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diff --git a/38567-h/38567-h.htm b/38567-h/38567-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..945ff8e --- /dev/null +++ b/38567-h/38567-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,11133 @@ +<!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"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Eight Cousins, by Louisa May Alcott</title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + .copyright {text-align: center; font-size: 70%;} + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + .small {font-size: 70%;} + .big {font-size: 110%;} + .author {font-size: 120%; text-align: center;} + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .chaptertitle {text-align: center; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1.5em;} + .adtitle2 {font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + .adtitle {font-size: 200%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold; font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .right {text-align: right;} + .poem {margin-left: 30%; text-align: left;} + .poem2 {margin-left: 15%; text-align: left;} + .sig {margin-right: 10%; text-align: right;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;} + .cap:first-letter {float: left; clear: left; margin: -0.2em 0.1em 0; margin-top: 0%; + padding: 0; line-height: .75em; font-size: 300%; text-align: justify;} + .cap {text-align: justify;} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Eight Cousins, by Louisa May Alcott</h1> +<pre> +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 <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Eight Cousins</p> +<p> Or, The Aunt-Hill</p> +<p>Author: Louisa May Alcott</p> +<p>Release Date: January 13, 2012 [eBook #38567]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EIGHT COUSINS***</p> +<p> </p> +<h4>E-text prepared by Suzanne Shell, Emmy,<br /> + and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> + from page images generously made available by<br /> + Internet Archive/American Libraries<br /> + (<a href="http://www.archive.org/details/americana">http://www.archive.org/details/americana</a>)</h4> +<p> </p> +<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + Note: + </td> + <td> + Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive/American Libraries. See + <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/eightcousinsorau00alco"> + http://www.archive.org/details/eightcousinsorau00alco</a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 393px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="393" height="600" alt="Cover" title="" /> +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus01.jpg" width="600" height="381" alt="Rose and Her Aunts.—Page 37." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Rose and Her Aunts.—<a href="#Page_37">Page 37</a>.</span> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h1><span class='big'><span class="smcap">Eight Cousins</span>;</span><br /> + +OR,<br /> + +THE AUNT-HILL.</h1> + +<div class='center'>BY<br /> +<span class='author'>LOUISA M. ALCOTT,</span><br /> + + +<span class='small'>AUTHOR OF "LITTLE WOMEN," "AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL," "LITTLE MEN,"</span><br /> +<span class='small'>"ROSE IN BLOOM," "UNDER THE LILACS," "JACK AND JILL,"</span><br /> +<span class='small'>"HOSPITAL SKETCHES," "WORK," "SILVER PITCHERS,"</span><br /> +<span class='small'>"AUNT JO'S SCRAP-BAG."</span><br /> +<br /> +With Illustrations.<br /><br /><br /> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 124px;"> +<img src="images/emblem.png" width="124" height="108" alt="Emblem" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class='center'><br /><br /><br /> +BOSTON:<br /> +ROBERTS BROTHERS.<br /> +1887.<br /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class='copyright'> +Copyright, 1874,<br /> +<span class="smcap">By Louisa M. Alcott</span>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">University Press:<br /> +John Wilson & Son, Cambridge.</span><br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/dedication.jpg" width="450" height="327" alt="Inscription" title="" /> +</div> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<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 short-comings will be overlooked by the +friends of the <span class="smcap">Eight Cousins</span>, and she will try to make +amends in a second volume, which shall attempt to show +<span class="smcap">The Rose in Bloom</span>.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +L. M. A.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + + + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class='small'>CHAPTER</span></td><td align='right'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Two Girls</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Clan</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Uncles</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Aunts</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Belt and a Box</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Uncle Alec's Room</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Trip to China</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">And what Came of it</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Phebe's Secret</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_93">93</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Rose's Sacrifice</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Poor Mac</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_118">118</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'>"<span class="smcap">The Other Fellows</span>"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Cosey Corner</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Happy Birthday</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Ear-Rings</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_165">165</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Bread and Button-Holes</span> </td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_179">179</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Good Bargains</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_191">191</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Fashion and Physiology</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_204">204</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Brother Bones</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_216">216</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Under the Mistletoe</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_226">226</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Scare</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_241">241</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Something to do</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_253">253</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Peace-making</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_265">265</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Which?</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_279">279</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h2>EIGHT COUSINS.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>TWO GIRLS.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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 round 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 <i>was</i> 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."</div> + +<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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> +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 neighborhood to +come and play with their niece. But Annabel Bliss +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 Annabel 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +a little, and dreamed many of the innocent bright +dreams in which imaginative children find such comfort +and delight. This suited her better than any thing +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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +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 ecstasy 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></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 <i>will</i> 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 <i>could</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +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 foundlings, +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 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></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 the other, 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>"Every one 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +was lying down, and when auntie came to call me +I went under the quilt and pretended to be asleep. I +shall <i>have</i> 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 <i>hate</i> 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 brings 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +myself," began Phebe, but got no further, for a sudden +rush and rumble 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 <i>was</i> 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 biler," growled Debby, who thought it her duty +to snub children on all occasions.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>THE CLAN.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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.</div> + +<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> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 440px;"> +<img src="images/illus02.jpg" width="440" height="600" alt="The Eight Cousins.—Page 10." title="" /> +<span class="caption">The Eight Cousins.—<a href="#Page_10">Page 10</a>.</span> +</div> + +<p>He held out his hand as he spoke, and Rose timidly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +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 <i>all</i>. 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></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 top-knot 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 <i>do</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +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 any thing 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +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 +nearly 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +of our larks. We haven't got the pipes here +or we'd</p> + +<div class='poem'> +'Sing for you, play for you<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A dulcy melody.'"</span><br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>answered Charlie, looking much elated at her praise.</div> + +<p>"I did not know we were Scotch; papa never said +any thing 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +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 of 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +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," clamored 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>I</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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come on, Missy; tea is ready," added the Prince +encouragingly.