tall vases and jars stood +there, and a month of June sun and rain had worked wonders with +the seeds and slips she had planted. Morning-glories and +nasturtiums ran all over the bars, making haste to bloom. Scarlet +beans and honeysuckles were climbing up from below to meet +their pretty neighbours, and the woodbine was hanging its green +festoons wherever it could cling. + +The waters of the bay were dancing in the sunshine, a fresh wind +stirred the chestnut-trees with a pleasant sound, and the garden +below was full of roses, butterflies and bees. A great chirping and +twittering went on among the birds, busy with their summer +house-keeping, and, far away, the white-winged gulls were dipping +and diving in the sea, where ships, like larger birds, went sailing to +and fro. + +"Oh, Phebe, it's such a lovely day, I do wish your fine secret was +going to happen right away! I feel just like having a good time; +don't you?" said Rose, waving her arms as if she was going to fly. + +"I often feel that way, but I have to wait for my good times, and +don't stop working to wish for 'em. There, now you can finish as +soon as the dust settles; I must go do my stairs," and Phebe trudged +away with the broom, singing as she went. + +Rose leaned where she was, and fell to thinking how many good +times she had had lately, for the gardening had prospered finely, +and she was learning to swim and row, and there were drives and +walks, and quiet hours of reading and talk with Uncle Alec, and, +best of all, the old pain and ennui seldom troubled her now. She +could work and play all day, sleep sweetly all night, and enjoy life +with the zest of a healthy, happy child. She was far from being as +strong and hearty as Phebe, but she was getting on; the once pale +cheeks had colour in them now, the hands were growing plump +and brown, and the belt was not much too loose. No one talked to +her about her health, and she forgot that she had "no constitution." +She took no medicine but Dr. Alec's three great remedies, and they +seemed to suit her excellently. Aunt Plenty said it was the pills; +but, as no second batch had ever followed the first, I think the old +lady was mistaken. + +Rose looked worthy of her name as she stood smiling to herself +over a happier secret than any Phebe had a secret which she did +not know herself till she found out, some years later, the magic of +good health. + + "'Look only,' said the brownie, + 'At the pretty gown of blue, + At the kerchief pinned about her head, + And at her little shoe,"' + +said a voice from below, as a great cabbage-rose came flying +against her cheek. + +"What is the princess dreaming about up there in her +hanging-garden?" added Dr. Alec as she flung back a +morning-glory. + +"I was wishing I could do something pleasant this fine day; +something very new and interesting, for the wind makes me feel +frisky and gay." + +"Suppose we take a pull over to the Island? I intended to go this +afternoon; but if you feel more like it now, we can be off at once." + +"I do! I do! I'll come in fifteen minutes, uncle. I must just scrabble +my room to rights, for Phebe has got a great deal to do." + +Rose caught up the rugs and vanished as she spoke, while Dr. Alec +went in, saying to himself, with an indulgent smile + +"It may upset things a trifle, but half a child's pleasure consists in +having their fun when they want it." + +Never did duster flap more briskly than the one Rose used that +day, and never was a room "scrabbled" to rights in such haste as +hers. Tables and chairs flew into their places as if alive; curtains +shook as if a gale was blowing; china rattled and small articles +tumbled about as if a young earthquake was playing with them. +The boating suit went on in a twinkling, and Rose was off with a +hop and a skip, little dreaming how many hours it would be before +she saw her pretty room again. + +Uncle Alec was putting a large basket into the boat when she +arrived, and before they were off Phebe came running down with a +queer, knobby bundle done up in a water-proof. + +"We can't eat half that luncheon, and I know we shall not need so +many wraps. I wouldn't lumber the boat up so," said Rose, who +still had secret scares when on the water. + +"Couldn't you make a smaller parcel, Phebe?" asked Dr. Alec, +eyeing the bundle suspiciously. + +"No, sir, not in such a hurry," and Phebe laughed as she gave a +particularly large knob a good poke. + +"Well, it will do for ballast. Don't forget the note to Mrs. Jessie, I +beg of you." + +"No, sir. I'll send it right off," and Phebe ran up the bank as if she +had wings to her feet. + +"We'll take a look at the lighthouse first, for you have not been +there yet, and it is worth seeing. By the time we have done that it +will be pretty warm, and we will have lunch under the trees on the +Island." + +Rose was ready for anything, and enjoyed her visit to the +lighthouse on the Point very much, especially climbing up the +narrow stairs and going inside the great lantern. They made a long +stay, for Dr. Alec seemed in no hurry to go, and kept looking +through his spy-glass as if he expected to discover something +remarkable on sea or land. It was past twelve before they reached +the Island, and Rose was ready for her lunch long before she got it. + +"Now this is lovely! I do wish the boys were here. Won't it be nice +to have them with us all their vacation? Why, it begins to-day, +doesn't it? Oh, I wish I'd remembered it sooner, and perhaps they +would have come with us," she said, as they lay luxuriously eating +sandwiches under the old apple-tree. + +"So we might. Next time we won't be in such a hurry. I expect the +lads will take our heads off when they find us out," answered Dr. +Alec, placidly drinking cold tea. + +"Uncle, I smell a frying sort of a smell," Rose said, pausing +suddenly as she was putting away the remains of the lunch half an +hour later. + +"So do I; it is fish, I think." + +For a moment they both sat with their noses in the air, sniffing like +hounds; then Dr. Alec sprang up, saying with great decision + +"Now, this won't do! No one is permitted on this island without +asking leave. I must see who dares to fry fish on my private +property." + +Taking the basket on one arm and the bundle on the other, he +strode away towards the traitorous smell, looking as fierce as a +lion, while Rose marched behind under her umbrella. + +"We are Robinson Crusoe and his man Friday going to see if the +savages have come," she said presently, for her fancy was full of +the dear old stories that all children love so well. + +"And there they are! Two tents and two boats, as I live! These +rascals mean to enjoy themselves, that's evident." + +"There ought to be more boats and no tents. I wonder where the +prisoners are?" + +"There are traces of them," and Dr. Alec pointed to the heads and +tails of fishes strewn on the grass. + +"And there are more," said Rose, laughing, as she pointed to a +scarlet heap of what looked like lobsters. + +"The savages are probably eating their victims now; don't you hear +the knives rattle in that tent?" + +"We ought to creep up and peep; Crusoe was cautious, you know, +and Friday scared out of his wits," added Rose, still keeping up the +joke. + +"But this Crusoe is going to pounce upon them, regardless of +consequences. If I am killed and eaten, you seize the basket and +run for the boat; there are provisions enough for your voyage +home." + +With that Uncle Alec slipped round to the front of the tent and, +casting in the big bundle like a bomb-shell, roared out, in a voice +of thunder + +"Pirates, surrender!" + +A crash, a shout, a laugh, and out came the savages, brandishing +knives and forks, chicken bones, and tin mugs, and all fell upon +the intruder, pommelling him unmercifully as they cried + +"You came too soon! We are not half ready! You've spoilt it all! +Where is Rose?" + +"Here I am," answered a half-stifled voice, and Rose was +discovered sitting on the pile of red flannel bathing clothes, which +she had mistaken for lobsters, and where she had fallen in a fit of +merriment when she discovered that the cannibals were her merry +cousins. + +"You good-for-nothing boys! You are always bursting out upon me +in some ridiculous way, and I always get taken in because I'm not +used to such pranks. Uncle is as bad as the rest, and it's great fun," +she said, as the lads came round her, half scolding, half +welcoming, and wholly enjoying the double surprise. + +"You were not to come till afternoon, and mamma was to be here +to receive you. Everything is in a mess now, except your tent; we +got that in order the first thing, and you can sit there and see us +work," said Archie, doing the honours as usual. + +"Rose felt it in her bones, as Dolly says, that something was in the +wind, and wanted to be off at once. So I let her come, and should +have kept her away an hour longer if your fish had not betrayed +you," explained Uncle Alec, subsiding from a ferocious Crusoe +into his good-natured self again. + +"As this seat is rather damp, I think I'll rise," said Rose, as the +excitement lessened a little. + +Several fishy hands helped her up, and Charlie said, as he scattered +the scarlet garments over the grass with an oar + +"We had a jolly good swim before dinner, and I told the Brats to +spread these to dry. Hope you brought your things, Rose, for you +belong to the Lobsters, you know, and we can have no end of fun +teaching you to dive and float and tread water." + +"I didn't bring anything--" began Rose, but was interrupted by the +Brats (otherwise Will and Geordie), who appeared bearing the big +bundle, so much demoralised by its fall that a red flannel tunic +trailed out at one end and a little blue dressing-gown at the other, +while the knobs proved to be a toilet-case, rubbers, and a silver +mug. + +"Oh, that sly Phebe! This was the secret, and she bundled up those +things after I went down to the boat," cried Rose, with sparkling +eyes. + +"Guess something is smashed inside, for a bit of glass fell out," +observed Will, as they deposited the bundle at her feet. + +"Catch a girl going anywhere without a looking-glass. We haven't +got one among the whole lot of us," added Mac, with masculine +scorn. + +"Dandy has; I caught him touching up his wig behind the trees +after our swim," cut in Geordie, wagging a derisive finger at Steve, +who promptly silenced him by a smart rap on the head with the +drum-stick he had just polished off. + +"Come, come, you lazy lubbers, fall to work, or we shall not be +ready for mamma. Take Rose's things to her tent, and tell her all +about it, Prince. Mac and Steve, you cut away and bring up the rest +of the straw; and you small chaps, clear off the table, if you have +stuffed all you can. Please, uncle, I'd like your advice about the +boundary lines and the best place for the kitchen." + +Everyone obeyed the chief, and Rose was escorted to her tent by +Charlie, who devoted himself to her service. She was charmed +with her quarters, and still more so with the programme which he +unfolded before her as they worked. + +"We always camp out somewhere in vacation, and this year we +thought we'd try the Island. It is handy, and our fireworks will +show off well from here." + +"Shall we stay over the Fourth? Three whole days! Oh, me! what a +frolic it will be!" + +"Bless your heart, we often camp for a week, we big fellows; but +this year the small chaps wanted to come, so we let them. We have +great larks, as you'll see; for we have a cave and play Captain +Kidd, and have shipwrecks, and races, and all sorts of games. Arch +and I are rather past that kind of thing now, but we do it to please +the children," added Charlie, with a sudden recollection of his +sixteen years. + +"I had no idea boys had such good times. Their plays never seemed +a bit interesting before. But I suppose that was because I never +knew any boys very well, or perhaps you are unusually nice ones," +observed Rose, with an artless air of appreciation that was very +flattering. + +"We are a pretty clever set, I fancy; but we have a good many +advantages, you see. There are a tribe of us, to begin with; then our +family has been here for ages, and we have plenty of 'spondulics,' +so we can rather lord it over the other fellows, and do as we like. +There, ma'am, you can hang your smashed glass on that nail and +do up your back hair as fine as you please. You can have a blue +blanket or a red one, and a straw pillow or an air cushion for your +head, whichever you like. You can trim up to any extent, and be as +free and easy as squaws in a wigwam, for this corner is set apart +for you ladies and we never cross the line uncle is drawing until +we ask leave. Anything more I can do for you, cousin?" + +"No, thank you. I think I'll leave the rest till auntie comes, and go +and help you somewhere else, if I may." + +"Yes, indeed, come on and see to the kitchen. Can you cook?" +asked Charlie, as he led the way to the rocky nook where Archie +was putting up a sail-cloth awning. + +"I can make tea and toast bread." + +"Well, we'll shew you how to fry fish, and make chowder. Now +you just set these pots and pans round tastefully, and sort of tidy up +a bit, for Aunt Jessie insists on doing some of the work, and I want +it to be decent here." + +By four o'clock the camp was in order, and the weary workers +settled down on Lookout Rock to watch for Mrs. Jessie and Jamie, +who was never far from mamma's apron string. They looked like a +flock of blue-birds, all being in sailor rig, with blue ribbon enough +flying from the seven hats to have set up a milliner. Very tuneful +blue-birds they were, too, for all the lads sang, and the echo of +their happy voices reached Mrs. Jessie long before she saw them. + +The moment the boat hove in sight up went the Island flag, and the +blue-jackets cheered lustily, as they did on every possible +occasion, like true young Americans. This welcome was answered +by the flapping of a handkerchief and the shrill "Rah! Rah! Rah!" +of the one small tar who stood in the stern waving his hat +manfully, while a maternal hand clutched him firmly in the rear. + +Cleopatra landing from her golden galley never received a heartier +greeting than "Little Mum" as she was borne to her tent by the +young folk, for love of whom she smilingly resigned herself to +three days of discomfort; while Jamie immediately attached +himself to Rose, assuring her of his protection from the manifold +perils which might assail them. + +Taught by long experience that boys are always hungry, Aunt +Jessie soon proposed supper, and proceeded to get it, enveloped in +an immense apron, with an old hat of Archie's stuck atop of her +cap. Rose helped, and tried to be as handy as Phebe, though the +peculiar style of table she had to set made it no easy task. It was +accomplished at last, and a very happy party lay about under the +trees, eating and drinking out of anyone's plate and cup, and quite +untroubled by the frequent appearance of ants and spiders in places +which these interesting insects are not expected to adorn. + +"I never thought I should like to wash dishes, but I do," said Rose, +as she sat in a boat after supper lazily rinsing plates in the sea, and +rocking luxuriously as she wiped them. + +"Mum is mighty particular; we just give 'em a scrub with sand, and +dust 'em off with a bit of paper. It's much the best way, I think," +replied Geordie, who reposed in another boat alongside. + +"How Phebe would like this! I wonder uncle did not have her +come." + +"I believe he tried to, but Dolly was as cross as two sticks, and said +she couldn't spare her. I'm sorry, for we all like the Phebe bird, and +she'd chirp like a good one out here, wouldn't she?" + +"She ought to have a holiday like the rest of us. It's too bad to leave +her out." + +This thought came back to Rose several times that evening, for +Phebe would have added much to the little concert they had in the +moonlight, would have enjoyed the stories told, been quick at +guessing the conundrums, and laughed with all her heart at the fun. +The merry going to bed would have been the best of all, for Rose +wanted someone to cuddle under the blue blanket with her, there +to whisper and giggle and tell secrets, as girls delight to do. + +Long after the rest were asleep, Rose lay wide awake, excited by +the novelty of all about her, and a thought that had come into her +mind. Far away she heard a city clock strike twelve; a large star +like a mild eye peeped in at the opening of the tent, and the soft +plash of the waves seemed calling her to come out. Aunt Jessie lay +fast asleep, with Jamie rolled up like a kitten at her feet, and +neither stirred as Rose in her wrapper crept out to see how the +world looked at midnight. + +She found it very lovely, and sat down on a cracker keg to enjoy it +with a heart full of the innocent sentiment of her years. +Fortunately, Dr. Alec saw her before she had time to catch cold, +for coming out to tie back the door-flap of his tent for more air, he +beheld the small figure perched in the moonlight. Having no fear +of ghosts, he quietly approached, and, seeing that she was wide +awake, said, with a hand on her shining hair + +"What is my girl doing here?" + +"Having a good time," answered Rose, not at all startled. + +"I wonder what she was thinking about with such a sober look." + +"The story you told of the brave sailor who gave up his place on +the raft to the woman, and the last drop of water to the poor baby. +People who make sacrifices are very much loved and admired, +aren't they?" she asked, earnestly. + +"If the sacrifice is a true one. But many of the bravest never are +known, and get no praise. That does not lessen their beauty, though +perhaps it makes them harder, for we all like sympathy," and Dr. +Alec sighed a patient sort of sigh. + +"I suppose you have made a great many? Would you mind telling +me one of them?" asked Rose, arrested by the sigh. + +"My last was to give up smoking," was the very unromantic answer +to her pensive question. + +"Why did you?" + +"Bad example for the boys." + +"That was very good of you, uncle! Was it hard?" + +"I'm ashamed to say it was. But as a wise old fellow once said, 'It is +necessary to do right; it is not necessary to be happy.' " + +Rose pondered over the saying as if it pleased her, and then said, +with a clear, bright look + +"A real sacrifice is giving up something you want or enjoy very +much, isn't it?" + +"Yes." + +"Doing it one's own self because one loves another person very +much and wants her to be happy?" + +"Yes." + +"And doing it pleasantly, and being glad about it, and not minding +the praise if it doesn't come?" + +"Yes, dear, that is the true spirit of self-sacrifice; you seem to +understand it, and I dare say you will have many chances in your +life to try the real thing. I hope they won't be very hard ones." + +"I think they will," began Rose, and there stopped short. + +"Well, make one now, and go to sleep, or my girl will be ill +to-morrow, and then the aunts will say camping out was bad for +her." + +"I'll go good night!" and throwing him a kiss, the little ghost +vanished, leaving Uncle Alec to pace the shore and think about +some of the unsuspected sacrifices that had made him what he +was. + + + +Chapter 10 - Rose's Sacrifice + +There certainly were "larks" on Campbell's Island next day, as +Charlie had foretold, and Rose took her part in them like one +intent on enjoying every minute to the utmost. There was a merry +breakfast, a successful fishing expedition, and then the lobsters +came out in full force, for even Aunt Jessie appeared in red +flannel. There was nothing Uncle Alec could not do in the water, +and the boys tried their best to equal him in strength and skill, so +there was a great diving and ducking, for every one was bent on +distinguishing himself. + +Rose swam out far beyond her depth, with uncle to float her back; +Aunt Jessie splashed placidly in the shallow pools, with Jamie +paddling near by like a little whale beside its mother; while the +lads careered about, looking like a flock of distracted flamingoes, +and acting like the famous dancing party in "Alice's Adventures in +Wonderland." + +Nothing but chowder would have lured them from their gambols in +the briny deep; that time-honoured dish demanded the +concentrated action of several mighty minds; so the "Water +Babies" came ashore and fell to cooking. + +It is unnecessary to say that, when done, it was the most +remarkable chowder ever cooked, and the quantity eaten would +have amazed the world if the secret had been divulged. After this +exertion a siesta was considered the thing, and people lay about in +tents or out as they pleased, the boys looking like warriors +slumbering where they fell. + +The elders had just settled to a comfortable nap when the +youngsters rose, refreshed and ready for further exploits. A hint +sent them all off to the cave, and there were discovered bows and +arrows, battle clubs, old swords, and various relics of an +interesting nature. Perched upon a commanding rock, with Jamie +to "splain" things to her, Rose beheld a series of stirring scenes +enacted with great vigour and historical accuracy by her gifted +relatives. + +Captain Cook was murdered by the natives of Owhyhee in the +most thrilling manner. Captain Kidd buried untold wealth in the +chowder kettle at the dead of night, and shot both the trusting +villains who shared the secret of the hiding place. Sinbad came +ashore there and had manifold adventures, and numberless wrecks +bestrewed the sands. + +Rose considered them by far the most exciting dramas she had +ever witnessed; and when the performance closed with a grand +ballet of Feejee Islanders, whose barbaric yells alarmed the gulls, +she had no words in which to express her gratification. + +Another swim at sunset, another merry evening on the rocks +watching the lighted steamers pass seaward and the pleasure-boats +come into port, ended the second day of the camping out, and sent +everyone to bed early that they might be ready for the festivities of +the morrow. + +"Archie, didn't I hear uncle ask you to row home in the morning +for fresh milk and things?" + +"Yes, why?" + +"Please, may I go too? I have something of great importance to +arrange; you know I was carried off in a hurry," Rose said in a +confidential whisper as she was bidding her cousins good night. + +"I'm willing, and I guess Charlie won't mind." + +"Thank you; be sure you stand by me when I ask leave in the +morning, and don't say anything till then, except to Charlie. +Promise," urged Rose, so eagerly, that Archie struck an attitude +and cried dramatically + +"By yonder moon I swear!" + +"Hush! it's all right, go along"; and Rose departed as if satisfied. + +"She's a queer little thing, isn't she, Prince?" + +"Rather a nice little thing, I think. I'm quite fond of her." + +Rose's quick ears caught both remarks, and she retired to her tent, +saying to herself with sleepy dignity + +"Little thing, indeed! Those boys talk as if I was a baby. They will +treat me with more respect after to-morrow, I guess." + +Archie did stand by her in the morning, and her request was readily +granted, as the lads were coming directly back. Off they went, and +Rose waved her hand to the islanders with a somewhat pensive air, +for an heroic purpose glowed within her, and the spirit of +self-sacrifice was about to be illustrated in a new and touching +manner. + +While the boys got the milk Rose ran to Phebe, ordered her to +leave her dishes, to put on her hat, and take a note back to Uncle +Alec, which would explain this somewhat mysterious +performance. Phebe obeyed, and when she went to the boat Rose +accompanied her, telling the boys she was not ready to go yet, but +they could, some of them, come for her when she hung a white +signal on her balcony. + +"But why not come now? What are you about, miss? Uncle won't +like it," protested Charlie, in great amazement. + +"Just do as I tell you, little boy; uncle will understand and explain. +Obey, as Phebe does, and ask no questions. I can have secrets as +well as other people"; and Rose walked off with an air of lofty +independence that impressed her friends immensely. + +"It's some plot between uncle and herself, so we won't meddle. All +right, Phebe? Pull away, Prince"; and off they went to be received +with much surprise by the islanders. + +This was the note Phebe bore: + +"Dear Uncle, I am going to take Phebe's place to-day, and let her +have all the fun she can. Please don't mind what she says, but keep +her, and tell the boys to be very good to her for my sake. Don't +think it is easy to do this; it is very hard to give up the best day of +all, but I feel so selfish to have all the pleasure and Phebe none, +that I wish to make this sacrifice. Do let me, and don't laugh at it; I +truly do not wish to be praised, and I truly want to do it. Love to all +from + +"Rose." + +"Bless the little dear, what a generous heart she has! Shall we go +after her, Jessie, or let her have her way?" said Dr. Alec, after the +first mingled amusement and astonishment had subsided. + +"Let her alone, and don't spoil her little sacrifice. She means it, I +know, and the best way in which we can show our respect for her +effort is to give Phebe a pleasant day. I'm sure she has earned it"; +and Mrs. Jessie made a sign to the boys to suppress their +disappointment and exert themselves to please Rose's guest. + +Phebe was with difficulty kept from going straight home, and +declared that she should not enjoy herself one bit without Miss +Rose. + +"She won't hold out all day, and we shall see her paddling back +before noon, I'll wager anything," said Charlie; and the rest so +strongly inclined to his opinion that they resigned themselves to +the loss of the little queen of the revels, sure that it would be only +a temporary one. + +But hour after hour passed, and no signal appeared on the balcony, +though Phebe watched it hopefully. No passing boat brought the +truant back, though more than one pair of eyes looked out for the +bright hair under the round hat; and sunset came, bringing no Rose +but the lovely colour in the western sky. + +"I really did not think the child had it in her. I fancied it was a bit +of sentiment, but I see she was in earnest, and means that her +sacrifice shall be a true one. Dear little soul! I'll make it up to her a +thousand times over, and beg her pardon for thinking it might be +done for effect," Dr. Alec said remorsefully, as he strained his eyes +through the dusk, fancying he saw a small figure sitting in the +garden as it had sat on the keg the night before, laying the +generous little plot that had cost more than he could guess. + +"Well, she can't help seeing the fireworks, any way, unless she is +goose enough to think she must hide in a dark closet and not look," +said Archie, who was rather disgusted at Rose's seeming +ingratitude. + +"She will see ours capitally, but miss the big ones on the hill, +unless papa has forgotten all about them," added Steve, cutting +short the harangue Mac had begun upon the festivals of the +ancients. + +"I'm sure the sight of her will be better than the finest fireworks +that ever went off," said Phebe, meditating an elopement with one +of the boats if she could get a chance. + +"Let things work; if she resists a brilliant invitation we give her she +will be a heroine," added Uncle Alec, secretly hoping that she +would not. + +Meanwhile Rose had spent a quiet, busy day helping Dolly, +waiting on Aunt Peace, and steadily resisting Aunt Plenty's +attempts to send her back to the happy island. It had been hard in +the morning to come in from the bright world outside, with flags +flying, cannon booming, crackers popping, and everyone making +ready for a holiday, and go to washing cups, while Dolly grumbled +and the aunts lamented. It was very hard to see the day go by, +knowing how gay each hour must have been across the water, and +how a word from her would take her where she longed to be with +all her heart. But it was hardest of all when evening came and +Aunt Peace was asleep, Aunt Plenty seeing a gossip in the parlor, +Dolly established in the porch to enjoy the show, and nothing left +for the little maid to do but sit alone in her balcony and watch the +gay rockets whizz up from island, hill, and city, while bands +played and boats laden with happy people went to and fro in the +fitful light. + +Then it must be confessed that a tear or two dimmed the blue eyes, +and once, when a very brilliant display illuminated the island for a +moment, and she fancied she saw the tents, the curly head went +down on the railing, and a wide-awake nasturtium heard a little +whisper + +"I hope someone wishes I was there!" + +The tears were all gone, however, and she was watching the hill +and island answer each other with what Jamie called "whizzers, +whirligigs and busters," and smiling as she thought how hard the +boys must be working to keep up such a steady fire, when Uncle +Mac came walking in upon her, saying hurriedly + +"Come, child, put on your tippet, pelisse, or whatever you call it, +and run off with me. I came to get Phebe, but aunt says she is +gone, so I want you. I've got Fun down in the boat, and I want you +to go with us and see my fireworks. Got them up for you, and you +mustn't miss them, or I shall be disappointed." + +"But, uncle," began Rose, feeling as if she ought to refuse even a +glimpse of bliss, "perhaps " + +"I know, my dear, I know; aunt told me; but no one needs you now +so much as I do, and I insist on your coming," said Uncle Mac, +who seemed in a great hurry to be off, yet was unusually kind. + +So Rose went and found the little Chinaman with a funny lantern +waiting to help her in and convulse her with laughter trying to +express his emotions in pigeon English. The city clocks were +striking nine as they got out into the bay, and the island fireworks +seemed to be over, for no rocket answered the last Roman candle +that shone on the Aunt-hill. + +"Ours are done, I see, but they are going up all round the city, and +how pretty they are," said Rose, folding her mantle about her, and +surveying the scene with pensive interest. + +"Hope my fellows have not got into trouble up there," muttered +Uncle Mac, adding with a satisfied chuckle, as a spark shone out, +"No; there it goes! Look, Rosy, and see how you like this one; it +was ordered especially in honour of your coming." + +Rose looked with all her eyes, and saw the spark grow into the +likeness of a golden vase, then green leaves came out, and then a +crimson flower glowing on the darkness with a splendid lustre. + +"Is it a rose, uncle?" she asked, clasping her hands with delight as +she recognised the handsome flower. + +"Of course it is! Look again, and guess what those are," answered +Uncle Mac, chuckling and enjoying it all like a boy. + +A wreath of what looked at first like purple brooms appeared +below the vase, but Rose guessed what they were meant for, and +stood straight up, holding by his shoulder, and crying excitedly + +"Thistles, uncle, Scotch thistles! There are seven of them one for +each boy! Oh, what a joke!" and she laughed so that she plumped +into the bottom of the boat and stayed there till the brilliant +spectacle was quite gone. + +"That was rather a neat thing, I flatter myself," said Uncle Mac, in +high glee at the success of his illumination. "Now, shall I leave you +on the Island or take you home again, my good little girl?" he +added, lifting her up with such a tone of approbation in his voice +that Rose kissed him on the spot. + +"Home, please uncle; and I thank you very very much for the +beautiful firework you got up for me. I'm so glad I saw it; and I +know I shall dream about it," answered Rose steadily, though a +wistful glance went toward the Island, now so near that she could +smell powder and see shadowy figures flitting about. + +Home they went; and Rose fell asleep saying to herself, "It was +harder than I thought, but I'm glad I did it, and I truly don't want +any reward but Phebe's pleasure." + + + +Chapter 11 - Poor Mac + +Rose's sacrifice was a failure in one respect, for, though the elders +loved her the better for it, and showed that they did, the boys were +not inspired with the sudden respect which she had hoped for. In +fact, her feelings were much hurt by overhearing Archie say that +he couldn't see any sense in it; and the Prince added another blow +by pronouncing her "the queerest chicken ever seen." + +It is apt to be so, and it is hard to bear; for, though we do not want +trumpets blown, we do like to have our little virtues appreciated, +and cannot help feeling disappointed if they are not. + +A time soon came, however, when Rose, quite unconsciously, won +not only the respect of her cousins, but their gratitude and +affection likewise. + +Soon after the Island episode, Mac had a sunstroke, and was very +ill for some time. It was so sudden that everyone was startled, and +for some days the boy's life was in danger. He pulled through, +however; and then, just as the family were rejoicing, a new trouble +appeared which cast a gloom over them all. + +Poor Mac's eyes gave out; and well they might, for he had abused +them, and never being very strong, they suffered doubly now. + +No one dared to tell him the dark predictions of the great oculist +who came to look at them, and the boy tried to be patient, thinking +that a few weeks of rest would repair the overwork of several +years. + +He was forbidden to look at a book, and as that was the one thing +he most delighted in, it was a terrible affliction to the Worm. +Everyone was very ready to read to him, and at first the lads +contended for this honour. But