Eight Cousins .......................................................................................................................................................1

Louisa M. Alcott......................................................................................................................................1

Preface ......................................................................................................................................................1

Chapter 1 Two Girls.............................................................................................................................1

Chapter 2 The Clan ...............................................................................................................................6

Chapter 3 Uncles................................................................................................................................12

Chapter 4 Aunts..................................................................................................................................18

Chapter 5 A Belt and a Box ................................................................................................................23

Chapter 6 Uncle Alec's Room............................................................................................................28

Chapter 7 A Trip to China..................................................................................................................33

Chapter 8 And what came of it ...........................................................................................................38

Chapter 9 Phebe's Secret .....................................................................................................................42

Chapter 10 Rose's Sacrifice................................................................................................................49

Chapter 11 Poor Mac ..........................................................................................................................53

Chapter 12 "The Other Fellows"........................................................................................................58

Chapter 13 Cosey Corner...................................................................................................................62

Chapter 14 A Happy Birthday............................................................................................................65

Chapter 15 EarRings........................................................................................................................71

Chapter 16 Bread and ButtonHoles ..................................................................................................77

Chapter 17 Good Bargains.................................................................................................................82

Chapter 18 Fashion and Physiology...................................................................................................88

Chapter 19 Brother Bones..................................................................................................................93

Chapter 20 Under The Mistletoe........................................................................................................98

Chapter 21 A Scare ...........................................................................................................................104

Chapter 22 Something to do.............................................................................................................109

Chapter 23 PeaceMaking ................................................................................................................114

Chapter 24 Which?...........................................................................................................................120

The Author is quite aware of the defects of this little story, many of which were unavoidable, as it first

appeared serially. But, as Uncle Alec's experiment was intended to amuse the young folks, rather than

suggest educational improvements for the consideration of the elders, she trusts that these shortcomings will

be overlooked by the friends of the Eight Cousins, and she will try to make amends in a second volume,

Rose sat all alone in the big best parlor, with her little handkerchief laid ready to catch the first tear, for she

was thinking of her troubles, and a shower was expected. She had retired to this room as a good place in

which to be miserable; for it was dark and still, full of ancient furniture, sombre curtains, and hung all around

with portraits of solemn old gentlemen in wigs, severenosed ladies in topheavy caps, and staring children

in little bobtailed coats or shortwaisted frocks. It was an excellent place for woe; and the fitful spring rain

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 greataunts. 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 lowspirited butterfly.

They had given her the freedom of the house, and for a day or two she had amused herself roaming all over it,

for it was a capital old mansion, and was full of all manner of odd nooks, charming rooms, and mysterious

passages. Windows broke out in unexpected places, little balconies overhung the garden most romantically,

and there was a long upper hall full of curiosities from all parts of the world; for the Campbells had been

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

Gentle Aunt Peace had tried all sorts of pretty needlework, 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 weddingdress, and that

Then both old ladies put their heads together and picked out the model child of the neighbourhood to come

and play with their niece. But Ariadne Blish was the worst failure of all, for Rose could not bear the sight of

her, and said she was so like a wax doll she longed to give her a pinch and see if she would squeak. So prim

little Ariadne was sent home, and the exhausted aunties left Rose to her own devices for a day or two.

Bad weather and a cold kept her indoors, and she spent most of her time in the library where her father's

books were stored. Here she read a great deal, cried a little, and dreamed many of the innocent bright dreams

in which imaginative children find such comfort and delight. This suited her better than anything else, but it

was not good for her, and she grew pale, heavyeyed and listless, though Aunt Plenty gave her iron enough

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

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

Running down the long hall, she peeped out at both doors, but saw nothing feathered except a draggletailed

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 chinacloset door.

"In there? How funny!" she said. But when she entered, not a bird appeared except the everlastingly kissing

swallows on the Canton china that lined the shelves. All of a sudden Rose's face brightened, and, softly

opening the slide, she peered into the kitchen. But the music had stopped, and all she saw was a girl in a blue

apron scrubbing the hearth. Rose stared about her for a minute, and then asked abruptly

"I should call it a phebebird," answered the girl, looking up with a twinkle in her black eyes.

"Oh, yes! I'll come in." And Rose crept through the slide to the wide shelf on the other side, being too hurried

The girl wiped her hands, crossed her feet on the little island of carpet where she was stranded in a sea of

soapsuds, and then, sure enough, out of her slender throat came the swallow's twitter, the robin's whistle, the

bluejay's call, the thrush's song, the wooddove's coo, and many another familiar note, all ending as before

with the musical ecstacy of a bobolink singing and swinging among the meadow grass on a bright June day.

Rose was so astonished that she nearly fell off her perch, and when the little concert was over clapped her

"It is very wonderful! I can sing, but nothing half so fine as that. What is your name, please?"

"I've heard of phebebirds; 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

"Yes, indeed, if you want to," answered Phebe, wringing out her cloth in a capable sort of way that impressed

"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

"I'm going to live here, I hope. Debby wants some one to help round, and I've come to try for a week."

"I hope you will stay, for it is very dull," said Rose, who had taken a sudden fancy to this girl, who sung like

"Hope I shall; for I'm fifteen now, and old enough to earn my own living. You have come to stay a spell,

haven't you?" asked Phebe, looking up at her guest and wondering how life could be dull to a girl who wore a

silk frock, a daintily frilled apron, a pretty locket, and had her hair tied up with a velvet snood.

"Yes, I shall stay till my uncle comes. He is my guardian now, and I don't know what he will do with me.

"My sakes, no! I was left on the poorhouse steps a little mite of a baby, and Miss Rogers took a liking to

me, so I've been there ever since. But she is dead now, and I take care of myself."

"How interesting! It is like Arabella Montgomery in the 'Gypsy's Child.' Did you ever read that sweet story?"

"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

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

"Oh, dear me, yes! I've been at boarding school nearly a year, and I'm almost dead with lessons. The more I

got, the more Miss Power gave me, and I was so miserable that I 'most cried my eyes out. Papa never gave

me hard things to do, and he always taught me so pleasantly I loved to study. Oh, we were so happy and so

The tear that would not come when Rose sat waiting for it came now of its own accord two of them in fact

and rolled down her cheeks, telling the tale of love and sorrow better than any words could do it.

For a minute there was no sound in the kitchen but the little daughter's sobbing and the sympathetic patter of

the rain. Phebe stopped rattling her beans from one pan to another, and her eyes were full of pity as they

rested on the curly head bent down on Rose's knee, for she saw that the heart under the pretty locket ached

with its loss, and the dainty apron was used to dry sadder tears than any she had ever shed.

Somehow, she felt more contented with her brown calico gown and bluechecked pinafore; envy changed to

compassion; and if she had dared she would have gone and hugged her afflicted guest.

"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

Phebe's last words made Rose smile in spite of her tears, and she looked out from behind her apron with an

"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.

"Everyone calls it so, and it's a real good name, for all the Mrs. Campbells live handy by, and keep coming up

"I could stand the aunts, but there are dozens of cousins, dreadful boys all of them, and I detest boys! Some of

them came to see me last Wednesday, but I was lying down, and when auntie came to call me I went under

the quilt and pretended to be asleep. I shall have to see them some time, but I do dread it so." And Rose gave

a shudder, for, having lived alone with her invalid father, she knew nothing of boys, and considered them a

"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 firstrate."

"But I don't! I'm afraid of horses, and boats make me ill, and I hate boys!" And poor Rose wrung her hands at

the awful prospect before her. One of these horrors alone she could have borne, but all together were too

Phebe laughed at her woe till the beans danced in the pan, but tried to comfort her by suggesting a means of

"Perhaps your uncle will take you away where there ain't any boys. Debby says he is a real kind man, and

"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

"Well, I wouldn't borrow trouble, but have a real good time. I'm sure I should think I was in clover if I had

folks and money, and nothing to do but enjoy myself," began Phebe, but got no further, for a sudden rush and

"It's a circus!" cried Rose, who from her elevated perch had caught glimpses of a gay cart of some sort and

The sound died away, and the girls were about to continue their confidences when old Debby appeared,

"Little girls shouldn't ask questions, but do as they are bid," was all Debby would answer.

"I do hope it isn't Aunt Myra; she always scares me out of my wits asking how my cough is, and groaning

over me as if I was going to die," said Rose, preparing to retire the way she came, for the slide, being cut for

the admission of bouncing Christmas turkeys and puddings, was plenty large enough for a slender girl.

"Guess you'll wish it was Aunt Myra when you see who has come. Don't never let me catch you coming into

my kitchen that way again, or I'll shut you up in the big b'iler," growled Debby, who thought it her duty to

Rose scrambled into the chinacloset 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 halfopen foldingdoors, to behold on the other side a sight that nearly took her

Seven boys stood in a row all ages, all sizes, all yellowhaired and blueeyed, all in full Scotch costume, and

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

"Don't be frightened. This is the Clan come to welcome you; and I'm the chief, Archie, at your service."

He held out his hand as he spoke, and Rose timidly put her own into a brown paw, which closed over the

"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 topknot, 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.

At this command, to Rose's great dismay, six more hands were offered, and it was evident that she was

expected to shake them all. It was a trying moment to the bashful child; but, remembering that they were her

kinsmen come to welcome her, she tried her best to return the greeting cordially.

This impressive ceremony being over, the Clan broke ranks, and both rooms instantly appeared to be

pervaded with boys. Rose hastily retired to the shelter of a big chair and sat there watching the invaders and

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

"I'm glad you've come, cousin, and I hope you'll find the Aunthill pretty jolly."

Mac vanished from the room, and Steve, striking an attitude which displayed his costume effectively, said

"Yes, thank you." And a smile began to dimple about Rose's mouth, as she remembered her retreat under the

Feeling that he had been received with distinguished marks of attention, Steve strolled away with his topknot

higher than ever, and Prince Charlie pranced across the room, saying in a free and easy tone

"Mamma sent her love and hopes you will be well enough to come over for a day next week. It must be

"I'm thirteen and a half, though I do look small," cried Rose, forgetting her shyness in indignation at this

"Beg pardon, ma'am; never should have guessed it." And Charlie went off with a laugh, glad to have struck a

Geordie and Will came together, two sturdy eleven and twelve year olders, and, fixing their round blue eyes

on Rose, fired off a question apiece, as if it was a shooting match and she the target.

Here the two, with a rightaboutface movement, abruptly marched away, and little Jamie demanded with

"Yes, lots of candy," answered Rose, whereupon Jamie ascended into her lap with a sounding kiss and the

This proceeding rather startled Rose, for the other lads looked and laughed, and in her confusion she said

"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

She got no farther, for a general shout made her pause suddenly, as Archie explained the joke by saying in the

"It was our new dogcart and the Shetland ponies. You'll never hear the last of your circus, cousin."

"But there were so many, and they went so fast, and the cart was so very red," began Rose, trying to explain

"Come and see them all!" cried the Prince. And before she knew what was happening, she was borne away to

the barn and tumultuously introduced to three shaggy ponies and the gay new dogcart.

She had never visited these regions before, and had her doubts as to the propriety of her being there now, but

"She told us to amuse you, and we can do it ever so much better out here than poking round in the house."

"I'm afraid I shall get cold without my sacque," began Rose, who wanted to stay, but felt rather out of her

"No, you won't! We'll fix you," cried the lads, as one clapped his cap on her head, another tied a rough jacket

round her neck by the sleeves, a third neatly smothered her in a carriage blanket, and a fourth threw open the

So Rose sat in state enjoying herself very much, for the lads proceeded to dance a Highland Fling with a spirit

"How is that, my lassie?" asked the Prince, coming up all flushed and breathless when the ballet was over.

"It was splendid! I never went to the theatre but once, and the dancing was not half so pretty as this. What

clever boys you must be!" said Rose, smiling upon her kinsmen like a little queen upon her subjects.

"Ah, we're a fine lot, and that is only the beginning of our larks. We haven't got the pipes here or we'd

"I did not know we were Scotch; papa never said anything about it, or seemed to care about Scotland, except

to have me sing the old ballads," said Rose, beginning to feel as if she had left America behind her

"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,

Archie said this from the other coachstep, where he had perched, while the rest climbed up before and

"I'm Fitzjames and he's Roderick Dhu, and we'll give you the broadsword combat some day. It's a great thing,

"Yes, and you should hear Steve play the pipes. He makes 'em skirl like a good one," cried Will from the box,

"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

"And what do you and Will do?" asked Rose of Jamie, who sat beside her as if bound to keep her in sight till

"Oh, I'm the little footpage, and do errands, and Will and Geordie are the troops when we march, and the

"They are very obliging, I'm sure," said Rose, whereat the "utility men" beamed with modest pride and

resolved to enact Wallace and Montrose as soon as possible for their cousin's special benefit.

"Let's have a game of tag," cried the Prince, swinging himself up to a beam with a sounding slap on Stevie's

Regardless of his gloves, Dandy tore after him, and the rest swarmed in every direction as if bent on breaking

It was a new and astonishing spectacle to Rose, fresh from a prim boardingschool, and she watched the

active lads with breathless interest, thinking their antics far superior to those of Mops, the dear departed

Will had just covered himself with glory by pitching off a high loft head first and coming up all right, when

Phebe appeared with a cloak, hood, and rubbers, also a message from Aunt Plenty that "Miss Rose was to

"All right; we'll bring her!" answered Archie, issuing some mysterious order, which was so promptly obeyed

that, before Rose could get out of the carriage, the boys had caught hold of the pole and rattled her out of the

barn, round the oval and up to the front door with a cheer that brought two caps to an upper window, and

"Them harumscarum boys will certainly be the death of that delicate little creter!"

But the "delicate little creter" seemed all the better for her trip, and ran up the steps looking rosy, gay, and

dishevelled, to be received with lamentation by Aunt Plenty, who begged her to go and lie down at once.

"Oh, please don't! We have come to tea with our cousin, and we'll be as good as gold if you'll let us stay,

auntie," clamoured the boys, who not only approved of "our cousin" but had no mind to lose their tea, for

"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

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 halfway landing to take an observation, for till

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 sixteenyearold

Archie to Jamie, who was ten years younger. None of them were especially comely but the Prince, yet all

were hearty, happylooking lads, and Rose decided that boys were not as dreadful as she had expected to find

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 nearsighted eyes; Dandy was arranging his hair

before the oval glass in the hatstand; Geordie and Will investigating the internal economy of the

moonfaced clock; and Jamie lay kicking up his heels on the mat at the foot of the stairs, bent on demanding

She guessed his intention, and forestalled his demand by dropping a handful of sugarplums down upon him.

At his cry of rapture the other lads looked up and smiled involuntarily, for the little kinswoman standing there

above was a winsome sight with her shy, soft eyes, bright hair, and laughing face. The black frock reminded

them of her loss, and filled the boyish hearts with a kindly desire to be good to "our cousin," who had no

"I shall take her in." And Archie offered his arm with great dignity, an honour that made Rose turn as red as a

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

"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.

"When will she have it?" demanded Geordie, bouncing in his seat with impatience.

"Heart alive! what is the boy talking about?" cried the old lady from behind the tall urn, which left little to be

"Some people think so, but I shouldn't like to try it," answered Charlie, laughing so he split his tea.

Archie and the Prince stared at one another rather blankly for a minute, then Archie answered with a twinkle

This was a poser, and they gave up the puzzle, though Jamie confided to Rose that he did not think he could

Soon after tea the Clan departed, singing "All the blue bonnets are over the border," at the tops of their

"Well, dear, how do you like your cousins?" asked Aunt Plenty, as the last pony frisked round the corner and

"Pretty well, ma'am; but I like Phebe better." An answer which caused Aunt Plenty to hold up her hands in

despair and trot away to tell sister Peace that she never should understand that child, and it was a mercy Alec

Fatigued by the unusual exertions of the afternoon, Rose curled herself up in the sofa corner to rest and think

Right in the middle of her meditations she fell asleep and dreamed she was at home again in her own little

bed. She seemed to wake and see her father bending over her; to hear him say, "My little Rose"; to answer,

"Yes, papa"; and then to feel him take her in his arms and kiss her tenderly. So sweet, so real was the dream,

that she started up with a cry of joy to find herself in the arms of a brown, bearded man, who held her close,

and whispered in a voice so like her father's that she clung to him involuntarily

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

The sun was shining, and Rose opened her window to let in the soft May air fresh from the sea. As she leaned

over her little balcony, watching an early bird get the worm, and wondering how she should like Uncle Alec,

she saw a man leap the garden wall and come whistling up the path. At first she thought it was some

trespasser, but a second look showed her that it was her uncle returning from an early dip into the sea. She

had hardly dared to look at him the night before, because whenever she tried to do so she always found a pair

of keen blue eyes looking at her. Now she could take a good stare at him as he lingered along, looking about

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; broadshouldered, alert in his motions, and with a general air of strength and stability about him

which pleased Rose, though she could not explain the feeling of comfort it gave her. She had just said to

herself, with a sense of relief, "I guess I shall like him, though he looks as if he made people mind," when he

lifted his eyes to examine the budding horsechestnut overhead, and saw the eager face peering down at him.