</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> shall take her in." And Archie offered his arm +with great dignity, an honor 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 color is it?" asked Rose, joining in the fun.</p> + +<p>"Blue and brown."</p> + +<p>"Is it good to eat?" asked Jamie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Some people think so, but I shouldn't like to +try it," answered Charlie, laughing so he spilt 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 <i>should</i> 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;"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>UNCLES.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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.</div> + +<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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +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 <i>shall</i> 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ah, but it should be <i>very well</i>. 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 Annabel Bliss, and she was <i>such</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></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 color 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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>"That <i>is</i> 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 +any thing I want to, and it makes me cross," sighed +Rose, rubbing the aching head like a fretful child.</p> + +<p>"That we <i>can</i> cure and we <i>will</i>," said her uncle, with +a decided nod that made the curls bob on his head, +so 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 every one 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +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 <i>quite</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +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 <i>can</i> 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 never could 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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +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, eying 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +when I have no rigging to climb. Good-by till +breakfast." And away he went down the water-spout, +over the roof, and vanished among the budding honeysuckles +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, <i>are</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> + +<p>Away they drove in state, and all the way Uncle +Alec's hat was more off his head than on, for every one +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 <i>blue</i> and <i>brown?</i>" 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +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 all 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 to-morrow, +you know, so I made no preparations. Send +the lads home, and let them wait till Monday, for +really I was shocked at their behavior in church," +said Aunt Plenty, as she followed Rose.</p> + +<p>In any other place the defrauded boys would have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>AUNTS.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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 parlor,—</div> + +<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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +white as snow and cheeks that never bloomed again. +She wore no black, but soft, pale colors, 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +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 her cap like crocus buds.</p> + +<p>"If <i>my</i> 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>I</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 <i>she</i> +needs is a year or two at a fashionable finishing-school, +so that at eighteen she can come out with <i>éclat</i>," 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +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 a 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 toward 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 <i>will</i> 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 good-will.</p> + +<p>"I cannot help feeling that <i>I</i>, who have had a +daughter of my own, can best bring up a girl; and I +am <i>very</i> much surprised that George did not intrust +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 <i>not</i> hear a word! My sainted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +Caroline is a sacred subject," 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 <i>is</i> 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 some one 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 +ardor 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 <i>would</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></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>I</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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +upon Rose, and the stiff tips of a black glove touched +the cheek where the color 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 <i>entirely</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +must beguile her gently and pleasantly along till I've +won her confidence, and then she will be ready for +any thing."</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 <i>will</i> 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 off 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 have 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +have picked up some excellent remedies, and, as they +are rather agreeable ones, I think you and I will try +them. This is an 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 odor, 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 favor, 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, eying 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>A BELT AND A BOX.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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,—</div> + +<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 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></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 milk-maid, 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 <i>order</i> +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 <i>are</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></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 disfavor +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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +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 eyes 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +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 while 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 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></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,—any thing, 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>I</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 odors of musk and sandal-wood, +the room gay with bright colors, and Rose in a rapture +of delight. She began to forgive Dr. Alec for the +oatmeal diet when she saw a lovely ivory work-box; +became resigned to the state of her belt when she +found a pile of rainbow-colored 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 <i>was</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +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 <i>you</i> 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 so splendid I don't +know myself. I haven't put these things on right, I +dare say, but I do like them <i>so</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +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 <i>can</i> 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 any thing +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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My stars, ain't you splendid!" was all she could +say, holding up two dusty hands.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus03.jpg" width="500" height="600" alt="Rose and Phebe." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Rose and Phebe.</span> +</div> + +<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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +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 any thing you like with me."</p> + +<p>"Then you do like the plan? You didn't cry because<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +I seemed to be kind of patronizing? 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 patronizing, 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 all 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 any thing 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 any thing but given you +a bit of candy! Here, have some more, and eat 'em +while you work, and think what I <i>can</i> do. I must +go and clear up, so good-by, 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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>UNCLE ALEC'S ROOM.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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.</div> + +<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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +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 +clamoring for her to see his gift and rejoice over it +with him, for "little Mum" went halves in every +thing. 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +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 <i>so</i> 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 <i>can</i> 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +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> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus04.jpg" width="500" height="391" alt="JAMIE AND HIS DOLLY." title="" /> +<span class="caption">JAMIE AND HIS DOLLY.</span> +</div> + +<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 every thing; and as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +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 every thing 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>"<i>My</i> dolly is better than yours, isn't she? 'cause +she can walk and talk and sing and dance, and yours +can't do any thing, 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> + +<div class='poem'> +"'Puss-tat, puss-tat, where you been?'<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">'I been Lunnin, to saw a Tween.'"