as week after week went by, and +Mac was still condemned to idleness and a darkened room, their +zeal abated, and one after the other fell off. It was hard for the +active fellows, right in the midst of their vacation; and nobody +blamed them when they contented themselves with brief calls, +running of errands, and warm expressions of sympathy. + +The elders did their best, but Uncle Mac was a busy man, Aunt +Jane's reading was of a funereal sort, impossible to listen to long, +and the other aunties were all absorbed in their own cares, though +they supplied the boy with every delicacy they could invent. + +Uncle Alec was a host in himself, but he could not give all his time +to the invalid; and if it had not been for Rose, the afflicted Worm +would have fared ill. Her pleasant voice suited him, her patience +was unfailing, her time of no apparent value, and her eager +good-will was very comforting. + +The womanly power of self-devotion was strong in the child, and +she remained faithfully at her post when all the rest dropped away. +Hour after hour she sat in the dusky room, with one ray of light on +her book, reading to the boy, who lay with shaded eyes silently +enjoying the only pleasure that lightened the weary days. +Sometimes he was peevish and hard to please, sometimes he +growled because his reader could not manage the dry books he +wished to hear, and sometimes he was so despondent that her heart +ached to see him. Through all these trials Rose persevered, using +all her little arts to please him. When he fretted, she was patient; +when he growled, she ploughed bravely through the hard pages not +dry to her in one sense, for quiet tears dropped on them now and +then; and when Mac fell into a despairing mood, she comforted +him with every hopeful word she dared to offer. + +He said little, but she knew he was grateful, for she suited him +better than anyone else. If she was late, he was impatient; when +she had to go, he seemed forlorn; and when the tired head ached +worst, she could always soothe him to sleep, crooning the old +songs her father used to love. + +"I don't know what I should do without that child," Aunt Jane often +said. + +"She's worth all those racketing fellows put together," Mac would +add, fumbling about to discover if the little chair was ready for her +coming. + +That was the sort of reward Rose liked, the thanks that cheered +her; and whenever she grew very tired, one look at the green +shade, the curly head so restless on the pillow, and the poor +groping hands, touched her tender heart and put new spirit into the +weary voice. + +She did not know how much she was learning, both from the +books she read and the daily sacrifices she made. Stories and +poetry were her delight, but Mac did not care for them; and since +his favourite Greeks and Romans were forbidden, he satisfied +himself with travels, biographies, and the history of great +inventions or discoveries. Rose despised this taste at first, but soon +got interested in Livingstone's adventures, Hobson's stirring life in +India, and the brave trials and triumphs of Watt and Arkwright, +Fulton, and "Palissy, the Potter." The true, strong books helped the +dreamy girl; her faithful service and sweet patience touched and +won the boy; and long afterward both learned to see how useful +those seemingly hard and weary hours had been to them. + +One bright morning, as Rose sat down to begin a fat volume +entitled "History of the French Revolution," expecting to come to +great grief over the long names, Mac, who was lumbering about +the room like a blind bear, stopped her by asking abruptly + +"What day of the month is it?" + +"The seventh of August, I believe." + +"More than half my vacation gone, and I've only had a week of it! I +call that hard," and he groaned dismally. + +"So it is; but there is more to come, and you may be able to enjoy +that." + +"May be able! I will be able! Does that old noodle think I'm going +to stay stived up here much longer?" + +"I guess he does, unless your eyes get on faster than they have yet." + +"Has he said anything more lately?" + +"I haven't seen him, you know. Shall I begin? this looks rather +nice." + +"Read away; it's all one to me." And Mac cast himself down upon +the old lounge, where his heavy head felt easiest. + +Rose began with great spirit, and kept on gallantly for a couple of +chapters, getting over the unpronounceable names with unexpected +success, she thought, for her listener did not correct her once, and +lay so still she fancied he was deeply interested. All of a sudden +she was arrested in the middle of a fine paragraph by Mac, who sat +bolt upright, brought both feet down with a thump, and said, in a +rough, excited tone + +"Stop! I don't hear a word, and you may as well save your breath to +answer my question." + +"What is it?" asked Rose, looking uneasy, for she had something +on her mind, and feared that he suspected what it was. His next +words proved that she was right. + +"Now, look here, I want to know something, and you've got to tell +me." + +"Please, don't--" began Rose, beseechingly. + +"You must, or I'll pull off this shade and stare at the sun as hard as +ever I can stare. Come now!" and he half rose, as if ready to +execute the threat. + +"I will! oh, I will tell, if I know! But don't be reckless and do +anything so crazy as that," cried Rose, in great distress. + +"Very well; then listen, and don't dodge, as everyone else does. +Didn't the doctor think my eyes worse the last time he came? +Mother won't say, but you shall." + +"I believe he did," faltered Rose. + +"I thought so! Did he say I should be able to go to school when it +begins?" + +"No, Mac," very low. + +"Ah!" + +That was all, but Rose saw her cousin set his lips together and take +a long breath, as if she had hit him hard. He bore the +disappointment bravely, however, and asked quite steadily in a +minute + +"How soon does he think I can study again?" + +It was so hard to answer that! Yet Rose knew she must, for Aunt +Jane had declared she could not do it, and Uncle Mac had begged +her to break the truth to the poor lad. + +"Not for a good many months." + +"How many?" he asked with a pathetic sort of gruffness. + +"A year, perhaps." + +"A whole year! Why, I expected to be ready for college by that +time." And, pushing up the shade, Mac stared at her with startled +eyes, that soon blinked and fell before the one ray of light. + +"Plenty of time for that; you must be patient now, and get them +thoroughly well, or they will trouble you again when it will be +harder to spare them," she said, with tears in her own eyes. + +"I won't do it! I will study and get through somehow. It's all +humbug about taking care so long. These doctors like to keep hold +of a fellow if they can. But I won't stand it I vow I won't!" and he +banged his fist down on the unoffending pillow as if he were +pommelling the hard-hearted doctor. + +"Now, Mac, listen to me," Rose said very earnestly, though her +voice shook a little and her heart ached. "You know you have hurt +your eyes reading by fire-light and in the dusk, and sitting up late, +and now you'll have to pay for it; the doctor said so. You must be +careful, and do as he tells you, or you will be blind." + +"No!" + +"Yes, it is true, and he wanted us to tell you that nothing but entire +rest would cure you. I know it's dreadfully hard, but we'll all help +you; I'll read all day long, and lead you, and wait upon you, and try +to make it easier " + +She stopped there, for it was evident that he did not hear a sound; +the word "blind" seemed to have knocked him down, for he had +buried his face in the pillow, and lay so still that Rose was +frightened. She sat motionless for many minutes, longing to +comfort him, but not knowing how, and wishing Uncle Alec would +come, for he had promised to tell Mac. + +Presently, a sort of choking sound came out of the pillow, and +went straight to her heart the most pathetic sob she ever heard, for, +though it was the most natural means of relief, the poor fellow +must not indulge in it because of the afflicted eyes. The "French +Revolution" tumbled out of her lap, and, running to the sofa, she +knelt down by it, saying, with the motherly sort of tenderness girls +feel for any sorrowing creature + +"Oh, my dear, you mustn't cry! It is so bad for your poor eyes. Take +your head out of that hot pillow, and let me cool it. I don't wonder +you feel so, but please don't cry. I'll cry for you; it won't hurt me." + +As she spoke she pulled away the cushion with gentle force, and +saw the green shade all crushed and stained with the few hot tears +that told how bitter the disappointment had been. Mac felt her +sympathy, but, being a boy, did not thank her for it; only sat up +with a jerk, saying, as he tried to rub away the tell-tale drops with +the sleeve of his jacket, "Don't bother; weak eyes always water. I'm +all right." + +But Rose cried out, and caught his arm, "Don't touch them with +that rough woollen stuff! Lie down and let me bathe them, there's a +dear boy; then there will be no harm done." + +"They do smart confoundedly. I say, don't you tell the other fellows +that I made a baby of myself, will you?" he added, yielding with a +sigh to the orders of his nurse, who had flown for the eye-wash and +linen cambric handkerchief. + +"Of course I won't; but anyone would be upset at the idea of being +well troubled in this way. I'm sure you bear it splendidly, and you +know it isn't half so bad when you get used to it. Besides, it is only +for a time, and you can do lots of pleasant things if you can't study. +You'll have to wear blue goggles, perhaps; won't that be funny?" + +And while she was pouring out all the comfortable words she +could think of, Rose was softly bathing the eyes and dabbing the +hot forehead with lavender-water, as her patient lay quiet with a +look on his face that grieved her sadly. + +"Homer was blind, and so was Milton, and they did something to +be remembered by, in spite of it," he said, as if to himself, in a +solemn tone, for even the blue goggles did not bring a smile. + +"Papa had a picture of Milton and his daughters writing for him. It +was a very sweet picture, I thought," observed Rose in a serious +voice, trying to meet the sufferer on his own ground. + +"Perhaps I could study if someone read and did the eye part. Do +you suppose I could, by and by?" he asked, with a sudden ray of +hope. + +"I dare say, if your head is strong enough. This sunstroke, you +know, is what upset you, and your brain needs rest, the doctor +says." + +"I'll have a talk with the old fellow next time he comes, and find +out just what I may do; then I shall know where I am. What a fool I +was that day to be stewing my brains and letting the sun glare on +my book till the letters danced before me! I see 'em now when I +shut my eyes; black balls bobbing round, and stars and all sorts of +queer things. Wonder if all blind people do?" + +"Don't think about them; I'll go on reading, shall I? We shall come +to the exciting part soon, and then you'll forget all this," suggested +Rose. + +"No, I never shall forget. Hang the old 'Revolution'! I don't want to +hear another word of it. My head aches, and I'm hot. Oh, wouldn't I +like to go for a pull in the 'Stormy Petrel!"' and poor Mac tossed +about as if he did not know what to do with himself. + +"Let me sing, and perhaps you'll drop off; then the day will seem +shorter," said Rose, taking up a fan and sitting down beside him. + +"Perhaps I shall; I didn't sleep much last night, and when I did I +dreamed like fun. See here, you tell the people that I know, and it's +all right, and I don't want them to talk about it or howl over me. +That's all; now drone away, and I'll try to sleep. Wish I could for a +year, and wake up cured." + +"Oh, I wish, I wish you could!" + +Rose said it so fervently that Mac was moved to grope for her +apron and hold on to a corner of it, as if it was comfortable to feel +her near him. But all he said was + +"You are a good little soul, Rosy. Give us 'The Birks'; that is a +drowsy one that always sends me off." + +Quite contented with this small return for all her sympathy, Rose +waved her fan and sang, in a dreamy tone, the pretty Scotch air, the +burden of which is + + "Bonny lassie, will ye gang, will ye gang + To the Birks of Aberfeldie?" + +Whether the lassie went or not I cannot say, but the laddie was off +to the land of Nod, in about ten minutes, quite worn out with +hearing the bad tidings and the effort to bear them manfully. + + + +Chapter 12 - "The Other Fellows" + +Rose did tell "the people" what had passed, and no one "howled" +over Mac, or said a word to trouble him. He had his talk with the +doctor, and got very little comfort out of it, for he found that "just +what he might do" was nothing at all; though the prospect of some +study by and by, if all went well, gave him courage to bear the +woes of the present. Having made up his mind to this, he behaved +so well that everyone was astonished, never having suspected so +much manliness in the quiet Worm. + +The boys were much impressed, both by the greatness of the +affliction which hung over him and by his way of bearing it. They +were very good to him, but not always particularly wise in their +attempts to cheer and amuse; and Rose often found him much +downcast after a visit of condolence from the Clan. She still kept +her place as head-nurse and chief-reader, though the boys did their +best in an irregular sort of way. They were rather taken aback +sometimes at finding Rose's services preferred to their's, and +privately confided to one another that "Old Mac was getting fond +of being molly-coddled." But they could not help seeing how +useful she was, and owning that she alone had remained faithful a +fact which caused some of them much secret compunction now +and then. + +Rose felt that she ruled in that room, if nowhere else, for Aunt +Jane left a great deal to her, finding that her experience with her +invalid father fitted her for a nurse, and in a case like this, her +youth was an advantage rather than a drawback. Mac soon came to +think that no one could take care of him so well as Rose, and Rose +soon grew fond of her patient, though at first she had considered +this cousin the least attractive of the seven. He was not polite and +sensible like Archie, nor gay and handsome like Prince Charlie, +nor neat and obliging like Steve, nor amusing like the "Brats," nor +confiding and affectionate like little Jamie. He was rough, +absent-minded, careless, and awkward, rather priggish, and not at +all agreeable to a dainty, beauty-loving girl like Rose. + +But when his trouble came upon him, she discovered many good +things in this cousin of hers, and learned not only to pity but to +respect and love the poor Worm, who tried to be patient, brave, +and cheerful, and found it a harder task than anyone guessed, +except the little nurse, who saw him in his gloomiest moods. She +soon came to think that his friends did not appreciate him, and +upon one occasion was moved to free her mind in a way that made +a deep impression on the boys. + +Vacation was almost over, and the time drawing near when Mac +would be left outside the happy school-world which he so much +enjoyed. This made him rather low in his mind, and his cousins +exerted themselves to cheer him up, especially one afternoon when +a spasm of devotion seemed to seize them all. Jamie trudged down +the hill with a basket of blackberries which he had "picked all his +ownself," as his scratched fingers and stained lips plainly testified. +Will and Geordie brought their puppies to beguile the weary hours, +and the three elder lads called to discuss baseball, cricket, and +kindred subjects, eminently fitted to remind the invalid of his +privations. + +Rose had gone to drive with Uncle Alec, who declared she was +getting as pale as a potato sprout, living so much in a dark room. +But her thoughts were with her boy all the while, and she ran up to +him the moment she returned, to find things in a fine state of +confusion. + +With the best intentions in life, the lads had done more harm than +good, and the spectacle that met Nurse Rose's eye was a trying +one. The puppies were yelping, the small boys romping, and the +big boys all talking at once; the curtains were up, the room close, +berries scattered freely about, Mac's shade half off, his cheeks +flushed, his temper ruffled, and his voice loudest of all as he +disputed hotly with Steve about lending certain treasured books +which he could no longer use. + +Now Rose considered this her special kingdom, and came down +upon the invaders with an energy which amazed them and quelled +the riot at once. They had never seen her roused before, and the +effect was tremendous; also comical, for she drove the whole flock +of boys out of the room like an indignant little hen defending her +brood. They all went as meekly as sheep; the small lads fled from +the house precipitately, but the three elder ones only retired to the +next room, and remained there hoping for a chance to explain and +apologise, and so appease the irate young lady, who had suddenly +turned the tables and clattered them about their ears. + +As they waited, they observed her proceedings through the +half-open door, and commented upon them briefly but +expressively, feeling quite bowed down with remorse at the harm +they had innocently done. + +"She's put the room to rights in a jiffey. What jacks we were to let +those dogs in and kick up such a row," observed Steve, after a +prolonged peep. + +"The poor old Worm turns as if she was treading on him instead of +cuddling him like a pussy cat. Isn't he cross, though?" added +Charlie, as Mac was heard growling about his "confounded head." + +"She will manage him; but it's mean in us to rumple him up and +then leave her to smooth him down. I'd go and help, but I don't +know how," said Archie. looking much depressed, for he was a +conscientious fellow, and blamed himself for his want of thought. + +"No, more do I. Odd, isn't it, what a knack women have for taking +care of sick folks?" and Charlie fell a-musing over this undeniable +fact. + +"She has been ever so good to Mac," began Steve, in a +self-reproachful tone. + +"Better than his own brother, hey?" cut in Archie, finding relief for +his own regret in the delinquencies of another. + +"Well, you needn't preach; you didn't any of you do any more, and +you might have, for Mac likes you better than he does me. I always +fret him, he says, and it isn't my fault if I am a quiddle," protested +Steve, in self-defence. + +"We have all been selfish and neglected him, so we won't fight +about it, but try and do better," said Archie, generously taking +more than his share of blame, for he had been less inattentive than +either of the others. + +"Rose has stood by him like a good one, and it's no wonder he likes +to have her round best. I should myself if I was down on my luck +as he is," put in Charlie, feeling that he really had not done "the +little thing" justice. + +"I'll tell you what it is, boys we haven't been half good enough to +Rose, and we've got to make it up to her somehow," said Archie, +who had a very manly sense of honour about paying his debts, +even to a girl. + +"I'm awfully sorry I made fun of her doll when Jamie lugged it out; +and I called her 'baby bunting' when she cried over the dead kitten. +Girls are such geese sometimes, I can't help it," said Steve, +confessing his transgressions handsomely, and feeling quite ready +to atone for them if he only knew how. + +"I'll go down on my knees and beg her pardon for treating her as if +she was a child. Don't it make her mad, though? Come to think of +it, she's only two years or so younger than I am. But she is so small +and pretty, she always seems like a dolly to me," and the Prince +looked down from his lofty height of five feet five as if Rose was +indeed a pygmy beside him. + +"That dolly has got a real good little heart, and a bright mind of her +own, you'd better believe. Mac says she understands some things +quicker than he can, and mother thinks she is an uncommonly nice +girl, though she don't know all creation. You needn't put on airs, +Charlie, though you are a tall one, for Rose likes Archie better than +you; she said she did because he treated her respectfully." + +"Steve looks as fierce as a game-cock; but don't you get excited, +my son, for it won't do a bit of good. Of course, everybody likes +the Chief best; they ought to, and I'll punch their heads if they +don't. So calm yourself, Dandy, and mend your own manners +before you come down on other people's." + +Thus the Prince with great dignity and perfect good nature, while +Archie looked modestly gratified with the flattering opinions of his +kinsfolk, and Steve subsided, feeling he had done his duty as a +cousin and a brother. A pause ensued, during which Aunt Jane +appeared in the other room, accompanied by a tea-tray +sumptuously spread, and prepared to feed her big nestling, as that +was a task she allowed no one to share with her. + +"If you have a minute to spare before you go, child, I wish you'd +just make Mac a fresh shade; this has got a berry stain on it, and he +must be tidy, for he is to go out to-morrow if it is a cloudy day," +said Mrs. Jane, spreading toast in a stately manner, while Mac +slopped his tea about without receiving a word of reproof. + +"Yes, aunt," answered Rose, so meekly that the boys could hardly +believe it could be the same voice which had issued the stern +command, "Out of this room, every one of you!" not very long ago. + +They had not time to retire, without unseemly haste, before she +walked into the parlour and sat down at the work-table without a +word. It was funny to see the look the three tall lads cast at the +little person sedately threading a needle with green silk. They all +wanted to say something expressive of repentance, but no one +knew how to begin, and it was evident, from the prim expression +of Rose's face, that she intended to stand upon her dignity till they +had properly abased themselves. The pause was becoming very +awkward, when Charlie, who possessed all the persuasive arts of a +born scapegrace, went slowly down upon his knees before her, +beat his breast, and said, in a heart-broken tone + +"Please forgive me this time, and I'll never do so any more." + +It was very hard to keep sober, but Rose managed it and answered +gravely + +"It is Mac's pardon you should ask, not mine, for you haven't hurt +me, and I shouldn't wonder if you had him a great deal, with all +that light and racket, and talk about things that only worry him." + +"Do you really think we've hurt him, cousin?" asked Archie, with a +troubled look, while Charlie settled down in a remorseful heap +among the table legs. + +"Yes, I do, for he has got a raging headache, and his eyes are as red +as as this emery bag," answered Rose, solemnly plunging her +needle into a fat flannel strawberry. + +Steve tore his hair, metaphorically speaking, for he clutched his +cherished top-knot, and wildly dishevelled it, as if that was the +heaviest penance he could inflict upon himself at such short +notice. Charlie laid himself out flat, melodramatically begging +someone to take him away and hang him; but Archie, who felt +worst of all, said nothing except to vow within himself that he +would read to Mac till his own eyes were as red as a dozen emery +bags combined. + +Seeing the wholesome effects of her treatment upon these culprits, +Rose felt that she might relent and allow them a gleam of hope. +She found it impossible to help trampling upon the prostrate +Prince a little, in words at least, for he had hurt her feelings oftener +than he knew; so she gave him a thimble-pie on the top of his +head, and said, with an air of an infinitely superior being + +"Don't be silly, but get up, and I'll tell you something much better +to do than sprawling on the floor and getting all over lint." + +Charlie obediently sat himself upon a hassock at her feet; the other +sinners drew near to catch the words of wisdom about to fall from +her lips, and Rose, softened by this gratifying humility, addressed +them in her most maternal tone. + +"Now, boys, if you really want to be good to Mac, you can do it in +this way. Don't keep talking about things he can't do, or go and tell +what fun you have had batting your ridiculous balls about. Get +some nice book and read quietly; cheer him up about school, and +offer to help him study by and by; you can do that better than I, +because I'm only a girl, and don't learn Greek and Latin and all +sorts of headachy stuff." + +"Yes, but you can do heaps of things better than we can; you've +proved that," said Archie, with an approving look that delighted +Rose, though she could not resist giving Charlie one more rebuke, +by saying, with a little bridling of the head, and a curl of the lip +that wanted to smile instead + +"I'm glad you think so, though I am a 'queer chicken."' + +This scathing remark caused the Prince to hide his face for shame, +and Steve to erect his head in the proud consciousness that this +shot was not meant for him. Archie laughed, and Rose, seeing a +merry blue eye winking at her from behind two brown hands, gave +Charlie's ear a friendly tweak, and extended the olive-branch of +peace. + +"Now we'll all be good, and plan nice things for poor Mac," she +said, smiling so graciously that the boys felt as if the sun had +suddenly burst out from behind a heavy cloud and was shining +with great brilliancy. + +The storm had cleared the air, and quite a heavenly calm +succeeded, during which plans of a most varied and surprising sort +were laid, for everyone burned to make noble sacrifices upon the +shrine of "poor Mac," and Rose was the guiding star to whom the +others looked with most gratifying submission. Of course, this +elevated state of things could not endure long, but it was very nice +while it lasted, and left an excellent effect upon the minds of all +when the first ardour had subsided. + +"There, that's ready for to-morrow, and I do hope it will be +cloudy," said Rose, as she finished off the new shade, the progress +of which the boys had watched with interest. + +"I'd bespoken an extra sunny day, but I'll tell the clerk of the +weather to change it. He's an obliging fellow, and he'll attend to it, +so make yourself easy," said Charlie, who had become quite perky +again. + +"It is very easy for you to joke, but how would you like to wear a +blinder like that for weeks and weeks, sir?" and Rose quenched his +rising spirits by slipping the shade over his eyes, as he still sat on +the cushion at her feet. + +"It's horrid! Take it off, take it off! I don't wonder the poor old boy +has the blues with a thing like that on"; and Charlie sat looking at +what seemed to him an instrument of torture, with such a sober +face that Rose took it gently away, and went in to bid Mac +good-night. + +"I shall go home with her, for it is getting darkish, and she is rather +timid," said Archie, forgetting that he had often laughed at this +very timidity. + +"I think I might, for she's taking care of my brother," put in Steve, +asserting his rights. + +"Let's all go, that will please her"; proposed Charlie, with a burst +of gallantry which electrified his mates. + +"We will!" they said with one voice, and they did, to Rose's great +surprise and secret contentment; though Archie had all the care of +her, for the other two were leaping fences, running races, and +having wrestling matches all the way down. + +They composed themselves on reaching the door, however; shook +hands cordially all round, made their best bows, and retired with +great elegance and dignity, leaving Rose to say to herself, with +girlish satisfaction, as she went in + +"Now, that is the way I like to be treated." + + + +Chapter 13 - Cosey Corner + +Vacation was over, the boys went back to school, and poor Mac +was left lamenting. He was out of the darkened room now, and +promoted to blue goggles, through which he took a gloomy view of +life, as might have been expected; for there was nothing he could +do but wander about, and try to amuse himself without using his +eyes. Anyone who has ever been condemned to that sort of +idleness knows how irksome it is, and can understand the state of +mind which caused Mac to say to Rose in a desperate tone one day + +"Look here, if you don't invent some new employment or +amusement for me, I shall knock myself on the head as sure as you +live." + +Rose flew to Uncle Alec for advice, and he ordered both patient +and nurse to the mountains for a month, with Aunt Jessie and +Jamie as escort. Pokey and her mother joined the party, and one +bright September morning six very happy-looking people were +aboard the express train for Portland two smiling mammas, laden +with luncheon baskets and wraps; a pretty young girl with a bag of +books on her arm; a tall thin lad with his hat over his eyes; and two +small children, who sat with their short legs straight out before +them, and their chubby faces beaming with the first speechless +delight of "truly travelling." + +An especially splendid sunset seemed to have been prepared to +welcome them when, after a long day's journey, they drove into a +wide, green door-yard, where a white colt, a red cow, two cats, +four kittens, many hens, and a dozen people, old and young, were +gaily disporting themselves. Everyone nodded and smiled in the +friendliest manner, and a lively old lady kissed the new-comers all +round, as she said heartily + +"Well, now, I'm proper glad to see you! Come right in and rest, and +we'll have tea in less than no time, for you must be tired. Lizzie, +you show the folks upstairs; Kitty, you fly round and help father in +with the trunks; and Jenny and I will have the table all ready by the +time you come down. Bless the dears, they want to go see the +pussies, and so they shall!" + +The three pretty daughters did "fly round," and everyone felt at +home at once, all were so hospitable and kind. Aunt Jessie had +raptures over the home-made carpets, quilts and quaint furniture; +Rose could not keep away from the windows, for each framed a +lovely picture; and the little folks made friends at once with the +other children, who filled their arms with chickens and kittens, and +did the honours handsomely. + +The toot of a horn called all to supper, and a goodly party, +including six children besides the Camp-bells, assembled in the +long dining-room, armed with mountain appetites and the gayest +spirits. It was impossible for anyone to be shy or sober, for such +gales of merriment arose they blew the starch out of the stiffest, +and made the saddest jolly. Mother Atkinson, as all called their +hostess, was the merriest there, and the busiest; for she kept flying +up to wait on the children, to bring out some new dish, or to banish +the live stock, who were of such a social turn that the colt came +into the entry and demanded sugar; the cats sat about in people's +laps, winking suggestively at the food; and speckled hens cleared +the kitchen floor of crumbs, as they joined in the chat with a +cheerful clucking. + +Everybody turned out after tea to watch the sunset till all the lovely +red was gone, and mosquitoes wound their shrill horns to sound +the retreat. The music of an organ surprised the new-comers, and +in the parlor they found Father Atkinson playing sweetly on the +little instrument made by himself. All the children gathered about +him, and, led by the tuneful sisters, sang prettily till Pokey fell +asleep behind the door, and Jamie gaped audibly right in the +middle of his favourite + + "Coo," said the little doves: "Coo," said she, + "All in the top of the old pine-tree." + +The older travellers, being tired, went to "bye low" at the same +time, and slept like tops in home-spun sheets, on husk mattresses +made by Mother Atkinson, who seemed to have put some soothing +powder among them, so deep and sweet was the slumber that +came. + +Next day began the wholesome out-of-door life, which works such +wonders with tired minds and feeble bodies. The weather was +perfect, and the mountain air made the children as frisky as young +lambs; while the elders went about smiling at one another, and +saying, "Isn't it splendid?" Even Mac, the "slow coach," was seen +to leap over a fence as if he really could not help it; and when +Rose ran after him with his broad-brimmed hat, he made the +spirited proposal to go into the woods and hunt for a catamount. + +Jamie and Pokey were at once enrolled in the Cosey Corner Light +Infantry a truly superb company, composed entirely of officers, all +wearing cocked hats, carrying flags, waving swords, or beating +drums. It was a spectacle to stir the dullest soul when this gallant +band marched out of the yard in full regimentals, with Captain +Dove a solemn, big-headed boy of eleven issuing his orders with +the gravity of a general, and his Falstaffian regiment obeying them +with more docility than skill. The little Snow children did very +well, and Lieutenant Jack Dove was fine to see; so was Drummer +Frank, the errand-boy of the house, as he rub-a-dub-dubbed with +all his heart and drumsticks. Jamie had "trained" before, and was +made a colonel at once; but Pokey was the best of all, and called +forth a spontaneous burst of applause from the spectators as she +brought up the rear, her cocked hat all over one eye, her flag +trailing over her shoulder, and her wooden sword straight up in the +air; her face beaming and every curl bobbing with delight as her +fat legs tottered in the vain attempt to keep step manfully. + +Mac and Rose were picking blackberries in the bushes beside the +road when the soldiers passed without