"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,

Rose was so taken aback, she could only answer with a smile as she went to meet him.

"How does my girl do this morning?" he asked, taking the little cold hand she gave him in both his big warm

"I lie awake a long time, and then I dream, and my sleep does not seem to rest me much."

"Aunt Plenty says I'm not strong enough for much exercise. I drive out with her sometimes, but I don't care

"I'm not surprised at that," said Uncle Alec, half to himself, adding, in his quick way: "Who have you had to

"No one but Ariadne Blish, and she was such a goose I couldn't bear her. The boys came yesterday, and

"Not a bit of it; that's just what you need, for you've been mollycoddled 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

"Phebe is sensible, I'm sure, and I like her, though I only saw her yesterday," cried Rose, waking up suddenly.

Rose eagerly told all she knew, and Uncle Alec listened, with an odd smile lurking about his mouth, though

"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

"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

"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,

"So she doesn't call desertion, poverty, and hard work, troubles? She's a brave little girl, and I shall be proud

to know her." And Uncle Alec gave an approving nod, that made Rose wish she had been the one to earn it.

"But what are these troubles of yours, child?" he asked, after a minute of silence.

Something in his tone made Rose feel that it would be better to speak out and be done with it, so she

As she said that, Uncle Alec's arm came gently round her, and he drew her to him, saying, in the voice so like

"That is a trouble which I cannot cure, my child; but I shall try to make you feel it less. What else, dear?"

"I am so tired and poorly all the time, I can't do anything I want to, and it makes me cross," sighed Rose,

"That we can cure and we will," said her uncle, with a decided nod that made the curls bob on his head, to

"Aunt Myra says I have no constitution, and never shall be strong," observed Rose, in a pensive tone, as if it

"Aunt Myra is a ahem! an excellent woman, but it is her hobby to believe that everyone is tottering on the

brink of the grave; and, upon my life, I believe she is offended if people don't fall into it! We will show her

how to make constitutions and turn palefaced little ghosts into rosy, hearty girls. That's my business, you

know," he added, more quietly, for his sudden outburst had rather startled Rose.

"I had forgotten you were a doctor. I'm glad of it, for I do want to be well, only I hope you won't give me

As she spoke, Rose pointed to a little table just inside the window, on which appeared a regiment of bottles.

"Ah, ha! Now we'll see what mischief these blessed women have been at." And, making a long arm, Dr. Alec

set the bottles on the wide railing before him, examined each carefully, smiled over some, frowned over

others, and said, as he put down the last: "Now I'll show you the best way to take these messes." And, as

quick as a flash, he sent one after another smashing down into the posybeds below.

"But Aunt Plenty won't like it; and Aunt Myra will be angry, for she sent most of them!" cried Rose, half

"You are my patient now, and I'll take the responsibility. My way of giving physic is evidently the best, for

you look better already," he said, laughing so infectiously that Rose followed suit, saying saucily

"If I don't like your medicines any better than those, I shall throw them into the garden, and then what will

"When I prescribe such rubbish, I'll give you leave to pitch it overboard as soon as you like. Now what is the

"It is very wrong, I suppose, but I do sometimes wish I had not quite so many aunts. They are all very good to

me, and I want to please them; but they are so different, I feel sort of pulled to pieces among them," said

Rose, trying to express the emotions of a stray chicken with six hens all clucking over it at once.

Uncle Alec threw back his head and laughed like a boy, for he could entirely understand how the good ladies

had each put in her oar and tried to paddle her own way, to the great disturbance of the waters and the entire

"I intend to try a course of uncles now, and see how that suits your constitution. I'm going to have you all to

myself, and no one is to give a word of advice unless I ask it. There is no other way to keep order aboard, and

"I don't think I can tell this one. It wouldn't be polite, and I feel pretty sure that it isn't going to be a trouble

As she blushed and stammered over these words, Dr. Alec turned his eyes away to the distant sea, and said so

"My child, I don't expect you to love and trust me all at once, but I do want you to believe that I shall give my

whole heart to this new duty; and if I make mistakes, as I probably shall, no one will grieve over them more

bitterly than I. It is my fault that I am a stranger to you, when I want to be your best friend. That is one of my

mistakes, and I never repented it more deeply than I do now. Your father and I had a trouble once, and I

thought I could never forgive him; so I kept away for years. Thank God, we made it all up the last time I saw

him, and he told me then, that if he was forced to leave her he should bequeath his little girl to me as a token

of his love. I can't fill his place, but I shall try to be a father to her; and if she learns to love me half as well as

she did the good one she has lost, I shall be a proud and happy man. Will she believe this and try?"

Something in Uncle Alec's face touched Rose to the heart, and when he held out his hand with that anxious

troubled look in his eyes, she was moved to put up her innocent lips and seal the contract with a confiding

kiss. The strong arm held her close a minute, and she felt the broad chest heave once as if with a great sigh of

Rose popped her head through the window to say "come in," while Dr. Alec hastily rubbed the sleeve of his

"Debby told me to bring this and help you get up," she said, opening her black eyes wide, as if she wondered

"I'm all dressed, so I don't need any help. I hope that is good and strong," added Rose, eyeing the steaming

But she did not get it, for a brown hand took possession of it as her uncle said quickly

"Hold hard, my lass, and let me overhaul that dose before you take it. Do you drink all this strong coffee

"Yes, sir, and I like it. Auntie says it 'tones' me up, and I always feel better after it."

"This accounts for the sleepless nights, the flutter your heart gets into at the least start, and this is why that

cheek of yours is pale yellow instead of rosy red. No more coffee for you, my dear, and by and by you'll see

"That's the drink for my patient. Go bring me a pitcherful, and another cup; I want a draught myself. This

won't hurt the honeysuckles, for they have no nerves to speak of." And, to Rose's great discomfort, the coffee

Dr. Alec saw the injured look she put on, but took no notice, and presently banished it by saying pleasantly

"I've got a capital little cup among my traps, and I'll give it to you to drink your milk in, as it is made of wood

that is supposed to improve whatever is put into it something like a quassia cup. That reminds me; one of the

boxes Phebe wanted to lug upstairs last night is for you. Knowing that I was coming home to find a

readymade 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 tomorrow we'll have a grand rummage. Here's our milk! I

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

"Now I must be off, before I am caught again with my wig in a toss," said Dr. Alec, preparing to descend the

"Do you always go in and out like a cat, uncle?" asked Rose, much amused at his odd ways.

"I used to sneak out of my window when I was a boy, so I need not disturb the aunts, and now I rather like it,

for it's the shortest road, and it keeps me limber when I have no rigging to climb. Goodbye till breakfast."

And away he went down the waterspout, over the roof, and vanished among the budding honeysuckles

"He is a very kind one, I think," answered Rose, following, to prowl round the big boxes and try to guess

When her uncle appeared at sound of the bell, he found her surveying with an anxious face a new dish that

"I detest it!" answered Rose, with all the emphasis which a turnedup nose, a shudder, and a groan could

"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

Rose had made up her mind to be obstinate about it, because she did heartily "detest" the dish; but as Uncle

Alec did not attempt to make her obey, she suddenly changed her mind and thought she would.

"I'll try to eat it to please you, uncle; but people are always saying how wholesome it is, and that makes me

"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

Dr. Alec turned to greet the old lady, and, with a firm resolve to eat or die in the attempt, Rose sat down.

In five minutes she forgot what she was eating, so interested was she in the chat that went on. It amused her

very much to hear Aunt Plenty call her fortyyearold nephew "my dear boy"; and Uncle Alec was so full of

lively gossip about all creation in general, and the Aunthill in particular, that the detested porridge vanished

"You will go to church with us, I hope, Alec, if you are not too tired," said the old lady, when breakfast was

"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 tomorrow, you know, and there will be a row in church if those boys see

"I'll send Ben up the hill, and you can step over to Myra's yourself; it will please her, and you will have

Dr. Alec was off at once, and they saw no more of him till the old barouche was at the door, and Aunt Plenty

just rustling downstairs in her Sunday best, with Rose like a little black shadow behind her.

Away they drove in state, and all the way Uncle Alec's hat was more off his head than on, for everyone they

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

Rose dared not look up after a while, for these bad boys vented their emotions upon her till she was ready to

laugh and cry with mingled amusement and vexation. Charlie winked rapturously at her behind his mother's

fan; Mac openly pointed to the tall figure beside her; Jamie stared fixedly over the back of his pew, till Rose

thought his round eyes would drop out of his head; George fell over a stool and dropped three books in his

excitement; Will drew sailors and Chinamen on his clean cuffs, and displayed them, to Rose's great

tribulation; Steve nearly upset the whole party by burning his nose with salts, as he pretended to be overcome

by his joy; even dignified Archie disgraced himself by writing in his hymn book, "Isn't he blue and brown?"

Her only salvation was trying to fix her attention upon Uncle Mac a portly, placid gentleman, who seemed

entirely unconscious of the iniquities of the Clan, and dozed peacefully in his pew corner. This was the only

uncle Rose had met for years, for Uncle Jem and Uncle Steve, the husbands of Aunt Jessie and Aunt Clara,

were at sea, and Aunt Myra was a widow. Uncle Mac was a merchant, very rich and busy, and as quiet as a

mouse at home, for he was in such a minority among the women folk he dared not open his lips, and let his

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

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,

"Now, girls, I want you to come and dine with Alec; Mac also, of course. But I cannot ask the boys, for we

did not expect this dear fellow till tomorrow, you know, so I made no preparations. Send the lads home, and

let them wait till Monday, for really I was shocked at their behaviour in church," said Aunt Plenty, as she

In any other place the defrauded boys would have set up a howl; as it was, they growled and protested till Dr.

"Never mind, old chaps, I'll make it up to you tomorrow, if you sheer off quietly; if you don't, not a blessed

All dinnertime Rose felt that she was going to be talked about, and afterward she was sure of it, for Aunt

"Run up and sit awhile with Sister Peace, my dear. She likes to have you read while she rests, and we are

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

Rose knew the sad romance of her life, and it gave a certain tender charm to this greataunt of hers, whom

she already loved. When Peace was twenty, she was about to be married; all was done, the wedding dress lay

ready, the flowers were waiting to be put on, the happy hour at hand, when word came that the lover was

dead. They thought that gentle Peace would die, too; but she bore it bravely, put away her bridal gear, took up

her life afresh, and lived on a beautiful, meek woman, with hair as white as snow and cheeks that never

bloomed again. She wore no black, but soft, pale colours, as if always ready for the marriage that had never

For thirty years she had lived on, fading slowly, but cheerful, busy, and full of interest in all that went on in

the family; especially the joys and sorrows of the young girls growing up about her, and to them she was

adviser, confidante, and friend in all their tender trials and delights. A truly beautiful old maiden, with her

silvery hair, tranquil face, and an atmosphere of repose about her that soothed whoever came to her!

Aunt Plenty was utterly dissimilar, being a stout, brisk old lady, with a sharp eye, a lively tongue, and a face

like a winterapple. Always trotting, chatting, and bustling, she was a regular Martha, cumbered with the

Rose was right; and while she softly read psalms to Aunt Peace, the other ladies were talking about her little

"Well, Alec, how do you like your ward?" began Aunt Jane, as they all settled down, and Uncle Mac

"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

"My dear boy, we did what we thought best while waiting for you to wind up your affairs and get home. I

always told George he was wrong to bring her up as he did; but he never took my advice, and now here we

are with this poor dear child upon our hands. I, for one, freely confess that I don't know what to do with her

any more than if she was one of those strange, outlandish birds you used to bring home from foreign parts."

And Aunt Plenty gave a perplexed shake of the head which caused great commotion among the stiff loops of

"If my advice had been taken, she would have remained at the excellent school where I placed her. But our

aunt thought best to remove her because she complained, and she has been dawdling about ever since she

came. A most ruinous state of things for a morbid, spoilt girl like Rose," said Mrs. Jane, severely.

She had never forgiven the old ladies for yielding to Rose's pathetic petition that she might wait her

guardian's arrival before beginning another term at the school, which was a regular Blimber hotbed, and

"I never thought it the proper school for a child in good circumstances an heiress, in fact, as Rose is. It is all

very well for girls who are to get their own living by teaching, and that sort of thing; but all she needs is a

year or two at a fashionable finishing school, so that at eighteen she can come out with eclat," put in Aunt

"Dear, dear! how shortsighted you all are to be discussing education and plans for the future, when this

unhappy child is so plainly marked for the tomb," sighed Aunt Myra, with a lugubrious sniff and a solemn

wag of the funereal bonnet, which she refused to remove, being afflicted with a chronic catarrh.

"Now, it is my opinion that the dear thing only wants freedom, rest, and care. There is look in her eyes that

goes to my heart, for it shows that she feels the need of what none of us can give her a mother," said Aunt

Jessie, with tears in her own bright eyes at the thought of her boys being left, as Rose was, to the care of

Uncle Alec, who had listened silently as each spoke, turned quickly towards the last sister, and said, with a

"You've got it, Jessie; and, with you to help me, I hope to make the child feel that she is not quite fatherless

"I'll do my best, Alec; and I think you will need me, for, wise as you are, you cannot understand a tender,

timid little creature like Rose as a woman can," said Mrs. Jessie, smiling back at him with a heart full of

"I cannot help feeling that I, who have had a daughter of my own, can best bring up a girl; and I am very

much surprised that George did not entrust her to me," observed Aunt Myra, with an air of melancholy

importance, for she was the only one who had given a daughter to the family, and she felt that she had

distinguished herself, though illnatured people said that she had dosed her darling to death.

"I never blamed him in the least, when I remember the perilous experiments you tried with poor Carrie,"

"Jane Campbell, I will not hear a word! My sainted Caroline is a sacred object," cried Aunt Myra, rising as if

Dr. Alec detained her, feeling that he must define his position at once, and maintain it manfully if he hoped to

"Now, my dear souls, don't let us quarrel and make Rose a bone of contention though, upon my word, she is

almost a bone, poor little lass! You have had her among you for a year, and done what you liked. I cannot say

that your success is great, but that is owing to too many fingers in the pie. Now, I intend to try my way for a

year, and if at the end of it she is not in better trim than now, I'll give up the case, and hand her over to

"She will not be here a year hence, poor darling, so no one need dread future responsibility," said Aunt Myra,

"By Jupiter! Myra, you are enough to damp the ardour of a saint!" cried Dr. Alec, with a sudden spark in his

eyes. "Your croaking will worry that child out of her wits, for she is an imaginative puss, and will fret and

fancy untold horrors. You have put it into her head that she has no constitution, and she rather likes the idea.

If she had not had a pretty good one, she would have been 'marked for the tomb' by this time, at the rate you

have been going on with her. I will not have any interference please understand that; so just wash your hands

"Hear, hear!" came from the corner where Uncle Mac was apparently wrapt in slumber.

"You were appointed guardian, so we can do nothing. But I predict that the girl will be spoilt, utterly spoilt,"

"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 wellknown fact in the family that Jane's boys

"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

"I suppose you will stay here in the old place, unless you think of marrying, and it's high time you did," put in

"Don't marry; women enough in the family already," muttered Uncle Mac; and then the gentlemen hastily

"Aunt Peace would like to see you all, she says," was the message Rose brought before the ladies could begin

"Hectic, hectic! dear me, dear me!" murmured Aunt Myra, as the shadow of her gloomy bonnet fell upon

Rose, and the stiff tips of a black glove touched the cheek where the colour deepened under so many eyes.

"I am glad these pretty curls are natural; they will be invaluable by and by," said Aunt Clara, taking an

"Now that your uncle has come, I no longer expect you to review the studies of the past year. I trust your time

will not be entirely wasted in frivolous sports, however," added Aunt Jane, sailing out of the room with the

Aunt Jessie said not a word, but kissed her little niece, with a look of tender sympathy that made Rose cling

to her a minute, and follow her with grateful eyes as the door closed behind her.