</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>After which superb display she retired, escorted by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +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, +toward the hills 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +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 cosey 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></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 candlesticks, 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 <i>her</i> +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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>"O uncle, you are <i>too</i> good to me! I'll do any +thing 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 <i>think</i>, I <i>know</i> 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 any +one <i>could</i> be sick in this delightful room," she said,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>A TRIP TO CHINA.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>"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.</div> + +<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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></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 <i>know</i> 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 nut-shells 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> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus05.jpg" width="600" height="362" alt=""Suppose we go to China."—Page 74" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"Suppose we go to China."—<a href="#Page_74">Page 74</a></span> +</div> + +<p>"Oh, please hold me <i>very</i> tight till I get there! +Why <i>do</i> you have the stern so far away?" and, +stifling several squeaks of alarm in her passage, Rose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +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 harbor, +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, cosey, 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +in the warehouses with Uncle Mac; every thing 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +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 favor.</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 <i>him</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +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> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 402px;"> +<img src="images/illus06.jpg" width="402" height="500" alt="Fun signified in pantomime that they were hers.—Page 79." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Fun signified in pantomime that they were hers.—<a href="#Page_79">Page 79.</a></span> +</div> + +<p>Two pretty cups with covers, and a fine scarlet tray,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +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 zigzag 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +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 any +thing 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 <i>shall</i> 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></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 <i>our</i> 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></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> + +<div class='poem'> +"Oh, Timballoo! how happy we are,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">We live in a sieve and a crockery jar!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And all night long, in the starlight pale,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">We sail away, with a pea-green sail,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And whistle and warble a moony song</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To the echoing sound of a coppery gong.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Far and few, far and few</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Are the lands where the Jumblies live;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And they went to sea in a sieve."</span><br /> +</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>AND WHAT CAME OF IT.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>"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.</div> + +<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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>—</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>I</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 any thing so old-fashioned +as writing, I see. Now look at this little 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 every thing 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 <i>did</i> 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.'"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></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 any thing, 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>I</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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +and I dare say it would be if the benighted lady did +not think it necessary to cram her pupils like Thanksgiving +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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Gracious me! as if I wouldn't trust you with millions +of billions if I had them," cried Rose, scandalized +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 <i>can</i> 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 <i>could</i> get it straight." +And with great trepidation Rose gave up her funny +little accounts.</p> + +<p>It really <i>was</i> 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></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 first four 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>I</i> think."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you feel so, for you <i>can</i> 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 Rs +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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></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 am very glad of it, for it is a rare accomplishment, +and one I value highly. Come here in this cosey, +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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></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 door-way 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 realizing 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 have 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?"</p> + +<p>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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +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 honor of having silenced +the enemy's battery for once.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>PHEBE'S SECRET.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>"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.</div> + +<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 +fire-works 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 is all right, and sure to be nice."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></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 neighbors, 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 housekeeping, +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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +and quiet hours of reading and talk with Uncle Alec, +and, best of all, the old pain and <i>ennui</i> 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 color 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 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> + +<div class='poem'> +"'Look only,' said the brownie,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">'At the pretty gown of blue,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">At the kerchief pinned about her head,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And at her little shoe,'"</span><br /> +</div> + +<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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></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 <i>must</i> 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 <i>when</i> 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, eying the bundle suspiciously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></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 light-house 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 any thing, and enjoyed her visit +to the light-house 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 <i>is</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></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 toward 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></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. Every thing 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 honors 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus07.jpg" width="600" height="399" alt="a crash, a shout, a laugh, and out came the Savages.—Page 99." title="" /> +<span class="caption">a crash, a shout, a laugh, and out came the Savages.—<a href="#Page_99">Page 99</a>.</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></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 <i>your</i> 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 any thing—" 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +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>Every one 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 fire-works 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +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. Any thing 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 show 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +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 <i>always</i> +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 any one'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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></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>I</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 best of all, +for Rose wanted some one 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>ROSE'S SACRIFICE.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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.</div> + +<p>Rose swam far out 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-honored +dish demanded the concentrated action of several +mighty minds; so the "Water Babies" came ashore +and fell to cooking.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></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 <i>siesta</i> 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 vigor 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 every one to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +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 <i>great</i> +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 any thing 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>I</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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +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>I</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> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Uncle</span>,—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> + +<div class='sig'> +"<span class="smcap">Rose</span>."