seeing them, and they +witnessed a sight that was both pretty and comical. A little farther +on was one of the family burial spots so common in those parts, +and just this side of it Captain Fred Dove ordered his company to +halt, explaining his reason for so doing in the following words + +"That's a graveyard, and it's proper to muffle the drums and lower +the flags as we go by, and we'd better take off our hats, too; it's +more respectable, I think." + +"Isn't that cunning of the dears?" whispered Rose, as the little troop +marched slowly by to the muffled roll of the drums, every flag and +sword held low, all the little heads uncovered, and the childish +faces very sober as the leafy shadows flickered over them. + +"Let's follow and see what they are after," proposed Mac, who +found sitting on the wall and being fed with blackberries luxurious +but tiresome. + +So they followed and heard the music grow lively, saw the banners +wave in the breeze again when the graveyard was passed, and +watched the company file into the dilapidated old church that +stood at the corner of three woodland roads. Presently the sound of +singing made the outsiders quicken their steps, and, stealing up, +they peeped in at one of the broken windows. + +Captain Dove was up in the old wooden pulpit, gazing solemnly +down upon his company, who, having stacked their arms in the +porch, now sat in the bare pews singing a Sunday-school hymn +with great vigour and relish. + +"Let us pray," said Captain Dove, with as much reverence as an +army chaplain; and, folding his hands, he repeated a prayer which +he thought all would know an excellent little prayer, but not +exactly appropriate to the morning, for it was + + "Now I lay me down to sleep." + +Everyone joined in saying it, and it was a pretty sight to see the +little creatures bowing their curly heads and lisping out the words +they knew so well. Tears came into Rose's eyes as she looked; Mac +took his hat off involuntarily, and then clapped it on again as if +ashamed of showing any feeling. + +"Now I shall preach you a short sermon, and my text is, 'Little +children, love one another.' I asked mamma to give me one, and +she thought that would be good; so you all sit still and I'll preach it. +You mustn't whisper, Marion, but hear me. It means that we +should be good to each other, and play fair, and not quarrel as we +did this very day about the wagon. Jack can't always drive, and +needn't be mad because I like to go with Frank. Annette ought to +be horse sometimes and not always driver; and Willie may as well +make up his mind to let Marion build her house by his, for she will +do it, and he needn't fuss about it. Jamie seems to be a good boy, +but I shall preach to him if he isn't. No, Pokey, people don't kiss in +church or put their hats on. Now you must all remember what I tell +you, because I am the captain, and you should mind me." + +Here Lieutenant Jack spoke right out in meeting with the +rebellious remark + +"Don't care if you are; you'd better mind yourself, and tell how you +took away my strap, and kept the biggest doughnut, and didn't +draw fair when we had the truck." + +"Yes, and you slapped Frank; I saw you!" bawled Willie Snow, +bobbing up in his pew. + +"And you took my book away and hid it 'cause I wouldn't go and +swing when you wanted me to," added Annette, the oldest of the +Snow trio. + +"I shan't build my house by Willie's if he don't want me to, so +now!" put in little Marion, joining the mutiny. + +"I will tiss Dimmy! and I tored up my hat 'tause a pin picked me," +shouted Pokey, regardless of Jamie's efforts to restrain her. + +Captain Dove looked rather taken aback at this outbreak in the +ranks; but, being a dignified and calm personage, he quelled the +rising rebellion with great tact and skill, by saying, briefly + +"We'll sing the last hymn; 'Sweet, sweet good-by' you all know +that, so do it nicely, and then we will go and have luncheon." + +Peace was instantly restored, and a burst of melody drowned the +suppressed giggles of Rose and Mac, who found it impossible to +keep sober during the latter part of this somewhat remarkable +service. Fifteen minutes of repose rendered it a physical +impossibility for the company to march out as quietly as they had +marched in. I grieve to state that the entire troop raced home as +hard as they could pelt, and were soon skirmishing briskly over +their lunch, utterly oblivious of what Jamie (who had been much +impressed by the sermon) called "the captain's beautiful teck." + +It was astonishing how much they all found to do at Cosey Corner; +and Mac, instead of lying in a hammock and being read to, as he +had expected, was busiest of all. He was invited to survey and lay +out Skeeterville, a town which the children were getting up in a +huckleberry pasture; and he found much amusement in planning +little roads, staking off house-lots, attending to the water-works, +and consulting with the "selectmen" about the best sites for public +buildings; for Mac was a boy still, in spite of his fifteen years and +his love of books. + +Then he went fishing with a certain jovial gentleman from the +West; and though they seldom caught anything but colds, they had +great fun and exercise chasing the phantom trout they were bound +to have. Mac also developed a geological mania, and went tapping +about at rocks and stones, discoursing wisely of "strata, periods, +and fossil remains"; while Rose picked up leaves and lichens, and +gave him lessons in botany in return for his lectures on geology. + +They led a very merry life; for the Atkinson girls kept up a sort of +perpetual picnic; and did it so capitally, that one was never tired of +it. So their visitors throve finely, and long before the month was +out it was evident that Dr. Alec had prescribed the right medicine +for his patients. + + + +Chapter 14 - A Happy Birthday + +The twelfth of October was Rose's birthday, but no one seemed to +remember that interesting fact, and she felt delicate about +mentioning it, so fell asleep the night before wondering if she +would have any presents. That question was settled early the next +morning, for she was awakened by a soft tap on her face, and +opening her eyes she beheld a little black and white figure sitting +on her pillow, staring at her with a pair of round eyes very like +blueberries, while one downy paw patted her nose to attract her +notice. It was Kitty Comet, the prettiest of all the pussies, and +Comet evidently had a mission to perform, for a pink bow adorned +her neck, and a bit of paper was pinned to it bearing the words, +"For Miss Rose, from Frank." + +That pleased her extremely, and that was only the beginning of the +fun, for surprises and presents kept popping out in the most +delightful manner all through the day, the Atkinson girls being +famous jokers and Rose a favourite. But the best gift of all came +on the way to Mount Windy-Top, where it was decided to picnic in +honour of the great occasion. Three jolly loads set off soon after +breakfast, for everybody went, and everybody seemed bound to +have an extra good time, especially Mother Atkinson, who wore a +hat as broad-brimmed as an umbrella, and took the dinner-horn to +keep her flock from straying away. + +"I'm going to drive auntie and a lot of the babies, so you must ride +the pony. And please stay behind us a good bit when we go to the +station, for a parcel is coming, and you are not to see it till +dinner-time. You won't mind, will you?" said Mac, in a +confidential aside during the wild flurry of the start. + +"Not a bit," answered Rose. "It hurts my feelings very much to be +told to keep out of the way at any other time, but birthdays and +Christmas it is part of the fun to be blind and stupid, and poked +into corners. I'll be ready as soon as you are, Giglamps." + +"Stop under the big maple till I call then you can't possibly see +anything," added Mac, as he mounted her on the pony his father +had sent up for his use. "Barkis" was so gentle and so "willin'," +however, that Rose was ashamed to be afraid to ride him; so she +had learned, that she might surprise Dr. Alec when she got home; +meantime she had many a fine canter "over the hills and far away" +with Mac, who preferred Mr. Atkinson's old Sorrel. + +Away they went, and, coming to the red maple, Rose obediently +paused; but could not help stealing a glance in the forbidden +direction before the call came. Yes, there was a hamper going +under the seat, and then she caught sight of a tall man whom Mac +seemed to be hustling into the carriage in a great hurry. One look +was enough, and with a cry of delight, Rose was off down the road +as fast as Barkis could go. + +"Now I'll astonish uncle," she thought. "I'll dash up in grand style, +and show him that I am not a coward, after all." + +Fired by this ambition, she startled Barkis by a sharp cut, and still +more bewildered him by leaving him to his own guidance down +the steep, stony road. The approach would have been a fine +success if, just as Rose was about to pull up and salute, two or +three distracted hens had not scuttled across the road with a great +squawking, which caused Barkis to shy and stop so suddenly that +his careless rider landed in an ignominious heap just under old +Sorrel's astonished nose. + +Rose was up again before Dr. Alec was out of the carryall, and +threw two dusty arms about his neck crying with a breathless voice + +"O uncle, I'm so glad to see you! It is better than a cart-load of +goodies, and so dear of you to come!" + +"But aren't you hurt, child! That was a rough tumble, and I'm afraid +you must be damaged somewhere," answered the Doctor, full of +fond anxiety, as he surveyed his girl with pride. + +"My feelings are hurt, but my bones are all safe. It's too bad! I was +going to do it so nicely, and those stupid hens spoilt it all," said +Rose, quite crestfallen, as well as much shaken. + +"I couldn't believe my eyes when I asked 'Where is Rose?' and Mac +pointed to the little Amazon pelting down the hill at such a rate. +You couldn't have done anything that would please me more, and +I'm delighted to see how well you ride. Now, will you mount again, +or shall we turn Mac out and take you in?" asked Dr. Alec, as Aunt +Jessie proposed a start, for the others were beckoning them to +follow. + +"Pride goeth before a fall better not try to show off again, ma'am," +said Mac, who would have been more than mortal if he had +refrained from teasing when so good a chance offered. + +"Pride does go before a fall, but I wonder if a sprained ankle +always comes after it?" thought Rose, bravely concealing her pain, +as she answered, with great dignity + +"I prefer to ride. Come on, and see who will catch up first." + +She was up and away as she spoke, doing her best to efface the +memory of her downfall by sitting very erect, elbows down, head +well up, and taking the motion of the pony as Barkis cantered +along as easily as a rocking-chair. + +"You ought to see her go over a fence and race when we ride +together. She can scud, too, like a deer when we play 'Follow the +leader,' and skip stones and bat balls almost as well as I can," said +Mac, in reply to his uncle's praise of his pupil. + +"I'm afraid you will think her a sad tomboy, Alec; but really she +seems so well and happy, I have not the heart to check her. She has +broken out in the most unexpected way, and frisks like a colt; for +she says she feels so full of spirits she must run and shout whether +it is proper or not," added Mrs. Jessie, who had been a pretty +hoyden years ago herself. + +"Good good! that's the best news you could tell me," and Dr. Alec +rubbed his hands heartily. "Let the girl run and shout as much as +she will it is a sure sign of health, and as natural to a happy child +as frisking is to any young animal full of life. Tomboys make +strong women usually, and I had far rather find Rose playing +football with Mac than puttering over bead-work like that affected +midget, Ariadne Blish." + +"But she cannot go on playing football very long, and we must not +forget that she has a woman's work to do by and by," began Mrs. +Jessie. + +"Neither will Mac play football much longer, but he will be all the +better fitted for business, because of the health it gives him. Polish +is easily added, if the foundations are strong; but no amount of +gilding will be of use if your timber is not sound. I'm sure I'm right, +Jessie; and if I can do as well by my girl during the next six +months as I have the last, my experiment will succeed." + +"It certainly will; for when I contrast that bright, blooming face +with the pale, listless one that made my heart ache a while ago, I +can believe in almost any miracle," said Mrs. Jessie, as Rose +looked round to point out a lovely view, with cheeks like the ruddy +apples in the orchard near by, eyes clear as the autumn sky +overhead, and vigour in every line of her girlish figure. + +A general scramble among the rocks was followed by a regular +gypsy lunch, which the young folks had the rapture of helping to +prepare. Mother Atkinson put on her apron, turned up her sleeves, +and fell to work as gaily as if in her own kitchen, boiling the kettle +slung on three sticks, over a fire of cones and fir boughs; while the +girls spread the mossy table with a feast of country goodies, and +the children tumbled about in everyone's way till the toot of the +horn made them settle down like a flock of hungry birds. + +As soon as the merry meal and a brief interval of repose were over, +it was unanimously voted to have some charades. A smooth, green +spot between two stately pines was chosen for the stage; shawls +hung up, properties collected, audience and actors separated, and a +word quickly chosen. + +The first scene discovered Mac in a despondent attitude and +shabby dress, evidently much troubled in mind. To him entered a +remarkable creature with a brown paper bag over its head. A little +pink nose peeped through one hole in the middle, white teeth +through another, and above two eyes glared fiercely. Spires of +grass stuck in each side of the mouth seemed meant to represent +whiskers; the upper corners of the bag were twisted like ears, and +no one could doubt for a moment that the black scarf pinned on +behind was a tail. + +This singular animal seemed in pantomime to be comforting his +master and offering advice, which was finally acted upon, for Mac +pulled off his boots, helped the little beast into them, and gave him +a bag; then, kissing his paw, with a hopeful gesture, the creature +retired, purring so successfully that there was a general cry of "Cat, +puss, boots!" + +"Cat is the word," replied a voice, and the curtain fell. + +The next scene was a puzzler, for in came another animal, on +all-fours this time, with a new sort of tail and long ears. A gray +shawl concealed its face, but an inquisitive sunbeam betrayed the +glitter as of goggles under the fringe. On its back rode a small +gentleman in Eastern costume, who appeared to find some +difficulty in keeping his seat as his steed jogged along. Suddenly a +spirit appeared, all in white, with long newspaper wings upon its +back and golden locks about its face. Singularly enough, the beast +beheld this apparition and backed instantly, but the rider evidently +saw nothing and whipped up unmercifully, also unsuccessfully, for +the spirit stood directly in the path, and the amiable beast would +not budge a foot. A lively skirmish followed, which ended in the +Eastern gentleman being upset into a sweet-fern bush, while the +better bred animal abased itself before the shining one. + +The children were all in the dark till Mother Atkinson said, in an +inquiring tone + +"If that isn't Balaam and the ass, I'd like to know what it is. Rose +makes a sweet angel, doesn't she?" + +"Ass" was evidently the word, and the angel retired, smiling with +mundane satisfaction over the compliment that reached her ears. + +The next was a pretty little scene from the immortal story of +"Babes in the Wood." Jamie and Pokey came trotting in, hand in +hand, and, having been through the parts many times before, acted +with great ease and much fluency, audibly directing each other +from time to time as they went along. The berries were picked, the +way lost, tears shed, baby consolation administered, and then the +little pair lay down among the brakes and died with their eyes wide +open and the toes of their four little boots turned up to the daisies +in the most pathetic manner. + +"Now the wobins tum. You be twite dead, Dimmy, and I'll peep in +and see 'em," one defunct innocent was heard to say. + +"I hope they'll be quick, for I'm lying on a stone, and ants are +walking up my leg like fury," murmured the other. + +Here the robins came flapping in with red scarves over their +breasts and leaves in their mouths, which they carefully laid upon +the babes wherever they would show best. A prickly blackberry +leaf placed directly over Pokey's nose caused her to sneeze so +violently that her little legs flew into the air; Jamie gave a startled +"Ow!" and the pitying fowls fled giggling. + +After some discussion it was decided that the syllable must be +"strew or strow" and then they waited to see if it was a good guess. + +This scene discovered Annette Snow in bed, evidently very ill; +Miss Jenny was her anxious mamma, and her merry conversation +amused the audience till Mac came in as a physician, and made +great fun with his big watch, pompous manner, and absurd +questions. He prescribed one pellet with an unpronounceable +name, and left after demanding twenty dollars for his brief visit. + +The pellet was administered, and such awful agonies immediately +set in that the distracted mamma bade a sympathetic neighbour run +for Mother Know-all. The neighbour ran, and in came a brisk little +old lady in cap and specs, with a bundle of herbs under her arm, +which she at once applied in all sorts of funny ways, explaining +their virtues as she clapped a plantain poultice here, put a pounded +catnip plaster there, or tied a couple of mullein leaves round the +sufferer's throat. Instant relief ensued, the dying child sat up and +demanded baked beans. The grateful parent offered fifty dollars; +but Mother Know-all indignantly refused it and went smiling +away, declaring that a neighbourly turn needed no reward, and a +doctor's fee was all a humbug. + +The audience were in fits of laughter over this scene, for Rose +imitated Mrs. Atkinson capitally, and the herb cure was a good hit +at the excellent lady's belief that "yarbs" would save mankind if +properly applied. No one enjoyed it more than herself, and the +saucy children prepared for the grand finale in high feather. + +This closing scene was brief but striking, for two trains of cars +whizzed in from opposite sides, met with a terrible collision in the +middle of the stage, and a general smash-up completed the word +catastrophe. + +"Now let us act a proverb. I've got one all ready," said Rose, who +was dying to distinguish herself in some way before Uncle Alec. + +So everyone but Mac, the gay Westerner, and Rose, took their +places on the rocky seats and discussed the late beautiful and +varied charade, in which Pokey frankly pronounced her own scene +the "bestest of all." + +In five minutes the curtain was lifted; nothing appeared but a very +large sheet of brown paper pinned to a tree, and on it was drawn a +clock-face, the hands pointing to four. A small note below +informed the public that 4 A.M. was the time. Hardly had the +audience grasped this important fact when a long waterproof +serpent was seen uncoiling itself from behind a stump. An +inch-worm, perhaps, would be a better description, for it travelled +in the same humpy way as that pleasing reptile. Suddenly a very +wide-awake and active fowl advanced, pecking, chirping, and +scratching vigorously. A tuft of green leaves waved upon his crest, +a larger tuft of brakes made an umbrageous tail, and a shawl of +many colours formed his flapping wings. A truly noble bird, whose +legs had the genuine strut, whose eyes shone watchfully, and +whose voice had a ring that evidently struck terror into the +catterpillar's soul, if it was a catterpillar. He squirmed, he +wriggled, he humped as fast as he could, trying to escape; but all in +vain. The tufted bird espied him, gave one warbling sort of crow, +pounced upon him, and flapped triumphantly away. + +"That early bird got such a big worm he could hardly carry him +off," laughed Aunt Jessie, as the children shouted over the joke +suggested by Mac's nickname. + +"That is one of uncle's favourite proverbs, so I got it up for his +especial benefit," said Rose, coming up with the two-legged worm +beside her. + +"Very clever; what next?" asked Dr. Alec as she sat down beside +him. + +"The Dove boys are going to give us an 'Incident in the Life of +Napoleon,' as they call it; the children think it very splendid, and +the little fellows do it rather nicely," answered Mac with +condescension. + +A tent appeared, and pacing to and fro before it was a little +sentinel, who, in a brief soliloquy, informed the observers that the +elements were in a great state of confusion, that he had marched +some hundred miles or so that day, and that he was dying for want +of sleep. Then he paused, leaned upon his gun, and seemed to +doze; dropped slowly down, overpowered with slumber, and +finally lay flat, with his gun beside him, a faithless little sentinel. +Enter Napoleon, cocked hat, gray coat, high boots, folded arms, +grim mouth, and a melodramatic stride. Freddy Dove always +covered himself with glory in this part, and "took the stage" with a +Napoleonic attitude that brought down the house; for the +big-headed boy, with solemn, dark eyes and square brow, was "the +very moral of that rascal, Boneyparty," Mother Atkinson said. + +Some great scheme was evidently brewing in his mighty mind a +trip across the Alps, a bonfire at Moscow, or a little skirmish at +Waterloo perhaps, for he marched in silent majesty till suddenly a +gentle snore disturbed the imperial reverie. He saw the sleeping +soldier and glared upon him, saying in an awful tone + +"Ha! asleep at his post! Death is the penalty he must die!" + +Picking up the musket, he is about to execute summary justice, as +emperors are in the habit of doing, when something in the face of +the weary sentinel appears to touch him. And well it might, for a +most engaging little warrior was Jack as he lay with his shako half +off, his childish face trying to keep sober, and a great black +moustache over his rosy mouth. It would have softened the heart of +any Napoleon, and the Little Corporal proved himself a man by +relenting, and saying, with a lofty gesture of forgiveness + +"Brave fellow, he is worn out; I will let him sleep, and mount +guard in his place." + +Then, shouldering the gun, this noble being strode to and fro with +a dignity which thrilled the younger spectators. The sentinel +awakes, sees what has happened, and gives himself up for lost. But +the Emperor restores his weapon, and, with that smile which won +all hearts, says, pointing to a high rock whereon a crow happens to +be sitting, "Be brave, be vigilant, and remember that from yonder +Pyramid generations are beholding you," and with these +memorable words he vanishes, leaving the grateful soldier bolt +upright, with his hand at his temple and deathless devotion +stamped upon his youthful countenance. + +The applause which followed this superb piece had hardly +subsided, when a sudden splash and a shrill cry caused a general +rush toward the waterfall that went gambolling down the rocks, +singing sweetly as it ran. Pokey had tried to gambol also, and had +tumbled into a shallow pool, whither Jamie had gallantly followed, +in a vain attempt to fish her out, and both were paddling about half +frightened, half pleased with the unexpected bath. + +This mishap made it necessary to get the dripping infants home as +soon as possible; so the wagons were loaded up, and away they +went, as merry as if the mountain air had really been "Oxygenated +Sweets not Bitters," as Dr. Alec suggested when Mac said he felt +as jolly as if he had been drinking champagne instead of the +current wine that came with a great frosted cake wreathed with +sugar roses in Aunt Plenty's hamper of goodies. + +Rose took part in all the fun, and never betrayed by look or word +the twinges of pain she suffered in her ankle. She excused herself +from the games in the evening, however, and sat talking to Uncle +Alec in a lively way, that both amazed and delighted him; for she +confided to him that she played horse with the children, drilled +with the light infantry, climbed trees, and did other dreadful things +that would have caused the aunts to cry aloud if they knew of +them. + +"I don't care a pin what they say if you don't mind, uncle," she +answered, when he pictured the dismay of the good ladies. + +"Ah, it's all very well to defy them, but you are getting so rampant, +I'm afraid you will defy me next, and then where are we?" + +"No, I won't! I shouldn't dare; because you are my guardian, and +can put me in a strait-jacket if you like;" and Rose laughed in his +face, even while she nestled closer with a confiding gesture +pleasant to see. + +"Upon my word, Rosy, I begin to feel like the man who bought an +elephant, and then didn't know what to do with him. I thought I +had got a pet and plaything for years to come; but here you are +growing up like a bean-stalk, and I shall find I've got a +strong-minded little woman on my hands before I can turn round. +There's predicament for a man and an uncle!" + +Dr. Alec's comic distress was mercifully relieved for the time +being by a dance of goblins on the lawn, where the children, with +pumpkin lanterns on their heads, frisked about like +will-o'-the-wisps, as a parting surprise. + +When Rose went to bed, she found that Uncle Alec had not +forgotten her; for on the table stood a delicate little easel, holding +two miniatures set in velvet. She knew them both, and stood +looking at them till her eyes brimmed over with tears that were +both sweet and sad; for they were the faces of her father and +mother, beautifully copied from portraits fast fading away. + +Presently, she knelt down, and, putting her arms round the little +shrine, kissed one after the other, saying with an earnest voice, "I'll +truly try to make them glad to see me by and by." + +And that was Rose's little prayer on the night of her fourteenth +birthday. + +Two days later the Campbells went home, a larger party than when +they came; for Dr. Alec was escort and Kitty Comet was borne in +state in a basket, with a bottle of milk, some tiny sandwiches, and +a doll's dish to drink out of, as well as a bit of carpet to lie on in +her palace car, out of which she kept popping her head in the most +fascinating manner. + +There was a great kissing and cuddling, waving of handkerchiefs, +and last good-byes, as they went; and when they had started, +Mother Atkinson came running after them, to tuck in some little +pies, hot from the oven, "for the dears, who might get tired of +bread and butter during that long day's travel." + +Another start, and another halt; for the Snow children came +shrieking up to demand the three kittens that Pokey was cooly +carrying off in a travelling bag. The unhappy kits were rescued, +half smothered, and restored to their lawful owners, amid dire +lamentation from the little kidnapper, who declared that she only +"tooked um 'cause they'd want to go wid their sister Tomit." + +Start number three and stoppage number three, as Frank hailed +them with the luncheon basket, which had been forgotten, after +everyone had protested that it was safely in. + +All went well after that, and the long journey was pleasantly +beguiled by Pokey and Pussy, who played together so prettily that +they were considered public benefactors. + +"Rose doesn't want to go home, for she knows the aunts won't let +her rampage as she did up at Cosey Corner," said Mac, as they +approached the old house. + +"I can't rampage if I want to for a time, at least; and I'll tell you +why. I sprained my ankle when I tumbled off of Barkis, and it gets +worse and worse; though I've done all I know to cure it and hide it, +so it shouldn't trouble anyone," whispered Rose, knitting her brows +with pain, as she prepared to descend, wishing her uncle would +take her instead of her bundles. + +How he did it, she never knew; but Mac had her up the steps and +on the parlour sofa before she could put her foot to the ground. + +"There you are right side up with care; and mind, now, if your +ankle bothers you, and you are laid up with it, I am to be your +footman. It's only fair, you know; for I don't forget how good you +have been to me." And Mac went to call Phebe, so full of gratitude +and good-will that his very goggles shone. + + + +Chapter 15 - Ear-Rings + +Rose's sprain proved to be a serious one, owing to neglect, and Dr. +Alec ordered her to lie on the sofa for a fortnight at least; whereat +she groaned dismally, but dared not openly complain, lest the boys +turn upon her with some of the wise little sermons on patience +which she had delivered for their benefit. + +It was Mac's turn now, and honourably did he repay his debt; for, +as school was still forbidden, he had plenty of leisure, and devoted +most of it to Rose. He took many steps for her, and even allowed +her to teach him to knit, after assuring himself that many a brave +Scotchman knew how to "click the pricks." She was obliged to +take a solemn vow of secrecy, however, before he would consent; +for, though he did not mind being called "Giglamps," "Granny" +was more than his boyish soul could bear, and at the approach of +any of the Clan his knitting vanished as if by magic, which +frequent "chucking" out of sight did not improve the stripe he was +doing for Rose's new afghan. + +She was busy with this pretty work one bright October afternoon, +all nicely established on her sofa in the upper hall, while Jamie +and Pokey (lent for her amusement) were keeping house in a +corner, with Comet and Rose's old doll for their "childerns." + +Presently, Phebe appeared with a card. Rose read it, made a +grimace, then laughed and said + +"I'll see Miss Blish," and immediately put on her company face, +pulled out her locket, and settled her curls. + +"You dear thing, how do you do? I've been trying to call every day +since you got back, but I have so many engagements, I really +couldn't manage it till to-day. So glad you are alone, for mamma +said I could sit awhile, and I brought my lace-work to show you, +for it's perfectly lovely." cried Miss Blish, greeting Rose with a +kiss, which was not very warmly returned, though Rose politely +thanked her for coming, and bid Phebe roll up the easy chair. + +"How nice to have a maid!" said Ariadne, as she settled herself +with much commotion. "Still, dear, you must be very lonely, and +feel the need of a bosom friend." + +"I have my cousins," began Rose, with dignity, for her visitor's +patronising manner ruffled her temper. + +"Gracious, child! you don't make friends of those great boys, do +you? Mamma says she really doesn't think it's proper for you to be +with them so much." + +"They are like brothers, and my aunts do think it's proper," replied +Rose, rather sharply, for it struck her that this was none of Miss +Blish's business. + +"I was merely going to say I should be glad to have you for my +bosom friend, for Hatty Mason and I have had an awful quarrel, +and don't speak. She is too mean to live, so I gave her up. Just +think, she never paid back one of the caramels I've given her, and +never invited me to her party. I could have forgiven the caramels, +but to be left out in that rude way was more than I could bear, and +I told her never to look at me again as long as she lived." + +"You are very kind, but I don't think I want a bosom friend, thank +you," said Rose, as Ariadne stopped to bridle and shake her flaxen +head over the delinquent Hatty Mason. + +Now, in her heart Miss Blish thought Rose "a stuck-up puss," but +the other girls wanted to know her and couldn't, the old house was +a charming place to visit, the lads were considered fine fellows, +and the Campbells "are one of our first families," mamma said. So +Ariadne concealed her vexation at Rose's coolness, and changed +the subject as fast as possible. + +"Studying French, I see; who is your teacher?" she asked, flitting +over the leaves of "Paul and Virginia," that lay on the table. + +"I don't study it, for I read French as well as English, and uncle and +I often speak it for hours. He talks like a native, and says I have a +remarkably good accent." + +Rose really could not help this small display of superiority, for +French was one of her strong points, and she was vain of it, though +she usually managed to hide this weakness. She felt that Ariadne +would be the better for a little crushing, and could not resist the +temptation to patronise in her turn. + +"Oh, indeed!" said Miss Blish, rather blankly, for French was not +her strong point by any means. + +"I am to go abroad with uncle in a year or two, and he knows how +important it is to understand the languages. Half the girls who +leave school can't speak decent French, and when they go abroad +they are so mortified. I shall be very glad to help you, if you like, +for, of course, you have no one to talk with at home." + +Now Ariadne, though she looked like a wax doll, had feelings +within her instead of sawdust, and these feelings were hurt by +Rose's lofty tone. She thought her more "stuck up" than ever, but +did not know how to bring her down, yet longed to do it, for she +felt as if she had received a box on the ear, and