After everybody had gone home, Dr. Alec paced up and down the lower hall in the twilight for an hour,

thinking so intently that sometimes he frowned, sometimes he smiled, and more than once he stood still in a

"I might as well begin at once, and give the child something new to think about, for Myra's dismals and Jane's

Diving into one of the trunks that stood in a corner, he brought up, after a brisk rummage, a silken cushion,

"This will do for a start," he said, as he plumped up the cushion and dusted the cup. "It won't do to begin too

energetically, or Rose will be frightened. I must beguile her gently and pleasantly along till I've won her

Just then Phebe came out of the diningroom with a plate of brown bread, for Rose had been allowed no hot

"I'll relieve you of some of that," said Dr. Alec, and, helping himself to a generous slice, he retired to the

She would have wondered still more if she had seen him making that brown bread into neat little pills, which

he packed into an attractive ivory box, out of which he emptied his own bits of lovage.

"There! if they insist on medicine, I'll order these, and no harm will be done. I will have my own way, but I'll

keep the peace, if possible, and confess the joke when my experiment has succeeded," he said to himself,

looking very much like a mischievous boy, as he went on with his innocent prescriptions.

Rose was playing softly on the small organ that stood in the upper hall, so that Aunt Peace could enjoy it; and

all the while he talked with the old ladies, Uncle Alec was listening to the fitful music of the child, and

"Time for my girl to be abed, else she won't be up early, and I'm full of jolly plans for tomorrow. Come and

Rose ran in and listened with bright attentive face, while Dr. Alec said impressively

"In my wanderings over the face of the earth, I have picked up some excellent remedies, and, as they are

rather agreeable ones, I think you and I will try them. This is a herbpillow, 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 tonight, sleep sweetly without a dream, and wake tomorrow without a pain."

"Shall I really? How nice it smells." And Rose willingly received the pretty pillow, and stood enjoying its

"This is the cup I told you of. Its virtue depends, they say, on the drinker filling it himself; so you must learn

"I'm afraid I never can," said Rose; but she surveyed the cup with favour, for a funny little imp danced on the

"Don't you think she ought to have something more strengthening than milk, Alec? I really shall feel anxious

if she does not have a tonic of some sort," said Aunt Plenty, eyeing the new remedies suspiciously, for she

had more faith in her oldfashioned doses than all the magic cups and poppy pillows of the East.

"Well, ma'am, I'm willing to give her a pill, if you think best. It is a very simple one, and very large quantities

may be taken without harm. You know hasheesh is the extract of hemp? Well, this is a preparation of corn

"Dear me, how singular!" said Aunt Plenty, bringing her spectacles to bear upon the pills, with a face so full

"Take one in the morning, and a goodnight to you, my dear," he said, dismissing his patient with a hearty

Then, as she vanished, he put both hands into his hair, exclaiming, with a comical mixture of anxiety and

"When I think what I have undertaken, I declare to you, aunt, I feel like running away and not coming back

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

"I'm going amilking, sir, she said," answered Rose, waving the cup; and then they finished the verse

Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a

"Clearing our pipes for the day, ma'am. Look here, auntie, can I have this room?" said Dr. Alec, making her a

"Thanks. And may I go rummaging round in the garrets and gloryholes to furnish it as I like?"

"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

"That's inpossible! Put on your jacket, Rose. Don't tire her out with antics, Alec. Yes, sister, I'm coming!" and

The first milking lesson was a droll one; but after several scares and many vain attempts, Rose at last

managed to fill her cup, while Ben held Clover's tail so that it could not flap, and Dr. Alec kept her from

turning to stare at the new milkmaid, who objected to both these proceedings very much.

"You look chilly in spite of all this laughing. Take a smart run round the garden and get up a glow," said the

"I'm too old for running, uncle; Miss Power said it was not ladylike for girls in their teens," answered Rose,

"I take the liberty of differing from Madame Prunes and Prisms, and, as your physician, I order you to run.

Off with you!" said Uncle Alec, with a look and a gesture that made Rose scurry away as fast as she could go.

Anxious to please him, she raced round the beds till she came back to the porch where he stood, and,

dropping down upon the steps, she sat panting, with cheeks as rosy as the rigolette on her shoulders.

"Very well done, child; I see you have not lost the use of your limbs though you are in your teens. That belt is

"It isn't tight, sir; I can breathe perfectly well," began Rose, trying to compose herself.

Her uncle's only answer was to lift her up and unhook the new belt of which she was so proud. The moment

the clasp was open the belt flew apart several inches, for it was impossible to restrain the involuntary sigh of

"Why, I didn't know it was tight! it didn't feel so a bit. Of course it would open if I puff like this, but I never

do, because I hardly ever run," explained Rose, rather discomfited by this discovery.

"I see you don't half fill your lungs, and so you can wear this absurd thing without feeling it. The idea of

cramping a tender little waist in a stiff band of leather and steel just when it ought to be growing," said Dr.

Alec, surveying the belt with great disfavour as he put the clasp forward several holes, to Rose's secret

dismay, for she was proud of her slender figure, and daily rejoiced that she wasn't as stout as Luly Miller, a

"It will fall off if it is so loose," she said anxiously, as she stood watching him pull her precious belt about.

"Not if you keep taking long breaths to hold it on. That is what I want you to do, and when you have filled

this out we will go on enlarging it till your waist is more like that of Hebe, goddess of health, and less like

"How it does look!" and Rose gave a glance of scorn at the loose belt hanging round her trim little waist. "It

will be lost, and then I shall feel badly, for it cost ever so much, and is real steel and Russia leather. Just smell

"If it is lost I'll give you a better one. A soft silken sash is much fitter for a pretty child like you than a plated

harness like this; and I've got no end of Italian scarfs and Turkish sashes among my traps. Ah! that makes you

feel better, doesn't it?" and he pinched the cheek that had suddenly dimpled with a smile.

"It is very silly of me, but I can't help liking to know that" here she stopped and blushed and held down her

"I'm afraid I am," answered a very meek voice from behind the veil of hair that hid the red face.

"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

The last word and the funny tone in which it was uttered were too much for Dr. Alec, and he laughed in spite

"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

"Yes, Phebe; for she has what you need health. If you dear little girls would only learn what real beauty is,

and not pinch and starve and bleach yourselves out so, you'd save an immense deal of time and money and

pain. A happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty for man or woman. Do you understand

"Yes, sir," answered Rose, much taken down by this comparison with the girl from the poorhouse. It nettled

"I suppose you would like to have me sweep and scrub, and wear an old brown dress, and go round with my

"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,

"Well, I do think you are the queerest man that ever lived!" was all Rose could find to say after this display of

"I haven't begun to show you my oddities yet, so you must make up your mind to worse shocks than this," he

said, with such a whimsical look that she was glad the sound of a bell prevented her showing more plainly

"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,"

"No, thank you, I'm going to borrow Phebe for a while, if Aunt Plenty can spare her."

"Anybody anything, Alec. You will want me, I know, so I'll give orders about dinner and be all ready to lend

"Uncle will find that I can do some things that Phebe can't, so now!" thought Rose, with a toss of the head as

Every little girl can easily imagine what an extra good time she had diving into a sea of treasures and fishing

up one pretty thing after another, till the air was full of the mingled odours of musk and sandalwood, the

room gay with bright colours, and Rose in a rapture of delight. She began to forgive Dr. Alec for the oatmeal

diet when she saw a lovely ivory workbox; became resigned to the state of her belt when she found a pile of

rainbowcoloured sashes; and when she came to some distractingly pretty bottles of attar of rose, she felt that

they almost atoned for the great sin of thinking Phebe the finer girl of the two.

Dr. Alec meanwhile had apparently taken Aunt Plenty at her word, and was turning the house upside down. A

general revolution was evidently going on in the greenroom, for the dark damask curtains were seen

bundling away in Phebe's arms; the airtight stove retiring to the cellar on Ben's shoulder; and the great

bedstead going up garret in a fragmentary state, escorted by three bearers. Aunt Plenty was constantly on the

trot among her storerooms, camphorchests, and linenclosets, looking as if the new order of things both

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

"What a curious room it will be," she said, as she sat resting and refreshing herself with "Lumps of Delight,"

"I fancy you will like it, deary," answered Aunt Peace, looking up with a smile from some pretty trifle she

Rose did not see the smile, for just at that moment her uncle paused at the door, and she sprang up to dance

"Look at me! look at me! I'm splendid I don't know myself. I haven't put these things on right, I dare say, but

"You look as gay as a parrot in your fez and cabaja, and it does my heart good to see the little black shadow

turned into a rainbow," said Uncle Alec, surveying the bright figure before him with great approbation.

He did not say it, but he thought she made a much prettier picture than Phebe at the washtub, for she had

stuck a purple fez on her blonde head, tied several brilliant scarfs about her waist, and put on a truly gorgeous

scarlet jacket with a golden sun embroidered on the back, a silver moon on the front, and stars of all sizes on

the sleeves. A pair of Turkish slippers adorned her feet, and necklaces of amber, coral, and filigree hung

about her neck, while one hand held a smellingbottle, and the other the spicy box of oriental sweetmeats.

"I feel like a girl in the 'Arabian Nights,' and expect to find a magic carpet or a wonderful talisman

somewhere. Only I don't see how I ever can thank you for all these lovely things," she said, stopping her

"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

"I think you are right, Alec, and it is fortunate that we have not begun on her spring clothes yet, for Myra

thought she ought not to wear anything brighter than violet, and she is too pale for that."

"You just let me direct Miss Hemming how to make some of these things. You will be surprised to see how

much I know about piping hems and gathering armholes and shirring biases," began Dr. Alec, patting a pile

Aunt Peace and Rose laughed so that he could not display his knowledge any farther, till they stopped, when

"That will go a great way toward filling out the belt, so laugh away, Morgiana, and I'll go back to my work,

"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

"He would not mind; but they are not suitable for Phebe. Some of the dresses you are done with would be

more useful, if they can be made over to fit her," answered Aunt Peace in the prudent, moderate tone which is

so trying to our feelings when we indulge in little fits of charitable enthusiasm.

"I'd rather give her new ones, for I think she is a little bit proud and might not like old things. If she was my

sister it would do, because sisters don't mind, but she isn't, and that makes it bad, you see. I know how I can

manage beautifully; I'll adopt her!" and Rose looked quite radiant with this new idea.

"I'm afraid you could not do it legally till you are older, but you might see if she likes the plan, and at any rate

you can be very kind to her, for in one sense we are all sisters, and should help one another."

The sweet old face looked at her so kindly that Rose was fired with a desire to settle the matter at once, and

rushed away to the kitchen, just as she was. Phebe was there, polishing up the antique andirons so busily that

Phebe sniffed attar of rose, crunched the "Lump of Delight" tucked into her mouth, and stared with all her

"My stars, ain't you splendid!" was all she could say, holding up two dusty hands.

"I've got heaps of lovely things upstairs, and I'll show them all to you, and I'd go halves, only auntie thinks

they wouldn't be useful, so I shall give you something else; and you won't mind, will you? because I want to

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

"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

To Rose's great surprise, Phebe sat down on the floor and hid her face in her apron for a minute without

"Oh, dear, now she's offended, and I don't know what to do," thought Rose, much discouraged by this

"Please, forgive me; I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, and hope you won't think " she faltered presently,

But Phebe gave her another surprise, by dropping the apron and showing a face all smiles, in spite of tears in

"I think you are the dearest girl in the world, and I'll let you do anything you like with me."

"Then you do like the plan? You didn't cry because I seemed to be kind of patronising? I truly didn't mean to

"I guess I do like it! and cried because no one was ever so good to me before, and I couldn't help it. As for

patronising, you may walk on me if you want to, and I won't mind," said Phebe, in a burst of gratitude, for the

"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

Phebe understood that, for she had a good deal of natural refinement, though she did come from the

"I don't feel as if I wanted anything now, Miss Rose, but to find some way of thanking you for all you've

done," she said, rubbing off a tear that went rolling down the bridge of her nose in the most unromantic way.

"Why, I haven't done anything but given you a bit of candy! Here, have some more, and eat 'em while you

work, and think what I can do. I must go and clear up, so goodbye, and don't forget I've adopted you."

"You've given me sweeter things than candy, and I'm not likely to forget it." And carefully wiping off the

brickdust, 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.

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

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 oxhorns 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

At three of the places their calls were brief, for Aunt Myra's catarrh was unusually bad; Aunt Clara had a

room full of company; and Aunt Jane showed such a tendency to discuss the population, productions, and

politics of Europe, Asia and Africa, that even Dr. Alec was dismayed, and got away as soon as possible.

"Now we will have a good time! I do hope the boys will be at home," said Rose, with a sigh of relief, as they

"I left this for the last call, so that we might find the lads just in from school. Yes, there is Jamie on the gate

watching for us; now you'll see the Clan gather; they are always swarming about together."

The instant Jamie saw the approaching guests he gave a shrill whistle, which was answered by echoes from

meadow, house and barn, as the cousins came running from all directions, shouting, "Hooray for Uncle

Alec!" They went at the carriage like highwaymen, robbed it of every parcel, took the occupants prisoners,

"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

Down came Aunt Jessie with her pretty cap half on, but such a beaming face below it that one rather thought

the flyaway headgear an improvement than otherwise. She had hardly time to greet Rose and the doctor

before the boys were about her, each clamouring for her to see his gift and rejoice over it with him, for "little

Mum" went halves in everything. The great horns skirmished about her as if to toss her to the ceiling; the war

clubs hurtled over her head as if to annihilate her; an amazing medley from the four quarters of the globe

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

"Well, dear, and how are things going with you now? Better, I hope, than they were a week ago."

"Aunt Jessie, I think I'm going to be very happy, now uncle has come. He does the queerest things, but he is

so good to me I can't help loving him"; and, nestling closer to little Mum, Rose told all that had happened,

"I am very glad, dear. But, Rose, I must warn you of one thing; don't let uncle spoil you."

"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

"I never thought of that, and I'll try not to be spoilt. But how can I help it?" asked Rose anxiously.

"By not complaining of the wholesome things he wants you to do; by giving him cheerful obedience as well

"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

"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

It was so sweet and comfortable that Rose sat still enjoying it till a little voice said

"Mamma, don't you think Pokey would like some of my shells? Rose gave Phebe some of her nice things,

"My dolly; do you want to see her?" asked Jamie, who had been much impressed by the tale of adoption he

"They don't laugh at me, and they play with my dolly a great deal; but she likes me best"; and Jamie ran away

"I brought my old doll, but I keep her hidden because I am too big to play with her, and yet I can't bear to

throw her away, I'm so fond of her," said Rose, continuing her confidences in a whisper.

"You can come and play with Jamie's whenever you like, for we believe in dollies up here," began Aunt

Just then Jamie came back, and Rose understood the smile, for his dolly proved to be a pretty fouryearold

little girl, who trotted in as fast as her fat legs would carry her, and making straight for the shells, scrambled

"That's my dolly; isn't she a nice one?" asked Jamie, proudly surveying his pet with his hands behind him and

"She is a dear dolly. But why call her Pokey?" asked Rose, charmed with the new plaything.

"She is such an inquisitive little body she is always poking that mite of a nose into everything; and as Paul

Pry did not suit, the boys fell to calling her Pokey. Not a pretty name, but very expressive."

It certainly was, for, having examined the shells, the busy tot laid hold of everything she could find, and

continued her researches till Archie caught her sucking his carved ivory chessmen to see if they were not

barley sugar. Rice paper pictures were also discovered crumpled up in her tiny pocket, and she nearly

"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

"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

"'Dopt away, baby, and I'll give you a cage to keep her in, or you won't have her long, for she is getting worse

than a monkey"; and Archie went back to his mates, while Aunt Jessie, foreseeing a crisis, proposed that

Jamie should take his dolly home, as she was borrowed, and it was time her visit ended.

"My dolly is better than yours, isn't she? 'cause she can walk and talk and sing and dance, and yours can't do

anything, can she?" asked Jamie with pride, as he regarded his Pokey, who just then had been moved to

After which superb display she retired, escorted by Jamie, both making a fearful din blowing on conch shells.

"We must tear ourselves away, Rose, because I want to get you home before sunset. Will you come for a

"No, thank you; but I see the boys want a scamper, so, if you don't mind, they may escort you home, but not

The words were hardly out of Aunt Jessie's mouth when Archie said, in a tone of command

"All right!" And in a moment not a vestige of boy remained but the litter on the floor.