<br /> +</div></div> + +<p>"Bless the little dear, what a generous heart she +has! Shall we go after her, Jessie, or let her have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +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 any thing," 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 color 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 <i>was</i> +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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +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 fire-works 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 fire-works 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 the 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 every +one 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +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 some one 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 fire-works. 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +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 fire-works +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 a 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 honor 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 recognized 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus08.jpg" width="600" height="326" alt=""That was rather a neat thing, I flatter myself," said Uncle Mac.—Page 117." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"That was rather a neat thing, I flatter myself," said Uncle Mac.—<a href="#Page_117">Page 117</a>.</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></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 fire-work 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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>POOR MAC.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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."</div> + +<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 sun-stroke, +and was very ill for some time. It was so sudden that +every one 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></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. Every one was very ready to +read to him, and at first the lads contended for this +honor. 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 +<i>was</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +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 any one 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 <i>should</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></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 favorite 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>"<i>May</i> be able! I <i>will</i> 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Has he said any thing 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 <i>got</i> to tell me."</p> + +<p>"Please, don't,—" began Rose, beseechingly.</p> + +<p>"You <i>must</i>, 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 any thing so crazy as that," cried Rose, +in great distress.</p> + +<p>"Very well; then listen, and don't dodge, as every +one else does. Didn't the doctor think my eyes worse +the last time he came? Mother won't say, but you +<i>shall</i>."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></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 <i>can</i> study again?"</p> + +<p>It was so hard to answer that! Yet Rose knew she +must, for Aunt Jane had declared she <i>could</i> 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 <i>will</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></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 firelight +and in the dusk, and sitting up late, and now +you'll have to pay for it; the doctor said so. You +<i>must</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +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 <i>me</i>."</p> + + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 415px;"> +<img src="images/illus09.jpg" width="415" height="500" alt=""RUNNING TO THE SOFA, SHE KNELT DOWN BY IT."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"RUNNING TO THE SOFA, SHE KNELT DOWN BY IT."</span> +</div> + +<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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +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 any one 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +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 some one 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 +sun-stroke, you know, is what upset you, and your +brains need 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 <i>may</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +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> + +<div class='poem'> +"Bonny lassie, will ye gang, will ye gang<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To the Birks of Aberfeldie?"</span><br /> +</div> + +<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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>"<i>THE OTHER FELLOWS.</i>"</div> + + +<div class='cap'>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 every one was astonished, +never having suspected so much manliness in the +quiet Worm.</div> + +<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 theirs, and privately +confided to one another that "Old Mac was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +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 any one 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +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 base-ball, 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> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus10.jpg" width="600" height="393" alt=""The spectacle that met Nurse Rose's eye was a trying one."—Page 13" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"The spectacle that met Nurse Rose's eye was a trying one."—<a href="#Page_131">Page 131</a></span> +</div> + +<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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +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 +apologize, 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 jiffy. 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></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 honor 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 <i>are</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +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 <i>are</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></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 parlor 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></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 some one +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 the 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; <i>you</i> +can do that better than I, because I'm only a girl,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +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 up of the head, and a curl of the +lip that wanted to smile instead,—</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you think so, though I <i>am</i> 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 every one 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 <i>very</i> nice while it lasted, and left an +excellent effect upon the minds of all when the first +ardor had subsided.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></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>I</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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></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, <i>that</i> is the way I like to be treated."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>COSEY CORNER.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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. Any one 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,—</div> + +<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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +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 +gayly disporting themselves. Every one 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 +every one 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 honors handsomely.</p> + +<p>The toot of a horn called all to supper, and a +goodly party, including six children besides the Campbells, +assembled in the long dining-room, armed with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +mountain appetites and the gayest spirits. It was +impossible for any one 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 favorite,—</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"Coo," said the little doves: "Coo," said she,<br /> +"All in the top of the old pine-tree."<br /> +</div> + +<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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></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 a 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 +vigor and relish.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></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> + +<div class='center'> +"Now I lay me down to sleep."<br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>Every one 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.</div> + +<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 <i>me</i>. 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 <i>will</i> 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'm the captain, +and you should mind me."</p> + +<p>Here Lieutenant Jack spoke right out in meeting +with the rebellious remark,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>—</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 <i>shan't</i> 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 <i>will</i> 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 will 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></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 +any thing 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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>A HAPPY BIRTHDAY.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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."</div> + +<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 favorite. But the best gift of all came on the +way to Mount Windy-top, where it was decided to +picnic in honor of the great occasion. Three jolly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +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 aunty 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 +<i>very</i> 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 any thing," 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +hurry. One look was enough, and, with a cry of delight, +Rose was off down the road as fast as Barkis +could go.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 404px;"> +<img src="images/illus11.jpg" width="404" height="500" alt=""WHICH CAUSED BARKIS TO SHY."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"WHICH CAUSED BARKIS TO SHY."