involuntarily put +her hand up to it. The touch of an ear-ring consoled her, and +suggested a way of returning tit for tat in a telling manner. + +"Thank you, dear; I don't need any help, for our teacher is from +Paris, and of course he speaks better French than your uncle." +Then she added, with a gesture of her head that set the little bells +on her ears to tingling: "How do you like my new ear-rings? Papa +gave them to me last week, and everyone says they are lovely." + +Rose came down from her high horse with a rapidity that was +comical, for Ariadne had the upper hand now. Rose adored pretty +things, longed to wear them, and the desire of her girlish soul was +to have her ears bored, only Dr. Alec thought it foolish, so she +never had done it. She would gladly have given all the French she +could jabber for a pair of golden bells with pearl-tipped tongues, +like those Ariadne wore; and, clasping her hands, she answered, in +a tone that went to the hearer's heart + +"They are too sweet for anything! If uncle would only let me wear +some, I should be perfectly happy." + +"I wouldn't mind what he says. Papa laughed at me at first, but he +likes them now, and says I shall have diamond solitaires when I +am eighteen," said Ariadne, quite satisfied with her shot. + +"I've got a pair now that were mamma's, and a beautiful little pair +of pearl and turquoise ones, that I am dying to wear," sighed Rose. + +"Then do it. I'll pierce your ears, and you must wear a bit of silk in +them till they are well; your curls will hide them nicely; then, +some day, slip in your smallest ear-rings, and see if your uncle +don't like them." + +"I asked him if it wouldn't do my eyes good once when they were +red, and he only laughed. People do cure weak eyes that way, don't +they?" + +"Yes, indeed, and yours are sort of red. Let me see. Yes, I really +think you ought to do it before they get worse," said Ariadne, +peering into the large clear eye offered for inspection. + +"Does it hurt much?" asked Rose, wavering. + +"Oh dear, no; just a prick and a pull, and it's all over. I've done lots +of ears, and know just how. Come, push up your hair and get a big +needle." + +"I don't quite like to do it without asking uncle's leave," faltered +Rose, when all was ready for the operation. + +"Did he ever forbid it?" demanded Ariadne, hovering over her prey +like a vampire. + +"No, never!" + +"Then do it, unless you are afraid," cried Miss Blish, bent on +accomplishing the deed. + +That last word settled the matter, and, closing her eyes, Rose said +"Punch!" in the tone of one giving the fatal order "Fire!" + +Ariadne punched, and the victim bore it in heroic silence, though +she turned pale and her eyes were full of tears of anguish. + +"There! Now pull the bits of silk often, and cold-cream your ears +every night, and you'll soon be ready for the rings," said Ariadne, +well pleased with her job, for the girl who spoke French with "a +fine accent" lay flat upon the sofa, looking as exhausted as if she +had had both ears cut off. + +"It does hurt dreadfully, and I know uncle won't like it," sighed +Rose, as remorse began to gnaw. "Promise not to tell, or I shall be +teased to death," she added, anxiously, entirely forgetting the two +little pitchers gifted with eyes as well as ears, who had been +watching the whole performance from afar. + +"Never. Mercy me, what's that?" and Ariadne started as a sudden +sound of steps and voices came up from below. + +"It's the boys! Hide the needle. Do my ears show? Don't breathe a +word!" whispered Rose, scrambling about to conceal all traces of +their iniquity from the sharp eyes of the Clan. + +Up they came, all in good order, laden with the proceeds of a +nutting expedition, for they always reported to Rose and paid +tribute to their queen in the handsomest manner. + +"How many, and how big! We'll have a grand roasting frolic after +tea, won't we?" said Rose, plunging both hands into a bag of glossy +brown nuts, while the Clan "stood at ease" and nodded to Ariadne. + +"That lot was picked especially for you, Rosy. I got every one +myself, and they are extra whackers," said Mac, presenting a +bushel or so. + +"You should have seen Giglamps when he was after them. He +pitched out of the tree, and would have broken his blessed old +neck if Arch had not caught him," observed Steve, as he lounged +gracefully in the window seat. + +"You needn't talk, Dandy, when you didn't know a chestnut from a +beech, and kept on thrashing till I told you of it," retorted Mac, +festooning himself over the back of the sofa, being a privileged +boy. + +"I don't make mistakes when I thrash you, old Worm, so you'd +better mind what you are about," answered Steve, without a ray of +proper respect for his elder brother. + +"It is getting dark, and I must go, or mamma will be alarmed," said +Ariadne, rising in sudden haste, though she hoped to be asked to +remain to the nut-party. + +No one invited her; and all the while she was putting on her things +and chatting to Rose the boys were telegraphing to one another the +sad fact that someone ought to escort the young lady home. Not a +boy felt heroic enough to cast himself into the breach, however; +even polite Archie shirked the duty, saying to Charlie, as they +quietly slipped into an adjoining room + +"I'm not going to do all the gallivanting. Let Steve take that chit +home and show his manners." + +"I'll be hanged if I do!" answered Prince, who disliked Miss Blish +because she tried to be coquettish with him. + +"Then I will," and, to the dismay of both recreant lads, Dr. Alec +walked out of the room to offer his services to the "chit." + +He was too late, however, for Mac, obeying a look from Rose, had +already made a victim of himself, and trudged meekly away, +wishing the gentle Ariadne at the bottom of the Red Sea. + +"Then I will take this lady down to tea, as the other one has found +a gentleman to go home with her. I see the lamps are lighted +below, and I smell a smell which tells me that auntie has +something extra nice for us to-night." + +As he spoke, Dr. Alec was preparing to carry Rose downstairs as +usual; but Archie and Prince rushed forward, begging with penitent +eagerness for the honour of carrying her in an arm-chair. Rose +consented, fearing that her uncle's keen eye would discover the +fatal bits of silk; so the boys crossed hands, and, taking a good grip +of each curly pate, she was borne down in state, while the others +followed by way of the banisters. + +Tea was ordered earlier than usual, so that Jamie and his dolly +could have a taste, at least, of the holiday fun, for they were to stay +till seven, and be allowed twelve roasted chestnuts apiece, which +they were under bonds not to eat till next day. + +Tea was despatched rapidly, therefore, and the party gathered +round the wide hearth in the dining-room, where the nuts were +soon dancing gaily on hot shovels or bouncing out among the +company, thereby causing delightful panics among the little ones. + +"Come, Rosy, tell us a story while we work, for you can't help +much, and must amuse us as your share," proposed Mac, who sat +in the shade pricking nuts, and who knew by experience what a +capital little Scheherazade his cousin was. + +"Yes, we poor monkeys can't burn our paws for nothing, so tell +away, Pussy," added Charlie, as he threw several hot nuts into her +lap and shook his fingers afterwards. + +"Well, I happen to have a little story with a moral to it in my mind, +and I will tell it, though it is intended for younger children than +you," answered Rose, who was rather fond of telling instructive +tales. + +"Fire away," said Geordie, and she obeyed, little thinking what a +disastrous story it would prove to herself. + +"Well, once upon a time, a little girl went to see a young lady who +was very fond of her. Now, the young lady happened to be lame, +and had to have her foot bandaged up every day; so she kept a +basketful of bandages, all nicely rolled and ready. The little girl +liked to play with this basket, and one day, when she thought no +one saw her, she took one of the rolls without asking leave, and put +it in her pocket." + +Here Pokey, who had been peering lovingly down at the five warm +nuts that lay at the bottom of her tiny pocket, suddenly looked up +and said, "Oh!" in a startled tone, as if the moral tale had become +intensely interesting all at once. + +Rose heard and saw the innocent betrayal of the small sinner, and +went on in a most impressive manner, while the boys nudged one +another and winked as they caught the joke. + +"But an eye did see this naughty little girl, and whose eye do you +think it was?" + +"Eye of Dod," murmured conscience-stricken Pokey, spreading +two chubby little hands before the round face, which they were not +half big enough to hide. + +Rose was rather taken aback by this reply, but, feeling that she was +producing a good effect, she added seriously + +"Yes, God saw her, and so did the young lady, but she did not say +anything; she waited to see what the little girl would do about it. +She had been very happy before she took the bandage, but when it +was in her pocket she seemed troubled, and pretty soon stopped +playing, and sat down in a corner looking very sober. She thought +a few minutes, and then went and put back the roll very softly, and +her face cleared up, and she was a happy child again. The young +lady was glad to see that, and wondered what made the little girl +put it back." + +"Tonscience p'icked her," murmured a contrite voice from behind +the small hands pressed tightly over Pokey's red face. + +"And why did she take it, do you suppose?" asked Rose, in a +school-marmish tone, feeling that all the listeners were interested +in her tale and its unexpected application. + +"It was so nice and wound, and she wanted it deffly," answered the +little voice. + +"Well, I'm glad she had such a good conscience. The moral is that +people who steal don't enjoy what they take, and are not happy till +they put it back. What makes that little girl hide her face?" asked +Rose, as she concluded. + +"Me's so 'shamed of Pokey," sobbed the small culprit, quite +overcome by remorse and confusion at this awful disclosure. + +"Come, Rose, it's too bad to tell her little tricks before everyone, +and preach at her in that way; you wouldn't like it yourself," began +Dr. Alec, taking the weeper on his knee and administering +consolation in the shape of kisses and nuts. + +Before Rose could express her regret, Jamie, who had been +reddening and ruffling like a little turkey-cock for several minutes, +burst out indignantly, bent on avenging the wound given to his +beloved dolly. + +"I know something bad that you did, and I'm going to tell right out. +You thought we didn't see you, but we did, and you said uncle +wouldn't like it, and the boys would tease, and you made Ariadne +promise not to tell, and she punched holes in your ears to put +ear-rings in. So now! and that's much badder than to take an old +piece of rag; and I hate you for making my Pokey cry." + +Jamie's somewhat incoherent explosion produced such an effect +that Pokey's small sin was instantly forgotten, and Rose felt that +her hour had come. + +"What! what! what!" cried the boys in a chorus, dropping their +shovels and knives to gather round Rose, for a guilty clutching at +her ears betrayed her, and with a feeble cry of "Ariadne made me!" +she hid her head among the pillows like an absurd little ostrich. + +"Now she'll go prancing round with bird cages and baskets and +carts and pigs, for all I know, in her ears, as the other girls do, and +won't she look like a goose?" asked one tormentor, tweaking a curl +that strayed out from the cushions. + +"I didn't think she'd be so silly," said Mac, in a tone of +disappointment that told Rose she had sunk in the esteem of her +wise cousin. + +"That Blish girl is a nuisance, and ought not to be allowed to come +here with her nonsensical notions," said the Prince, feeling a strong +desire to shake that young person as an angry dog might shake a +mischievous kitten. + +"How do you like it, uncle?" asked Archie, who, being the head of +a family himself, believed in preserving discipline at all costs. + +"I am very much surprised; but I see she is a girl, after all, and +must have her vanities like all the rest of them," answered Dr. +Alec, with a sigh, as if he had expected to find Rose a sort of +angel, above all earthly temptations. + +"What shall you do about it, sir?" inquired Geordie, wondering +what punishment would be inflicted on a feminine culprit. + +"As she is fond of ornaments, perhaps we had better give her a +nose-ring also. I have one somewhere that a Fiji belle once wore; +I'll look it up," and, leaving Pokey to Jamie's care, Dr. Alec rose as +if to carry out his suggestion in earnest. + +"Good! good! We'll do it right away! Here's a gimlet, so you hold +her, boys, while I get her dear little nose all ready," cried Charlie, +whisking away the pillow as the other boys danced about the sofa +in true Fiji style. + +It was a dreadful moment, for Rose could not run away she could +only grasp her precious nose with one hand and extend the other, +crying distractedly + +"O uncle, save me, save me!" + +Of course he saved her; and when she was securely barricaded by +his strong arm, she confessed her folly in such humiliation of +spirit, that the lads, after a good laugh at her, decided to forgive +her and lay all the blame on the tempter, Ariadne. Even Dr. Alec +relented so far as to propose two gold rings for the ears instead of +one copper one for the nose; a proceeding which proved that if +Rose had all the weakness of her sex for jewellery, he had all the +inconsistency of his in giving a pretty penitent exactly what she +wanted, spite of his better judgment. + + + +Chapter 16 - Bread and Button-Holes + +"What in the world is my girl thinking about all alone here, with +such a solemn face?" asked Dr. Alec, coming into the study, one +November day, to find Rose sitting there with folded hands and a +very thoughtful aspect. + +"Uncle, I want to have some serious conversation with you, if you +have time," she said, coming out of a brown study, as if she had +not heard his question. + +"I'm entirely at your service, and most happy to listen," he +answered, in his politest manner, for when Rose put on her +womanly little airs he always treated her with a playful sort of +respect that pleased her very much. + +Now, as he sat down beside her, she said, very soberly + +"I've been trying to decide what trade I would learn, and I want you +to advise me." + +"Trade, my dear?" and Dr. Alec looked so astonished that she +hastened to explain. + +"I forgot that you didn't hear the talk about it up at Cosey Corner. +You see we used to sit under the pines and sew, and talk a great +deal all the ladies, I mean and I liked it very much. Mother +Atkinson thought that everyone should have a trade, or something +to make a living out of, for rich people may grow poor, you know, +and poor people have to work. Her girls were very clever, and +could do ever so many things, and Aunt Jessie thought the old lady +was right; so when I saw how happy and independent those young +ladies were, I wanted to have a trade, and then it wouldn't matter +about money, though I like to have it well enough." + +Dr. Alec listened to this explanation with a curious mixture of +surprise, pleasure, and amusement in his face, and looked at his +little niece as if she had suddenly changed into a young woman. +She had grown a good deal in the last six months, and an amount +of thinking had gone on in that young head which would have +astonished him greatly could he have known it all, for Rose was +one of the children who observe and meditate much, and now and +then nonplus their friends by a wise or curious remark. + +"I quite agree with the ladies, and shall be glad to help you decide +on something if I can," said the Doctor seriously. "What do you +incline to? A natural taste or talent is a great help in choosing, you +know." + +"I haven't any talent, or any especial taste that I can see, and that is +why I can't decide, uncle. So, I think it would be a good plan to +pick out some very useful business and learn it, because I don't do +it for pleasure, you see, but as a part of my education, and to be +ready in case I'm ever poor," answered Rose, looking as if she +rather longed for a little poverty so that her useful gift might be +exercised. + +"Well, now, there is one very excellent, necessary, and womanly +accomplishment that no girl should be without, for it is a help to +rich and poor, and the comfort of families depends upon it. This +fine talent is neglected nowadays, and considered old-fashioned, +which is a sad mistake, and one that I don't mean to make in +bringing up my girl. It should be a part of every girl's education, +and I know of a most accomplished lady who will teach you in the +best and pleasantest manner." + +"Oh, what is it?" cried Rose eagerly, charmed to be met in this +helpful and cordial way. + +"Housekeeping!" answered Dr. Alec. + +"Is that an accomplishment?" asked Rose, while her face fell, for +she had indulged in all sorts of vague, delightful dreams. + +"Yes; it is one of the most beautiful as well as useful of all the arts +a woman can learn. Not so romantic, perhaps, as singing, painting, +writing, or teaching, even; but one that makes many happy and +comfortable, and home the sweetest place in the world. Yes, you +may open your big eyes; but it is a fact that I had rather see you a +good housekeeper than the greatest belle in the city. It need not +interfere with any talent you may possess, but it is a necessary part +of your training, and I hope that you will set about it at once, now +that you are well and strong." + +"Who is the lady?" asked Rose, rather impressed by her uncle's +earnest speech. + +"Aunt Plenty." + +"Is she accomplished?" began Rose in a wondering tone, for this +great-aunt of hers had seemed the least cultivated of them all. + +"In the good old-fashioned way she is very accomplished, and has +made this house a happy home to us all, ever since we can +remember. She is not elegant, but genuinely good, and so beloved +and respected that there will be universal mourning for her when +her place is empty. No one can fill it, for the solid, homely virtues +of the dear soul have gone out of fashion, as I say, and nothing new +can be half so satisfactory, to me at least." + +"I should like to have people feel so about me. Can she teach me to +do what she does, and to grow as good?" asked Rose, with a little +prick of remorse for even thinking that Aunt Plenty was a +commonplace old lady. + +"Yes, if you don't despise such simple lessons as she can give. I +know it would fill her dear old heart with pride and pleasure to +feel that anyone cared to learn of her, for she fancies her day gone +by. Let her teach you how to be what she has been a skilful, frugal, +cheerful housewife; the maker and the keeper of a happy home, +and by and by you will see what a valuable lesson it is." + +"I will, uncle. But how shall I begin?" + +"I'll speak to her about it, and she will make it all right with Dolly, +for cooking is one of the main things, you know." + +"So it is! I don't mind that a bit, for I like to mess, and used to try +at home; but I had no one to tell me, so I never did much but spoil +my aprons. Pies are great fun, only Dolly is so cross, I don't believe +she will ever let me do a thing in the kitchen." + +"Then we'll cook in the parlour. I fancy Aunt Plenty will manage +her, so don't be troubled. Only mind this, I'd rather you learned +how to make good bread than the best pies ever baked. When you +bring me a handsome, wholesome loaf, entirely made by yourself, +I shall be more pleased than if you offered me a pair of slippers +embroidered in the very latest style. I don't wish to bribe you, but +I'll give you my heartiest kiss, and promise to eat every crumb of +the loaf myself." + +"It's a bargain! it's a bargain! Come and tell aunty all about it, for +I'm in a hurry to begin," cried Rose, dancing before him toward the +parlor, where Miss Plenty sat alone knitting contentedly, yet ready +to run at the first call for help of any sort, from any quarter. + +No need to tell how surprised and gratified she was at the +invitation she received to teach the child the domestic arts which +were her only accomplishments, nor to relate how energetically +she set about her pleasant task. Dolly dared not grumble, for Miss +Plenty was the one person whom she obeyed, and Phebe openly +rejoiced, for these new lessons brought Rose nearer to her, and +glorified the kitchen in the good girl's eyes. + +To tell the truth, the elder aunts had sometimes felt that they did +not have quite their share of the little niece who had won their +hearts long ago, and was the sunshine of the house. They talked it +over together sometimes, but always ended by saying that as Alec +had all the responsibility, he should have the larger share of the +dear girl's love and time, and they would be contented with such +crumbs of comfort as they could get. + +Dr. Alec had found out this little secret, and, after reproaching +himself for being blind and selfish, was trying to devise some way +of mending matters without troubling anyone, when Rose's new +whim suggested an excellent method of weaning her a little from +himself. He did not know how fond he was of her till he gave her +up to the new teacher, and often could not resist peeping in at the +door to see how she got on, or stealing sly looks through the slide +when she was deep in dough, or listening intently to some +impressive lecture from Aunt Plenty. They caught him at it now +and then, and ordered him off the premises at the point of the +rolling-pin; or, if unusually successful, and, therefore, in a milder +mood, they lured him away with bribes of ginger-bread, a stray +pickle, or a tart that was not quite symmetrical enough to suit their +critical eyes. + +Of course he made a point of partaking copiously of all the +delectable messes that now appeared at table, for both the cooks +were on their mettle, and he fared sumptuously every day. But an +especial relish was given to any dish when, in reply to his honest +praise of it, Rose coloured up with innocent pride, and said +modestly + +"I made that, uncle, and I'm glad you like it." + +It was some time before the perfect loaf appeared, for +bread-making is an art not easily learned, and Aunt Plenty was +very thorough in her teaching; so Rose studied yeast first, and +through various stages of cake and biscuit came at last to the +crowning glory of the "handsome, wholesome loaf." It appeared at +tea-time, on a silver salver, proudly borne in by Phebe, who could +not refrain from whispering, with a beaming face, as she set it +down before Dr. Alec + +"Ain't it just lovely, sir?" + +"It is a regularly splendid loaf! Did my girl make it all herself?" he +asked, surveying the shapely, sweet-smelling object with real +interest and pleasure. + +"Every particle herself, and never asked a bit of help or advice +from anyone," answered Aunt Plenty, folding her hands with an air +of unmitigated satisfaction, for her pupil certainly did her great +credit. + +"I've had so many failures and troubles that I really thought I never +should be able to do it alone. Dolly let one splendid batch burn up +because I forgot it. She was there and smelt it, but never did a +thing, for she said, when I undertook to bake bread I must give my +whole mind to it. Wasn't it hard? She might have called me at +least," said Rose, recollecting, with a sigh, the anguish of that +moment. + +"She meant you should learn by experience, as Rosamond did in +that little affair of the purple jar, you remember." + +"I always thought it very unfair in her mother not to warn the poor +thing a little bit; and she was regularly mean when Rosamond +asked for a bowl to put the purple stuff in, and she said, in such a +provoking way, 'I did not agree to lend you a bowl, but I will, my +dear.' Ugh! I always want to shake that hateful woman, though she +was a moral mamma." + +"Never mind her now, but tell me all about my loaf," said Dr. Alec, +much amused at Rose's burst of indignation. + +"There's nothing to tell, uncle, except that I did my best, gave my +mind to it, and sat watching over it all the while it was in the oven +till I was quite baked myself. Everything went right this time, and +it came out a nice, round, crusty loaf, as you see. Now taste it, and +tell me if it is good as well as handsome." + +"Must I cut it? Can't I put it under a glass cover and keep it in the +parlor as they do wax flowers and fine works of that sort?" + +"What an idea, uncle! It would mould and be spoilt. Besides, +people would laugh at us, and make fun of my old-fashioned +accomplishment. You promised to eat it, and you must; not all at +once, but as soon as you can, so I can make you some more." + +Dr. Alec solemnly cut off his favourite crusty slice, and solemnly +ate it; then wiped his lips, and brushing back Rose's hair, solemnly +kissed her on the forehead, saying, heartily + +"My dear, it is perfect bread, and you are an honour to your +teacher. When we have our model school I shall offer a prize for +the best bread, and you will get it." + +"I've got it already, and I'm quite satisfied," said Rose, slipping into +her seat, and trying to hide her right hand which had a burn on it. + +But Dr. Alec saw it, guessed how it came there, and after tea +insisted on easing the pain which she would hardly confess. + +"Aunt Clara says I am spoiling my hands, but I don't care, for I've +had such good times with Aunt Plenty, and I think she has enjoyed +it as much as I have. Only one thing troubles me, uncle, and I want +to ask you about it," said Rose, as they paced up and down the hall +in the twilight, the bandaged hand very carefully laid on Dr. Alec's +arm. + +"More little confidences? I like them immensely, so tell away, my +dear." + +"Well, you see I feel as if Aunt Peace would like to do something +for me, and I've found out what it can be. You know she can't go +about like Aunty Plen, and we are so busy nowadays that she is +rather lonely, I'm afraid. So I want to take lessons in sewing of her. +She works so beautifully, and it is a useful thing, you know, and I +ought to be a good needlewoman as well as housekeeper, oughtn't +I?" + +"Bless your kind little heart, that is what I was thinking of the +other day when Aunt Peace said she saw you very seldom now, +you were so busy I wanted to speak of it, but fancied you had as +much on your hands as you could manage. It would delight the +dear woman to teach you all her delicate handicraft, especially +button-holes, for I believe that is where young ladies fail; at least, +I've heard them say so. So, do you devote your mind to +button-holes; make 'em all over my clothes if you want something +to practice on. I'll wear any quantity." + +Rose laughed at this reckless offer, but promised to attend to that +important branch, though she confessed that darning was her weak +point. Whereupon Uncle Alec engaged to supply her with socks in +all stages of dilapidation, and to have a new set at once, so that she +could run the heels for him as a pleasant beginning. + +Then they went up to make their request in due form, to the great +delight of gentle Aunt Peace, who got quite excited with the fun +that went on while they would yarn, looked up darning needles, +and fitted out a nice little mending basket for her pupil. + +Very busy and very happy were Rose's days now, for in the +morning she went about the house with Aunt Plenty attending to +linen-closets and store-rooms, pickling and preserving, exploring +garret and cellar to see that all was right, and learning, in the good +old-fashioned manner, to look well after the ways of the +household. + +In the afternoon, after her walk or drive, she sat with Aunt Peace +plying her needle, while Aunt Plenty, whose eyes were failing, +knitted and chatted briskly, telling many a pleasant story of old +times, till the three were moved to laugh and cry together, for the +busy needles were embroidering all sorts of bright patterns on the +lives of the workers, though they seemed to be only stitching +cotton and darning hose. + +It was a pretty sight to see the rosy-faced little maid sitting +between the two old ladies, listening dutifully to their instructions, +and cheering the lessons with her lively chatter and blithe laugh. If +the kitchen had proved attractive to Dr. Alec when Rose was there +at work, the sewing-room was quite irresistible, and he made +himself so agreeable that no one had the heart to drive him away, +especially when he read aloud or spun yarns. + +"There! I've made you a new set of warm night-gowns with four +button-holes in each. See if they are not neatly done," said Rose, +one day, some weeks after the new lessons began. + +"Even to a thread, and nice little bars across the end so I can't tear +them when I twitch the buttons out. Most superior work, ma'am, +and I'm deeply grateful; so much so, that I'll sew on these buttons +myself, and save those tired fingers from another prick." + +"You sew them on?" cried Rose, with her eyes wide open in +amazement. + +"Wait a bit till I get my sewing tackle, and then you shall see what +I can do." + +"Can he, really?" asked Rose of Aunt Peace, as Uncle Alec +marched off with a comical air of importance. + +"Oh, yes, I taught him years ago, before he went to sea; and I +suppose he has had to do things for himself, more or less, ever +since; so he has kept his hand in." + +He evidently had, for he was soon back with a funny little +work-bag, out of which he produced a thimble without a top; and, +having threaded his needle, he proceeded to sew on the buttons so +handily that Rose was much impressed and amused. + +"I wonder if there is anything in the world that you cannot do," she +said, in a tone of respectful admiration. + +"There are one or two things that I am not up to yet," he answered, +with a laugh in the corner of his eye, as he waxed his thread with a +flourish. + +"I should like to know what?" + +"Bread and button-holes, ma'am." + + + +Chapter 17 - Good Bargains + +It was a rainy Sunday afternoon, and four boys were trying to +spend it quietly in the "liberry," as Jamie called the room devoted +to books and boys, at Aunt Jessie's. Will and Geordie were +sprawling on the sofa, deep in the adventures of the scapegraces +and ragamuffins whose histories are now the fashion. Archie +lounged in the easy chair, surrounded by newspapers; Charlie +stood upon the rug, in an Englishman's favourite attitude, and, I +regret to say, both were smoking cigars. + +"It is my opinion that this day will never come to an end," said +Prince, with a yawn that nearly rent him asunder. + +"Read and improve your mind, my son," answered Archie, peering +solemnly over the paper behind which he had been dozing. + +"Don't you preach, parson, but put on your boots and come out for +a tramp, instead of mulling over the fire like a granny." + +"No, thank you, tramps in an easterly storm don't strike me as +amusing." There Archie stopped and held up his hand, for a +pleasant voice was heard saying outside + +"Are the boys in the library, auntie?" + +"Yes, dear, and longing for sunshine; so run in and make it for +them," answered Mrs. Jessie. + +"It's Rose," and Archie threw his cigar into the fire. + +"What's that for?" asked Charlie. + +"Gentlemen don't smoke before ladies." + +"True; but I'm not going to waste my weed," and Prince poked his +into the empty inkstand that served them for an ash tray. + +A gentle tap at the door was answered by a chorus of "Come in," +and Rose appeared, looking blooming and breezy with the chilly +air. + +"If I disturb you, say so, and I'll go away," she began, pausing on +the threshold with modest hesitation, for something in the elder +boys' faces excited her curiosity. + +"You never disturb us, cousin," said the smokers, while the readers +tore themselves from the heroes of the bar-room and gutter long +enough to nod affably to their guest. + +As Rose bent to warm her hands, one end of Archie's cigar stuck +out of the ashes, smoking furiously and smelling strongly. + +"Oh, you bad boys, how could you do it, to-day of all days?" she +said reproachfully. + +"Where's the harm?" asked Archie. + +"You know as well as I do; your mother doesn't like it, and it's a +bad habit, for it wastes money and does you no good." + +"Fiddlesticks! every man smokes, even Uncle Alec, whom you +think so perfect," began Charlie, in his teasing way. + +"No, he doesn't! He has given it up, and I know why," cried Rose +eagerly. + +"Now I think of it, I haven't seen the old meerschaum since he +came home. Did he stop it on our account?" asked Archie. + +"Yes," and Rose told the little scene on the seashore in the +camping-out time. + +Archie seemed much impressed, and said manfully, "He won't +have done that in vain so far as I'm concerned. I don't care a pin +about smoking, so can give it up as easy as not, and I promise you I +will. I only do it now and then for fun." + +"You too?" and Rose looked up at the bonny Prince, who never +looked less bonny than at that moment, for he had resumed his +cigar just to torment her. + +Now Charlie cared as little as Archie about smoking, but it would +not do to yield too soon: so he shook his head, gave a great puff, +and said loftily + +"You women are always asking us to give up harmless little things +just because you don't approve of them. How would you like it if +we did the same by you, miss?" + +"If I did harmful or silly things, I'd thank you for telling me of +them, and I'd try to mend my ways," answered