The cavalcade went down the hill at a pace that made Rose cling to her uncle's arm, for the fat old horses got

excited by the antics of the ponies careering all about them, and went as fast as they could pelt, with the gay

dogcart 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

When they reached the house they dismounted, and stood, three on each side the steps, in martial attitudes,

while her ladyship was handed out with great elegance by Uncle Alec. Then the Clan saluted, mounted at

word of command, and with a wild whoop tore down the avenue in what they considered the true Arab style.

"That was splendid, now it is safely ended," said Rose, skipping up the steps with her head over her shoulder

"I shall get you a pony as soon as you are a little stronger," said Dr. Alec, watching her with a smile.

"Oh, I couldn't ride one of those horrid, frisky little beasts! They roll their eyes and bounce about so, I should

"Never mind, then; come and see my new room"; and he led the way upstairs without another word.

As Rose followed she remembered her promise to Aunt Jessie, and was sorry she had objected so decidedly.

"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 dustpan.

Rose walked to the middle of the room, stood still, and gazed about her with eyes that brightened as they

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 horsechestnuts waved their green fans; and one to the west, towards the hill

and the evening sky. A ruddy sunset burned there now, filling the room with an enchanted glow; the soft

murmur of the sea was heard, and a robin chirped "Goodnight!" among the budding trees.

Rose saw and heard these things first, and felt their beauty with a child's quick instinct; then her eye took in

the altered aspect of the room, once so shrouded, still and solitary, now so full of light and warmth and

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 longclosed room. Bamboo lounges and chairs stood

about, and quaint little tables in cosy corners; one bearing a pretty basket, one a desk, and on a third lay

several familiarlooking books. In a recess stood a narrow white bed, with a lovely Madonna hanging over it.

The Japanese screen halffolded back showed a delicate toilet service of blue and white set forth on a marble

slab, and near by was the great bathpan, with Turkish towels and a sponge as big as Rose's head.

Then her eye went on to the tall cabinet, where a halfopen door revealed a tempting array of the drawers,

"What a grand place for my new things," she thought, wondering what her uncle kept in that cedar retreat.

"Oh me, what a sweet toilet table!" was her next mental exclamation, as she approached this inviting spot.

A round oldfashioned mirror hung over it, with a gilt eagle atop, 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 ivoryhandled

brushes, two slender silver candlesticks, a porcelain matchbox, several pretty trays for small matters, and,

most imposing of all, a plump blue silk cushion, coquettishly trimmed with lace, and pink rosebuds at the

That cushion rather astonished Rose; in fact, the whole table did, and she was just thinking, with a sly smile

"Uncle is a dandy, but I never should have guessed it," when he opened the door of a large closet, saying,

"Men like plenty of room for their rattletraps; don't you think that ought to satisfy me?"

Rose peeped in and gave a start, though all she saw was what one usually finds in closets clothes and boots,

boxes and bags. Ah! but you see these clothes were small black and white frocks; the row of little boots that

stood below had never been on Dr. Alec's feet; the green bandbox had a gray veil straying out of it, and yes!

the bag hanging on the door was certainly her own piecebag, with a hole in one corner. She gave a quick

look round the room and understood now why it had seemed too dainty for a man, why her Testament and

Prayer Book were on the table by the bed, and what those rosebuds 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

"O uncle, you are too good to me! I'll do anything you ask me; ride wild horses and take freezing baths and

eat badtasting messes, and let my clothes hang on me, to show how much I thank you for this dear, sweet,

"You like it, then? But why do you think it is yours, my lass?" asked Dr. Alec, as he sat down looking well

"I don't think, I know it is for me; I see it in your face, and I feel as if I didn't half deserve it. Aunt Jessie said

you would spoil me, and I must not let you. I'm afraid this looks like it, and perhaps oh me! perhaps I ought

not to have this beautiful room after all!" and Rose tried to look as if she could be heroic enough to give it up

"I owe Mrs. Jessie one for that," said Dr. Alec, trying to frown, though in his secret soul he felt that she was

quite right. Then he smiled that cordial smile, which was like sunshine on his brown face, as he said

"This is part of the cure, Rose, and I put you here that you might take my three great remedies in the best and

easiest way. Plenty of sun, fresh air, and cold water; also cheerful surroundings, and some work; for Phebe is

to show you how to take care of this room, and be your little maid as well as friend and teacher. Does that

"No, sir; very, very pleasant, and I'll do my best to be a good patient. But I really don't think anyone could be

sick in this delightful room," she said, with a long sigh of happiness as her eye went from one pleasant object

"Then you like my sort of medicine better than Aunt Myra's, and don't want to throw it out of the window,

"Come, little girl, I've got another dose for you. I fancy you won't take it as well as you did the last, but you

will like it better after a while," said Dr. Alec, about a week after the grand surprise.

Rose was sitting in her pretty room, where she would gladly have spent all her time if it had been allowed;

but she looked up with a smile, for she had ceased to fear her uncle's remedies, and was always ready to try a

new one. The last had been a set of light gardening tools, with which she had helped him put the flowerbeds

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.

"Put on the new suit Miss Hemming sent home yesterday, and come down to the beach; then I'll show you."

"Yes, sir," answered Rose obediently, adding to herself, with a shiver, as he went off: "It is too early for

Putting on the new suit of blue flannel, prettily trimmed with white, and the little sailorhat 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

"That is a dear little boat; and 'Bonnie Belle' is a pretty name," she said, trying not to show how nervous she

"It is for you; so sit in the stern and learn to steer, till you are ready to learn to row."

"Do all boats wiggle about in that way?" she asked, lingering as if to tie her hat more firmly.

"Oh, yes, pitch about like nutshells when the sea is a bit rough," answered her sailor uncle, never guessing her

"Not very; it looks a trifle squally to the eastward, but we are all right till the wind changes. Come."

"Oh, please hold me very tight till I get there! Why do you have the stern so far away?" and, stifling several

squeaks of alarm in her passage, Rose crept to the distant seat, and sat there holding on with both hands and

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

"Now where shall we go?" she asked, as the wind blew freshly in her face, and a few, long swift strokes sent

"Not as I go. Steer round the Point into the harbour, and I'll give you a glimpse of China in twenty minutes or

"I should like that!" and Rose sat wondering what he meant, while she enjoyed the new sights all about her.

Behind them the green Aunthill sloped gently upward to the grove at the top, and all along the seaward side

stood familiar houses, stately, cosy, or picturesque. As they rounded the Point, the great bay opened before

them full of shipping, and the city lay beyond, its spires rising above the tall masts with their gay streamers.

"Are we going there?" she asked, for she had never seen this aspect of the rich and busy old city before.

"Yes. Uncle Mac has a ship just in from Hong Kong, and I thought you would like to go and see it."

"Oh, I should. I love dearly to go poking about in the warehouses with Uncle Mac; everything is so curious

and new to me; and I'm specially interested in China because you have been there."

"I'll show you two genuine Chinamen who have just arrived. You will like to welcome Whang Lo and Fun

"Don't ask me to speak to them, uncle; I shall be sure to laugh at the odd names and the pigtails and the

"Very well; now steer toward the wharf where the big ship with the queer flag is. That's the 'Rajah,' and we

In among the ships they went, by the wharves where the water was green and still, and queer barnacles grew

on the slippery piles. Odd smells saluted her nose, and odd sights met her eyes, but Rose liked it all, and

played she was really landing in Hong Kong when they glided up to the steps in the shadow of the tall

"Rajah." Boxes and bales were rising out of the hold and being carried into the warehouse by stout porters,

who tugged and bawled and clattered about with small trucks, or worked cranes with iron claws that came

down and clutched heavy weights, whisking them aloft to where wide doors like mouths swallowed them up.

Dr. Alec took her aboard the ship, and she had the satisfaction of poking her inquisitive little nose into every

"Well, child, how would you like to take a voyage round the world with me in a jolly old craft like this?"

"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

"You are not a true Campbell if you don't like the smell of tar and saltwater, nor Charlie either, with his

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

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 teachest in front, and stared at her with his beady

Mr. Whang Lo was an elderly gentleman in American costume, with his pigtail neatly wound round his

head. He spoke English, and was talking busily with Uncle Mac in the most commonplace way so Rose

considered him a failure. But Fun See was delightfully Chinese from his junklike shoes to the button on his

pagoda hat; for he had got himself up in style, and was a mass of silk jackets and slouchy trousers. He was

short and fat, and waddled comically; his eyes were very "slanting," as Rose said; his queue was long, so

were his nails; his yellow face was plump and shiny, and he was altogether a highly satisfactory Chinaman.

Uncle Alec told her that Fun See had come out to be educated and could only speak a little pigeon English; so

she must be kind to the poor fellow, for he was only a lad, though he looked nearly as old as Mr. Whang Lo.

Rose said she would be kind; but had not the least idea how to entertain the queer guest, who looked as if he

had walked out of one of the ricepaper landscapes on the wall, and sat nodding at her so like a toy Mandarin

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

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

Two pretty cups with covers, and a fine scarlet tray completed the set, and made one long to have a "dish of

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 teachest, 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

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

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

She had never seen such an astonishing fan, and at once became absorbed in examining it. Of course, there

was no perspective whatever, which only gave it a peculiar charm to Rose, for in one place a lovely lady,

with blue knittingneedles 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

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

"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

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 teaset reposed at her feet.

"This is not a bad way to study geography, is it?" asked her uncle, who had observed her attention to the talk.

"It is a very pleasant way, and I really think I have learned more about China today than in all the lessons I

had at school, though I used to rattle off the answers as fast as I could go. No one explained anything to us, so

all I remember is that tea and silk come from there, and the women have little bits of feet. I saw Fun looking

at mine, and he must have thought them perfectly immense," answered Rose, surveying her stout boots with

"We will have out the maps and the globe, and I'll show you some of my journeys, telling stories as we go.

"You are so fond of travelling, I should think it would be very dull for you here, uncle. Do you know, Aunt

"Oh, me! what shall I do then?" sighed Rose, in a tone of despair that made Uncle Alec's face brighten with a

Rose gave a little bounce of rapture which caused the boat to "wiggle" in a way that speedily quieted her

down. But she sat beaming joyfully and trying to think which of some hundred questions she would ask first,

when Dr. Alec said, pointing to a boat that was coming up behind them in great style

"How well those fellows row! Look at them, and take notes for your own use by and by."

The "Stormy Petrel" was manned by half a dozen jaunty looking sailors, who made a fine display of blue

"How beautifully they go, and they are only boys. Why, I do believe they are our boys! Yes, I see Charlie

laughing over his shoulder. Row, uncle, row! Oh, please do, and not let them catch up with us!" cried Rose,

"All right, here we go!" and away they did go with a long steady sweep of the oars that carried the "Bonnie

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.

"Good for you, Rose! I know what you mean. We are going to have him up to show us how to fly the big

"No, I'm going to have a feast of bread and butter, for it's teatime. 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,

"Ay, ay, skipper. Goodnight, Rose; come out often, and we'll teach you all there is to know about rowing,"

Then the boats parted company, and across the water from the "Petrel's" crew came a verse from one of the

"Oh, Timballoo! how happy we are, We live in a sieve and a crockery jar! And all night long, in the starlight

pale, We sail away, with a peagreen sail, And whistle and warble a moony song To the echoing sound of a

coppery gong. Far and few, far and few Are the lands where the Jumblies live; Their heads are green, and

"Uncle, could you lend me a ninepence? I'll return it as soon as I get my pocketmoney," said Rose, coming

"I think I could, and I won't charge any interest for it, so you need not be in any hurry to repay me. Come

back here and help me settle these books if you have nothing pleasanter to do," answered Dr. Alec, handing

out the money with that readiness which is so delightful when we ask small loans.

"I'll come in a minute; I've been longing to fix my books, but didn't dare to touch them, because you always

"I shall shake my head when you write, if you don't do it better than you did in making out this catalogue."

"I know it's bad, but I was in a hurry when I did it, and I am in one now." And away went Rose, glad to

But she got it when she came back, for Uncle Alec was still knitting his brows over the list of books, and

"Well, I'm glad to know it, for I began to think you were planning to study surgery or farming. And what is

Rose looked hard at the scrawl, and presently announced, with an air of superior wisdom

"Miss Power did not teach anything so oldfashioned as writing, I see. Now look at this memorandum Aunt

Plenty gave me, and see what a handsome plain hand that is. She went to a dameschool and learnt a few

useful things well; that is better than a smattering of half a dozen socalled higher branches, I take the liberty

"Well, I'm sure I was considered a bright girl at school, and learned everything I was taught. Luly and me

were the first in all our classes, and 'specially praised for our French and music and those sort of things," said

"I dare say; but if your French grammar was no better than your English, I think the praise was not deserved,

"Why, uncle, we did study English grammar, and I could parse beautifully. Miss Power used to have us up to

"I dare say you do, but we are all too careless about our English. Now, think a minute, and tell me if these

expressions are correct 'Luly and me,' 'those sort of things,' and 'as right as most girls.' "

Rose pulled her pet curl and put up her lip, but had to own that she was wrong, and said meekly, after a pause

"I suppose I should have said 'Luly and I,' in that case, and 'that sort of things' and 'rightly,' though 'correctly'

"Thank you; and if you will kindly drop 'I guess,' I shall like my little Yankee all the better. Now, see here,

Rosy, I don't pretend to set myself up for a model in anything, and you may come down on my grammar,

manners or morals as often as you think I'm wrong, and I'll thank you. I've been knocking about the world for

years, and have got careless, but I want my girl to be what I call welleducated, even if she studies nothing

but the three 'Rs' for a year to come. Let us be thorough, no matter how slowly we go."

He spoke so earnestly and looked so sorry to have ruffled her that Rose went and sat on the arm of his chair,

"I'm sorry I was cross, uncle, when I ought to thank you for taking so much interest in me. I guess no, I think

you are right about being thorough, for I used to understand a great deal better when papa taught me a few

lessons than when Miss Power hurried me through so many. I declare my head used to be such a jumble of

French and German, history and arithmetic, grammar and music, I used to feel sometimes as if it would split.

I'm sure I don't wonder it ached." And she held on to it as if the mere memory of the "jumble" made it swim.

"Yet that is considered an excellent school, I find, and I dare say it would be if the benighted lady did not

think it necessary to cram her pupils like 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

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 pocketbook

"Uncle Mac has put all your affairs into my hands now, and here is your month's pocket money. You keep

"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

"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

"I thought you would do all that fussy part and take care of the pounds, as you call them. Need I worry about

"I shall take care of things till you are of age, but I mean that you shall know how your property is managed,

and do as much of it as you can by and by; then you won't be dependent on the honesty of other people."

"Gracious me! as if I wouldn't trust you with millions of billions if I had them," cried Rose, scandalised at the

"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

Rose peeped over his shoulder at it, and then turned to the arithmetical puzzle in her hand with a sigh of

"Uncle, when you add up your expenses do you ever find you have got more money than you had in the

"No; I usually find that I have a good deal less than I had in the beginning. Are you troubled in the peculiar

"I think you had better, for if I have got to keep accounts I may as well begin in the right way. But please

don't laugh! I know I'm very stupid, and my book is a disgrace, but I never could get it straight." And with

It really was good in Dr. Alec not to laugh, and Rose felt deeply grateful when he said in a mildly suggestive

"The dollars and cents seem to be rather mixed, perhaps if I just straightened them out a bit we should find

"Please do, and then show me on a fresh leaf how to make mine look nice and shipshape as yours do."

As Rose stood by him watching the ease with which he quickly brought order out of chaos, she privately

resolved to hunt up her old arithmetic and perfect herself in the four first rules, with a good tug at fractions,

"Am I a rich girl, uncle?" she asked suddenly, as he was copying a column of figures.

"That was your fault, because you forgot my pocketmoney. But, really, shall I be rich by and by?"

"But I can give it away, you know; that is always the pleasantest part of having it I think."

"I'm glad you feel so, for you can do much good with your fortune if you know how to use it well."

"You shall teach me, and when I am a woman we will set up a school where nothing but the three R's shall be

taught, and all the children live on oatmeal, and the girls have waists a yard round," said Rose, with a sudden

"You are an impertinent little baggage, to turn on me in that way right in the midst of my first attempt at

"I knew you wanted to laugh, so I gave you a chance. Now, I will be good, master, and do my lesson nicely."

So Dr. Alec had his laugh, and then Rose sat down and took a lesson in accounts which she never forgot.