</span> +</div> + +<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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></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 <i>so</i> 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 crest-fallen, +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 any thing 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></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 <i>prefer</i> 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 <i>must</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +make strong women usually, and I had far rather find +Rose playing foot-ball with Mac than puttering over +bead-work like that affected midget, Ariadne Blish."</p> + +<p>"But she cannot go on playing foot-ball 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 foot-ball 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 +<i>will</i> 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 vigor 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 gayly 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 every one's way till the toot of the horn made +them settle down like a flock of hungry birds.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +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's 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, don'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 and see 'em," one defunct innocent was +heard to say.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></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 scarfs +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 neighbor run for Mother Know-all. The +neighbor 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +and demanded baked beans, the grateful parent offered +fifty dollars; but Mother Know-all indignantly refused +it and went smiling away, declaring that a neighborly +turn needed no reward, and a doctor's <i>fee</i> 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 <i>finale</i> 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 <i>catastrophe</i>.</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 every one 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 <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> was the time. Hardly had the +audience grasped this important fact when a long +water-proof 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +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 colors 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 caterpillar's soul, if it was a caterpillar. +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 favorite 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></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 currant 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +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 <i>them</i>, 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 a 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +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-bys, 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 coolly 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +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 every one 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 <i>can't</i> 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 any one," 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 parlor 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>I</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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>EAR-RINGS.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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.</div> + +<p>It was Mac's turn now, and honorably 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +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 Bliss," and immediately put on her +company face, pulled out her locket, and settled her +curls.</p> + +<p>"You dear thing, how <i>do</i> 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 Bliss, +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 Annabel, 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 patronizing 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 <i>do</i> think +it's proper," replied Rose, rather sharply, for it struck +her that this was none of Miss Bliss's business.</p> + +<p>"I was merely going to say I should be glad to +have you for <i>my</i> bosom friend, for Hatty Mason and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +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 Annabel +stopped to bridle and shake her flaxen head over the +delinquent Hatty Mason.</p> + +<p>Now, in her heart Miss Bliss 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 Annabel 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, flirting over the leaves of "Paul and +Virginia," that lay on the table.</p> + +<p>"I don't <i>study</i> 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 Annabel would +be the better for a little crushing, and could not resist +the temptation to patronize in her turn.</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed!" said Miss Bliss, rather blankly, for +French was not <i>her</i> strong point by any means.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></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 <i>so</i> mortified. I shall be very glad to help you, +if you like, for of course <i>you</i> have no one to talk with +at home."</p> + +<p>Now Annabel, though she <i>looked</i> 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 <i>he</i> 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 every one says +they are lovely."</p> + +<p>Rose came down from her high horse with a +rapidity that was comical, for Annabel 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 +Annabel wore; and, clasping her hands, she answered, +in a tone that went to the hearer's heart,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>"They are <i>too</i> sweet for any thing! If uncle +would only let me wear some, I should be <i>perfectly</i> +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 +Annabel, 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 <i>are</i> sort of red. Let me +see. Yes, I really think you ought to do it before +they get worse," said Annabel, 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 Annabel hovering +over her prey like a vampire.</p> + +<p>"No, never!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus12.jpg" width="600" height="356" alt=""Punch!" said Rose, in the tone of one giving the order "Fire!"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"Punch!" said Rose, in the tone of one giving the order "Fire!"</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then do it, unless you are <i>afraid</i>," cried Miss +Bliss, 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>Annabel 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 Annabel, 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 Annabel +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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +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 Annabel.</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 Annabel 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 some one +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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll be hanged if I do!" answered Prince, who disliked +Miss Bliss 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 Annabel 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 <i>gentleman</i> to go home with her. I see +the lamps are lighted below, and I smell a smell which +tells me that aunty 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 honor +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 gayly on hot shovels<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +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 +afterward.</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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +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 any thing; 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 <i>so</i> nice and wound, and she wanted it +deffly," answered the little voice.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad she had such a good conscience.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +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 every one, 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>I</i> know something bad that <i>you</i> 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 Annabel +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 "Annabel made me!" she +hid her head among the pillows like an absurd little +ostrich.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></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 Bliss 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 <i>you</i> 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 temptation.</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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +the pillows 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, Annabel. 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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>BREAD AND BUTTON-HOLES.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>"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.</div> + +<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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +mean,—and I liked it very much. Mother Atkinson +thought that every one 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 +<i>useful</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></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 <i>is</i> 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 <i>she</i> accomplished?" began Rose in a wondering +tone, for this great-aunt of hers had seemed the least +cultivated of them all.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></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 any one 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 <i>so</i> cross, I don't +believe she will ever let me do a thing in the kitchen."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll cook in the parlor. I fancy Aunt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 445px;"> +<img src="images/illus13.jpg" width="445" height="500" alt="UNCLE ALEC COULD NOT RESIST PEEPING IN AT THE DOOR.—Page 185." title="" /> +<span class="caption">UNCLE ALEC COULD NOT RESIST PEEPING IN AT THE DOOR.—Page 185.