Rose heartily. + +"Well, now, we'll see if you mean what you say. I'll give up +smoking to please you, if you will give up something to please +me," said Prince, seeing a good chance to lord it over the weaker +vessel at small cost to himself. + +"I'll agree if it is as foolish as cigars." + +"Oh, it's ever so much sillier." + +"Then I promise; what is it?" and Rose quite trembled with anxiety +to know which of her pet habits or possessions she must lose. + +"Give up your ear-rings," and Charlie laughed wickedly, sure that +she would never hold to that bargain. + +Rose uttered a cry and clapped both hands to her ears where the +gold rings hung. + +"Oh, Charlie, wouldn't anything else do as well? I've been through +so much teasing and trouble, I do want to enjoy my pretty +ear-rings, for I can wear them now." + +"Wear as many as you like, and I'll smoke in peace," returned this +bad boy. + +"Will nothing else satisfy you?" imploringly. + +"Nothing," sternly. + +Rose stood silent for a minute, thinking of something Aunt Jessie +once said "You have more influence over the boys than you know; +use it for their good, and I shall thank you all my life." Here was a +chance to do some good by sacrificing a little vanity of her own. +She felt it was right to do it, yet found it very hard, and asked +wistfully + +"Do you mean never wear them, Charlie?" + +"Never, unless you want me to smoke." + +"I never do." + +"Then clinch the bargain." + +He had no idea she would do it, and was much surprised when she +took the dear rings from her ears, with a quick gesture, and held +them out to him, saying, in a tone that made the colour come up to +his brown cheek, it was so full of sweet good will + +"I care more for my cousins than for my ear-rings, so I promise, +and I'll keep my word." + +"For shame, Prince! let her wear her little danglers if she likes, and +don't bargain about doing what you know is right," cried Archie, +coming out of his grove of newspapers with an indignant bounce. + +But Rose was bent on showing her aunt that she could use her +influence for the boys' good, and said steadily + +"It is fair, and I want it to be so, then you will believe I'm in +earnest. Here, each of you wear one of these on your watch-guard +to remind you. I shall not forget, because very soon I cannot wear +ear-rings if I want to." + +As she spoke, Rose offered a little ring to each cousin, and the +boys, seeing how sincere she was, obeyed her. When the pledges +were safe, Rose stretched a hand to each, and the lads gave hers a +hearty grip, half pleased and half ashamed of their part in the +compact. + +Just at that moment Dr. Alec and Mrs. Jessie came in. + +"What's this? Dancing Ladies' Triumph on Sunday?" exclaimed +Uncle Alec, surveying the trio with surprise. + +"No, sir, it is the Anti-Tobacco League. Will you join?" said +Charlie, while Rose slipped away to her aunt, and Archie buried +both cigars behind the back log. + +When the mystery was explained, the elders were well pleased, +and Rose received a vote of thanks, which made her feel as if she +had done a service to her country, as she had, for every boy who +grows up free from bad habits bids fair to make a good citizen. + +"I wish Rose would drive a bargain with Will and Geordie also, for +I think these books are as bad for the small boys as cigars for the +large ones," said Mrs. Jessie, sitting down on the sofa between the +readers, who politely curled up their legs to make room for her. + +"I thought they were all the fashion," answered Dr. Alec, settling in +the big chair with Rose. + +"So is smoking, but it is harmful. The writers of these popular +stories intend to do good, I have no doubt, but it seems to me they +fail because their motto is, 'Be smart, and you will be rich,' instead +of 'Be honest, and you will be happy.' I do not judge hastily, Alec, +for I have read a dozen, at least, of these stories, and, with much +that is attractive to boys, I find a great deal to condemn in them, +and other parents say the same when I ask them." + +"Now, Mum, that's too bad! I like 'em tip-top. This one is a regular +screamer," cried Will. + +"They're bully books, and I'd like to know where's the harm," +added Geordie. + +"You have just shown us one of the chief evils, and that is slang," +answered their mother quickly. + +"Must have it, ma'am. If these chaps talked all right, there'd be no +fun in 'em," protested Will. + +"A boot-black mustn't use good grammar, and a newsboy must +swear a little, or he wouldn't be natural," explained Geordie, both +boys ready to fight gallantly for their favourites. + +"But my sons are neither boot-blacks nor newsboys, and I object to +hearing them use such words as 'screamer,' 'bully,' and 'buster.' In +fact, I fail to see the advantage of writing books about such people +unless it is done in a very different way. I cannot think they will +help to refine the ragamuffins if they read them, and I'm sure they +can do no good to the better class of boys, who through these +books are introduced to police courts, counterfeiters' dens, +gambling houses, drinking saloons, and all sorts of low life." + +"Some of them are about first-rate boys, mother; and they go to sea +and study, and sail round the world, having great larks all the +way." + +"I have read about them, Geordie, and though they are better than +the others, I am not satisfied with these optical delusions, as I call +them. Now, I put it to you, boys, is it natural for lads from fifteen +to eighteen to command ships, defeat pirates, outwit smugglers, +and so cover themselves with glory, that Admiral Farragut invites +them to dinner, saying, 'Noble boy, you are an honour to your +country!' Or, if the hero is in the army, he has hair-breadth escapes +and adventures enough in one small volume to turn his hair white, +and in the end he goes to Washington at the express desire of the +President or Commander-in-chief to be promoted to no end of stars +and bars. Even if the hero is merely an honest boy trying to get his +living, he is not permitted to do so in a natural way, by hard work +and years of patient effort, but is suddenly adopted by a millionaire +whose pocket-book he has returned; or a rich uncle appears from +sea just in the nick of time; or the remarkable boy earns a few +dollars, speculates in pea-nuts or neckties, and grows rich so +rapidly that Sinbad in the diamond valley is a pauper compared to +him. Isn't it so, boys?" + +"Well, the fellows in these books are mighty lucky, and very smart, +I must say," answered Will, surveying an illustration on the open +page before him, where a small but virtuous youth is upsetting a +tipsy giant in a bar-room, and under it the elegant inscription, +"Dick Dauntless punches the head of Sam Soaker." + +"It gives boys such wrong ideas of life and business; shows them +so much evil and vulgarity that they need not know about, and +makes the one success worth having a fortune, a lord's daughter, or +some worldly honour, often not worth the time it takes to win. It +does seem to me that some one might write stories that should be +lively, natural and helpful tales in which the English should be +good, the morals pure, and the characters such as we can love in +spite of the faults that all may have. I can't bear to see such crowds +of eager little fellows at the libraries reading such trash; weak, +when it is not wicked, and totally unfit to feed the hungry minds +that feast on it for want of something better. There! my lecture is +done; now I should like to hear what you gentlemen have to say," +and Aunt Jessie subsided with a pretty flush on the face that was +full of motherly anxiety for her boys. + +"Tom Brown just suits mother, and me too, so I wish Mr. Hughes +would write another story as good," said Archie. + +"You don't find things of this sort in Tom Brown; yet these books +are all in the Sunday-school libraries" and Mrs. Jessie read the +following paragraph from the book she had taken from Will's hand + +" 'In this place we saw a tooth of John the Baptist. Ben said he +could see locust and wild honey sticking to it. I couldn't. Perhaps +John used a piece of the true cross for a tooth-pick.' " + +"A larky sort of a boy says that, Mum, and we skip the parts where +they describe what they saw in the different countries," cried Will. + +"And those descriptions, taken mostly from guidebooks, I fancy, +are the only parts of any real worth. The scrapes of the bad boys +make up the rest of the story, and it is for those you read these +books, I think," answered his mother, stroking back the hair off the +honest little face that looked rather abashed at this true statement +of the case. + +"Anyway, mother, the ship part is useful, for we learn how to sail +her, and by and by that will all come handy when we go to sea," +put in Geordie. + +"Indeed, then you can explain this manoeuvre to me, of course," and +Mrs. Jessie read from another page the following nautical +paragraph + +"The wind is south-south-west, and we can have her up four points +closer to the wind, and still be six points off the wind. As she luffs +up we shall man the fore and main sheets, slack on the weather, +and haul on the lee braces." + +"I guess I could, if I wasn't afraid of uncle. He knows so much +more than I do, he'd laugh," began Geordie, evidently puzzled by +the question. + +"Ho, you know you can't, so why make believe? We don't +understand half of the sea lingo, Mum, and I dare say it's all +wrong," cried Will, suddenly going over to the enemy, to Geordie's +great disgust. + +"I do wish the boys wouldn't talk to me as if I was a ship," said +Rose, bringing forward a private grievance. "Coming home from +church this morning, the wind blew me about, and Will called out, +right in the street, 'Brail up the foresail, and take in the flying-jib, +that will ease her.' " + +The boys shouted at the plaintive tone in which Rose repeated the +words that offended her, and Will vainly endeavoured to explain +that he only meant to tell her to wrap her cloak closer, and tie a +veil over the tempest-tossed feathers in her hat. + +"To tell the truth, if the boys must have slang, I can bear the 'sea +lingo,' as Will calls it, better than the other. It afflicts me less to +hear my sons talk about 'brailing up the foresail' than doing as they +'darn please,' and 'cut your cable' is decidedly preferable to 'let her +rip.' I once made a rule that I would have no slang in the house. I +give it up now, for I cannot keep it; but I will not have rubbishy +books; so, Archie, please send these two after your cigars." + +Mrs. Jessie held both the small boys fast with an arm round each +neck, and when she took this base advantage of them they could +only squirm with dismay. "Yes, right behind the back log," she +continued, energetically. "There, my hearties (you like sea slang, +so I'll give you a bit) now, I want you to promise not to read any +more stuff for a month, and I'll agree to supply you with +wholesome fare." + +"Oh, mother, not a single one?" cried Will. + +"Couldn't we just finish those?" pleaded Geordie. + +"The boys threw away half-smoked cigars; and your books must go +after them. Surely you would not be outdone by the 'old fellows,' as +you call them, or be less obedient to little Mum than they were to +Rose." + +"Course not! Come on, Geordie," and Will took the vow like a +hero. His brother sighed and obeyed, but privately resolved to +finish his story the minute the month was over. + +"You have laid out a hard task for yourself, Jessie, in trying to +provide good reading for boys who have been living on sensation +stories. It will be like going from raspberry tarts to plain bread and +butter; but you will probably save them from a bilious fever," said +Dr. Alec, much amused at the proceedings. + +"I remember hearing grandpa say that a love for good books was +one of the best safeguards a man could have," began Archie, +staring thoughtfully at the fine library before him. + +"Yes, but there's no time to read nowadays; a fellow has to keep +scratching round to make money or he's nobody," cut in Charlie, +trying to look worldly-wise. + +"This love of money is the curse of America, and for the sake of it +men will sell honour and honesty, till we don't know whom to +trust, and it is only a genius like Agassiz who dares to say, 'I cannot +waste my time in getting rich,' " said Mrs. Jessie sadly. + +"Do you want us to be poor, mother?" asked Archie, wondering. + +"No, dear, and you never need be, while you can use your hands; +but I am afraid of this thirst for wealth, and the temptations it +brings. O, my boys! I tremble for the time when I must let you go, +because I think it would break my heart to have you fail as so +many fail. It would be far easier to see you dead if it could be said +of you as of Sumner 'No man dared offer him a bribe.' " + +Mrs. Jessie was so earnest in her motherly anxiety that her voice +faltered over the last words, and she hugged the yellow heads +closer in her arms, as if she feared to let them leave that safe +harbour for the great sea where so many little boats go down. The +younger lads nestled closer to her, and Archie said, in his quiet, +resolute way + +"I cannot promise to be an Agassiz or a Sumner, mother; but I do +promise to be an honest man, please God." + +"Then I'm satisfied!" and holding fast the hand he gave her, she +sealed his promise with a kiss that had all a mother's hope and +faith in it. + +"I don't see how they ever can be bad, she is so fond and proud of +them," whispered Rose, quite touched by the little scene. + +"You must help her make them what they should be. You have +begun already, and when I see those rings where they are, my girl +is prettier in my sight than if the biggest diamonds that ever +twinkled shone in her ears," answered Dr. Alec, looking at her +with approving eyes. + +"I'm so glad you think I can do anything, for I perfectly ache to be +useful; everyone is so good to me, especially Aunt Jessie." + +"I think you are in a fair way to pay your debts, Rosy, for when +girls give up their little vanities, and boys their small vices, and try +to strengthen each other in well-doing, matters are going as they +ought. Work away, my dear, and help their mother keep these sons +fit friends for an innocent creature like yourself; they will be the +manlier men for it, I can assure you." + + + +Chapter 18 - Fashion and Physiology + +"Please, sir, I guess you'd better step up right away, or it will be too +late, for I heard Miss Rose say she knew you wouldn't like it, and +she'd never dare to let you see her." + +Phebe said this as she popped her head into the study, where Dr. +Alec sat reading a new book. + +"They are at it, are they?" he said, looking up quickly, and giving +himself a shake, as if ready for a battle of some sort. + +"Yes, sir, as hard as they can talk, and Miss Rose don't seem to +know what to do, for the things are ever so stylish, and she looks +elegant in 'em; though I like her best in the old ones," answered +Phebe. + +"You are a girl of sense. I'll settle matters for Rosy, and you'll lend +a hand. Is everything ready in her room, and are you sure you +understand how they go?" + +"Oh, yes, sir; but they are so funny! I know Miss Rose will think +it's a joke," and Phebe laughed as if something tickled her +immensely. + +"Never mind what she thinks so long as she obeys. Tell her to do it +for my sake, and she will find it the best joke she ever saw. I +expect to have a tough time of it, but we'll win yet," said the +Doctor, as he marched upstairs with the book in his hand, and an +odd smile on his face. + +There was such a clatter of tongues in the sewing-room that no one +heard his tap at the door, so he pushed it open and took an +observation. Aunt Plenty, Aunt Clara, and Aunt Jessie were all +absorbed in gazing at Rose, who slowly revolved between them +and the great mirror, in a full winter costume of the latest fashion. + +"Bless my heart! worse even than I expected," thought the Doctor, +with an inward groan, for, to his benighted eyes, the girl looked +like a trussed fowl, and the fine new dress had neither grace, +beauty, nor fitness to recommend it. + +The suit was of two peculiar shades of blue, so arranged that +patches of light and dark distracted the eye. The upper skirt was +tied so lightly back that it was impossible to take a long step, and +the under one was so loaded with plaited frills that it "wobbled" no +other word will express it ungracefully, both fore and aft. A bunch +of folds was gathered up just below the waist behind, and a great +bow rode a-top. A small jacket of the same material was adorned +with a high ruff at the back, and laid well open over the breast, to +display some lace and a locket. Heavy fringes, bows, puffs, ruffles, +and revers finished off the dress, making one's head ache to think +of the amount of work wasted, for not a single graceful line struck +the eye, and the beauty of the material was quite lost in the +profusion of ornament. + +A high velvet hat, audaciously turned up in front, with a bunch of +pink roses and a sweeping plume, was cocked over one ear, and, +with her curls braided into a club at the back of her neck, Rose's +head looked more like that of a dashing young cavalier than a +modest little girl's. High-heeled boots tilted her well forward, a +tiny muff pinioned her arms, and a spotted veil, tied so closely +over her face that her eyelashes were rumpled by it, gave the last +touch of absurdity to her appearance. + +"Now she looks like other girls, and as I like to see her," Mrs. +Clara was saying, with an air of great satisfaction. + +"She does look like a fashionable young lady, but somehow I miss +my little Rose, for children dressed like children in my day," +answered Aunt Plenty, peering through her glasses with a troubled +look, for she could not imagine the creature before her ever sitting +in her lap, running to wait upon her, or making the house gay with +a child's blithe presence. + +"Things have changed since your day, Aunt, and it takes time to +get used to new ways. But you, Jessie, surely like this costume +better than the dowdy things Rose has been wearing all summer. +Now, be honest, and own you do," said Mrs. Clara, bent on being +praised for her work. + +"Well, dear to be quite honest, then, I think it is frightful," +answered Mrs. Jessie, with a candour that caused revolving Rose +to stop in dismay. + +"Hear, hear," cried a deep voice, and with a general start the ladies +became aware that the enemy was among them. + +Rose blushed up to her hat brim, and stood, looking, as she felt, +like a fool, while Mrs. Clara hastened to explain. + +"Of course, I don't expect you to like it, Alec, but I don't consider +you a judge of what is proper and becoming for a young lady. +Therefore, I have taken the liberty of providing a pretty street suit +for Rose. She need not wear it if you object, for I know we +promised to let you do what you liked with the poor dear for a +year." + +"It is a street costume, is it?" asked the Doctor, mildly. "Do you +know, I never should have guessed that it was meant for winter +weather and brisk locomotion. Take a turn, Rosy, and let me see +all its beauties and advantages." + +Rose tried to walk off with her usual free tread, but the under-skirt +got in her way, the over-skirt was so tight she could not take a long +step, and her boots made it impossible to carry herself perfectly +erect. + +"I haven't got used to it yet," she said, petulantly, kicking at her +train, as she turned to toddle back again. + +"Suppose a mad dog or a runaway horse was after you, could you +get out of the way without upsetting, Colonel," asked the Doctor, +with a twinkle in the eyes that were fixed on the rakish hat. + +"Don't think I could, but I'll try," and Rose made a rush across the +room. Her boot-heels caught on a rug, several strings broke, her +hat tipped over her eyes, and she plunged promiscuously into a +chair, where she sat laughing so infectiously that all but Mrs. Clara +joined in her mirth. + +"I should say that a walking suit in which one could not walk, and +a winter suit which exposes the throat, head, and feet to cold and +damp, was rather a failure, Clara, especially as it has no beauty to +reconcile one to its utter unfitness," said Dr. Alec, as he helped +Rose undo her veil, adding, in a low tone, "Nice thing for the eyes; +you'll soon see spots when it's off as well as when it's on, and, by +and by, be a case for an oculist." + +"No beauty!" cried Mrs. Clara, warmly, "Now, that is just a man's +blindness. This is the best of silk and camel's hair, real ostrich +feathers, and an expensive ermine muff. What could be in better +taste, or more proper for a young girl?" + +"I'll shew you, if Rose will go to her room and oblige me by +putting on what she finds there," answered the Doctor, with +unexpected readiness. + +"Alec, if it is a Bloomer, I shall protest. I've been expecting it, but I +know I cannot bear to see that pretty child sacrificed to your wild +ideas of health. Tell me it isn't a Bloomer!" and Mrs. Clara clasped +her hands imploringly. + +"It is not." + +"Thank Heaven!" and she resigned herself with a sigh of relief, +adding plaintively, "I did hope you'd accept my suit, for poor Rose +has been afflicted with frightful clothes long enough to spoil the +taste of any girl." + +"You talk of my afflicting the child, and then make a helpless guy +like that of her!" answered the Doctor, pointing to the little fashion +plate that was scuttling out of sight as fast as it could go. + +He closed the door with a shrug, but before anyone could speak, +his quick eye fell upon an object which caused him to frown, and +demand in an indignant tone + +"After all I have said, were you really going to tempt my girl with +those abominable things?" + +"I thought we put them away when she wouldn't wear them," +murmured Mrs. Clara, whisking a little pair of corsets out of sight +with guilty haste. "I only brought them to try, for Rose is growing +stout, and will have no figure if it is not attended to soon," she +added, with an air of calm conviction that roused the Doctor still +more, for this was one of his especial abominations. + +"Growing stout! Yes, thank Heaven, she is, and shall continue to +do it, for Nature knows how to mould a woman better than any +corset-maker, and I won't have her interfered with. My dear Clara, +have you lost your senses that you can for a moment dream of +putting a growing girl into an instrument of torture like this?" and +with a sudden gesture he plucked forth the offending corsets from +under the sofa cushion, and held them out with the expression one +would wear on beholding the thumbscrews or the rack of ancient +times. + +"Don't be absurd, Alec. There is no torture about it, for tight lacing +is out of fashion, and we have nice, sensible things nowadays. +Everyone wears them; even babies have stiffened waists to support +their weak little backs," began Mrs. Clara, rushing to the defence +of the pet delusion of most women. + +"I know it, and so the poor little souls have weak backs all their +days, as their mothers had before them. It is vain to argue the +matter, and I won't try, but I wish to state, once for all, that if I ever +see a pair of corsets near Rose, I'll put them in the fire, and you +may send the bill to me." + +As he spoke the corsets were on their way to destruction, but Mrs. +Jessie caught his arm, exclaiming merrily, "Don't burn them, for +mercy sake, Alec; they are full of whalebones, and will make a +dreadful odour. Give them to me. I'll see that they do no harm." + +"Whalebones, indeed! A regular fence of them, and metal +gate-posts in front. As if our own bones were not enough, if we'd +give them a chance to do their duty," growled the Doctor, yielding +up the bone of contention with a last shake of contempt. Then his +face cleared suddenly, and he held up his finger, saying, with a +smile, "Hear those girls laugh; cramped lungs could not make +hearty music like that." + +Peals of laughter issued from Rose's room, and smiles +involuntarily touched the lips of those who listened to the happy +sound. + +"Some new prank of yours, Alec?" asked Aunt Plenty, indulgently, +for she had come to believe in most of her nephew's odd notions, +because they seemed to work so well. + +"Yes, ma'am, my last, and I hope you will like it. I discovered what +Clara was at, and got my rival suit ready for to-day. I'm not going +to 'afflict' Rose, but let her choose, and if I'm not entirely mistaken, +she will like my rig best. While we wait I'll explain, and then you +will appreciate the general effect better. I got hold of this little +book, and was struck with its good sense and good taste, for it +suggests a way to clothe women both healthfully and handsomely, +and that is a great point. It begins at the foundations, as you will +see if you will look at these pictures, and I should think women +would rejoice at this lightening of their burdens." + +As he spoke, the Doctor laid the book before Aunt Plenty, who +obediently brought her spectacles to bear upon the illustrations, +and after a long look exclaimed, with a scandalised face + +"Mercy on us, these things are like the night-drawers Jamie wears! +You don't mean to say you want Rose to come out in this costume? +It's not proper, and I won't consent to it!" + +"I do mean it, and I'm sure my sensible aunt will consent when she +understands that these well I'll call them by an Indian name, and +say pajamas are for underwear, and Rose can have as pretty frocks +as she likes outside. These two suits of flannel, each in one piece +from head to foot, with a skirt or so hung on this easily-fitting +waist, will keep the child warm without burdening her with belts, +and gathers, and buckles, and bunches round the waist, and leave +free the muscles that need plenty of room to work in. She shall +never have the back-ache if I can help it, nor the long list of ills +you dear women think you cannot escape." + +"I don't consider it modest, and I'm sure Rose will be shocked at +it," began Mrs. Clara, but stopped suddenly, as Rose appeared in +the doorway, not looking shocked a bit. + +"Come on, my hygienic model, and let us see you," said her uncle, +with an approving glance, as she walked in, looking so +mischievously merry, that it was evident she enjoyed the joke. + +"Well, I don't see anything remarkable. That is a neat, plain suit; +the materials are good, and it's not unbecoming, if you want her to +look like a little school-girl; but it has not a particle of style, and +no one would ever give it a second glance," said Mrs. Clara, +feeling that her last remark condemned the whole thing. + +"Exactly what I want," answered the provoking Doctor, rubbing his +hands with a satisfied air. "Rosy looks now like what she is, a +modest little girl, who does not want to be stared at. I think she +would get a glance of approval, though, from people who like +sense and simplicity rather than fuss and feathers. Revolve, my +Hebe, and let me refresh my eyes by the sight of you." + +There was very little to see, however, only a pretty Gabrielle dress, +of a soft warm shade of brown, coming to the tops of a trim pair of +boots with low heels. A seal-skin sack, cap, and mittens, with a +glimpse of scarlet at the throat, and the pretty curls tied up with a +bright velvet of the same colour, completed the external +adornment, making her look like a robin redbreast wintry, yet +warm. + +"How do you like it, Rosy?" asked the Doctor, feeling that her +opinion was more important to the success of his new idea than +that of all the aunts on the hill. + +"I feel very odd and light, but I'm warm as a toast, and nothing +seems to be in my way," answered Rose, with a skip which +displayed shapely gaiters on legs that now might be as free and +active as a boy's under the modest skirts of the girl. + +"You can run away from the mad dogs, and walk off at a smart +pace without tumbling on your nose, now, I fancy?" + +"Yes, uncle! suppose the dog coming, I just hop over a wall so and +when I walk of a cold day, I go like this " + +Entering fully into the spirit of the thing, Rose swung herself over +the high back of the sofa as easily as one of her cousins, and then +went down the long hall as if her stout boots were related to the +famous seven-leaguers. + +"There! you see how it will be; dress her in that boyish way and +she will act like a boy. I do hate all these inventions of +strong-minded women!" exclaimed Mrs. Clara, as Rose came back +at a run. + +"Ah, but you see some of these sensible inventions come from the +brain of a fashionable modiste, who will make you more lovely, or +what you value more 'stylish' outside and comfortable within. Mrs. +Van Tassel has been to Madame Stone, and is wearing a full suit +of this sort. Van himself told me, when I asked how she was, that +she had given up lying on the sofa, and was going about in a most +astonishing way, considering her feeble health." + +"You don't say so! Let me see that book a moment," and Aunt +Clara examined the new patterns with a more respectful air, for if +the elegant Mrs. Van Tassel wore these "dreadful things" it would +never do to be left behind, in spite of her prejudices. + +Dr. Alec looked at Mrs. Jessie, and both smiled, for "little Mum" +had been in the secret, and enjoyed it mightily. + +"I thought that would settle it," he said with a nod. + +"I didn't wait for Mrs. Van to lead the way, and for once in my life +I have adopted a new fashion before Clara. My freedom suit is +ordered, and you may see me playing tag with Rose and the boys +before long," answered Mrs. Jessie, nodding back at him. + +Meantime Aunt Plenty was examining Rose's costume, for the hat +and sack were off, and the girl was eagerly explaining the new +under-garments. + +"See, auntie, all nice scarlet flannel, and a gay little petticoat, and +long stockings, oh, so warm! Phebe and I nearly died laughing +when I put this rig on, but I like it ever so much. The dress is so +comfortable, and doesn't need any belt or sash, and I can sit +without rumpling any trimming, that's such a comfort! I like to be +tidy, and so, when I wear fussed-up things, I'm thinking of my +clothes all the time, and that's tiresome. Do say you like it. I +resolved I would, just to please uncle, for he does know more +about health than anyone else, I'm sure, and I'd wear a bag if he +asked me to do it." + +"I don't ask that, Rose, but I wish you'd weigh and compare the two +suits, and then choose which seems best. I leave it to your own +commonsense," answered Dr. Alec, feeling pretty sure he had won. + +"Why, I take this one, of course, uncle. The other is fashionable, +and yes I must say I think it's pretty but it's very heavy, and I +should have to go round like a walking doll if I wore it. I'm much +obliged to auntie, but I'll keep this, please." + +Rose spoke gently but decidedly, though there was a look of regret +when her eye fell on the other suit which Phebe had brought in; +and it was very natural to like to look as other girls did. Aunt Clara +sighed; Uncle Alec smiled, and said heartily + +"Thank you, dear; now read this book and you will understand why +I ask it of you. Then, if you like, I'll give you a new lesson; you +asked for one yesterday, and this is more necessary than French or +housekeeping." + +"Oh, what?" and Rose caught up the book which Mrs. Clara had +thrown down with a disgusted look. + +Though Dr. Alec was forty, the boyish love of teasing was not yet +dead in him, and, being much elated at his victory, he could not +resist the temptation of shocking Mrs. Clara by suggesting dreadful +possibilities, so he answered, half in earnest, half in jest, +"Physiology, Rose. Wouldn't you like to be a little medical student, +with Uncle Doctor for teacher, and be ready to take up his practice +when he has to stop? If you agree, I'll hunt up my old skeleton +to-morrow." + +That was too much for Aunt Clara, and she hastily departed, with +her mind in a sad state of perturbation about Mrs. Van Tassel's +new costume and Rose's new study. + + + +Chapter 19 - Brother Bones + +Rose accepted her uncle's offer, as Aunt Myra discovered two or +three days later. Coming in for an early call, and hearing voices in +the study, she opened the door, gave a cry and shut it quickly, +looking a good deal startled. The Doctor appeared in a moment, +and begged to know what the matter was. + +"How can you ask when that long box looks so like a coffin I +thought it was one, and that dreadful thing stared me in the face as +I opened the door," answered Mrs. Myra, pointing to the skeleton +that hung from the chandelier cheerfully grinning at all beholders. + +"This is a medical college where women are freely admitted, so +walk in, madam, and join the class if you'll do me the honour," +said the Doctor, waving her forward with his politest bow. + +"Do, auntie, it's perfectly splendid," cried Rose's voice, and Rose's +blooming face was seen behind the ribs of the skeleton, smiling +and nodding in the gayest possible manner. + +"What are you doing, child?" demanded Aunt Myra, dropping into +a chair and staring about her. + +"Oh, I'm learning bones to-day, and I like it so much. There are +twelve ribs, you know, and the two lower ones are called floating +ribs, because they are not fastened to the breastbone. That's why +they go in so easily if you lace tight and squeeze the lungs and +heart in the let me see, what was that big word oh, I know thoracic +cavity," and Rose beamed with pride as she aired her little bit of +knowledge. + +"Do you think that is a good sort of thing for her to be poking +over? She is a nervous child, and I'm afraid it will be bad for her," +said Aunt