"Now come and read aloud to me; my eyes are tired, and it is pleasant to sit here by the fire while the rain

pours outside and Aunt Jane lectures upstairs," said Uncle Alec, when last month's accounts had been put in

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

"If you are not tired, dear. It is a pleasure to hear you, for you read remarkably well," was the answer that

"Do you really think so, uncle? I'm so glad! Papa taught me, and I read for hours to him, but I thought

"So am I; but you really do read unusually well, and I'm very glad of it, for it is a rare accomplishment, and

one I value highly. Come here in this cosy, low chair; the light is better, and I can pull these curls if you go

too fast. I see you are going to be a great comfort as well as a great credit to your old uncle, Rosy." And Dr.

Alec drew her close beside him with such a fatherly look and tone that she felt it would be very easy to love

Another chapter was just finished, when the sound of a carriage warned them that Aunt Jane was about to

depart. Before they could go to meet her, however, she appeared in the doorway looking like an unusually tall

mummy in her waterproof, with her glasses shining like cat's eyes from the depths of the hood.

"Just as I thought! petting that child to death and letting her sit up late reading trash. I do hope you feel the

weight of the responsibility you have taken upon yourself, Alec," she said, with a certain grim sort of

"I think I have a very realising sense of it, sister Jane," answered Dr. Alec, with a comical shrug of the

"It is sad to see a great girl wasting these precious hours so. Now, my boys have studied all day, and Mac is

still at his books, I've no doubt, while you have not had a lesson since you came, I suspect."

"I'm glad to hear it; and what were they, pray?" Rose looked very demure as she replied

"Queer lessons, I fancy; and what have you learned from this remarkable mixture, I should like to know?"

A naughty sparkle came into Rose's eyes as she answered, with a droll look at her uncle

"I can't tell you all, ma'am, but I have collected some useful information about China, which you may like,

especially the teas. The best are Lapsing Souchong, Assam Pekoe, rare Ankoe, Flowery Pekoe, Howqua's

mixture, Scented Caper, Padral tea, black Congou, and green Twankey. Shanghai is on the Woosung River.

Hong Kong means 'Island of Sweet waters.' Singapore is 'Lion's Town.' 'Chops' are the boats they live in; and

they drink tea out of little saucers. Principal productions are porcelain, tea, cinnamon, shawls, tin, tamarinds

and opium. They have beautiful temples and queer gods; and in Canton is the Dwelling of the Holy Pigs,

The effect of this remarkable burst was immense, especially the fact last mentioned. It entirely took the wind

out of Aunt Jane's sails; it was so sudden, so varied and unexpected, that she had not a word to say. The

glasses remained fixed full upon Rose for a moment, and then, with a hasty "Oh, indeed!" the excellent lady

bundled into her carriage and drove away, somewhat bewildered and very much disturbed.

She would have been more so if she had seen her reprehensible brotherinlaw dancing a triumphal polka

down the hall with Rose in honour of having silenced the enemy's battery for once.

"Why do you keep smiling to yourself, Phebe?" asked Rose, as they were working together one morning, for

Dr. Alec considered housework the best sort of gymnastics for girls; so Rose took lessons of Phebe in

"I know what it is! The boys are going to have fireworks on the fourth, and have got some surprise for me.

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. Morningglories and

nasturtiums ran all over the bars, making haste to bloom. Scarlet beans and honeysuckles were climbing up

from below to meet their pretty neighbours, and the woodbine was hanging its green festoons wherever it

The waters of the bay were dancing in the sunshine, a fresh wind stirred the chestnuttrees 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 whitewinged gulls were

dipping and diving in the sea, where ships, like larger birds, went sailing to and fro.

"Oh, Phebe, it's such a lovely day, I do wish your fine secret was going to happen right away! I feel just like

having a good time; don't you?" said Rose, waving her arms as if she was going to fly.

"I often feel that way, but I have to wait for my good times, and don't stop working to wish for 'em. There,

now you can finish as soon as the dust settles; I must go do my stairs," and Phebe trudged away with the

Rose leaned where she was, and fell to thinking how many good times she had had lately, for the gardening

had prospered finely, and she was learning to swim and row, and there were drives and walks, and quiet

hours of reading and talk with Uncle Alec, and, best of all, the old pain and ennui seldom troubled her now.

She could work and play all day, sleep sweetly all night, and enjoy life with the zest of a healthy, happy child.

She was far from being as strong and hearty as Phebe, but she was getting on; the once pale cheeks had

colour in them now, the hands were growing plump and brown, and the belt was not much too loose. No one

talked to her about her health, and she forgot that she had "no constitution." She took no medicine but Dr.

Alec's three great remedies, and they seemed to suit her excellently. Aunt Plenty said it was the pills; but, as

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.

"What is the princess dreaming about up there in her hanginggarden?" added Dr. Alec as she flung back a

"I was wishing I could do something pleasant this fine day; something very new and interesting, for the wind

"Suppose we take a pull over to the Island? I intended to go this afternoon; but if you feel more like it now,

"I do! I do! I'll come in fifteen minutes, uncle. I must just scrabble my room to rights, for Phebe has got a

Rose caught up the rugs and vanished as she spoke, while Dr. Alec went in, saying to himself, with an

"It may upset things a trifle, but half a child's pleasure consists in having their fun when they want it."

Never did duster flap more briskly than the one Rose used that day, and never was a room "scrabbled" to

rights in such haste as hers. Tables and chairs flew into their places as if alive; curtains shook as if a gale was

blowing; china rattled and small articles tumbled about as if a young earthquake was playing with them. The

boating suit went on in a twinkling, and Rose was off with a hop and a skip, little dreaming how many hours

Uncle Alec was putting a large basket into the boat when she arrived, and before they were off Phebe came

"We can't eat half that luncheon, and I know we shall not need so many wraps. I wouldn't lumber the boat up

"Couldn't you make a smaller parcel, Phebe?" asked Dr. Alec, eyeing the bundle suspiciously.

"No, sir, not in such a hurry," and Phebe laughed as she gave a particularly large knob a good poke.

"Well, it will do for ballast. Don't forget the note to Mrs. Jessie, I beg of you."

"No, sir. I'll send it right off," and Phebe ran up the bank as if she had wings to her feet.

"We'll take a look at the lighthouse first, for you have not been there yet, and it is worth seeing. By the time

we have done that it will be pretty warm, and we will have lunch under the trees on the Island."

Rose was ready for anything, and enjoyed her visit to the lighthouse on the Point very much, especially

climbing up the narrow stairs and going inside the great lantern. They made a long stay, for Dr. Alec seemed

in no hurry to go, and kept looking through his spyglass 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

"Now this is lovely! I do wish the boys were here. Won't it be nice to have them with us all their vacation?

Why, it begins today, 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 appletree.

"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

"Uncle, I smell a frying sort of a smell," Rose said, pausing suddenly as she was putting away the remains of

For a moment they both sat with their noses in the air, sniffing like hounds; then Dr. Alec sprang up, saying

"Now, this won't do! No one is permitted on this island without asking leave. I must see who dares to fry fish

Taking the basket on one arm and the bundle on the other, he strode away towards the traitorous smell,

"We are Robinson Crusoe and his man Friday going to see if the savages have come," she said presently, for

"And there they are! Two tents and two boats, as I live! These rascals mean to enjoy themselves, that's

"There are traces of them," and Dr. Alec pointed to the heads and tails of fishes strewn on the grass.

"And there are more," said Rose, laughing, as she pointed to a scarlet heap of what looked like lobsters.

"The savages are probably eating their victims now; don't you hear the knives rattle in that tent?"

"We ought to creep up and peep; Crusoe was cautious, you know, and Friday scared out of his wits," added

"But this Crusoe is going to pounce upon them, regardless of consequences. If I am killed and eaten, you

seize the basket and run for the boat; there are provisions enough for your voyage home."

With that Uncle Alec slipped round to the front of the tent and, casting in the big bundle like a bombshell,

A crash, a shout, a laugh, and out came the savages, brandishing knives and forks, chicken bones, and tin

"You came too soon! We are not half ready! You've spoilt it all! Where is Rose?"

"Here I am," answered a halfstifled 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

"You goodfornothing boys! You are always bursting out upon me in some ridiculous way, and I always

get taken in because I'm not used to such pranks. Uncle is as bad as the rest, and it's great fun," she said, as

the lads came round her, half scolding, half welcoming, and wholly enjoying the double surprise.

"You were not to come till afternoon, and mamma was to be here to receive you. Everything is in a mess

now, except your tent; we got that in order the first thing, and you can sit there and see us work," said Archie,

"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

"As this seat is rather damp, I think I'll rise," said Rose, as the excitement lessened a little.

Several fishy hands helped her up, and Charlie said, as he scattered the scarlet garments over the grass with

"We had a jolly good swim before dinner, and I told the Brats to spread these to dry. Hope you brought your

things, Rose, for you belong to the Lobsters, you know, and we can have no end of fun teaching you to dive

"I didn't bring anything " began Rose, but was interrupted by the Brats (otherwise Will and Geordie), who

appeared bearing the big bundle, so much demoralised by its fall that a red flannel tunic trailed out at one end

and a little blue dressinggown at the other, while the knobs proved to be a toiletcase, rubbers, and a silver

"Oh, that sly Phebe! This was the secret, and she bundled up those things after I went down to the boat," cried

"Guess something is smashed inside, for a bit of glass fell out," observed Will, as they deposited the bundle at

"Catch a girl going anywhere without a lookingglass. We haven't got one among the whole lot of us," added

"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 drumstick he had

"Come, come, you lazy lubbers, fall to work, or we shall not be ready for mamma. Take Rose's things to her

tent, and tell her all about it, Prince. Mac and Steve, you cut away and bring up the rest of the straw; and you

small chaps, clear off the table, if you have stuffed all you can. Please, uncle, I'd like your advice about the

Everyone obeyed the chief, and Rose was escorted to her tent by Charlie, who devoted himself to her service.

She was charmed with her quarters, and still more so with the programme which he unfolded before her as

"We always camp out somewhere in vacation, and this year we thought we'd try the Island. It is handy, and

"Shall we stay over the Fourth? Three whole days! Oh, me! what a frolic it will be!"

"Bless your heart, we often camp for a week, we big fellows; but this year the small chaps wanted to come, so

we let them. We have great larks, as you'll see; for we have a cave and play Captain Kidd, and have

shipwrecks, and races, and all sorts of games. Arch and I are rather past that kind of thing now, but we do it

to please the children," added Charlie, with a sudden recollection of his sixteen years.

"I had no idea boys had such good times. Their plays never seemed a bit interesting before. But I suppose that

was because I never knew any boys very well, or perhaps you are unusually nice ones," observed Rose, with

"We are a pretty clever set, I fancy; but we have a good many advantages, you see. There are a tribe of us, to

begin with; then our family has been here for ages, and we have plenty of 'spondulics,' so we can rather lord it

over the other fellows, and do as we like. There, ma'am, you can hang your smashed glass on that nail and do

up your back hair as fine as you please. You can have a blue blanket or a red one, and a straw pillow or an air

cushion for your head, whichever you like. You can trim up to any extent, and be as free and easy as squaws

in a wigwam, for this corner is set apart for you ladies and we never cross the line uncle is drawing until we

"No, thank you. I think I'll leave the rest till auntie comes, and go and help you somewhere else, if I may."

"Yes, indeed, come on and see to the kitchen. Can you cook?" asked Charlie, as he led the way to the rocky

"Well, we'll shew you how to fry fish, and make chowder. Now you just set these pots and pans round

tastefully, and sort of tidy up a bit, for Aunt Jessie insists on doing some of the work, and I want it to be

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 bluebirds,

all being in sailor rig, with blue ribbon enough flying from the seven hats to have set up a milliner. Very

tuneful bluebirds they were, too, for all the lads sang, and the echo of their happy voices reached Mrs. Jessie

The moment the boat hove in sight up went the Island flag, and the bluejackets 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

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

Taught by long experience that boys are always hungry, Aunt Jessie soon proposed supper, and proceeded to

get it, enveloped in an immense apron, with an old hat of Archie's stuck atop of her cap. Rose helped, and

tried to be as handy as Phebe, though the peculiar style of table she had to set made it no easy task. It was

accomplished at last, and a very happy party lay about under the trees, eating and drinking out of anyone's

plate and cup, and quite untroubled by the frequent appearance of ants and spiders in places which these

"I never thought I should like to wash dishes, but I do," said Rose, as she sat in a boat after supper lazily

"Mum is mighty particular; we just give 'em a scrub with sand, and dust 'em off with a bit of paper. It's much

"I believe he tried to, but Dolly was as cross as two sticks, and said she couldn't spare her. I'm sorry, for we

all like the Phebe bird, and she'd chirp like a good one out here, wouldn't she?"

"She ought to have a holiday like the rest of us. It's too bad to leave her out."

This thought came back to Rose several times that evening, for Phebe would have added much to the little

concert they had in the moonlight, would have enjoyed the stories told, been quick at guessing the

conundrums, and laughed with all her heart at the fun. The merry going to bed would have been the best of

all, for Rose wanted someone to cuddle under the blue blanket with her, there to whisper and giggle and tell

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

She found it very lovely, and sat down on a cracker keg to enjoy it with a heart full of the innocent sentiment

of her years. Fortunately, Dr. Alec saw her before she had time to catch cold, for coming out to tie back the

doorflap 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

"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

"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

"I suppose you have made a great many? Would you mind telling me one of them?" asked Rose, arrested by

"My last was to give up smoking," was the very unromantic answer to her pensive question.

"I'm ashamed to say it was. But as a wise old fellow once said, 'It is necessary to do right; it is not necessary

Rose pondered over the saying as if it pleased her, and then said, with a clear, bright look

"A real sacrifice is giving up something you want or enjoy very much, isn't it?"

"Doing it one's own self because one loves another person very much and wants her to be happy?"

"And doing it pleasantly, and being glad about it, and not minding the praise if it doesn't come?"

"Yes, dear, that is the true spirit of selfsacrifice; 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."

"Well, make one now, and go to sleep, or my girl will be ill tomorrow, and then the aunts will say camping

"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.

There certainly were "larks" on Campbell's Island next day, as Charlie had foretold, and Rose took her part in

them like one intent on enjoying every minute to the utmost. There was a merry breakfast, a successful

fishing expedition, and then the lobsters came out in full force, for even Aunt Jessie appeared in red flannel.

There was nothing Uncle Alec could not do in the water, and the boys tried their best to equal him in strength

and skill, so there was a great diving and ducking, for every one was bent on distinguishing himself.

Rose swam out far beyond her depth, with uncle to float her back; Aunt Jessie splashed placidly in the

shallow pools, with Jamie paddling near by like a little whale beside its mother; while the lads careered

about, looking like a flock of distracted flamingoes, and acting like the famous dancing party in "Alice's

Nothing but chowder would have lured them from their gambols in the briny deep; that timehonoured dish

demanded the concentrated action of several mighty minds; so the "Water Babies" came ashore and fell to

It is unnecessary to say that, when done, it was the most remarkable chowder ever cooked, and the quantity

eaten would have amazed the world if the secret had been divulged. After this exertion a siesta was

considered the thing, and people lay about in tents or out as they pleased, the boys looking like warriors

The elders had just settled to a comfortable nap when the youngsters rose, refreshed and ready for further

exploits. A hint sent them all off to the cave, and there were discovered bows and arrows, battle clubs, old

swords, and various relics of an interesting nature. Perched upon a commanding rock, with Jamie to "splain"

things to her, Rose beheld a series of stirring scenes enacted with great vigour and historical accuracy by her

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

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

Another swim at sunset, another merry evening on the rocks watching the lighted steamers pass seaward and

the pleasureboats come into port, ended the second day of the camping out, and sent everyone to bed early

"Archie, didn't I hear uncle ask you to row home in the morning for fresh milk and things?"

"Please, may I go too? I have something of great importance to arrange; you know I was carried off in a

hurry," Rose said in a confidential whisper as she was bidding her cousins good night.

"Thank you; be sure you stand by me when I ask leave in the morning, and don't say anything till then, except

to Charlie. Promise," urged Rose, so eagerly, that Archie struck an attitude and cried dramatically

Rose's quick ears caught both remarks, and she retired to her tent, saying to herself with sleepy dignity

"Little thing, indeed! Those boys talk as if I was a baby. They will treat me with more respect after

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 selfsacrifice was about to be illustrated in a new and touching

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,

"But why not come now? What are you about, miss? Uncle won't like it," protested Charlie, in great

"Just do as I tell you, little boy; uncle will understand and explain. Obey, as Phebe does, and ask no

questions. I can have secrets as well as other people"; and Rose walked off with an air of lofty independence

"It's some plot between uncle and herself, so we won't meddle. All right, Phebe? Pull away, Prince"; and off

"Dear Uncle, I am going to take Phebe's place today, 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

"Bless the little dear, what a generous heart she has! Shall we go after her, Jessie, or let her have her way?"