</span> +</div> + +<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 any one, when Rose's new whim suggested +an excellent method of weaning her a little +from himself. He did not know how fond he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +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 gingerbread, +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 colored 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Every particle herself, and never asked a bit of +help or advice from any one," 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 <i>was</i> 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. Every thing 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></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 favorite 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 honor +to your teacher. When we have our model school +I shall offer a prize for the best bread, and <i>you</i> 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 <i>such</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +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 wound 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +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, knit 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 nightgowns +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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></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>I</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 any thing in the world that +<i>you</i> 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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>GOOD BARGAINS.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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 +favorite attitude, and, I regret to say, both were smoking +cigars.</div> + +<p>"It is my opinion that this day will <i>never</i> 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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>—</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> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 429px;"> +<img src="images/illus14.jpg" width="429" height="475" alt="Sitting around smoking" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>"It's Rose," and Archie threw his cigar into the +fire.</p> + +<p>"What's that for?" asked Charlie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Gentlemen don't smoke before ladies."</p> + +<p>"True; but I'm not going to waste <i>my</i> 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>"Fiddle-sticks! 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></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 <i>you</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +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>"O Charlie, wouldn't any thing 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 <i>nothing</i> 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 <i>never</i> wear them, Charlie?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Never</i>, 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 color 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +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 +<i>could</i> 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>I</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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +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 <i>mustn't</i> use good grammar, and a +newsboy <i>must</i> swear a little, or he wouldn't be +natural," explained Geordie, both boys ready to fight +gallantly for their favorites.</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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +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 +<i>are</i> better than the others, I am not satisfied with +these <i>optical</i> 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 honor 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?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, the fellows in these books <i>are</i> 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 +honor, 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +to it. I couldn't. Perhaps John used a piece of the +true cross for a toothpick.'"</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 guide-books, +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>"Any way, 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 manœuvre 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>I</i> was +a ship," said Rose, bringing forward a private grievance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +"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 endeavored 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 <i>must</i> 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 <i>not</i> 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>"O 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></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 honor 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 <i>am</i> 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.'"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></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 harbor 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 <i>can</i> 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 any thing, for I +perfectly <i>ache</i> to be useful, every one is <i>so</i> 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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>FASHION AND PHYSIOLOGY.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>"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."</div> + +<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 every thing 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +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 tightly 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 <i>revers</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></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>I</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 <i>quite</i> honest, then, I think it is +frightful," answered Mrs. Jessie with a candor 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></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 <i>you</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +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 is off as well as +when it is 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 <i>could</i> be in better taste, or more +proper for a young girl?"</p> + +<p>"I'll show 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 <i>cannot</i> bear to see that +pretty child sacrificed to your wild ideas of health. +Tell me it <i>isn't</i> 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 <i>my</i> 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 any one +could speak, his quick eye fell upon an object which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +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, <i>have</i> 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. Every one 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +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 odor. +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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +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 scandalized 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 <i>will</i> +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>I</i> can help it, nor the +long list of ills you dear women think you cannot escape."</p> + +<p>"<i>I</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 door-way, 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, I don't see any thing 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 schoolgirl; +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 color, completed the external +adornment, making her look like a robin red-breast,—wintry, +yet warm.</p> + +<p>"How do you like it, Rosy?" asked the Doctor, feeling +that <i>her</i> 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?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></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 <i>modiste</i>, who +will make you 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +for once in my life I have adopted a new fashion before +Clara. My freedom suit is ordered, and you <i>may</i> 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 <i>such</i> 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>I</i> would, +just to please uncle, for he does know more about +health than any one 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 common-sense," 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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span>—</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 <i>too</i> 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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>BROTHER BONES.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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.</div> + +<p>"How <i>can</i> 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 honor," 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 <i>are</i> you doing, child?" demanded Aunt +Myra, dropping into a chair and staring about her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span></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 breast bone. 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 vertebræ, 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 a 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 <i>must</i> +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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +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 learned 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 vertebræ with such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +a happy face that Aunt Myra had not the heart to say +a word to dampen her ardor.</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 to-day +and have eyes instead; that will be more interesting +to <i>you</i>," added Rose, seeing no ardent thirst for +physiological information in his face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></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 fire light, or studying +with a glare of sunshine on my book," said Mac, peering +solemnly at a magnified eyeball; 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 <i>won't</i> listen. You lads need that sort of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +knowledge so much, and fathers and mothers ought +to be able to give it to you. Few of them <i>are</i> able, +and so we all go blundering, as you say. Less Greek +and Latin and more knowledge of the laws of health +for <i>my</i> boys, if I had them. Mathematics are all very +well, but morals are better, and I wish, <i>how</i> 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 +<i>are</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +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 +<i>me</i> 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 any thing his school had ever +taught him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></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 <i>would</i> 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 deep recess, she also caught sight of the tip of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></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 not be wanting 'em at all, at all, when the great +pain has 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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>UNDER THE MISTLETOE.