Myra, watching Rose as she counted vertebrae, and +waggled a hip-joint in its socket with an inquiring expression. + +"An excellent study, for she enjoys it, and I mean to teach her how +to manage her nerves so that they won't be a curse to her, as many +a woman's become through ignorance or want of thought. To make +a mystery or terror of these things is a mistake, and I mean Rose +shall understand and respect her body so well that she won't dare +to trifle with it as most women do." + +"And she really likes it?" + +"Very much, auntie! It's all so wonderful, and so nicely planned, +you can hardly believe what you see. Just think, there are +600,000,000 air cells in one pair of lungs, and 2,000 pores to a +square inch of surface; so you see what quantities of air we must +have, and what care we should take of our skin so all the little +doors will open and shut right. And brains, auntie, you've no idea +how curious they are; I haven't got to them yet, but I long to, and +uncle is going to show me a manikin that you can take to pieces. +Just think how nice it will be to see all the organs in their places; +I only wish they could be made to work as ours do." + +It was funny to see Aunt Myra's face as Rose stood before her +talking rapidly with one hand laid in the friendliest manner on the +skeleton's shoulder. Every word both the Doctor and Rose uttered +hit the good lady in her weakest spot, and as she looked and +listened a long array of bottles and pill-boxes rose up before her, +reproaching her with the "ignorance and want of thought" that +made her what she was, a nervous, dyspeptic, unhappy old woman. + +"Well, I don't know but you may be right, Alec, only I wouldn't +carry it too far. Women don't need much of this sort of knowledge, +and are not fit for it. I couldn't bear to touch that ugly thing, and it +gives me the creeps to hear about 'organs,' " said Aunt Myra, with a +sigh and her hand on her side. + +"Wouldn't it be a comfort to know that your liver was on the right +side, auntie, and not on the left!" asked Rose with a naughty laugh +in her eyes, for she had lately learnt that Aunt Myra's liver +complaint was not in the proper place. + +"It's a dying world, child, and it don't much matter where the pain +is, for sooner or later we all drop off and are seen no more," was +Aunt Myra's cheerful reply. + +"Well, I intend to know what kills me if I can, and meantime, I'm +going to enjoy myself in spite of a dying world. I wish you'd do so +too, and come and study with uncle, it would do you good, I'm +sure," and Rose went back to counting vertebrae with such a happy +face, that Aunt Myra had not the heart to say a word to dampen her +ardour. + +"Perhaps it's as well to let her do what she likes the little while she +is with us. But pray be careful of her, Alec, and not allow her to +overwork," she whispered as she went out. + +"That's exactly what I'm trying to do, ma'am, and rather a hard job +I find it," he added, as he shut the door, for the dear aunts were +dreadfully in his way sometimes. + +Half an hour later came another interruption in the shape of Mac, +who announced his arrival by the brief but elegant remark + +"Hullo! what new game is this?" + +Rose explained, Mac gave a long whistle of surprise, and then took +a promenade round the skeleton, observing gravely + +"Brother Bones looks very jolly, but I can't say much for his +beauty." + +"You mustn't make fun of him, for he's a good old fellow, and +you'd be just as ugly if your flesh was off," said Rose, defending +her new friend with warmth. + +"I dare say, so I'll keep my flesh on, thank you. You are so busy +you can't read to a fellow, I suppose?" asked Mac, whose eyes +were better, but still too weak for books. + +"Don't you want to come and join my class? Uncle explains it all to +us, and you can take a look at the plates as they come along. We'll +give up bones today and have eyes instead; that will be more +interesting to you," added Rose, seeing no ardent thirst for +physiological information in his face. + +"Rose, we must not fly about from one thing to another in this +way," began Dr. Alec, but she whispered quickly, with a nod +towards Mac, whose goggles were turned wistfully in the direction +of the forbidden books + +"He's blue to-day, and we must amuse him; give a little lecture on +eyes, and it will do him good. No matter about me, uncle." + +"Very well; the class will please be seated," and the Doctor gave a +sounding rap on the table. + +"Come, sit by me, dear, then we can both see the pictures; and if +your head gets tired you can lie down," said Rose, generously +opening her little college to a brother, and kindly providing for the +weaknesses that all humanity is subject to. + +Side by side they sat and listened to a very simple explanation of +the mechanism of the eye, finding it as wonderful as a fairy tale, +for fine plates illustrated it, and a very willing teacher did his best +to make the lesson pleasant. + +"Jove! if I'd known what mischief I was doing to that mighty +delicate machine of mine, you wouldn't have caught me reading by +firelight, or studying with a glare of sunshine on my book," said +Mac, peering solemnly at a magnified eye-ball; then, pushing it +away, he added indignantly, "Why isn't a fellow taught all about +his works, and how to manage 'em, and not left to go blundering +into all sorts of worries? Telling him after he's down isn't much +use, for then he's found it out himself and won't thank you." + +"Ah, Mac, that's just what I keep lecturing about, and people won't +listen. You lads need that sort of knowledge so much, and fathers +and mothers ought to be able to give it to you. Few of them are +able, and so we all go blundering, as you say. Less Greek and Latin +and more knowledge of the laws of health for my boys, if I had +them. Mathematics are all very well, but morals are better, and I +wish, how I wish that I could help teachers and parents to feel it as +they ought." + +"Some do; Aunt Jessie and her boys have capital talks, and I wish +we could; but mother's so busy with her housekeeping, and father +with his business, there never seems to be any time for that sort of +thing; even if there was, it don't seem as if it would be easy to talk +to them, because we've never got into the way of it, you know." + +Poor Mac was right there, and expressed a want that many a boy +and girl feels. Fathers and mothers are too absorbed in business +and housekeeping to study their children, and cherish that sweet +and natural confidence which is a child's surest safeguard, and a +parent's subtlest power. So the young hearts hide trouble or +temptation till the harm is done, and mutual regret comes too late. +Happy the boys and girls who tell all things freely to father or +mother, sure of pity, help, and pardon; and thrice happy the parents +who, out of their own experience, and by their own virtues, can +teach and uplift the souls for which they are responsible. + +This longing stirred in the hearts of Rose and Mac, and by a +natural impulse both turned to Dr. Alec, for in this queer world of +ours, fatherly and motherly hearts often beat warm and wise in the +breasts of bachelor uncles and maiden aunts; and it is my private +opinion that these worthy creatures are a beautiful provision of +nature for the cherishing of other people's children. They certainly +get great comfort out of it, and receive much innocent affection +that otherwise would be lost. + +Dr. Alec was one of these, and his big heart had room for every +one of the eight cousins, especially orphaned Rose and afflicted +Mac; so, when the boy uttered that unconscious reproach to his +parents, and Rose added with a sigh, "It must be beautiful to have a +mother!" the good Doctor yearned over them, and, shutting his +book with a decided slam, said in that cordial voice of his + +"Now, look here, children, you just come and tell me all your +worries, and with God's help, I'll settle them for you. That is what +I'm here for, I believe, and it will be a great happiness to me if you +can trust me." + +"We can, uncle, and we will!" both answered, with a heartiness +that gratified him much. + +"Good! now school is dismissed, and I advise you to go and refresh +your 600,000,000 air cells by a brisk run in the garden. Come +again whenever you like, Mac, and we'll teach you all we can +about your 'works,' as you call them, so you can keep them running +smoothly." + +"We'll come, sir, much obliged," and the class in physiology went +out to walk. + +Mac did come again, glad to find something he could study in spite +of his weak eyes, and learned much that was of more value than +anything his school had ever taught him. + +Of course, the other lads made great fun of the whole thing, and +plagued Dr. Alec's students half out of their lives. But they kept on +persistently, and one day something happened which made the +other fellows behave themselves for ever after. + +It was a holiday, and Rose up in her room thought she heard the +voices of her cousins, so she ran down to welcome them, but found +no one there. + +"Never mind, they will be here soon, and then we'll have a frolic," +she said to herself, and thinking she had been mistaken she went +into the study to wait. She was lounging over the table looking at a +map when an odd noise caught her ear. A gentle tapping +somewhere, and following the sound it seemed to come from the +inside of the long case in which the skeleton lived when not +professionally engaged. This case stood upright in a niche between +two book-cases at the back of the room, a darkish corner, where +Brother Bones, as the boys would call him, was out of the way. + +As Rose stood looking in that direction, and wondering if a rat had +got shut in, the door of the case swung slowly open, and with a +great start she saw a bony arm lifted, and a bony finger beckon to +her. For a minute she was frightened, and ran to the study door +with a fluttering heart, but just as she touched the handle a queer, +stifled sort of giggle made her stop short and turn red with anger. +She paused an instant to collect herself, and then went softly +toward the bony beckoner. A nearer look revealed black threads +tied to the arm and fingers, the ends of threads disappearing +through holes bored in the back of the case. Peeping into the dark +recess, she also caught sight of the tip of an elbow covered with a +rough gray cloth which she knew very well. + +Quick as a flash she understood the joke, her fear vanished, and +with a wicked smile, she whipped out her scissors, cut the threads, +and the bony arm dropped with a rattle. Before she could say, +"Come out, Charlie, and let my skeleton alone," a sudden irruption +of boys, all in a high state of tickle, proclaimed to the hidden rogue +that his joke was a failure. + +"I told him not to do it, because it might give you a start," +explained Archie, emerging from the closet. + +"I had a smelling bottle all ready if she fainted away," added Steve, +popping up from behind the great chair. + +"It's too bad of you not to squawk and run; we depended on it, it's +such fun to howl after you," said Will and Geordie, rolling out +from under the sofa in a promiscuous heap. + +"You are getting altogether too strong-minded, Rose; most girls +would have been in a jolly twitter to see this old fellow waggling +his finger at them," complained Charlie, squeezing out from his +tight quarters, dusty and disgusted. + +"I'm used to your pranks now, so I'm always on the watch and +prepared. But I won't have Brother Bones made fun of. I know +uncle wouldn't like it, so please don't," began Rose just as Dr. Alec +came in, and, seeing the state of the case at a glance, he said +quietly + +"Hear how I got that skeleton, and then I'm sure you will treat it +with respect." + +The boys settled down at once on any article of furniture that was +nearest and listened dutifully. + +"Years ago, when I was in the hospital, a poor fellow was brought +there with a rare and very painful disease. There was no hope for +him, but we did our best, and he was so grateful that when he died +he left us his body that we might discover the mysteries of his +complaint, and so be able to help others afflicted in the same way. +It did do good, and his brave patience made us remember him long +after he was gone. He thought I had been kind to him, and said to a +fellow-student of mine, 'Tell the Doctor I lave him me bones, for +I've nothing else in the wide world, and I'll nos be wanting 'em at +all, at all, when the great pain hat kilt me entirely.' So that is how +they came to be mine, and why I've kept them carefully, for, +though only a poor, ignorant fellow, Mike Nolan did what he could +to help others, and prove his gratitude to those who tried to help +him." + +As Dr. Alec paused, Archie closed the door of the case as +respectfully as if the mummy of an Egyptian king was inside; Will +and Geordie looked solemnly at one another, evidently much +impressed, and Charlie pensively remarked from the coal-hod +where he sat + +"I've often heard of a skeleton in the house, but I think few people +have one as useful and as interesting as ours." + + + +Chapter 20 - Under The Mistletoe + +Rose made Phebe promise that she would bring her stocking into +the "Bower," as she called her pretty room, on Christmas morning, +because that first delicious rummage loses half its charm if two +little night-caps at least do not meet over the treasures, and two +happy voices Oh and Ah together. + +So when Rose opened her eyes that day they fell upon faithful +Phebe, rolled up in a shawl, sitting on the rug before a blazing fire, +with her untouched stocking laid beside her. + +"Merry Christmas!" cried the little mistress smiling gaily. + +"Merry Christmas!" answered the little maid, so heartily that it did +one good to hear her. + +"Bring the stockings right away, Phebe, and let's see what we've +got," said Rose, sitting up among the pillows, and looking as eager +as a child. + +A pair of long knobby hose were laid out upon the coverlet, and +their contents examined with delight, though each knew every +blessed thing that had been put into the other's stocking. + +Never mind what they were; it is evident that they were quite +satisfactory, for as Rose leaned back, she said, with a luxurious +sigh of satisfaction, "Now, I believe I've got everything in the +world that I want," and Phebe answered, smiling over a lapful of +treasures, "This is the most splendid Christmas I ever had since I +was born." Then she added with an important air + +"Do wish for something else, because I happen to know of two +more presents outside the door this minute." + +"Oh, me, what richness!" cried Rose, much excited. "I used to wish +for a pair of glass slippers like Cinderella's, but as I can't have +them, I really don't know what to ask for." + +Phebe clapped her hands as she skipped off the bed and ran to the +door, saying merrily, "One of them is for your feet, anyway. I don't +know what you'll say to the other, but I think it's elegant." + +So did Rose, when a shining pair of skates and a fine sled +appeared. + +"Uncle sent those; I know he did; and, now I see them, I remember +that I did want to skate and coast. Isn't it a beauty? See! they fit +nicely," and, sitting on the new sled, Rose tried a skate on her little +bare foot, while Phebe stood by admiring the pretty tableau. + +"Now we must hurry and get dressed, for there is a deal to do +to-day, and I want to get through in time to try my sled before +dinner." + +"Gracious me, and I ought to be dusting my parlors this blessed +minute!" and mistress and maid separated with such happy faces +that anyone would have known what day it was without being told. + +"Birnam Wood has come to Dunsinane, Rosy," said Dr. Alec, as he +left the breakfast table to open the door for a procession of holly, +hemlock, and cedar boughs that came marching up the steps. + +Snowballs and "Merry Christmases!" flew about pretty briskly for +several minutes; then all fell to work trimming the old house, for +the family always dined together there on that day. + +"I rode miles and mileses, as Ben says, to get this fine bit, and I'm +going to hang it there as the last touch to the rig-a-madooning," +said Charlie, as he fastened a dull green branch to the chandelier in +the front parlor. + +"It isn't very pretty," said Rose, who was trimming the +chimney-piece with glossy holly sprays. + +"Never mind that, it's mistletoe, and anyone who stands under it +will get kissed whether they like it or not. Now's your time, ladies," +answered the saucy Prince, keeping his place and looking +sentimentally at the girls, who retired precipitately from the +dangerous spot. + +"You won't catch me," said Rose, with great dignity. + +"See if I don't!" + +"I've got my eye on Phebe," observed Will, in a patronising tone +that made them all laugh. + +"Bless the dear; I shan't mind it a bit," answered Phebe, with such a +maternal air that Will's budding gallantry was chilled to death. + +"Oh, the mistletoe bough," sang Rose. + +"Oh, the mistletoe bough!" echoed all the boys, and the teasing +ended in the plaintive ballad they all liked so well. + +There was plenty of time to try the new skates before dinner, and +then Rose took her first lesson on the little bay, which seemed to +have frozen over for that express purpose. She found tumbling +down and getting up again warm work for a time, but with six boys +to teach her, she managed at last to stand alone; and, satisfied with +that success, she refreshed herself with a dozen grand coasts on the +Amazon, as her sled was called. + +"Ah, that fatal colour! it breaks my heart to see it," croaked Aunt +Myra, as Rose came down a little late, with cheeks almost as ruddy +as the holly berries on the wall, and every curl as smooth as +Phebe's careful hands could make it. + +"I'm glad to see that Alec allows the poor child to make herself +pretty in spite of his absurd notions," added Aunt Clara, taking +infinite satisfaction in the fact that Rose's blue silk dress had three +frills on it. + +"She's a very intelligent child, and has a nice little manner of her +own," observed Aunt Jane, with unusual affability; for Rose had +just handed Mac a screen to guard his eyes from the brilliant fire. + +"If I had a daughter like that to show my Jem when he gets home, I +should be a very proud and happy woman," thought Aunt Jessie, +and then reproached herself for not being perfectly satisfied with +her four brave lads. + +Aunt Plenty was too absorbed in the dinner to have an eye for +anything else; if she had not been, she would have seen what an +effect her new cap produced upon the boys. The good lady owned +that she did "love a dressy cap," and on this occasion her head gear +was magnificent; for the towering structure of lace was adorned +with buff ribbons to such an extent that it looked as if a flock of +yellow butterflies had settled on her dear old head. When she +trotted about the rooms the ruches quivered, the little bows all +stood erect, and the streamers waved in the breeze so comically +that it was absolutely necessary for Archie to smother the Brats in +the curtains till they had had their first laugh out. + +Uncle Mac had brought Fun See to dinner, and it was a mercy he +did, for the elder lads found a vent for their merriment in joking +the young Chinaman on his improved appearance. He was in +American costume now, with a cropped head, and spoke +remarkably good English after six months at school; but, for all +that, his yellow face and beady eyes made a curious contrast to the +blonde Campbells all about him. Will called him the "Typhoon," +meaning Tycoon, and the name stuck to him to his great disgust. + +Aunt Peace was brought down and set in the chair of state at table, +for she never failed to join the family on this day, and sat smiling +at them all, "like an embodiment of Peace on earth," Uncle Alec +said, as he took his place beside her, while Uncle Mac supported +Aunt Plenty at the other end. + +"I ate hardly any breakfast, and I've done everything I know to +make myself extra hungry, but I really don't think I can eat straight +through, unless I burst my buttons off," whispered Geordie to Will, +as he surveyed the bounteous stores before him with a hopeless +sigh. + +"A fellow never knows what he can do till he tries," answered +Will, attacking his heaped-up plate with an evident intention of +doing his duty like a man. + +Everybody knows what a Christmas dinner is, so we need waste no +words in describing this one, but hasten at once to tell what +happened at the end of it. The end, by the way, was so long in +coming that the gas was lighted before dessert was over, for a +snow flurry had come on and the wintry daylight faded fast. But +that only made it all the jollier in the warm, bright rooms, full of +happy souls. Everyone was very merry, but Archie seemed +particularly uplifted so much so, that Charlie confided to Rose that +he was afraid the Chief had been at the decanters. + +Rose indignantly denied the insinuation, for when healths were +drunk in the good old-fashioned way to suit the elders, she had +observed that Aunt Jessie's boys filled their glasses with water, and +had done the same herself in spite of the Prince's jokes about "the +rosy." + +But Archie certainly was unusually excited, and when someone +remembered that it was the anniversary of Uncle Jem's wedding, +and wished he was there to make a speech, his son electrified the +family by trying to do it for him. It was rather incoherent and +flowery, as maiden speeches are apt to be, but the end was +considered superb; for, turning to his mother with a queer little +choke in his voice, he said that she "deserved to be blessed with +peace and plenty, to be crowned with roses and lads'-love, and to +receive the cargo of happiness sailing home to her in spite of wind +or tide to add another Jem to the family jewels." + +That allusion to the Captain, now on his return trip, made Mrs. +Jessie sob in her napkin, and set the boys cheering. Then, as if that +was not sensation enough, Archie suddenly dashed out of the +room, as if he had lost his wits. + +"Too bashful to stay and be praised," began Charlie, excusing the +peculiarities of his chief as in duty bound. + +"Phebe beckoned to him; I saw her," cried Rose, staring hard at the +door. + +"Is it more presents coming?" asked Jamie, just as his brother +re-appeared, looking more excited than ever. + +"Yes; a present for mother, and here it is!" roared Archie, flinging +wide the door to let in a tall man, who cried out + +"Where's my little woman? The first kiss for her, then the rest may +come on as fast as they like." + +Before the words were out of his mouth, Mrs. Jessie was +half-hidden under his rough great-coat, and four boys were +prancing about him clamouring for their turn. + +Of course, there was a joyful tumult for a time, during which Rose +slipped into the window recess and watched what went on, as if it +were a chapter in a Christmas story. It was good to see bluff Uncle +Jem look proudly at his tall son, and fondly hug the little ones. It +was better still to see him shake his brothers' hands as if he would +never leave off, and kiss all the sisters in a way that made even +solemn Aunt Myra brighten up for a minute. But it was best of all +to see him finally established in grandfather's chair, with his "little +woman" beside him, his three youngest boys in his lap, and Archie +hovering over him like a large-sized cherub. That really was, as +Charlie said, "A landscape to do one's heart good." + +"All hearty and all here, thank God!" said Captain Jem in the first +pause that came, as he looked about him with a grateful face. + +"All but Rose," answered loyal little Jamie, remembering the +absent. + +"Faith, I forgot the child! Where is George's little girl?" asked the +Captain, who had not seen her since she was a baby. + +"You'd better say Alec's great girl," said Uncle Mac, who professed +to be madly jealous of his brother. + +"Here I am, sir," and Rose appeared from behind the curtains, +looking as if she had rather have stayed there. + +"Saint George Germain, how the mite has grown!" cried Captain +Jem, as he tumbled the boys out of his lap, and rose to greet the +tall girl, like a gentleman as he was. But, somehow, when he shook +her hand it looked so small in his big one, and her face reminded +him so strongly of his dead brother, that he was not satisfied with +so cold a welcome, and with a sudden softening of the keen eyes +he took her up in his arms, whispering, with a rough cheek against +her smooth one + +"God bless you, child! forgive me if I forgot you for a minute, and +be sure that not one of your kinsfolk is happier to see you here than +Uncle Jem." + +That made it all right; and when he set her down, Rose's face was +so bright it was evident that some spell had been used to banish the +feeling of neglect that had kept her moping behind the curtain so +long. + +That everyone sat round and heard all about the voyage home how +the Captain had set his heart on getting there in time to keep +Christmas; how everything had conspired to thwart his plan; and +how, at the very last minute, he had managed to do it, and had sent +a telegram to Archie, bidding him keep the secret, and be ready for +his father at any moment, for the ship got into another port, and he +might be late. + +Then Archie told how that telegram had burnt in his pocket all +dinner-time; how he had to take Phebe into his confidence, and +how clever she was to keep the Captain back till the speech was +over and he could come in with effect. + +The elders would have sat and talked all the evening, but the +young folks were bent on having their usual Christmas frolic; so, +after an hour of pleasant chat, they began to get restless, and +having consulted together in dumb show, they devised a way to +very effectually break up the family council. + +Steve vanished, and, sooner than the boys imagined Dandy could +get himself up, the skirl of the bag-pipe was heard in the hall, and +the bonny piper came to lead Clan Campbell to the revel. + +"Draw it mild, Stenie, my man; ye play unco weel, but ye mak a +most infernal din," cried Uncle Jem, with his hands over his ears, +for this accomplishment was new to him, and "took him all aback," +as he expressed it. + +So Steve droned out a Highland reel as softly as he could, and the +boys danced it to a circle of admiring relations. Captain Jem was a +true sailor, however, and could not stand idle while anything lively +was going on; so, when the piper's breath gave out, he cut a +splendid pigeon-wing into the middle of the hall, saying, "Who can +dance a Fore and After?" and, waiting for no reply, began to +whistle the air so invitingly that Mrs Jessie "set" to him laughing +like a girl; Rose and Charlie took their places behind, and away +went the four with a spirit and skill that inspired all the rest to "cut +in" as fast as they could. + +That was a grand beginning, and they had many another dance +before anyone would own they were tired. Even Fun See +distinguished himself with Aunt Plenty, whom he greatly admired +as the stoutest lady in the company; plumpness being considered a +beauty in his country. The merry old soul professed herself +immensely flattered by his admiration, and the boys declared she +"set her cap at him," else he would never have dared to catch her +under the mistletoe, and, rising on the tips of his own toes, +gallantly salute her fat cheek. + +How they all laughed at her astonishment, and how Fun's little +black eyes twinkled over this exploit! Charlie put him up to it, and +Charlie was so bent on catching Rose, that he laid all sorts of +pitfalls for her, and bribed the other lads to help him. But Rose +was wide-awake, and escaped all his snares, professing great +contempt for such foolish customs. Poor Phebe did not fare so +well, and Archie was the only one who took a base advantage of +her as she stood innocently offering tea to Aunt Myra, whom she +happened to meet just under the fatal bough. If his father's arrival +had not rather upset him, I doubt if the dignified Chief would have +done it, for he apologized at once in the handsomest manner, and +caught the tray that nearly dropped from Phebe's hands. + +Jamie boldly invited all the ladies to come and salute him; and as +for Uncle Jem, he behaved as if the entire room was a grove of +mistletoe. Uncle Alec slyly laid a bit of it on Aunt Peace's cap, and +then softly kissed her; which little joke seemed to please her very +much, for she liked to have part in all the home pastimes, and Alec +was her favourite nephew. + +Charlie alone failed to catch his shy bird, and the oftener she +escaped the more determined he was to ensnare her. When every +other wile had been tried in vain, he got Archie to propose a game +with forfeits. + +"I understand that dodge," thought Rose, and was on her guard so +carefully that not one among the pile soon collected belonged to +her. + +"Now let us redeem them and play something else," said Will, +quite unconscious of the deeply-laid plots all about him. + +"One more round and then we will," answered the Prince, who had +now baited his trap anew. + +Just as the question came to Rose, Jamie's voice was heard in the +hall, crying distressfully, "Oh, come quick, quick!" Rose started +up, missed the question, and was greeted with a general cry of +"Forfeit! forfeit!" in which the little traitor came to join. + +"Now I've got her," thought the young rascal, exulting in his +fun-loving soul. + +"Now I'm lost," thought Rose, as she gave up her pin-cushion with +a sternly defiant look that would have daunted anyone but the +reckless Prince. In fact, it made even him think twice, and resolve +to "let Rose off easy,'' she had been so clever. + +"Here's a very pretty pawn, and what shall be done to redeem it?" +asked Steve, holding the pin-cushion over Charlie's head, for he +had insisted on being judge, and kept that for the last. + +"Fine or superfine?" + +"Super." + +"Hum, well, she shall take old Mac under the mistletoe, and kiss +him prettily. Won't he be mad, though?" and this bad boy chuckled +over the discomfort he had caused two harmless beings. + +There was an impressive pause among the young folks in their +corner, for they all knew that Mac would "be mad," since he hated +nonsense of this sort, and had gone to talk with the elders when the +game began. At this moment he was standing before the fire, +listening to a discussion between his uncles and his father, looking +as wise as a young owl, and blissfully unconscious of the plots +against him. + +Charlie expected that Rose would say, "I won't!" therefore he was +rather astonished, not to say gratified, when, after a look at the +victim, she laughed suddenly, and, going up to the group of +gentlemen, drew her uncle Mac under the mistletoe and surprised +him with a hearty kiss. + +"Thank you, my dear," said the innocent gentleman, looking much +pleased at the unexpected honour. + +"Oh, come; that's not fair," began Charlie. But Rose cut him short +by saying, as she made him a fine courtesy + +"You said 'Old Mac,' and though it was very disrespectful, I did it. +That was your last chance, sir, and you've lost it." + +He certainly had, for, as he spoke, Rose pulled down the mistletoe +and threw it into the fire, while the boys jeered at the crestfallen +Prince, and exalted quick-witted Rose to the skies. + +"What's the joke?" asked young Mac, waked out of a brown study +by the laughter, in which the elders joined. + +But there was a regular shout when, the matter having been +explained to him, Mac took a meditative stare at Rose through his +goggles, and said in a philosophical tone, "Well, I don't think I +should have minded much if she had done it." + +That tickled the lads immensely, and nothing but the appearance of +a slight refection would have induced them to stop chaffing the +poor Worm, who could not see anything funny in the beautiful +resignation he had shown on this trying occasion. + +Soon after this, the discovery of Jamie curled up in the sofa corner, +as sound asleep as a dormouse, suggested the propriety of going +home, and a general move was made. + +They were all standing about the hall lingering over the +good-nights, when the sound of a voice softly singing "Sweet +Home," made them pause and listen. It was Phebe, poor little +Phebe, who never had a home, never knew the love of father or +mother, brother or sister; who stood all alone in the wide world, +yet was not sad nor afraid, but took her bits of happiness +gratefully, and sung over her work without a thought of discontent. + +I fancy the happy family standing there together remembered this +and felt the beauty of it, for when the solitary voice came to the +burden of its song, other voices took it up and finished it so +sweetly, that the old house seemed to echo the word "Home" in the +ears of both the orphan girls, who had just spent their first +Christmas under its hospitable roof. + + + +Chapter 21 - A Scare + +"Brother Alec, you surely don't mean to allow that child to go out +such a bitter cold day as this," said Mrs. Myra, looking into the +study, where the Doctor sat reading his paper, one February +morning. + +"Why not? If a delicate invalid like yourself can bear it, surely my +hearty girl can, especially as she is dressed for cold weather," +answered Dr. Alec with provoking confidence. + +"But you have no idea how sharp the wind is. I am chilled to the +very marrow of my bones," answered Aunt Myra, chafing the end +of her purple nose with her sombre glove. + +"I don't doubt it, ma'am, if you will wear crape and silk instead of +fur and flannel. Rosy goes out in all weathers, and