"Let her alone, and don't spoil her little sacrifice. She means it, I know, and the best way in which we can

show our respect for her effort is to give Phebe a pleasant day. I'm sure she has earned it"; and Mrs. Jessie

made a sign to the boys to suppress their disappointment and exert themselves to please Rose's guest.

Phebe was with difficulty kept from going straight home, and declared that she should not enjoy herself one

"She won't hold out all day, and we shall see her paddling back before noon, I'll wager anything," said

Charlie; and the rest so strongly inclined to his opinion that they resigned themselves to the loss of the little

But hour after hour passed, and no signal appeared on the balcony, though Phebe watched it hopefully. No

passing boat brought the truant back, though more than one pair of eyes looked out for the bright hair under

the round hat; and sunset came, bringing no Rose but the lovely colour in the western sky.

"I really did not think the child had it in her. I fancied it was a bit of sentiment, but I see she was in earnest,

and means that her sacrifice shall be a true one. Dear little soul! I'll make it up to her a thousand times over,

and beg her pardon for thinking it might be done for effect," Dr. Alec said remorsefully, as he strained his

eyes through the dusk, fancying he saw a small figure sitting in the garden as it had sat on the keg the night

"Well, she can't help seeing the fireworks, any way, unless she is goose enough to think she must hide in a

dark closet and not look," said Archie, who was rather disgusted at Rose's seeming ingratitude.

"She will see ours capitally, but miss the big ones on the hill, unless papa has forgotten all about them,"

added Steve, cutting short the harangue Mac had begun upon the festivals of the ancients.

"I'm sure the sight of her will be better than the finest fireworks that ever went off," said Phebe, meditating an

"Let things work; if she resists a brilliant invitation we give her she will be a heroine," added Uncle Alec,

Meanwhile Rose had spent a quiet, busy day helping Dolly, waiting on Aunt Peace, and steadily resisting

Aunt Plenty's attempts to send her back to the happy island. It had been hard in the morning to come in from

the bright world outside, with flags flying, cannon booming, crackers popping, and everyone making ready

for a holiday, and go to washing cups, while Dolly grumbled and the aunts lamented. It was very hard to see

the day go by, knowing how gay each hour must have been across the water, and how a word from her would

take her where she longed to be with all her heart. But it was hardest of all when evening came and Aunt

Peace was asleep, Aunt Plenty seeing a gossip in the parlor, Dolly established in the porch to enjoy the show,

and nothing left for the little maid to do but sit alone in her balcony and watch the gay rockets whizz up from

island, hill, and city, while bands played and boats laden with happy people went to and fro in the fitful light.

Then it must be confessed that a tear or two dimmed the blue eyes, and once, when a very brilliant display

illuminated the island for a moment, and she fancied she saw the tents, the curly head went down on the

The tears were all gone, however, and she was watching the hill and island answer each other with what

Jamie called "whizzers, whirligigs and busters," and smiling as she thought how hard the boys must be

working to keep up such a steady fire, when Uncle Mac came walking in upon her, saying hurriedly

"Come, child, put on your tippet, pelisse, or whatever you call it, and run off with me. I came to get Phebe,

but aunt says she is gone, so I want you. I've got Fun down in the boat, and I want you to go with us and see

my fireworks. Got them up for you, and you mustn't miss them, or I shall be disappointed."

"But, uncle," began Rose, feeling as if she ought to refuse even a glimpse of bliss, "perhaps "

"I know, my dear, I know; aunt told me; but no one needs you now so much as I do, and I insist on your

coming," said Uncle Mac, who seemed in a great hurry to be off, yet was unusually kind.

So Rose went and found the little Chinaman with a funny lantern waiting to help her in and convulse her with

laughter trying to express his emotions in pigeon English. The city clocks were striking nine as they got out

into the bay, and the island fireworks seemed to be over, for no rocket answered the last Roman candle that

"Ours are done, I see, but they are going up all round the city, and how pretty they are," said Rose, folding

"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

Rose looked with all her eyes, and saw the spark grow into the likeness of a golden vase, then green leaves

came out, and then a crimson flower glowing on the darkness with a splendid lustre.

"Is it a rose, uncle?" she asked, clasping her hands with delight as she recognised the handsome flower.

"Of course it is! Look again, and guess what those are," answered Uncle Mac, chuckling and enjoying it all

A wreath of what looked at first like purple brooms appeared below the vase, but Rose guessed what they

were meant for, and stood straight up, holding by his shoulder, and crying excitedly

"Thistles, uncle, Scotch thistles! There are seven of them one for each boy! Oh, what a joke!" and she

laughed so that she plumped into the bottom of the boat and stayed there till the brilliant spectacle was quite

"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

"Home, please uncle; and I thank you very very much for the beautiful firework you got up for me. I'm so

glad I saw it; and I know I shall dream about it," answered Rose steadily, though a wistful glance went

toward the Island, now so near that she could smell powder and see shadowy figures flitting about.

Home they went; and Rose fell asleep saying to herself, "It was harder than I thought, but I'm glad I did it,

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

It is apt to be so, and it is hard to bear; for, though we do not want trumpets blown, we do like to have our

little virtues appreciated, and cannot help feeling disappointed if they are not.

A time soon came, however, when Rose, quite unconsciously, won not only the respect of her cousins, but

Soon after the Island episode, Mac had a sunstroke, and was very ill for some time. It was so sudden that

everyone was startled, and for some days the boy's life was in danger. He pulled through, however; and then,

just as the family were rejoicing, a new trouble appeared which cast a gloom over them all.

Poor Mac's eyes gave out; and well they might, for he had abused them, and never being very strong, they

No one dared to tell him the dark predictions of the great oculist who came to look at them, and the boy tried

to be patient, thinking that a few weeks of rest would repair the overwork of several years.

He was forbidden to look at a book, and as that was the one thing he most delighted in, it was a terrible

affliction to the Worm. Everyone was very ready to read to him, and at first the lads contended for this

honour. But as week after week went by, and Mac was still condemned to idleness and a darkened room, their

zeal abated, and one after the other fell off. It was hard for the active fellows, right in the midst of their

vacation; and nobody blamed them when they contented themselves with brief calls, running of errands, and

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

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

The womanly power of selfdevotion was strong in the child, and she remained faithfully at her post when all

the rest dropped away. Hour after hour she sat in the dusky room, with one ray of light on her book, reading

to the boy, who lay with shaded eyes silently enjoying the only pleasure that lightened the weary days.

Sometimes he was peevish and hard to please, sometimes he growled because his reader could not manage

the dry books he wished to hear, and sometimes he was so despondent that her heart ached to see him.

Through all these trials Rose persevered, using all her little arts to please him. When he fretted, she was

patient; when he growled, she ploughed bravely through the hard pages not dry to her in one sense, for quiet

tears dropped on them now and then; and when Mac fell into a despairing mood, she comforted him with

He said little, but she knew he was grateful, for she suited him better than anyone else. If she was late, he was

impatient; when she had to go, he seemed forlorn; and when the tired head ached worst, she could always

"She's worth all those racketing fellows put together," Mac would add, fumbling about to discover if the little

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

She did not know how much she was learning, both from the books she read and the daily sacrifices she

made. Stories and poetry were her delight, but Mac did not care for them; and since his favourite Greeks and

Romans were forbidden, he satisfied himself with travels, biographies, and the history of great inventions or

discoveries. Rose despised this taste at first, but soon got interested in Livingstone's adventures, Hobson's

stirring life in India, and the brave trials and triumphs of Watt and Arkwright, Fulton, and "Palissy, the

Potter." The true, strong books helped the dreamy girl; her faithful service and sweet patience touched and

won the boy; and long afterward both learned to see how useful those seemingly hard and weary hours had

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

"More than half my vacation gone, and I've only had a week of it! I call that hard," and he groaned dismally.

"May be able! I will be able! Does that old noodle think I'm going to stay stived up here much longer?"

"Read away; it's all one to me." And Mac cast himself down upon the old lounge, where his heavy head felt

Rose began with great spirit, and kept on gallantly for a couple of chapters, getting over the unpronounceable

names with unexpected success, she thought, for her listener did not correct her once, and lay so still she

fancied he was deeply interested. All of a sudden she was arrested in the middle of a fine paragraph by Mac,

who sat bolt upright, brought both feet down with a thump, and said, in a rough, excited tone

"Stop! I don't hear a word, and you may as well save your breath to answer my question."

"What is it?" asked Rose, looking uneasy, for she had something on her mind, and feared that he suspected

"You must, or I'll pull off this shade and stare at the sun as hard as ever I can stare. Come now!" and he half

"I will! oh, I will tell, if I know! But don't be reckless and do anything so crazy as that," cried Rose, in great

"Very well; then listen, and don't dodge, as everyone else does. Didn't the doctor think my eyes worse the last

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

It was so hard to answer that! Yet Rose knew she must, for Aunt Jane had declared she could not do it, and

"A whole year! Why, I expected to be ready for college by that time." And, pushing up the shade, Mac stared

at her with startled eyes, that soon blinked and fell before the one ray of light.

"Plenty of time for that; you must be patient now, and get them thoroughly well, or they will trouble you

again when it will be harder to spare them," she said, with tears in her own eyes.

"I won't do it! I will study and get through somehow. It's all humbug about taking care so long. These doctors

like to keep hold of a fellow if they can. But I won't stand it I vow I won't!" and he banged his fist down on

"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 must be careful, and do as he tells you, or you will be blind."

"Yes, it is true, and he wanted us to tell you that nothing but entire rest would cure you. I know it's dreadfully

hard, but we'll all help you; I'll read all day long, and lead you, and wait upon you, and try to make it easier "

She stopped there, for it was evident that he did not hear a sound; the word "blind" seemed to have knocked

him down, for he had buried his face in the pillow, and lay so still that Rose was frightened. She sat

motionless for many minutes, longing to comfort him, but not knowing how, and wishing Uncle Alec would

Presently, a sort of choking sound came out of the pillow, and went straight to her heart the most pathetic sob

she ever heard, for, though it was the most natural means of relief, the poor fellow must not indulge in it

because of the afflicted eyes. The "French Revolution" tumbled out of her lap, and, running to the sofa, she

knelt down by it, saying, with the motherly sort of tenderness girls feel for any sorrowing creature

"Oh, my dear, you mustn't cry! It is so bad for your poor eyes. Take your head out of that hot pillow, and let

me cool it. I don't wonder you feel so, but please don't cry. I'll cry for you; it won't hurt me."

As she spoke she pulled away the cushion with gentle force, and saw the green shade all crushed and stained

with the few hot tears that told how bitter the disappointment had been. Mac felt her sympathy, but, being a

boy, did not thank her for it; only sat up with a jerk, saying, as he tried to rub away the telltale drops with

the sleeve of his jacket, "Don't bother; weak eyes always water. I'm all right."

But Rose cried out, and caught his arm, "Don't touch them with that rough woollen stuff! Lie down and let

"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 eyewash and linen cambric

"Of course I won't; but anyone would be upset at the idea of being well troubled in this way. I'm sure you

bear it splendidly, and you know it isn't half so bad when you get used to it. Besides, it is only for a time, and

you can do lots of pleasant things if you can't study. You'll have to wear blue goggles, perhaps; won't that be

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 lavenderwater, as her patient lay quiet with a look on his face that

"Homer was blind, and so was Milton, and they did something to be remembered by, in spite of it," he said,

as if to himself, in a solemn tone, for even the blue goggles did not bring a smile.

"Papa had a picture of Milton and his daughters writing for him. It was a very sweet picture, I thought,"

observed Rose in a serious voice, trying to meet the sufferer on his own ground.

"Perhaps I could study if someone read and did the eye part. Do you suppose I could, by and by?" he asked,

"I dare say, if your head is strong enough. This sunstroke, you know, is what upset you, and your brain needs

"I'll have a talk with the old fellow next time he comes, and find out just what I may do; then I shall know

where I am. What a fool I was that day to be stewing my brains and letting the sun glare on my book till the

letters danced before me! I see 'em now when I shut my eyes; black balls bobbing round, and stars and all

"Don't think about them; I'll go on reading, shall I? We shall come to the exciting part soon, and then you'll

"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

"Let me sing, and perhaps you'll drop off; then the day will seem shorter," said Rose, taking up a fan and

"Perhaps I shall; I didn't sleep much last night, and when I did I dreamed like fun. See here, you tell the

people that I know, and it's all right, and I don't want them to talk about it or howl over me. That's all; now

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

"You are a good little soul, Rosy. Give us 'The Birks'; that is a drowsy one that always sends me off."

Quite contented with this small return for all her sympathy, Rose waved her fan and sang, in a dreamy tone,

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.

Rose did tell "the people" what had passed, and no one "howled" over Mac, or said a word to trouble him. He

had his talk with the doctor, and got very little comfort out of it, for he found that "just what he might do"

was nothing at all; though the prospect of some study by and by, if all went well, gave him courage to bear

the woes of the present. Having made up his mind to this, he behaved so well that everyone was astonished,

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 headnurse and chiefreader, though the boys did their best in an irregular sort of way. They were

rather taken aback sometimes at finding Rose's services preferred to their's, and privately confided to one

another that "Old Mac was getting fond of being mollycoddled." 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

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,

absentminded, careless, and awkward, rather priggish, and not at all agreeable to a dainty, beautyloving

But when his trouble came upon him, she discovered many good things in this cousin of hers, and learned not

only to pity but to respect and love the poor Worm, who tried to be patient, brave, and cheerful, and found it a

harder task than anyone guessed, except the little nurse, who saw him in his gloomiest moods. She soon came

to think that his friends did not appreciate him, and upon one occasion was moved to free her mind in a way

Vacation was almost over, and the time drawing near when Mac would be left outside the happy

schoolworld which he so much enjoyed. This made him rather low in his mind, and his cousins exerted

themselves to cheer him up, especially one afternoon when a spasm of devotion seemed to seize them all.

Jamie trudged down the hill with a basket of blackberries which he had "picked all his ownself," as his

scratched fingers and stained lips plainly testified. Will and Geordie brought their puppies to beguile the

weary hours, and the three elder lads called to discuss baseball, cricket, and kindred subjects, eminently fitted

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

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

Now Rose considered this her special kingdom, and came down upon the invaders with an energy which

amazed them and quelled the riot at once. They had never seen her roused before, and the effect was

tremendous; also comical, for she drove the whole flock of boys out of the room like an indignant little hen

defending her brood. They all went as meekly as sheep; the small lads fled from the house precipitately, but

the three elder ones only retired to the next room, and remained there hoping for a chance to explain and

apologise, and so appease the irate young lady, who had suddenly turned the tables and clattered them about

As they waited, they observed her proceedings through the halfopen door, and commented upon them

briefly but expressively, feeling quite bowed down with remorse at the harm they had innocently done.

"She's put the room to rights in a jiffey. What jacks we were to let those dogs in and kick up such a row,"

"The poor old Worm turns as if she was treading on him instead of cuddling him like a pussy cat. Isn't he

cross, though?" added Charlie, as Mac was heard growling about his "confounded head."

"She will manage him; but it's mean in us to rumple him up and then leave her to smooth him down. I'd go

and help, but I don't know how," said Archie. looking much depressed, for he was a conscientious fellow, and

"No, more do I. Odd, isn't it, what a knack women have for taking care of sick folks?" and Charlie fell

"Better than his own brother, hey?" cut in Archie, finding relief for his own regret in the delinquencies of

"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

"We have all been selfish and neglected him, so we won't fight about it, but try and do better," said Archie,

generously taking more than his share of blame, for he had been less inattentive than either of the others.

"Rose has stood by him like a good one, and it's no wonder he likes to have her round best. I should myself if

I was down on my luck as he is," put in Charlie, feeling that he really had not done "the little thing" justice.

"I'll tell you what it is, boys we haven't been half good enough to Rose, and we've got to make it up to her

somehow," said Archie, who had a very manly sense of honour about paying his debts, even to a girl.

"I'm awfully sorry I made fun of her doll when Jamie lugged it out; and I called her 'baby bunting' when she

cried over the dead kitten. Girls are such geese sometimes, I can't help it," said Steve, confessing his

transgressions handsomely, and feeling quite ready to atone for them if he only knew how.