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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.</div> + +<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 +gayly.</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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +were quite satisfactory, for as Rose leaned back, she +said, with a luxurious sigh of satisfaction: "Now, I +believe I've got every thing 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 +<i>is</i> for your feet any way. I don't know what you'll +say to the other, but <i>I</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 +<i>tableau</i>.</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 any one would have +known what day it was without being told.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></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 up 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 any one 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 +patronizing tone that made them all laugh.</p> + +<p>"Bless the dear; I sha'n'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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></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 color! 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 is 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 any thing 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +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 every +thing I know to make myself extra hungry, but I really +don't think I <i>can</i> 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,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +answered Will, attacking his heaped-up plate with the +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. Every one 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 <i>was</i> unusually excited, and +when some one 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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +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 clamoring 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +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 staid +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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then every one 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 every +thing 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, 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.</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 any thing lively was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +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 any one 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 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +manner, and caught the tray that nearly dropped +from Phebe's hands.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 362px;"> +<img src="images/illus15.jpg" width="362" height="500" alt="Under the mistletoe" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Jamie boldly invited <i>all</i> the ladies to come and salute +him; and as for Uncle Jem, he behaved as if the entire<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +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 favorite 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 any one 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +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 +<i>would</i> "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 <i>uncle</i> 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 honor.</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 she spoke, Rose pulled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +down the mistletoe and threw it into the fire, while +the boys jeered at the crest-fallen 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 <i>had</i> 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 any thing 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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>A SCARE.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>"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.</div> + +<p>"Why not? If a delicate invalid like yourself can +bear it, surely my hearty girl can, especially as <i>she</i> 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 <i>will</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></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 +<i>is</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p> + +<p>The thought returned several times that morning, +for it <i>was</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 452px;"> +<img src="images/illus16.jpg" width="452" height="450" alt="walking in the wind" title="" /> +</div> + +<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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +home, she was benumbed with the 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 color began<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> +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 that 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +all further predictions, and made every one 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 <i>not</i> +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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></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 <i>so</i> afraid it will be <i>pewmonia</i> +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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +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 any thing 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span></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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>SOMETHING TO DO.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>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.</div> + +<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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span></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 <i>must</i> 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 any thing? 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span></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 sewed 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 any thing 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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +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. Any way, 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 gayly on before, smiling like a good fairy +as she beckoned to the other, singing as she went,—</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And many are the curious things I'll show you when you're there.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Will you, will you walk in, Phebe dear?"</span><br /> +</div> + +<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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +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 why 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span>—</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 <i>every +thing</i> 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 some one could +kiss her heartily on either cheek, while a fatherly voice<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +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 set 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 homesick +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>"<i>Have</i> you had a good time? <i>Did</i> you save the +poor lady? <i>Aren't</i> 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 except 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></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 all 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> +laughed and pinched her cheek, and answered in that +genial way which adds such warmth and grace to any +favor,—</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 any one 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 <i>you</i> 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 any +thing 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 <i>too</i> 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span></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 <i>is</i> 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 honored 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 <i>so</i> 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 favor if she did not +earn it somehow. So this arrangement makes it all +square and comfortable, you see, and she will pay for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +the schooling by curling these goldilocks a dozen times +a day if you let her."</p> + +<p>"Your plans are always <i>so</i> 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 it 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 labor 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> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>PEACE-MAKING.</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>"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.</div> + +<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 starboard +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 every one, 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> +nice peace-makers, 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 <i>you</i>, 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> +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 every thing. 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 <i>is</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> +with a bat or so over the head, and then we are all +right."</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 375px;"> +<img src="images/illus17.jpg" width="375" height="450" alt="Steve battling the sofa pillow" title="" /> +</div> + +<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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +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 are 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 land 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>"<i>Could</i> you spare five dollars? I want to pay a +little debt of honor that is rather pressing," and Steve +put on a mannish air that was comical to see.</p> + +<p>"Aren't all debts honorable?" 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +niece conquered her bashfulness, and saw a little of +society. Dinner was over, and every one 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 every one 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 head ache, 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 <i>you</i> +begin to lecture; I've had enough of Archie's old-fashioned +notions, and I don't want any more."