will be none the +worse for an hour's brisk skating." + +"Well, I warn you that you are trifling with the child's health, and +depending too much on the seeming improvement she has made +this year. She is a delicate creature for all that, and will drop away +suddenly at the first serious attack, as her poor mother did," +croaked Aunt Myra, with a despondent wag of the big bonnet. + +"I'll risk it," answered Dr. Alec, knitting his brows, as he always +did when any allusion was made to that other Rose. + +"Mark my words, you will repent it," and with that awful prophecy, +Aunt Myra departed like a black shadow. + +Now it must be confessed that among the Doctor's failings and he +had his share was a very masculine dislike of advice which was +thrust upon him unasked. He always listened with respect to the +great-aunts, and often consulted Mrs. Jessie; but the other three +ladies tried his patience sorely, by constant warnings, complaints +and counsels. Aunt Myra was an especial trial, and he always +turned contrary the moment she began to talk. He could not help it, +and often laughed about it with comic frankness. Here now was a +sample of it, for he had just been thinking that Rose had better +defer her run till the wind went down and the sun was warmer. But +Aunt Myra spoke, and he could not resist the temptation to make +light of her advice, and let Rose brave the cold. He had no fear of +its harming her, for she went out every day, and it was a great +satisfaction to him to see her run down the avenue a minute +afterward, with her skates on her arm, looking like a rosy-faced +Esquimaux in her seal-skin suit, as she smiled at Aunt Myra +stalking along as solemnly as a crow. + +"I hope the child won't stay out long, for this wind is enough to +chill the marrow in younger bones than Myra's," thought Dr. Alec, +half an hour later, as he drove toward the city to see the few +patients he had consented to take for old acquaintance' sake. + +The thought returned several times that morning, for it was truly a +bitter day, and, in spite of his bear-skin coat, the Doctor shivered. +But he had great faith in Rose's good sense, and it never occurred +to him that she was making a little Casabianca of herself, with the +difference of freezing instead of burning at her post. + +You see, Mac had made an appointment to meet her at a certain +spot, and have a grand skating bout as soon as the few lessons he +was allowed were over. She had promised to wait for him, and did +so with a faithfulness that cost her dear, because Mac forgot his +appointment when the lessons were done, and became absorbed in +a chemical experiment, till a general combustion of gases drove +him out of his laboratory. Then he suddenly remembered Rose, +and would gladly have hurried away to her, but his mother forbade +his going out, for the sharp wind would hurt his eyes. + +"She will wait and wait, mother, for she always keeps her word, +and I told her to hold on till I came," explained Mac, with visions +of a shivering little figure watching on the windy hill-top. + +"Of course, your uncle won't let her go out such a day as this. If he +does, she will have the sense to come here for you, or to go home +again when you don't appear," said Aunt Jane, returning to her +"Watts on the Mind." + +"I wish Steve would just cut up and see if she's there, since I can't +go," began Mac, anxiously. + +"Steve won't stir a peg, thank you. He's got his own toes to thaw +out, and wants his dinner," answered Dandy, just in from school, +and wrestling impatiently with his boots. + +So Mac resigned himself, and Rose waited dutifully till +dinner-time assured her that her waiting was in vain. She had done +her best to keep warm, had skated till she was tired and hot, then +stood watching others till she was chilled; tried to get up a glow +again by trotting up and down the road, but failed to do so, and +finally cuddled disconsolately under a pine-tree to wait and watch. +When she at length started for home, she was benumbed with cold, +and could hardly make her way against the wind that buffeted the +frost-bitten rose most unmercifully. + +Dr. Alec was basking in the warmth of the study fire, after his +drive, when the sound of a stifled sob made him hurry to the door +and look anxiously into the hall. Rose lay in a shivering bunch +near the register, with her things half off, wringing her hands, and +trying not to cry with the pain returning warmth brought to her +half-frozen fingers. + +"My darling, what is it?" and Uncle Alec had her in his arms in a +minute. + +"Mac didn't come I can't get warm the fire makes me ache!" and +with a long shiver Rose burst out crying, while her teeth chattered, +and her poor little nose was so blue, it made one's heart ache to see +it. + +In less time than it takes to tell it, Dr. Alec had her on the sofa +rolled up in the bear-skin coat, with Phebe rubbing her cold feet +while he rubbed the aching hands, and Aunt Plenty made a +comfortable hot drink, and Aunt Peace sent down her own +foot-warmer and embroidered blanket "for the dear." + +Full of remorseful tenderness, Uncle Alec worked over his new +patient till she declared she was all right again. He would not let +her get up to dinner, but fed her himself, and then forgot his own +while he sat watching her fall into a drowse, for Aunt Plenty's +cordial made her sleepy. + +She lay so several hours for the drowse deepened into a heavy +sleep, and Uncle Alec, still at his post, saw with growing anxiety +that a feverish colour began to burn in her cheeks, that her +breathing was quick and uneven, and now and then she gave a +little moan, as if in pain. Suddenly she woke up with a start, and +seeing Aunt Plenty bending over her, put out her arms like a sick +child, saying wearily + +"Please, could I go to bed?" + +"The best place for you, deary. Take her right up, Alec; I've got the +hot water ready, and after a nice bath, she shall have a cup of my +sage tea, and be rolled up in blankets to sleep off her cold," +answered the old lady, cheerily, as she bustled away to give orders. + +"Are you in pain, darling?" asked Uncle Alec, as he carried her up. + +"My side aches when I breathe, and I feel stiff and queer; but it +isn't bad, so don't be troubled, uncle," whispered Rose, with a little +hot hand against his cheek. + +But the poor doctor did look troubled, and had cause to do so, for +just then Rose tried to laugh at Dolly charging into the room with a +warming-pan, but could not, for the sharp pain took her breath +away and made her cry out. + +"Pleurisy," sighed Aunt Plenty, from the depths of the bath-tub. + +"Pewmonia!" groaned Dolly, burrowing among the bedclothes with +the long-handled pan, as if bent on fishing up that treacherous +disease. + +"Oh, is it bad?" asked Phebe, nearly dropping a pail of hot water in +her dismay, for she knew nothing of sickness, and Dolly's +suggestion had a peculiarly dreadful sound to her. + +"Hush!" ordered the Doctor, in a tone that silenced all further +predictions, and made everyone work with a will. + +"Make her as comfortable as you can, and when she is in her little +bed I'll come and say good-night," he added, when the bath was +ready and the blankets browning nicely before the fire. + +Then he went away to talk quite cheerfully to Aunt Peace about its +being "only a chill"; after which he tramped up and down the hall, +pulling his beard and knitting his brows, sure signs of great inward +perturbation. + +"I thought it would be too good luck to get through the year +without a downfall. Confound my perversity! Why couldn't I take +Myra's advice and keep Rose at home. It's not fair that the poor +child should suffer for my sinful over-confidence. She shall not +suffer for it! Pneumonia, indeed! I defy it," and he shook his fist in +the ugly face of an Indian idol that happened to be before him, as +if that particularly hideous god had some spite against his own +little goddess. + +In spite of his defiance his heart sunk when he saw Rose again, for +the pain was worse, and the bath and blankets, the warming-pan +and piping-hot sage tea, were all in vain. For several hours there +was no rest for the poor child, and all manner of gloomy +forebodings haunted the minds of those who hovered about her +with faces full of the tenderest anxiety. + +In the midst of the worst paroxysm Charlie came to leave a +message from his mother, and was met by Phebe coming +despondently downstairs with a mustard plaster that had brought +no relief. + +"What the dickens is the matter? You look as dismal as a +tombstone," he said, as she held up her hand to stop his lively +whistling. + +"Miss Rose is dreadful sick." + +"The deuce she is!" + +"Don't swear, Mr. Charlie; she really is, and it's Mr. Mac's fault," +and Phebe told the sad tale in a few sharp words, for she felt at war +with the entire race of boys at that moment. + +"I'll give it to him, make your mind easy about that," said Charlie, +with an ominous doubling up of his fist. "But Rose isn't +dangerously ill, is she?" he added anxiously, as Aunt Plenty was +seen to trot across the upper hall, shaking a bottle violently as she +went. + +"Oh, but she is though. The Doctor don't say much, but he don't +call it a 'chill' any more. It's 'pleurisy' now, and I'm so afraid it will +be pewmonia to-morrow," answered Phebe, with a despairing +glance at the plaster. + +Charlie exploded into a stifled laugh at the new pronunciation of +pneumonia, to Phebe's great indignation. + +"How can you have the heart to do it, and she in such horrid pain? +Hark to that, and then laugh if you darst," she said with a tragic +gesture, and her black eyes full of fire. + +Charlie listened and heard little moans that went to his heart and +made his face as sober as Phebe's. "O uncle, please stop the pain, +and let me rest a minute! Don't tell the boys I wasn't brave. I try to +bear it, but it's so sharp I can't help crying." + +Neither could Charlie, when he heard the broken voice say that; +but, boy-like, he wouldn't own it, and said pettishly, as he rubbed +his sleeve across his eyes + +"Don't hold that confounded thing right under my nose; the +mustard makes my eyes smart." + +"Don't see how it can, when it hasn't any more strength in it than +meal. The Doctor said so, and I'm going to get some better," began +Phebe, not a bit ashamed of the great tears that were bedewing the +condemned plaster. + +"I'll go!" and Charlie was off like a shot, glad of an excuse to get +out of sight for a few minutes. + +When he came back all inconvenient emotion had been disposed +of, and, having delivered a box of the hottest mustard procurable +for money, he departed to "blow up" Mac, that being his next duty +in his opinion. He did it so energetically and thoroughly that the +poor Worm was cast into the depths of remorseful despair, and +went to bed that evening feeling that he was an outcast from +among men, and bore the mark of Cain upon his brow. + +Thanks to the skill of the Doctor, and the devotion of his helpers, +Rose grew easier about midnight, and all hoped that the worst was +over. Phebe was making tea by the study fire, for the Doctor had +forgotten to eat and drink since Rose was ill, and Aunt Plenty +insisted on his having a "good cordial dish of tea" after his +exertions. A tap on the window startled Phebe, and, looking up, +she saw a face peering in. She was not afraid, for a second look +showed her that it was neither ghost nor burglar, but Mac, looking +pale and wild in the wintry moonlight. + +"Come and let a fellow in," he said in a low tone, and when he +stood in the hall he clutched Phebe's arm, whispering gruffly, +"How is Rose?" + +"Thanks be to goodness, she's better," answered Phebe, with a +smile that was like broad sunshine to the poor lad's anxious heart. + +"And she will be all right again to-morrow?" + +"Oh, dear no! Dolly says she's sure to have rheumatic fever, if she +don't have noo-monia!" answered Phebe, careful to pronounce the +word rightly this time. + +Down went Mac's face, and remorse began to gnaw at him again as +he gave a great sigh and said doubtfully + +"I suppose I couldn't see her?" + +"Of course not at this time of night, when we want her to go to +sleep!" + +Mac opened his mouth to say something more, when a sneeze +came upon him unawares, and a loud "Ah rash hoo!" awoke the +echoes of the quiet house. + +"Why didn't you stop it?" said Phebe reproachfully. "I dare say +you've waked her up." + +"Didn't know it was coming. Just my luck!" groaned Mac, turning +to go before his unfortunate presence did more harm. + +But a voice from the stair-head called softly, "Mac, come up; Rose +wants to see you." + +Up he went, and found his uncle waiting for him. + +"What brings you here at this hour, my boy?" asked the Doctor in a +whisper. + +"Charlie said it was all my fault, and if she died I'd killed her. I +couldn't sleep, so I came to see how she was, and no one knows it +but Steve," he said with such a troubled face and voice that the +Doctor had not the heart to blame him. + +Before he could say anything more a feeble voice called "Mac!" +and with a hasty "Stay a minute just to please her, and then slip +away, for I want her to sleep," the Doctor led him into the room. + +The face on the pillow looked very pale and childish, and the smile +that welcomed Mac was very faint, for Rose was spent with pain, +yet could not rest till she had said a word of comfort to her cousin. + +"I knew your funny sneeze, and I guessed that you came to see how +I did, though it is very late. Don't be worried, I'm better now, and it +is my fault I was ill, not yours; for I needn't have been so silly as to +wait in the cold just because I said I would." + +Mac hastened to explain, to load himself with reproaches, and to +beg her not to die on any account, for Charlie's lecture had made a +deep impression on the poor boy's mind. + +"I didn't know there was any danger of my dying," and Rose looked +up at him with a solemn expression in her great eyes. + +"Oh, I hope not; but people do sometimes go suddenly, you know, +and I couldn't rest till I'd asked you to forgive me," faltered Mac, +thinking that Rose looked very like an angel already, with the +golden hair loose on the pillow, and the meekness of suffering on +her little white face. + +"I don't think I shall die; uncle won't let me; but if I do, remember I +forgave you." + +She looked at him with a tender light in her eyes, and, seeing how +pathetic his dumb grief was, she added softly, drawing his head +down, "I wouldn't kiss you under the mistletoe, but I will now, for I +want you to be sure I do forgive and love you just the same." + +That quite upset poor Mac; he could only murmur his thanks and +get out of the room as fast as possible, to grope his way to the +couch at the far end of the hall, and lie there till he fell asleep, +worn out with trying not to "make a baby" of himself. + + + +Chapter 22 - Something to do + +Whatever danger there might have been from the effects of that +sudden chill, it was soon over, though, of course, Aunt Myra +refused to believe it, and Dr. Alec cherished his girl with +redoubled vigilance and tenderness for months afterward. Rose +quite enjoyed being sick, because as soon as the pain ended the fun +began, and for a week or two she led the life of a little princess +secluded in the Bower, while every one served, amused, and +watched over her in the most delightful manner. But the doctor +was called away to see an old friend, who was dangerously ill, and +then Rose felt like a young bird deprived of its mother's sheltering +wing; especially on one afternoon when the aunts were taking their +naps, and the house was very still within while snow fell softly +without. + +"I'll go and hunt up Phebe, she is always nice and busy, and likes to +have me help her. If Dolly is out of the way we can make caramels +and surprise the boys when they come," Rose said to herself, as she +threw down her book and felt ready for society of some sort. + +She took the precaution to peep through the slide before she +entered the kitchen, for Dolly allowed no messing when she was +round. But the coast was clear, and no one but Phebe appeared, +sitting at the table with her head on her arms apparently asleep. +Rose was just about to wake her with a "Boo!" when she lifted her +head, dried her wet eyes with her blue apron, and fell to work with +a resolute face on something she was evidently much interested in. +Rose could not make out what it was, and her curiosity was greatly +excited, for Phebe was writing with a sputtering pen on some bits +of brown paper, apparently copying something from a little book. + +"I must know what the dear thing is about, and why she cried, and +then set her lips tight and went to work with all her might," +thought Rose, forgetting all about the caramels, and, going round +to the door, she entered the kitchen, saying pleasantly + +"Phebe, I want something to do. Can't you let me help you about +anything, or shall I be in the way?" + +"Oh, dear no, miss; I always love to have you round when things +are tidy. What would you like to do?" answered Phebe, opening a +drawer as if about to sweep her own affairs out of sight; but Rose +stopped her, exclaiming, like a curious child + +"Let me see! What is it? I won't tell if you'd rather not have Dolly +know." + +"I'm only trying to study a bit; but I'm so stupid I don't get on +much," answered the girl reluctantly, permitting her little mistress +to examine the poor contrivances she was trying to work with. + +A broken slate that had blown off the roof, an inch or two of +pencil, an old almanac for a reader, several bits of brown or yellow +paper ironed smoothly and sewn together for a copy-book, and the +copies sundry receipts written in Aunt Plenty's neat hand. These, +with a small bottle of ink and a rusty pen, made up Phebe's outfit, +and it was little wonder that she did not "get on" in spite of the +patient persistence that dried the desponding tears and drove along +the sputtering pen with a will. + +"You may laugh if you want to, Miss Rose, I know my things are +queer, and that's why I hide 'em; but I don't mind since you've +found me out, and I ain't a bit ashamed except of being so +backward at my age," said Phebe humbly, though her cheeks grew +redder as she washed out some crooked capitals with a tear or two +not yet dried upon the slate. + +"Laugh at you! I feel more like crying to think what a selfish girl I +am, to have loads of books and things and never remember to give +you some. Why didn't you come and ask me, and not go struggling +along alone in this way? It was very wrong of you, Phebe, and I'll +never forgive you if you do so again," answered Rose, with one +hand on Phebe's shoulder, while the other gently turned the leaves +of the poor little copy-book. + +"I didn't like to ask for anything more when you are so good to me +all the time, miss, dear," began Phebe, looking up with grateful +eyes. + +"O you proud thing! just as if it wasn't fun to give away, and I had +the best of it. Now, see here, I've got a plan and you mustn't say no, +or I shall scold. I want something to do, and I'm going to teach you +all I know; it won't take long," and Rose laughed as she put her +arm around Phebe's neck, and patted the smooth dark head with +the kind little hand that so loved to give. + +"It would be just heavenly!" and Phebe's face shone at the mere +idea; but fell again as she added wistfully, "Only I'm afraid I ought +not to let you do it, Miss Rose. It will take time, and maybe the +Doctor wouldn't like it." + +"He didn't want me to study much, but he never said a word about +teaching, and I don't believe he will mind a bit. Anyway, we can +try it till he comes, so pack up your things and go right to my room +and we'll begin this very day; I'd truly like to do it, and we'll have +nice times, see if we don't!" cried Rose eagerly. + +It was a pretty sight to see Phebe bundle her humble outfit into her +apron, and spring up as if the desire of her heart had suddenly been +made a happy fact to her; it was a still prettier sight to see Rose +run gaily on before, smiling like a good fairy as she beckoned to +the other, singing as she went + + "The way into my parlour is up a winding stair, + And many are the curious things I'll show you when you're there. + Will you, will you walk in, Phebe dear?" + +"Oh, won't I!" answered Phebe fervently, adding, as they entered +the Bower, "You are the dearest spider that ever was, and I'm the +happiest fly." + +"I'm going to be very strict, so sit down in that chair and don't say a +word till school is ready to open," ordered Rose, delighted with the +prospect of such a useful and pleasant "something to do." + +So Phebe sat demurely in her place while her new teacher laid +forth books and slates, a pretty inkstand and a little globe; hastily +tore a bit off her big sponge, sharpened pencils with more energy +than skill, and when all was ready gave a prance of satisfaction +that set the pupil laughing. + +"Now the school is open, and I shall hear you read, so that I may +know in which class to put you, Miss Moore," began Rose with +great dignity, as she laid a book before her scholar, and sat down +in the easy chair with a long rule in her hand. + +Phebe did pretty well, only tripping now and then over a hard +word, and pronouncing identical "identickle," in a sober way that +tickled Rose, though never a smile betrayed her. The spelling +lesson which followed was rather discouraging; Phebe's ideas of +geography were very vague, and grammar was nowhere, though +the pupil protested that she tried so hard to "talk nice like educated +folks" that Dolly called her "a stuck-up piece who didn't know her +place." + +"Dolly's an old goose, so don't you mind her, for she will say +'nater,' 'vittles,' and 'doos' as long as she lives, and insist that they +are right. You do talk very nicely, Phebe, I've observed it, and +grammar will help you, and show you some things are right and +others ain't are not, I mean," added Rose, correcting herself, and +feeling that she must mind her own parts of speech if she was to +serve as an example for Phebe. + +When the arithmetic came, the little teacher was surprised to find +her scholar quicker in some things than herself, for Phebe had +worked away at the columns in the butcher's and baker's books till +she could add so quickly and correctly that Rose was amazed, and +felt that in this branch the pupil would soon excel the teacher if +she kept on at the same pace. Her praise cheered Phebe +immensely, and they went bravely on, both getting so interested +that time flew unheeded till Aunt Plenty appeared, exclaiming, as +she stared at the two heads bent over one slate + +"Bless my heart, what is going on now?" + +"School, aunty. I'm teaching Phebe, and it's great fun!" cried Rose, +looking up with a bright face. + +But Phebe's was brighter, though she added with a wistful look + +"Maybe I ought to have asked leave first; only when Miss Rose +proposed this, I was so happy I forgot to. Shall I stop, ma'am?" + +"Of course not, child; I'm glad to see you fond of your book, and to +find Rose helping you along. My blessed mother used to sit at +work with her maids about her, teaching them many a useful thing +in the good old fashion that's gone by now. Only don't neglect your +work, dear, or let the books interfere with the duties." + +As Aunt Plenty spoke, with her kind old face beaming approvingly +upon the girls, Phebe glanced at the clock, saw that it pointed to +five, knew that Dolly would soon be down, expecting to find +preparations for supper under way, and, hastily dropping her +pencil, she jumped up, saying + +"Please, can I go? I'll clear up after I've done my chores." + +"School is dismissed," answered Rose, and with a grateful "Thank +you, heaps and heaps!" Phebe ran away singing the multiplication +table as she set the tea ditto. + +That was the way it began, and for a week the class of one went on +with great pleasure and profit to all concerned; for the pupil +proved a bright one, and came to her lessons as to a feast, while +the young teacher did her best to be worthy the high opinion held +of her, for Phebe firmly believed that Miss Rose knew everything +in the way of learning. + +Of course the lads found out what was going on, and chaffed the +girls about the "Seminary," as they called the new enterprise; but +they thought it a good thing on the whole, kindly offered to give +lessons in Greek and Latin gratis, and decided among themselves +that "Rose was a little trump to give the Phebe-bird such a capital +boost." + +Rose herself had some doubts as to how it would strike her uncle, +and concocted a wheedlesome speech which should at once +convince him that it was the most useful, wholesome, and +delightful plan ever devised. But she got no chance to deliver her +address, for Dr. Alec came upon her so unexpectedly that it went +out of her head entirely. She was sitting on the floor in the library, +poring over a big book laid open in her lap, and knew nothing of +the long-desired arrival till two large, warm hands met under her +chin and gently turned her head back, so that someone could kiss +her heartily on either cheek, while a fatherly voice said, half +reproachfully, "Why is my girl brooding over a dusty Encyclopedia +when she ought to be running to meet the old gentleman who +couldn't get on another minute without her?" + +"O uncle! I'm so glad! and so sorry! Why didn't you let us know +what time you'd be here, or call out the minute you came? Haven't +I been home-sick for you? and now I'm so happy to have you back +I could hug your dear old curly head off," cried Rose, as the +Encyclopedia went down with a bang, and she up with a spring +that carried her into Dr. Alec's arms, to be kept there in the sort of +embrace a man gives to the dearest creature the world holds for +him. + +Presently he was in his easy chair with Rose upon his knee smiling +up in his face and talking as fast as her tongue could go, while he +watched her with an expression of supreme content, as he stroked +the smooth round cheek, or held the little hand in his, rejoicing to +see how rosy was the one, how plump and strong the other. + +"Have you had a good time? Did you save the poor lady? Aren't +you glad to be home again with your girl to torment you?" + +"Yes, to all those questions. Now tell me what you've been at, little +sinner? Aunty Plen says you want to consult me about some new +and remarkable project which you have dared to start in my +absence." + +"She didn't tell you, I hope?" + +"Not a word more expect that you were rather doubtful how I'd +take it, and so wanted to 'fess' yourself and get round me as you +always try to do, though you don't often succeed. Now, then, own +up and take the consequences." + +So Rose told about her school in her pretty, earnest way, dwelling +on Phebe's hunger for knowledge, and the delight it was to help +her, adding, with a wise nod + +"And it helps me too, uncle, for she is so quick and eager I have to +do my best or she will get ahead of me in some things. To-day, +now, she had the word 'cotton' in a lesson and asked all about it, +and I was ashamed to find I really knew so little that I could only +say that it was a plant that grew down South in a kind of a pod, and +was made into cloth. That's what I was reading up when you came, +and to-morrow I shall tell her all about it, and indigo too. So you +see it teaches me also, and is as good as a general review of what +I've learned, in a pleasanter way than going over it alone." + +"You artful little baggage! that's the way you expect to get round +me, is it? That's not studying, I suppose?" + +"No, sir, it's teaching; and please, I like it much better than having +a good time by myself. Besides, you know, I adopted Phebe and +promised to be a sister to her, so I am bound to keep my word, am +I not?" answered Rose, looking both anxious and resolute as she +waited for her sentence. + +Dr. Alec was evidently already won, for Rose had described the +old slate and brown paper copy-book with pathetic effect, and the +excellent man had not only decided to send Phebe to school long +before the story was done, but reproached himself for forgetting +his duty to one little girl in his love for another. So when Rose +tried to look meek and failed utterly, he laughed and pinched her +cheek, and answered in that genial way which adds such warmth +and grace to any favour + +"I haven't the slightest objection in the world. In fact, I was +beginning to think I might let you go at your books again, +moderately, since you are so well; and this is an excellent way to +try your powers. Phebe is a brave, bright lass, and shall have a fair +chance in the world, if we can give it to her, so that if she ever +finds her friends they need not be ashamed of her." + +"I think she has found some already," began Rose eagerly. + +"Hey? what? has anyone turned up since I've been gone?" asked +Dr. Alec quickly, for it was a firm belief in the family that Phebe +would prove to be "somebody" sooner or later. + +"No, her best friend turned up when you came home, uncle," +answered Rose with an approving pat, adding gratefully, "I can't +half thank you for being so good to my girl, but she will, because I +know she is going to make a woman to be proud of, she's so strong +and true, and loving." + +"Bless your dear heart, I haven't begun to do anything yet, more +shame to me! But I'm going at it now, and as soon as she gets on a +bit, she shall go to school as long as she likes. How will that do for +a beginning?" + +"It will be 'just heavenly,' as Phebe says, for it is the wish of her +life to 'get lots of schooling,' and she will be too happy when I tell +her. May I, please? it will be so lovely to see the dear thing open +her big eyes and clap her hands at the splendid news." + +"No one shall have a finger in this nice little pie; you shall do it all +yourself, only don't go too fast, or make too many castles in the air, +my dear; for time and patience must go into this pie of ours if it is +to turn out well." + +"Yes, uncle, only when it is opened won't 'the birds begin to sing?"' +laughed Rose, taking a turn about the room as a vent for the joyful +emotions that made her eyes shine. All of a sudden she stopped +and asked soberly + +"If Phebe goes to school who will do her work? I'm willing, if I +can." + +"Come here and I'll tell you a secret. Dolly's 'bones' are getting so +troublesome, and her dear old temper so bad, that the aunts have +decided to pension her off and let her go and live with her +daughter, who has married very well. I saw her this week, and +she'd like to have her mother come, so in the spring we shall have +a grand change, and get a new cook and chamber-girl if any can be +found to suit our honoured relatives." + +"Oh, me! how can I ever get on without Phebe? Couldn't she stay, +just so I could see her? I'd pay her board rather than have her go, +I'm so fond of her." + +How Dr. Alec laughed at that proposal, and how satisfied Rose +was when he explained that Phebe was still to be her maid, with no +duties except such as she could easily perform between +school-hours. + +"She is a proud creature, for all her humble ways, and even from +us would not take a favour if she did not earn it somewhere. So +this arrangement makes it all square and comfortable, you see, and +she will pay for the schooling by curling these goldilocks a dozen +times a day if you let her." + +"Your plans are always so wise and kind! That's why they work so +well, I suppose, and why people let you do what you like with +them. I really don't see how other girls get along without an Uncle +Alec!" answered Rose, with a sigh of pity for those who had +missed so great a blessing. + +When Phebe was told the splendid news, she did not "stand on her +head with rapture," as Charlie prophesied she would, but took it +quietly, because it was such a happy thing she had no words "big +and beautiful enough to thank them in," she said; but every hour of +her day was brightened by this granted wish, and dedicated to the +service of those who gave it. + +Her heart was so full of content that if overflowed in music, and +the sweet voice singing all about the house gave thanks so blithely +that no other words were needed. Her willing feet were never tired +of taking steps for those who had smoothed her way; her skilful +hands were always busy in some labour of love for them, and on +the face fast growing in comeliness there was an almost womanly +expression of devotion, which proved how well Phebe had already +learned one of life's great lessons gratitude. + + + +Chapter 23 - Peace-Making + +"Steve, I want you to tell me something," said Rose to Dandy, who +was making faces at himself in the glass, while he waited for an +answer to the note he brought from his mother to Aunt Plenty. + +"P'raps I will, and p'raps I won't. What is it?" + +"Haven't Arch and Charlie quarrelled?" + +"Dare say; we fellows are always having little rows, you know. I +do believe a sty is coming on my star-board eye," and Steve +affected to be absorbed in a survey of his yellow lashes. + +"No, that won't do; I want to know all about it; for I'm sure +something more serious than a 'little row' is the matter. Come, +please tell me, Stenie, there's a dear." + +"Botheration! you don't want me to turn telltale, do you?" growled +Steve, pulling his top-knot, as he always did when perplexed. + +"Yes, I do," was Rose's decided answer for she saw from his +manner that she was right, and determined to have the secret out of +him if coaxing would do it. "I don't wish you to tell things to +everyone, of course, but to me you may, and you must, because I +have a right to