"I'll go down on my knees and beg her pardon for treating her as if she was a child. Don't it make her mad,

though? Come to think of it, she's only two years or so younger than I am. But she is so small and pretty, she

always seems like a dolly to me," and the Prince looked down from his lofty height of five feet five as if Rose

"That dolly has got a real good little heart, and a bright mind of her own, you'd better believe. Mac says she

understands some things quicker than he can, and mother thinks she is an uncommonly nice girl, though she

don't know all creation. You needn't put on airs, Charlie, though you are a tall one, for Rose likes Archie

"Steve looks as fierce as a gamecock; but don't you get excited, my son, for it won't do a bit of good. Of

course, everybody likes the Chief best; they ought to, and I'll punch their heads if they don't. So calm

yourself, Dandy, and mend your own manners before you come down on other people's."

Thus the Prince with great dignity and perfect good nature, while Archie looked modestly gratified with the

flattering opinions of his kinsfolk, and Steve subsided, feeling he had done his duty as a cousin and a brother.

A pause ensued, during which Aunt Jane appeared in the other room, accompanied by a teatray sumptuously

spread, and prepared to feed her big nestling, as that was a task she allowed no one to share with her.

"If you have a minute to spare before you go, child, I wish you'd just make Mac a fresh shade; this has got a

berry stain on it, and he must be tidy, for he is to go out tomorrow if it is a cloudy day," said Mrs. Jane,

spreading toast in a stately manner, while Mac slopped his tea about without receiving a word of reproof.

"Yes, aunt," answered Rose, so meekly that the boys could hardly believe it could be the same voice which

had issued the stern command, "Out of this room, every one of you!" not very long ago.

They had not time to retire, without unseemly haste, before she walked into the parlour and sat down at the

worktable 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

"It is Mac's pardon you should ask, not mine, for you haven't hurt me, and I shouldn't wonder if you had him

a great deal, with all that light and racket, and talk about things that only worry him."

"Do you really think we've hurt him, cousin?" asked Archie, with a troubled look, while Charlie settled down

"Yes, I do, for he has got a raging headache, and his eyes are as red as as this emery bag," answered Rose,

Steve tore his hair, metaphorically speaking, for he clutched his cherished topknot, and wildly dishevelled

it, as if that was the heaviest penance he could inflict upon himself at such short notice. Charlie laid himself

out flat, melodramatically begging someone to take him away and hang him; but Archie, who felt worst of

all, said nothing except to vow within himself that he would read to Mac till his own eyes were as red as a

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 thimblepie on the top of his head,

"Don't be silly, but get up, and I'll tell you something much better to do than sprawling on the floor and

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

"Now, boys, if you really want to be good to Mac, you can do it in this way. Don't keep talking about things

he can't do, or go and tell what fun you have had batting your ridiculous balls about. Get some nice book and

read quietly; cheer him up about school, and offer to help him study by and by; you can do that better than I,

because I'm only a girl, and don't learn Greek and Latin and all sorts of headachy stuff."

"Yes, but you can do heaps of things better than we can; you've proved that," said Archie, with an approving

look that delighted Rose, though she could not resist giving Charlie one more rebuke, by saying, with a little

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

"Now we'll all be good, and plan nice things for poor Mac," she said, smiling so graciously that the boys felt

as if the sun had suddenly burst out from behind a heavy cloud and was shining with great brilliancy.

The storm had cleared the air, and quite a heavenly calm succeeded, during which plans of a most varied and

surprising sort were laid, for everyone burned to make noble sacrifices upon the shrine of "poor Mac," and

Rose was the guiding star to whom the others looked with most gratifying submission. Of course, this

elevated state of things could not endure long, but it was very nice while it lasted, and left an excellent effect

"There, that's ready for tomorrow, and I do hope it will be cloudy," said Rose, as she finished off the new

"I'd bespoken an extra sunny day, but I'll tell the clerk of the weather to change it. He's an obliging fellow,

and he'll attend to it, so make yourself easy," said Charlie, who had become quite perky again.

"It is very easy for you to joke, but how would you like to wear a blinder like that for weeks and weeks, sir?"

and Rose quenched his rising spirits by slipping the shade over his eyes, as he still sat on the cushion at her

"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

"I shall go home with her, for it is getting darkish, and she is rather timid," said Archie, forgetting that he had

"I think I might, for she's taking care of my brother," put in Steve, asserting his rights.

"Let's all go, that will please her"; proposed Charlie, with a burst of gallantry which electrified his mates.

"We will!" they said with one voice, and they did, to Rose's great surprise and secret contentment; though

Archie had all the care of her, for the other two were leaping fences, running races, and having wrestling

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

Vacation was over, the boys went back to school, and poor Mac was left lamenting. He was out of the

darkened room now, and promoted to blue goggles, through which he took a gloomy view of life, as might

have been expected; for there was nothing he could do but wander about, and try to amuse himself without

using his eyes. Anyone who has ever been condemned to that sort of idleness knows how irksome it is, and

can understand the state of mind which caused Mac to say to Rose in a desperate tone one day

"Look here, if you don't invent some new employment or amusement for me, I shall knock myself on the

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 happylooking people were aboard the express train for Portland two smiling mammas, laden with

luncheon baskets and wraps; a pretty young girl with a bag of books on her arm; a tall thin lad with his hat

over his eyes; and two small children, who sat with their short legs straight out before them, and their chubby

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 dooryard, where a white colt, a red cow, two cats, four kittens, many

hens, and a dozen people, old and young, were gaily disporting themselves. Everyone nodded and smiled in

the friendliest manner, and a lively old lady kissed the newcomers all round, as she said heartily

"Well, now, I'm proper glad to see you! Come right in and rest, and we'll have tea in less than no time, for

you must be tired. Lizzie, you show the folks upstairs; Kitty, you fly round and help father in with the trunks;

and Jenny and I will have the table all ready by the time you come down. Bless the dears, they want to go see

The three pretty daughters did "fly round," and everyone felt at home at once, all were so hospitable and kind.

Aunt Jessie had raptures over the homemade carpets, quilts and quaint furniture; Rose could not keep away

from the windows, for each framed a lovely picture; and the little folks made friends at once with the other

children, who filled their arms with chickens and kittens, and did the honours handsomely.

The toot of a horn called all to supper, and a goodly party, including six children besides the Campbells,

assembled in the long diningroom, armed with mountain appetites and the gayest spirits. It was impossible

for anyone to be shy or sober, for such gales of merriment arose they blew the starch out of the stiffest, and

made the saddest jolly. Mother Atkinson, as all called their hostess, was the merriest there, and the busiest;

for she kept flying up to wait on the children, to bring out some new dish, or to banish the live stock, who

were of such a social turn that the colt came into the entry and demanded sugar; the cats sat about in people's

laps, winking suggestively at the food; and speckled hens cleared the kitchen floor of crumbs, as they joined

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 newcomers, 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

The older travellers, being tired, went to "bye low" at the same time, and slept like tops in homespun sheets,

on husk mattresses made by Mother Atkinson, who seemed to have put some soothing powder among them,

Next day began the wholesome outofdoor life, which works such wonders with tired minds and feeble

bodies. The weather was perfect, and the mountain air made the children as frisky as young lambs; while the

elders went about smiling at one another, and saying, "Isn't it splendid?" Even Mac, the "slow coach," was

seen to leap over a fence as if he really could not help it; and when Rose ran after him with his

broadbrimmed hat, he made the spirited proposal to go into the woods and hunt for a catamount.

Jamie and Pokey were at once enrolled in the Cosey Corner Light Infantry a truly superb company, composed

entirely of officers, all wearing cocked hats, carrying flags, waving swords, or beating drums. It was a

spectacle to stir the dullest soul when this gallant band marched out of the yard in full regimentals, with

Captain Dove a solemn, bigheaded 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 errandboy of the house, as he

rubadubdubbed 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

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

"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

"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

"Let's follow and see what they are after," proposed Mac, who found sitting on the wall and being fed with

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

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 Sundayschool hymn with great vigour

"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

Everyone joined in saying it, and it was a pretty sight to see the little creatures bowing their curly heads and

lisping out the words they knew so well. Tears came into Rose's eyes as she looked; Mac took his hat off

involuntarily, and then clapped it on again as if ashamed of showing any feeling.

"Now I shall preach you a short sermon, and my text is, 'Little children, love one another.' I asked mamma to

give me one, and she thought that would be good; so you all sit still and I'll preach it. You mustn't whisper,

Marion, but hear me. It means that we should be good to each other, and play fair, and not quarrel as we did

this very day about the wagon. Jack can't always drive, and needn't be mad because I like to go with Frank.

Annette ought to be horse sometimes and not always driver; and Willie may as well make up his mind to let

Marion build her house by his, for she will do it, and he needn't fuss about it. Jamie seems to be a good boy,

but I shall preach to him if he isn't. No, Pokey, people don't kiss in church or put their hats on. Now you must

all remember what I tell you, because I am the captain, and you should mind me."

"Don't care if you are; you'd better mind yourself, and tell how you took away my strap, and kept the biggest

"Yes, and you slapped Frank; I saw you!" bawled Willie Snow, bobbing up in his pew.

"And you took my book away and hid it 'cause I wouldn't go and swing when you wanted me to," added

"I shan't build my house by Willie's if he don't want me to, so now!" put in little Marion, joining the mutiny.

"I will tiss Dimmy! and I tored up my hat 'tause a pin picked me," shouted Pokey, regardless of Jamie's

Captain Dove looked rather taken aback at this outbreak in the ranks; but, being a dignified and calm

personage, he quelled the rising rebellion with great tact and skill, by saying, briefly

"We'll sing the last hymn; 'Sweet, sweet goodby' you all know that, so do it nicely, and then we will go and

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

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 houselots, attending to the waterworks, and consulting with the "selectmen" about

the best sites for public buildings; for Mac was a boy still, in spite of his fifteen years and his love of books.

Then he went fishing with a certain jovial gentleman from the West; and though they seldom caught anything

but colds, they had great fun and exercise chasing the phantom trout they were bound to have. Mac also

developed a geological mania, and went tapping about at rocks and stones, discoursing wisely of "strata,

periods, and fossil remains"; while Rose picked up leaves and lichens, and gave him lessons in botany in

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

The twelfth of October was Rose's birthday, but no one seemed to remember that interesting fact, and she felt

delicate about mentioning it, so fell asleep the night before wondering if she would have any presents. That

question was settled early the next morning, for she was awakened by a soft tap on her face, and opening her

eyes she beheld a little black and white figure sitting on her pillow, staring at her with a pair of round eyes

very like blueberries, while one downy paw patted her nose to attract her notice. It was Kitty Comet, the

prettiest of all the pussies, and Comet evidently had a mission to perform, for a pink bow adorned her neck,

and a bit of paper was pinned to it bearing the words, "For Miss Rose, from Frank."

That pleased her extremely, and that was only the beginning of the fun, for surprises and presents kept

popping out in the most delightful manner all through the day, the Atkinson girls being famous jokers and

Rose a favourite. But the best gift of all came on the way to Mount WindyTop, where it was decided to

picnic in honour of the great occasion. Three jolly loads set off soon after breakfast, for everybody went, and

everybody seemed bound to have an extra good time, especially Mother Atkinson, who wore a hat as

broadbrimmed as an umbrella, and took the dinnerhorn to keep her flock from straying away.

"I'm going to drive auntie and a lot of the babies, so you must ride the pony. And please stay behind us a

good bit when we go to the station, for a parcel is coming, and you are not to see it till dinnertime. You

won't mind, will you?" said Mac, in a confidential aside during the wild flurry of the start.

"Not a bit," answered Rose. "It hurts my feelings very much to be told to keep out of the way at any other

time, but birthdays and Christmas it is part of the fun to be blind and stupid, and poked into corners. I'll be

"Stop under the big maple till I call then you can't possibly see anything," added Mac, as he mounted her on

the pony his father had sent up for his use. "Barkis" was so gentle and so "willin'," however, that Rose was

ashamed to be afraid to ride him; so she had learned, that she might surprise Dr. Alec when she got home;

meantime she had many a fine canter "over the hills and far away" with Mac, who preferred Mr. Atkinson's

Away they went, and, coming to the red maple, Rose obediently paused; but could not help stealing a glance

in the forbidden direction before the call came. Yes, there was a hamper going under the seat, and then she

caught sight of a tall man whom Mac seemed to be hustling into the carriage in a great hurry. One look was

enough, and with a cry of delight, Rose was off down the road as fast as Barkis could go.

"Now I'll astonish uncle," she thought. "I'll dash up in grand style, and show him that I am not a coward, after

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

Rose was up again before Dr. Alec was out of the carryall, and threw two dusty arms about his neck crying

"O uncle, I'm so glad to see you! It is better than a cartload of goodies, and so dear of you to come!"

"But aren't you hurt, child! That was a rough tumble, and I'm afraid you must be damaged somewhere,"

"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

"I couldn't believe my eyes when I asked 'Where is Rose?' and Mac pointed to the little Amazon pelting down

the hill at such a rate. You couldn't have done anything that would please me more, and I'm delighted to see

how well you ride. Now, will you mount again, or shall we turn Mac out and take you in?" asked Dr. Alec, as

"Pride goeth before a fall better not try to show off again, ma'am," said Mac, who would have been more than

"Pride does go before a fall, but I wonder if a sprained ankle always comes after it?" thought Rose, bravely

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

"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

"I'm afraid you will think her a sad tomboy, Alec; but really she seems so well and happy, I have not the heart

to check her. She has broken out in the most unexpected way, and frisks like a colt; for she says she feels so

full of spirits she must run and shout whether it is proper or not," added Mrs. Jessie, who had been a pretty

"Good good! that's the best news you could tell me," and Dr. Alec rubbed his hands heartily. "Let the girl run

and shout as much as she will it is a sure sign of health, and as natural to a happy child as frisking is to any

young animal full of life. Tomboys make strong women usually, and I had far rather find Rose playing

football with Mac than puttering over beadwork like that affected midget, Ariadne Blish."

"But she cannot go on playing football very long, and we must not forget that she has a woman's work to do

"Neither will Mac play football much longer, but he will be all the better fitted for business, because of the

health it gives him. Polish is easily added, if the foundations are strong; but no amount of gilding will be of

use if your timber is not sound. I'm sure I'm right, Jessie; and if I can do as well by my girl during the next six

"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,

A general scramble among the rocks was followed by a regular gypsy lunch, which the young folks had the

rapture of helping to prepare. Mother Atkinson put on her apron, turned up her sleeves, and fell to work as

gaily as if in her own kitchen, boiling the kettle slung on three sticks, over a fire of cones and fir boughs;

while the girls spread the mossy table with a feast of country goodies, and the children tumbled about in

everyone's way till the toot of the horn made them settle down like a flock of hungry birds.

As soon as the merry meal and a brief interval of repose were over, it was unanimously voted to have some

charades. A smooth, green spot between two stately pines was chosen for the stage; shawls hung up,

The first scene discovered Mac in a despondent attitude and shabby dress, evidently much troubled in mind.

To him entered a remarkable creature with a brown paper bag over its head. A little pink nose peeped through

one hole in the middle, white teeth through another, and above two eyes glared fiercely. Spires of grass stuck

in each side of the mouth seemed meant to represent whiskers; the upper corners of the bag were twisted like

ears, and no one could doubt for a moment that the black scarf pinned on behind was a tail.

This singular animal seemed in pantomime to be comforting his master and offering advice, which was

finally acted upon, for Mac pulled off his boots, helped the little beast into them, and gave him a bag; then,

kissing his paw, with a hopeful gesture, the creature retired, purring so successfully that there was a general

The next scene was a puzzler, for in came another animal, on allfours this time, with a new sort of tail and

long ears. A gray shawl concealed its face, but an inquisitive sunbeam betrayed the glitter as of goggles under

the fringe. On its back rode a small gentleman in Eastern costume, who appeared to find some difficulty in

keeping his seat as his steed jogged along. Suddenly a spirit appeared, all in white, with long newspaper

wings upon its back and golden locks about its face. Singularly enough, the beast beheld this apparition and

backed instantly, but the rider evidently saw nothing and whipped up unmercifully, also unsuccessfully, for

the spirit stood directly in the path, and the amiable beast would not budge a foot. A lively skirmish followed,

which ended in the Eastern gentleman being upset into a sweetfern bush, while the better bred animal

The children were all in the dark till Mother Atkinson said, in an inquiring tone

"If that isn't Balaam and the ass, I'd like to know what it is. Rose makes a sweet angel, doesn't she?"