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span></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 <i>he</i> 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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span> +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 <i>his</i> 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span></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 thunder-storm 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 hair-dresser,—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>I</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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span></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>I</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 <i>cannot</i> 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 <i>he</i> has what +is called moral courage, and <i>you</i> 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span></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>I</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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span>—</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 <i>you</i> that while he was +my mate I never missed brothers and sisters, or wanted +any one 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 <i>am</i> 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> +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 <i>was</i> 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 rowdies +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 honor 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; <i>he</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></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 vigor.</p> + +<p>But Charlie added, with a look that made Rose very +proud and happy, "And <i>my</i> little sister."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'><i>WHICH?</i></div> + + +<div class='cap'>"UNCLE, I have discovered what girls are made +for," said Rose, the day after the reconciliation +of Archie and the Prince.</div> + +<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 +<i>she</i> 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 <i>must</i> take care of the boys, for they come +to me in all sorts of troubles, and ask advice, and I +like it <i>so</i> much. Only I don't always know what to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> +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; 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 <i>could</i> 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>I</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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> +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 any thing 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 endeavors +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,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> +her 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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> +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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> +(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 chimney-piece, +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 <i>has</i> improved, but appearances are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> +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 <i>is</i> 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 hinderances 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 in one thing,—Rose +<i>is</i> 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 organized 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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span></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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> +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> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 438px;"> +<img src="images/illus18.jpg" width="438" height="475" alt=""THE COUSINS HAD BEEN A-MAYING."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"THE COUSINS HAD BEEN A-MAYING."</span> +</div> + +<p>Just then a pleasant sound of happy voices came up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> +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 any thing," 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 their 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span></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 <i>hard</i>," cried Jamie, clinging to her +with his chubby face full of affection.</p> + +<p>"Brothers and sisters 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ah! yes," she thought, "<i>he</i> 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 color 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 <i>know</i> 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> + +<div class='center'> +"Ring around a Rosy!"<br /> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span></p> + +<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> + +<div class='center'> +"Uncle had a little lamb!"<br /> +</div> + +<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> + +<div class='center'> +END OF PART FIRST.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +—————————————<br /> +<span class='small'>University Press; John Wilson & Son, Cambridge.</span><br /></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span></p> + +<div class='adtitle'>LOUISA M. ALCOTT'S WRITINGS.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"<i>Miss Alcott is really a benefactor of households.</i>"—H. H.</p> + +<p>"<i>Miss Alcott has a faculty of entering into the lives and feelings of +children that is conspicuously wanting in most writers who address them +and to this cause, to the consciousness among her readers that they are hearing +about people like themselves, instead of abstract qualities labelled with +names, the popularity of her books is due.</i>"—Mrs. <span class="smcap">Sarah J. Hale</span>.</p> + +<p>"<i>Dear Aunt Jo! You are embalmed in the thoughts and loves of +thousands of little men and little women.</i>"—<span class="smcap">Exchange.</span></p> +</div> + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Book list"> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Little Women</b>; or <b>Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy</b>. With illustrations 16mo</td><td align='left'>$1.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Hospital Sketches, and Camp and Fireside Stories.</b> With illustrations. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>An Old-Fashioned Girl.</b> With illustrations. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Little Men</b>: Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys. With illustrations. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Jo's Boys and How they Turned Out.</b> A sequel to "Little Men." With portrait of "Aunt Jo" 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Eight Cousins</b>; or, <b>The Aunt-Hill</b>. With illustrations. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Rose in Bloom.</b> A sequel to "Eight Cousins." 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Under the Lilacs.</b> With illustrations. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Jack and Jill.</b> A Village Story. With illustrations. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Work</b>: A Story of Experience. With character illustrations by Sol Eytinge. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Moods.</b> A Novel. New edition, revised and enlarged. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Silver Pitchers and Independence.</b> A Centennial Love Story. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Proverb Stories.</b> New edition, revised and enlarged. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Spinning-Wheel Stories.</b> With illustrations. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>My Boys, &c.</b> First volume of Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Shawl-Straps.</b> Second volume of Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Cupid and Chow-Chow, &c.</b> Third volume of Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>My Girls, &c.</b> Fourth volume of Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Jimmy's Cruise in the Pinafore, &c.</b> Fifth volume of Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, &c.</b> Sixth volume of Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Little Women.</b> Illustrated. Embellished with nearly 200 characteristic illustrations from original designs drawn expressly for this edition of this noted American Classic. One small quarto, bound in cloth, with emblematic designs</td><td align='right'>2.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Little Women Series.</b> Comprising Little Women; Little Men; Eight Cousins; Under the Lilacs; An Old-Fashioned Girl; Jo's Boys; Rose in Bloom; Jack and Jill. 8 large 16mo volumes in a handsome box</td><td align='right'>12.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Each volume is complete is itself and is sold separately.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>Lulu's Library.</b> Vol. I. A collection of New Stories. 16mo</td><td align='right'>1.00</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><i>These books are for sale at all bookstores, or will be mailed, post-paid, on +receipt of price, to any address.</i></p> + +<div class='sig'> +<span style="margin-right: 5em;">ROBERTS BROTHERS, <span class="smcap">Publishers</span>,</span><br /> +<i>Boston, Mass.</i><br /></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 373px;"> +<img src="images/ad01.jpg" width="373" height="600" alt="Rose in Bloom. A Sequel To "Eight Cousins."" title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span></p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 358px;"> +<img src="images/ad02.jpg" width="358" height="500" alt="WALTON RICKETSON, SCULP. Louisa May Alcott." title="" /> +</div> + +<div class='cap'>JO'S BOYS, AND HOW THEY TURNED OUT. A +sequel to "Little Men." With a new portrait of "Aunt +Jo." Price, $1.50.</div> + +<div class='sig'><br /> +ROBERTS BROTHERS. Publishers, Boston.<br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span></p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 360px;"> +<img src="images/ad03.jpg" width="360" height="600" alt="AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL." title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p> </p> +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Note:</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors were corrected.</p> + +<p>Varied hyphenation such as "bag-pipe" and "bagpipe," "atop" and +"a-top" was retained.</p> + +<p><a href="#Page_131">Page 131</a>, Illustration caption, "13" changed to "131".</p></div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EIGHT COUSINS***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 38567-h.txt or 38567-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/8/5/6/38567">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/5/6/38567</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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