know. You boys need somebody to look after you, +and I'm going to do it, for girls are nice peacemakers, and know +how to manage people. Uncle said so, and he is never wrong." + +Steve was about to indulge in a derisive hoot at the idea of her +looking after them, but a sudden thought restrained him, and +suggested a way in which he could satisfy Rose, and better himself +at the same time. + +"What will you give me if I'll tell you every bit about it?" he asked, +with a sudden red in his cheeks and an uneasy look in his eyes, for +he was half ashamed of the proposition. + +"What do you want?" and Rose looked up rather surprised at his +question. + +"I'd like to borrow some money. I shouldn't think of asking you, +only Mac never has a cent. since he's set up his old chemical shop, +where he'll blow himself to bits some day, and you and uncle will +have the fun of putting him together again," and Steve tried to look +as if the idea amused him. + +"I'll lend it to you with pleasure, so tell away," said Rose, bound to +get at the secret. + +Evidently much relieved by the promise, Steve set his top-knot +cheerfully erect again, and briefly stated the case. + +"As you say, it's all right to tell you, but don't let the boys know I +blabbed, or Prince will take my head off. You see, Archie don't +like some of the fellows Charlie goes with, and cuts 'em. That +makes Prince mad, and he holds on just to plague Arch, so they +don't speak to one another, if they can help it, and that's the row." + +"Are those boys bad?" asked Rose, anxiously. + +"Guess not, only rather wild. They are older than our fellows, but +they like Prince, he's such a jolly boy; sings so well, dances jigs +and breakdowns, you know, and plays any game that's going. He +beat Morse at billiards, and that's something to brag of, for Morse +thinks he knows everything. I saw the match, and it was great fun!" + +Steve got quite excited over the prowess of Charlie, whom he +admired immensely, and tried to imitate. Rose did not know half +the danger of such gifts and tastes as Charlie's, but felt +instinctively that something must be wrong if Archie disapproved. + +"If Prince likes any billiard-playing boy better than Archie, I don't +think much of his sense," she said severely. + +"Of course he doesn't; but, you see, Charlie and Arch are both as +proud as they can be, and won't give in. I suppose Arch is right, but +I don't blame Charlie a bit for liking to be with the others +sometimes, they are such a jolly set," and Steve shook his head +morally, even while his eye twinkled over the memory of some of +the exploits of the "jolly set." + +"Oh, dear me!" sighed Rose, "I don't see what I can do about it, but +I wish the boys would make up, for Prince can't come to any harm +with Archie, he's so good and sensible." + +"That's the trouble; Arch preaches, and Prince won't stand it. He +told Arch he was a prig and a parson, and Arch told him he wasn't +a gentleman. My boots! weren't they both mad, though! I thought +for a minute they'd pitch into one another and have it out. Wish +they had, and not gone stalking round stiff and glum ever since. +Mac and I settle our rows with a bat or so over the head, and then +we are all right." + +Rose couldn't help laughing as Steve sparred away at a fat +sofa-pillow, to illustrate his meaning; and, having given it several +scientific whacks, he pulled down his cuffs and smiled upon her +with benign pity for her feminine ignorance of this summary way +of settling a quarrel. + +"What droll things boys are!" she said, with a mixture of +admiration and perplexity in her face, which Steve accepted as a +compliment to his sex. + +"We're a pretty clever invention, miss, and you can't get on without +us," he answered, with his nose in the air. Then, taking a sudden +plunge into business, he added, "How about that bit of money you +were going to lend me? I've told, now you pay up." + +"Of course I will! How much do you want?" and Rose pulled out +her purse. + +"Could you spare five dollars? I want to pay a little debt of honour +that is rather pressing," and Steve put on a mannish air that was +comical to see. + +"Aren't all debts honourable?" asked innocent Rose. + +"Yes, of course; but this is a bet I made, and it ought to be settled +up at once," began Steve, finding it awkward to explain. + +"Oh, don't bet, it's not right, and I know your father wouldn't like it. +Promise you won't do so again; please promise!" and Rose held +fast the hand into which she had just put the money. + +"Well, I won't. It's worried me a good deal, but I was joked into it. +Much obliged, cousin, I'm all right now," and Steve departed +hastily. + +Having decided to be a peace-maker, Rose waited for an +opportunity, and very soon it came. + +She was spending the day with Aunt Clara, who had been +entertaining some young guests, and invited Rose to meet them, +for she thought it high time her niece conquered her bashfulness +and saw a little of society. Dinner was over, and everyone had +gone. Aunt Clara was resting before going out to an evening party, +and Rose was waiting for Charlie to come and take her home. + +She sat alone in the elegant drawing-room, feeling particularly +nice and pretty, for she had her best frock on, a pair of gold bands +her aunt had just given her, and a tea-rose bud in her sash, like the +beautiful Miss Van Tassel, whom everyone admired. She had +spread out her little skirts to the best advantage, and, leaning back +in a luxurious chair, sat admiring her own feet in new slippers with +rosettes almost as big as dahlias. Presently Charlie came lounging +in, looking rather sleepy and queer, Rose thought. On seeing her, +however, he roused up and said with a smile that ended in a gape + +"I thought you were with mother, so I took forty winks after I got +those girls off. Now, I'm at your service, Rosamunda, whenever +you like." + +"You look as if your head ached. If it does, don't mind me. I'm not +afraid to run home alone, it's so early," answered Rose, observing +the flushed cheeks and heavy eyes of her cousin. + +"I think I see myself letting you do it. Champagne always makes +my headache, but the air will set me up." + +"Why do you drink it, then?" asked Rose, anxiously. + +"Can't help it, when I'm host. Now, don't you begin to lecture; I've +had enough of Archie's old-fashioned notions, and I don't want any +more." + +Charlie's tone was decidedly cross, and his whole manner so unlike +his usual merry good-nature, that Rose felt crushed, and answered +meekly + +"I wasn't going to lecture, only when people like other people, they +can't bear to see them suffer pain." + +That brought Charlie round at once, for Rose's lips trembled a +little, though she tried to hide it by smelling the flower she pulled +from her sash. + +"I'm a regular bear, and I beg your pardon for being so cross, +Rosy," he said in the old frank way that was so winning. + +"I wish you'd beg Archie's too, and be good friends again. You +never were cross when he was your chum," Rose said, looking up +at him as he bent toward her from the low chimney-piece, where +he had been leaning his elbows. + +In an instant he stood as stiff and straight as a ramrod, and the +heavy eyes kindled with an angry spark as he said, in his high and +mighty manner + +"You'd better not meddle with what you don't understand, cousin." + +"But I do understand, and it troubles me very much to see you so +cold and stiff to one another. You always used to be together, and +now you hardly speak. You are so ready to beg my pardon I don't +see why you can't beg Archie's, if you are in the wrong." + +"I'm not!" this was so short and sharp that Rose started, and +Charlie added in a calmer but still very haughty tone: "A +gentleman always begs pardon when he has been rude to a lady, +but one man doesn't apologize to another man who has insulted +him." + +"Oh, my heart, what a pepperpot!" thought Rose, and, hoping to +make him laugh, she added slyly: "I was not talking about men, but +boys, and one of them a Prince, who ought to set a good example +to his subjects." + +But Charlie would not relent, and tried to turn the subject by +saying gravely, as he unfastened the little gold ring from his +watch-guard + +"I've broken my word, so I want to give this back and free you +from the bargain. I'm sorry, but I think it a foolish promise, and +don't intend to keep it. Choose a pair of ear-rings to suit yourself, +as my forfeit. You have a right to wear them now." + +"No, I can only wear one, and that is no use, for Archie will keep +his word I'm sure!" Rose was so mortified and grieved at this +downfall of her hopes that she spoke sharply, and would not take +the ring the deserter offered her. + +He shrugged his shoulders, and threw it into her lap, trying to look +cool and careless, but failing entirely, for he was ashamed of +himself, and out of sorts generally. Rose wanted to cry, but pride +would not let her, and, being very angry, she relieved herself by +talk instead of tears. Looking pale and excited, she rose out of her +chair, cast away the ring, and said in a voice that she vainly tried to +keep steady + +"You are not at all the boy I thought you were, and I don't respect +you one bit. I've tried to help you be good, but you won't let me, +and I shall not try any more. You talk a great deal about being a +gentleman, but you are not, for you've broken your word, and I can +never trust you again. I don't wish you to go home with me. I'd +rather have Mary. Good-night." + +And with that last dreadful blow, Rose walked out of the room, +leaving Charlie as much astonished as if one of his pet pigeons had +flown in his face and pecked at him. She was so seldom angry, that +when her temper did get the better of her it made a deep +impression on the lads, for it was generally a righteous sort of +indignation at some injustice or wrong-doing, not childish passion. + +Her little thunderstorm cleared off in a sob or two as she put on +her things in the entry-closet, and when she emerged she looked +the brighter for the shower. A hasty good-night to Aunt Clara now +under the hands of the hairdresser and then she crept down to find +Mary the maid. But Mary was out, so was the man, and Rose +slipped away by the back-door, flattering herself that she had +escaped the awkwardness of having Charlie for escort. + +There she was mistaken, however, for the gate had hardly closed +behind her when a well-known tramp was heard, and the Prince +was beside her, saying in a tone of penitent politeness that +banished Rose's wrath like magic + +"You needn't speak to me if you don't choose, but I must see you +safely home, cousin." + +She turned at once, put out her hand, and answered heartily + +"I was the cross one. Please forgive me, and let's be friends again." + +Now that was better than a dozen sermons on the beauty of +forgiveness, and did Charlie more good, for it showed him how +sweet humility was, and proved that Rose practised as she +preached. + +He shook the hand warmly, then drew it through his arm and said, +as if anxious to recover the good opinion with the loss of which he +had been threatened + +"Look here, Rosy, I've put the ring back, and I'm going to try again. +But you don't know how hard it is to stand being laughed at." + +"Yes, I do! Ariadne plagues me every time I see her, because I +don't wear ear-rings after all the trouble I had getting ready for +them." + +"Ah, but her twaddle isn't half as bad as the chaffing I get. It takes +a deal of pluck to hold out when you are told you are tied to an +apron string, and all that sort of thing," sighed Charlie. + +"I thought you had a 'deal of pluck,' as you call it. The boys all say +you are the bravest of the seven," said Rose. + +"So I am about some things, but I cannot bear to be laughed at." + +"It is hard, but if one is right won't that make it easier?" + +"Not to me; it might to a pious parson like Arch." + +"Please don't call him names! I guess he has what is called moral +courage, and you physical courage. Uncle explained the difference +to me, and moral is the best, though often it doesn't look so," said +Rose thoughtfully. + +Charlie didn't like that, and answered quickly, "I don't believe he'd +stand it any better than I do, if he had those fellows at him." + +"Perhaps that's why he keeps out of their way, and wants you to." + +Rose had him there, and Charlie felt it, but would not give in just +yet, though he was going fast, for somehow, in the dark he seemed +to see things clearer than in the light, and found it very easy to be +confidential when it was "only Rose." + +"If he was my brother, now, he'd have some right to interfere," +began Charlie, in an injured tone. + +"I wish he was!" cried Rose. + +"So do I," answered Charlie, and then they both laughed at his +inconsistency. + +The laugh did them good, and when Prince spoke again, it was in a +different tone pensive, not proud nor perverse. + +"You see, it's hard upon me that I have no brothers and sisters. The +others are better off and needn't go abroad for chums if they don't +like. I am all alone, and I'd be thankful even for a little sister." + +Rose thought that very pathetic, and, overlooking the +uncomplimentary word "even" in that last sentence, she said, with +a timid sort of earnestness that conquered her cousin at once + +"Play I was a little sister. I know I'm silly, but perhaps I'm better +than nothing, and I'd dearly love to do it." + +"So should I! and we will, for you are not silly, my dear, but a very +sensible girl, we all think, and I'm proud to have you for a sister. +There, now!" and Charlie looked down at the curly head bobbing +along beside him with real affection in his face. + +Rose gave a skip of pleasure, and laid one seal-skin mitten over the +other on his arm, as she said happily + +"That's so nice of you! Now, you needn't be lonely any more, and +I'll try to fill Archie's place till he comes back, for I know he will, +as soon as you let him." + +"Well, I don't mind telling you that while he was my mate I never +missed brothers and sisters, or wanted anyone else; but since he +cast me off, I'll be hanged if I don't feel as forlorn as old Crusoe +before Friday turned up." + +This burst of confidence confirmed Rose in her purpose of +winning Charlie's Mentor back to him, but she said no more, +contented to have done so well. They parted excellent friends, and +Prince went home, wondering why "a fellow didn't mind saying +things to a girl or woman which they would die before they'd own +to another fellow." + +Rose also had some sage reflections upon the subject, and fell +asleep thinking that there were a great many curious things in this +world, and feeling that she was beginning to find out some of +them. + +Next day she trudged up the hill to see Archie, and having told him +as much as she thought best about her talk with Charlie, begged +him to forget and forgive. + +"I've been thinking that perhaps I ought to, though I am in the +right. I'm no end fond of Charlie, and he's the best-hearted lad +alive; but he can't say No, and that will play the mischief with him, +if he does not take care," said Archie in his grave, kind way. + +"While father was home, I was very busy with him, so Prince got +into a set I don't like. They try to be fast, and think it's manly, and +they flatter him, and lead him on to do all sorts of things play for +money, and bet, and loaf about. I hate to have him do so, and tried +to stop it, but went to work the wrong way, so we got into a mess." + +"He is all ready to make up if you don't say much, for he owned to +me he was wrong; but I don't think he will own it to you, in +words," began Rose. + +"I don't care for that; if he'll just drop those row-dies and come +back, I'll hold my tongue and not preach. I wonder if he owes those +fellows money, and so doesn't like to break off till he can pay it. I +hope not, but don't dare to ask; though, perhaps, Steve knows, he's +always after Prince, more's the pity," and Archie looked anxious. + +"I think Steve does know, for he talked about debts of honour the +day I gave him--" There Rose stopped short and turned scarlet. + +But Archie ordered her to "fess," and had the whole story in five +minutes, for none dared disobey the Chief. He completed her +affliction by putting a five-dollar bill into her pocket by main +force, looking both indignant and resolute as he said + +"Never do so again; but send Steve to me, if he is afraid to go to +his father. Charlie had nothing to do with that; he wouldn't borrow +a penny of a girl, don't think it. But that's the harm he does Steve, +who adores him, and tries to be like him in all things. Don't say a +word; I'll make it all right, and no one shall blame you." + +"Oh me! I always make trouble by trying to help, and then letting +out the wrong thing," sighed Rose, much depressed by her slip of +the tongue. + +Archie comforted her with the novel remark that it was always best +to tell the truth, and made her quite cheerful by promising to heal +the breach with Charlie as soon as possible. + +He kept his word so well that the very next afternoon, as Rose +looked out of the window, she beheld the joyful spectacle of +Archie and Prince coming up the avenue, arm-in-arm, as of old, +talking away as if to make up for the unhappy silence of the past +weeks. + +Rose dropped her work, hurried to the door, and, opening it wide, +stood there smiling down upon them so happily, that the faces of +the lads brightened as they ran up the steps eager to show that all +was well with them. + +"Here's our little peace-maker!" said Archie, shaking hands with +vigour. + +But Charlie added, with a look that made Rose very proud and +happy, "And my little sister." + + + +Chapter 24 - Which? + +"Uncle, I have discovered what girls are made for," said Rose, the +day after the reconciliation of Archie and the Prince. + +"Well, my dear, what is it?" asked Dr. Alec, who was "planking the +deck," as he called his daily promenade up and down the hall. + +"To take care of boys," answered Rose, quite beaming with +satisfaction as she spoke. "Phebe laughed when I told her, and said +she thought girls had better learn to take care of themselves first. +But that's because she hasn't got seven boy-cousins as I have." + +"She is right, nevertheless, Rosy, and so are you, for the two things +go together, and in helping seven lads you are unconsciously doing +much to improve one lass," said Dr. Alec, stopping to nod and +smile at the bright-faced figure resting on the old bamboo chair, +after a lively game of battledore and shuttlecock, in place of a run +which a storm prevented. + +"Am I? I'm glad of that; but really, uncle, I do feel as if I must take +care of the boys, for they come to me in all sorts of troubles, and +ask advice, and I like it so much. Only I don't always know what to +do, and I'm going to consult you privately and then surprise them +with my wisdom." + +"All right, my dear; what's the first worry? I see you have +something on your little mind, so come and tell uncle." + +Rose put her arm in his, and, pacing to and fro, told him all about +Charlie, asking what she could do to keep him straight, and be a +real sister to him. + +"Could you make up your mind to go and stay with Aunt Clara a +month?" asked the Doctor, when she ended. + +"Yes, sir; but I shouldn't like it. Do you really want me to go?" + +"The best cure for Charlie is a daily dose of Rose water, or Rose +and water, or Rose and water; will you go and see that he takes it?" +laughed Dr. Alec. + +"You mean that if I'm there and try to make it pleasant, he will stay +at home and keep out of mischief?" + +"Exactly." + +"But could I make it pleasant? He would want the boys." + +"No danger but he'd have the boys, for they swarm after you like +bees after their queen. Haven't you found that out?" + +"Aunt Plen often says they never used to be here half so much +before I came, but I never thought I made the difference, it seemed +so natural to have them round." + +"Little modesty doesn't know what a magnet she is; but she will +find it out some day," and the Doctor softly stroked the cheek that +had grown rosy with pleasure at the thought of being so much +loved. "Now, you see, if I move the magnet to Aunt Clara's, the +lads will go there as sure as iron to steel, and Charlie will be so +happy at home he won't care for these mischievous mates of his I +hope," added the Doctor, well knowing how hard it was to wean a +seventeen-year-old boy from his first taste of what is called "seeing +life," which, alas! often ends in seeing death. + +"I'll go, uncle, right away! Aunt Clara is always asking me, and +will be glad to get me. I shall have to dress and dine late, and see +lots of company, and be very fashionable, but I'll try not to let it +hurt me; and if I get in a puzzle or worried about anything I can +run to you," answered Rose, good-will conquering timidity. + +So it was decided, and without saying much about the real reason +for this visit, Rose was transplanted to Aunt Clara's, feeling that +she had a work to do, and very eager to do it well. + +Dr. Alec was right about the bees, for the boys did follow their +queen, and astonished Mrs. Clara by their sudden assiduity in +making calls, dropping in to dinner, and getting up evening frolics. +Charlie was a devoted host, and tried to show his gratitude by +being very kind to his "little sister," for he guessed why she came, +and his heart was touched by her artless endeavours to "help him +be good." + +Rose often longed to be back in the old house with the simpler +pleasures and more useful duties of the life there; but, having +made up her mind, in spite of Phebe, that "girls were made to take +care of boys," here motherly little soul found much to enjoy in the +new task she had undertaken. + +It was a pretty sight to see the one earnest, sweet-faced girl among +the flock of tall lads, trying to understand, to help and please them +with a patient affection that worked many a small miracle +unperceived. Slang, rough manners, and careless habits were +banished or bettered by the presence of a little gentlewoman; and +all the manly virtues cropping up were encouraged by the hearty +admiration bestowed upon them by one whose good opinion all +valued more than they confessed; while Rose tried to imitate the +good qualities she praised in them, to put away her girlish vanities +and fears, to be strong and just, and frank and brave, as well as +modest, kind, and beautiful. + +This trial worked so well that when the month was over, Mac and +Steve demanded a visit in their turn, and Rose went, feeling that +she would like to hear grim Aunt Jane say, as Aunt Clara did at +parting, "I wish I could keep you all my life, dear." + +After Mac and Steve had had their turn, Archie and Company bore +her away for some weeks; and with them she was so happy, she +felt as if she would like to stay for ever, if she could have Uncle +Alec also. + +Of course, Aunt Myra could not be neglected, and, with secret +despair, Rose went to the "Mausoleum," as the boys called her +gloomy abode. Fortunately, she was very near home, and Dr. Alec +dropped in so often that her visit was far less dismal than she +expected. Between them, they actually made Aunt Myra laugh +heartily more than once; and Rose did her so much good by letting +in the sunshine, singing about the silent house, cooking wholesome +messes, and amusing the old lady with funny little lectures on +physiology, that she forgot to take her pills and gave up "Mum's +Elixir," because she slept so well, after the long walks and drives +she was beguiled into taking, that she needed no narcotic. + +So the winter flew rapidly away, and it was May before Rose was +fairly settled again at home. They called her the "Monthly Rose," +because she had spent a month with each of the aunts, and left +such pleasant memories of bloom and fragrance behind her, that +all wanted the family flower back again. + +Dr. Alec rejoiced greatly over his recovered treasure; but as the +time drew near when his year of experiment ended, he had many a +secret fear that Rose might like to make her home for the next +twelve month with Aunt Jessie, or even Aunt Clara, for Charlie's +sake. He said nothing, but waited with much anxiety for the day +when the matter should be decided; and while he waited he did his +best to finish as far as possible the task he had begun so well. + +Rose was very happy now, being out nearly all day enjoying the +beautiful awakening of the world, for spring came bright and early, +as if anxious to do its part. The old horse-chestnuts budded round +her windows, green things sprung up like magic in the garden +under her hands, hardy flowers bloomed as fast as they could, the +birds sang blithely overhead, and every day a chorus of pleasant +voices cried, "Good morning, cousin, isn't it jolly weather?" + +No one remembered the date of the eventful conversation which +resulted in the Doctor's experiment (no one but himself at least); +so when the aunts were invited to tea one Saturday they came quite +unsuspiciously, and were all sitting together having a social chat, +when Brother Alec entered with two photographs in his hand. + +"Do you remember that?" he said, showing one to Aunt Clara, who +happened to be nearest. + +"Yes, indeed; it is very like her when she came. Quite her sad, +unchildlike expression, and thin little face, with the big dark eyes." + +The picture was passed round, and all agreed that "it was very like +Rose a year ago." This point being settled, the Doctor showed the +second picture, which was received with great approbation, and +pronounced a "charming likeness." + +It certainly was, and a striking contrast to the first one, for it was a +blooming, smiling face, full of girlish spirit and health, with no +sign of melancholy, though the soft eyes were thoughtful, and the +lines about the lips betrayed a sensitive nature. + +Dr. Alec set both photographs on the chimneypiece, and, falling +back a step or two, surveyed them with infinite satisfaction for +several minutes, then wheeled round, saying briefly, as he pointed +to the two faces + +"Time is up; how do you think my experiment has succeeded, +ladies?" + +"Bless me, so it is!" cried Aunt Plenty, dropping a stitch in her +surprise. + +"Beautifully, dear," answered Aunt Peace, smiling entire approval. + +"She certainly has improved, but appearances are deceitful, and +she had no constitution to build upon," croaked Aunt Myra. + +"I am willing to allow that, as far as mere health goes, the +experiment is a success," graciously observed Aunt Jane, unable to +forget Rose's kindness to her Mac. + +"So am I; and I'll go farther, for I really do believe Alec has done +wonders for the child; she will be a beauty in two or three years," +added Aunt Clara, feeling that she could say nothing better than +that. + +"I always knew he would succeed, and I'm so glad you all allow it, +for he deserves more credit than you know, and more praise than +he will ever get," cried Aunt Jessie, clapping her hands with an +enthusiasm that caused Jamie's little red stocking to wave like a +triumphal banner in the air. + +Dr. Alec made them a splendid bow, looking much gratified, and +then said soberly + +"Thank you; now the question is, shall I go on? for this is only the +beginning. None of you know the hindrances I've had, the mistakes +I've made, the study I've given the case, and the anxiety I've often +felt. Sister Myra is right is one thing Rose is a delicate creature, +quick to flourish in the sunshine, and as quick to droop without it. +She has no special weakness, but inherits her mother's sensitive +nature, and needs the wisest, tenderest care, to keep a very ardent +little soul from wearing out a finely organised little body. I think I +have found the right treatment, and; with you to help me, I believe +we may build up a lovely and a noble woman, who will be a pride +and comfort to us all." + +There Dr. Alec stopped to get his breath, for he had spoken very +earnestly, and his voice got a little husky over the last words. A +gentle murmur from the aunts seemed to encourage him, and he +went on with an engaging smile, for the good man was slyly trying +to win all the ladies to vote for him when the time came. + +"Now, I don't wish to be selfish or arbitrary, because I am her +guardian, and I shall leave Rose free to choose for herself. We all +want her, and if she likes to make her home with any of you rather +than with me, she shall do so. In fact, I encouraged her visits last +winter, that she might see what we can all offer her, and judge +where she will be happiest. Is not that the fairest way? Will you +agree to abide by her choice, as I do?" + +"Yes, we will," said all the aunts, in quite a flutter of excitement at +the prospect of having Rose for a whole year. + +"Good! she will be here directly, and then we will settle the +question for another year. A most important year, mind you, for +she has got a good start, and will blossom rapidly now if all goes +well with her. So I beg of you don't undo my work, but deal very +wisely and gently with my little girl, for if any harm come to her, I +think it would break my heart." + +As he spoke, Dr. Alec turned his back abruptly and affected to be +examining the pictures again; but the aunts understood how dear +the child was to the solitary man who had loved her mother years +ago, and who now found his happiness in cherishing the little Rose +who was so like her. The good ladies nodded and sighed, and +telegraphed to one another that none of them would complain if +not chosen, or ever try to rob Brother Alec of his "Heart's Delight," +as the boys called Rose. + +Just then a pleasant sound of happy voices came up from the +garden, and smiles broke out on all serious faces. Dr. Alec turned +at once, saying, as he threw back his head, "There she is; now for +it!" + +The cousins had been a-Maying, and soon came flocking in laden +with the spoils. + +"Here is our bonny Scotch rose with all her thorns about her," said +Dr. Alec, surveying her with unusual pride and tenderness, as she +went to show Aunt Peace her basket full of early flowers, fresh +leaves, and curious lichens. + +"Leave your clutter in the hall, boys, and sit quietly down if you +choose to stop here, for we are busy," said Aunt Plenty, shaking +her finger at the turbulent Clan, who were bubbling over with the +jollity born of spring sunshine and healthy exercise. + +"Of course, we choose to stay! Wouldn't miss our Saturday high +tea for anything," said the Chief, as he restored order among his +men with a nod, a word, and an occasional shake. + +"What is up? a court-martial?" asked Charlie, looking at the +assembled ladies with affected awe and real curiosity, for these +faces betrayed that some interesting business was afloat. + +Dr. Alec explained in a few words, which he made as brief and +calm as he could; but the effect was exciting, nevertheless, for +each of the lads began at once to bribe, entice, and wheedle "our +cousin" to choose his home. + +"You really ought to come to us for mother's sake, as a relish, you +know, for she must be perfectly satiated with boys," began Archie, +using the strongest argument he could think of at the moment. + +"Ah! yes," she thought, "he wants me most! I've often longed to +give him something that he wished for very much, and now I can." + +So, when, at a sudden gesture from Aunt Peace, silence fell, Rose +said slowly, with a pretty colour in her cheeks, and a beseeching +look about the room, as if asking pardon of the boys + +"It's very hard to choose when everybody is so fond of me; +therefore I think I'd better go to the one who seems to need me +most." + +"No, dear, the one you love the best and will be happiest with," +said Dr. Alec quickly, as a doleful sniff from Aunt Myra, and a +murmur of "My sainted Caroline," made Rose pause and look that +way. + +"Take time, cousin; don't be in a hurry to make up your mind, and +remember, 'Codlin's your friend,' " added Charlie, hopeful still. + +"I don't want any time! I know who I love best, who I'm happiest +with, and I choose uncle. Will he have me?" cried Rose, in a tone +that produced a sympathetic thrill among the hearers, it was so full +of tender confidence and love. + +If she really had any doubt, the look in Dr. Alec's face banished it +without a word, as he opened wide his arms, and she ran into them, +feeling that home was there. + +No one spoke for a minute, but there were signs of emotion among +the aunts, which warned the boys to bestir themselves before the +water-works began to play. So they took hands and began to +prance about uncle and niece, singing, with sudden inspiration, the +nursery rhyme + + "Ring around a Rosy!" + +Of course that put an end to all sentiment, and Rose emerged +laughing from Dr. Alec's bosom, with the mark of a waistcoat +button nicely imprinted on her left cheek. He saw it, and said with +a merry kiss that half effaced it, "This is my ewe lamb, and I have +set my mark on her, so no one can steal her away." + +That tickled the boys, and they set up a shout of + + "Uncle had a little lamb!" + +But Rose hushed the noise by slipping into the circle, and making +them dance prettily like lads and lasses round a May-pole; while +Phebe, coming in with fresh water for the flowers, began to twitter, +chirp, and coo, as if all the birds of the air had come to join in the +spring revel of the eight cousins. + + + + + +For the sequel, see "The Rose in Bloom." +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext Eight Cousins, by Louisa M. Alcott + diff --git a/old/8csns10.zip b/old/8csns10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b08b2ad --- /dev/null +++ b/old/8csns10.zip |