"Ass" was evidently the word, and the angel retired, smiling with mundane satisfaction over the compliment

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

"Now the wobins tum. You be twite dead, Dimmy, and I'll peep in and see 'em," one defunct innocent was

"I hope they'll be quick, for I'm lying on a stone, and ants are walking up my leg like fury," murmured the

Here the robins came flapping in with red scarves over their breasts and leaves in their mouths, which they

carefully laid upon the babes wherever they would show best. A prickly blackberry leaf placed directly over

Pokey's nose caused her to sneeze so violently that her little legs flew into the air; Jamie gave a startled

After some discussion it was decided that the syllable must be "strew or strow" and then they waited to see if

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

The pellet was administered, and such awful agonies immediately set in that the distracted mamma bade a

sympathetic neighbour run for Mother Knowall. The neighbour ran, and in came a brisk little old lady in cap

and specs, with a bundle of herbs under her arm, which she at once applied in all sorts of funny ways,

explaining their virtues as she clapped a plantain poultice here, put a pounded catnip plaster there, or tied a

couple of mullein leaves round the sufferer's throat. Instant relief ensued, the dying child sat up and

demanded baked beans. The grateful parent offered fifty dollars; but Mother Knowall indignantly refused it

and went smiling away, declaring that a neighbourly turn needed no reward, and a doctor's fee was all a

The audience were in fits of laughter over this scene, for Rose imitated Mrs. Atkinson capitally, and the herb

cure was a good hit at the excellent lady's belief that "yarbs" would save mankind if properly applied. No one

enjoyed it more than herself, and the saucy children prepared for the grand finale in high feather.

This closing scene was brief but striking, for two trains of cars whizzed in from opposite sides, met with a

terrible collision in the middle of the stage, and a general smashup completed the word catastrophe.

"Now let us act a proverb. I've got one all ready," said Rose, who was dying to distinguish herself in some

So everyone but Mac, the gay Westerner, and Rose, took their places on the rocky seats and discussed the late

beautiful and varied charade, in which Pokey frankly pronounced her own scene the "bestest of all."

In five minutes the curtain was lifted; nothing appeared but a very large sheet of brown paper pinned to a tree,

and on it was drawn a clockface, the hands pointing to four. A small note below informed the public that 4

A.M. was the time. Hardly had the audience grasped this important fact when a long waterproof serpent was

seen uncoiling itself from behind a stump. An inchworm, perhaps, would be a better description, for it

travelled in the same humpy way as that pleasing reptile. Suddenly a very wideawake and active fowl

advanced, pecking, chirping, and scratching vigorously. A tuft of green leaves waved upon his crest, a larger

tuft of brakes made an umbrageous tail, and a shawl of many colours formed his flapping wings. A truly

noble bird, whose legs had the genuine strut, whose eyes shone watchfully, and whose voice had a ring that

evidently struck terror into the catterpillar's soul, if it was a catterpillar. He squirmed, he wriggled, he

humped as fast as he could, trying to escape; but all in vain. The tufted bird espied him, gave one warbling

"That early bird got such a big worm he could hardly carry him off," laughed Aunt Jessie, as the children

"That is one of uncle's favourite proverbs, so I got it up for his especial benefit," said Rose, coming up with

"The Dove boys are going to give us an 'Incident in the Life of Napoleon,' as they call it; the children think it

very splendid, and the little fellows do it rather nicely," answered Mac with condescension.

A tent appeared, and pacing to and fro before it was a little sentinel, who, in a brief soliloquy, informed the

observers that the elements were in a great state of confusion, that he had marched some hundred miles or so

that day, and that he was dying for want of sleep. Then he paused, leaned upon his gun, and seemed to doze;

dropped slowly down, overpowered with slumber, and finally lay flat, with his gun beside him, a faithless

little sentinel. Enter Napoleon, cocked hat, gray coat, high boots, folded arms, grim mouth, and a

melodramatic stride. Freddy Dove always covered himself with glory in this part, and "took the stage" with a

Napoleonic attitude that brought down the house; for the bigheaded boy, with solemn, dark eyes and square

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

Picking up the musket, he is about to execute summary justice, as emperors are in the habit of doing, when

something in the face of the weary sentinel appears to touch him. And well it might, for a most engaging little

warrior was Jack as he lay with his shako half off, his childish face trying to keep sober, and a great black

moustache over his rosy mouth. It would have softened the heart of any Napoleon, and the Little Corporal

proved himself a man by relenting, and saying, with a lofty gesture of forgiveness

"Brave fellow, he is worn out; I will let him sleep, and mount guard in his place."

Then, shouldering the gun, this noble being strode to and fro with a dignity which thrilled the younger

spectators. The sentinel awakes, sees what has happened, and gives himself up for lost. But the Emperor

restores his weapon, and, with that smile which won all hearts, says, pointing to a high rock whereon a crow

happens to be sitting, "Be brave, be vigilant, and remember that from yonder Pyramid generations are

beholding you," and with these memorable words he vanishes, leaving the grateful soldier bolt upright, with

his hand at his temple and deathless devotion stamped upon his youthful countenance.

The applause which followed this superb piece had hardly subsided, when a sudden splash and a shrill cry

caused a general rush toward the waterfall that went gambolling down the rocks, singing sweetly as it ran.

Pokey had tried to gambol also, and had tumbled into a shallow pool, whither Jamie had gallantly followed,

in a vain attempt to fish her out, and both were paddling about half frightened, half pleased with the

This mishap made it necessary to get the dripping infants home as soon as possible; so the wagons were

loaded up, and away they went, as merry as if the mountain air had really been "Oxygenated Sweets not

Bitters," as Dr. Alec suggested when Mac said he felt as jolly as if he had been drinking champagne instead

of the current wine that came with a great frosted cake wreathed with sugar roses in Aunt Plenty's hamper of

Rose took part in all the fun, and never betrayed by look or word the twinges of pain she suffered in her

ankle. She excused herself from the games in the evening, however, and sat talking to Uncle Alec in a lively

way, that both amazed and delighted him; for she confided to him that she played horse with the children,

drilled with the light infantry, climbed trees, and did other dreadful things that would have caused the aunts to

"I don't care a pin what they say if you don't mind, uncle," she answered, when he pictured the dismay of the

"Ah, it's all very well to defy them, but you are getting so rampant, I'm afraid you will defy me next, and then

"No, I won't! I shouldn't dare; because you are my guardian, and can put me in a straitjacket if you like;"

and Rose laughed in his face, even while she nestled closer with a confiding gesture pleasant to see.

"Upon my word, Rosy, I begin to feel like the man who bought an elephant, and then didn't know what to do

with him. I thought I had got a pet and plaything for years to come; but here you are growing up like a

beanstalk, and I shall find I've got a strongminded little woman on my hands before I can turn round.

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 willo'thewisps, as a parting

When Rose went to bed, she found that Uncle Alec had not forgotten her; for on the table stood a delicate

little easel, holding two miniatures set in velvet. She knew them both, and stood looking at them till her eyes

brimmed over with tears that were both sweet and sad; for they were the faces of her father and mother,

Presently, she knelt down, and, putting her arms round the little shrine, kissed one after the other, saying with

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

There was a great kissing and cuddling, waving of handkerchiefs, and last goodbyes, as they went; and

when they had started, Mother Atkinson came running after them, to tuck in some little pies, hot from the

oven, "for the dears, who might get tired of bread and butter during that long day's travel."

Another start, and another halt; for the Snow children came shrieking up to demand the three kittens that

Pokey was cooly carrying off in a travelling bag. The unhappy kits were rescued, half smothered, and

restored to their lawful owners, amid dire lamentation from the little kidnapper, who declared that she only

Start number three and stoppage number three, as Frank hailed them with the luncheon basket, which had

All went well after that, and the long journey was pleasantly beguiled by Pokey and Pussy, who played

"Rose doesn't want to go home, for she knows the aunts won't let her rampage as she did up at Cosey

"I can't rampage if I want to for a time, at least; and I'll tell you why. I sprained my ankle when I tumbled off

of Barkis, and it gets worse and worse; though I've done all I know to cure it and hide it, so it shouldn't

trouble anyone," whispered Rose, knitting her brows with pain, as she prepared to descend, wishing her uncle

How he did it, she never knew; but Mac had her up the steps and on the parlour sofa before she could put her

"There you are right side up with care; and mind, now, if your ankle bothers you, and you are laid up with it,

I am to be your footman. It's only fair, you know; for I don't forget how good you have been to me." And

Mac went to call Phebe, so full of gratitude and goodwill that his very goggles shone.

Rose's sprain proved to be a serious one, owing to neglect, and Dr. Alec ordered her to lie on the sofa for a

fortnight at least; whereat she groaned dismally, but dared not openly complain, lest the boys turn upon her

with some of the wise little sermons on patience which she had delivered for their benefit.

It was Mac's turn now, and honourably did he repay his debt; for, as school was still forbidden, he had plenty

of leisure, and devoted most of it to Rose. He took many steps for her, and even allowed her to teach him to

knit, after assuring himself that many a brave Scotchman knew how to "click the pricks." She was obliged to

take a solemn vow of secrecy, however, before he would consent; for, though he did not mind being called

"Giglamps," "Granny" was more than his boyish soul could bear, and at the approach of any of the Clan his

knitting vanished as if by magic, which frequent "chucking" out of sight did not improve the stripe he was

She was busy with this pretty work one bright October afternoon, all nicely established on her sofa in the

upper hall, while Jamie and Pokey (lent for her amusement) were keeping house in a corner, with Comet and

Presently, Phebe appeared with a card. Rose read it, made a grimace, then laughed and said

"I'll see Miss Blish," and immediately put on her company face, pulled out her locket, and settled her curls.

"You dear thing, how do you do? I've been trying to call every day since you got back, but I have so many

engagements, I really couldn't manage it till today. So glad you are alone, for mamma said I could sit

awhile, and I brought my lacework to show you, for it's perfectly lovely." cried Miss Blish, greeting Rose

with a kiss, which was not very warmly returned, though Rose politely thanked her for coming, and bid

"How nice to have a maid!" said Ariadne, as she settled herself with much commotion. "Still, dear, you must

"I have my cousins," began Rose, with dignity, for her visitor's patronising manner ruffled her temper.

"Gracious, child! you don't make friends of those great boys, do you? Mamma says she really doesn't think

"They are like brothers, and my aunts do think it's proper," replied Rose, rather sharply, for it struck her that

"I was merely going to say I should be glad to have you for my bosom friend, for Hatty Mason and I have had

an awful quarrel, and don't speak. She is too mean to live, so I gave her up. Just think, she never paid back

one of the caramels I've given her, and never invited me to her party. I could have forgiven the caramels, but

to be left out in that rude way was more than I could bear, and I told her never to look at me again as long as

"You are very kind, but I don't think I want a bosom friend, thank you," said Rose, as Ariadne stopped to

Now, in her heart Miss Blish thought Rose "a stuckup puss," but the other girls wanted to know her and

couldn't, the old house was a charming place to visit, the lads were considered fine fellows, and the

Campbells "are one of our first families," mamma said. So Ariadne concealed her vexation at Rose's

"Studying French, I see; who is your teacher?" she asked, flitting over the leaves of "Paul and Virginia," that

"I don't study it, for I read French as well as English, and uncle and I often speak it for hours. He talks like a

Rose really could not help this small display of superiority, for French was one of her strong points, and she

was vain of it, though she usually managed to hide this weakness. She felt that Ariadne would be the better

for a little crushing, and could not resist the temptation to patronise in her turn.

"Oh, indeed!" said Miss Blish, rather blankly, for French was not her strong point by any means.

"I am to go abroad with uncle in a year or two, and he knows how important it is to understand the languages.

Half the girls who leave school can't speak decent French, and when they go abroad they are so mortified. I

shall be very glad to help you, if you like, for, of course, you have no one to talk with at home."

Now Ariadne, though she looked like a wax doll, had feelings within her instead of sawdust, and these

feelings were hurt by Rose's lofty tone. She thought her more "stuck up" than ever, but did not know how to

bring her down, yet longed to do it, for she felt as if she had received a box on the ear, and involuntarily put

her hand up to it. The touch of an earring consoled her, and suggested a way of returning tit for tat in a

"Thank you, dear; I don't need any help, for our teacher is from Paris, and of course he speaks better French

than your uncle." Then she added, with a gesture of her head that set the little bells on her ears to tingling:

"How do you like my new earrings? Papa gave them to me last week, and everyone says they are lovely."

Rose came down from her high horse with a rapidity that was comical, for Ariadne had the upper hand now.

Rose adored pretty things, longed to wear them, and the desire of her girlish soul was to have her ears bored,

only Dr. Alec thought it foolish, so she never had done it. She would gladly have given all the French she

could jabber for a pair of golden bells with pearltipped tongues, like those Ariadne wore; and, clasping her

"They are too sweet for anything! If uncle would only let me wear some, I should be perfectly happy."

"I wouldn't mind what he says. Papa laughed at me at first, but he likes them now, and says I shall have

diamond solitaires when I am eighteen," said Ariadne, quite satisfied with her shot.

"I've got a pair now that were mamma's, and a beautiful little pair of pearl and turquoise ones, that I am dying

"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 earrings, and see if your uncle don't like them."

"I asked him if it wouldn't do my eyes good once when they were red, and he only laughed. People do cure

"Yes, indeed, and yours are sort of red. Let me see. Yes, I really think you ought to do it before they get

"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

"I don't quite like to do it without asking uncle's leave," faltered Rose, when all was ready for the operation.

"Did he ever forbid it?" demanded Ariadne, hovering over her prey like a vampire.

"Then do it, unless you are afraid," cried Miss Blish, bent on accomplishing the deed.

That last word settled the matter, and, closing her eyes, Rose said "Punch!" in the tone of one giving the fatal

Ariadne punched, and the victim bore it in heroic silence, though she turned pale and her eyes were full of

"There! Now pull the bits of silk often, and coldcream your ears every night, and you'll soon be ready for

the rings," said Ariadne, well pleased with her job, for the girl who spoke French with "a fine accent" lay flat

"It does hurt dreadfully, and I know uncle won't like it," sighed Rose, as remorse began to gnaw. "Promise

not to tell, or I shall be teased to death," she added, anxiously, entirely forgetting the two little pitchers gifted

with eyes as well as ears, who had been watching the whole performance from afar.

"Never. Mercy me, what's that?" and Ariadne started as a sudden sound of steps and voices came up from

"It's the boys! Hide the needle. Do my ears show? Don't breathe a word!" whispered Rose, scrambling about

Up they came, all in good order, laden with the proceeds of a nutting expedition, for they always reported to

"How many, and how big! We'll have a grand roasting frolic after tea, won't we?" said Rose, plunging both

hands into a bag of glossy brown nuts, while the Clan "stood at ease" and nodded to Ariadne.

"That lot was picked especially for you, Rosy. I got every one myself, and they are extra whackers," said

"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

"You needn't talk, Dandy, when you didn't know a chestnut from a beech, and kept on thrashing till I told you

of it," retorted Mac, festooning himself over the back of the sofa, being a privileged boy.

"I don't make mistakes when I thrash you, old Worm, so you'd better mind what you are about," answered

"It is getting dark, and I must go, or mamma will be alarmed," said Ariadne, rising in sudden haste, though

No one invited her; and all the while she was putting on her things and chatting to Rose the boys were

telegraphing to one another the sad fact that someone ought to escort the young lady home. Not a boy felt

heroic enough to cast himself into the breach, however; even polite Archie shirked the duty, saying to

"I'm not going to do all the gallivanting. Let Steve take that chit home and show his manners."

"I'll be hanged if I do!" answered Prince, who disliked Miss Blish because she tried to be coquettish with him.

"Then I will," and, to the dismay of both recreant lads, Dr. Alec walked out of the room to offer his services

He was too late, however, for Mac, obeying a look from Rose, had already made a victim of himself, and

"Then I will take this lady down to tea, as the other one has found a gentleman to go home with her. I see the

lamps are lighted below, and I smell a smell which tells me that auntie has something extra nice for us

As he spoke, Dr. Alec was preparing to carry Rose downstairs as usual; but Archie and Prince rushed

forward, begging with penitent eagerness for the honour of carrying her in an armchair. Rose consented,

fearing that her uncle's keen eye would discover the fatal bits of silk; so the boys crossed hands, and, taking a

good grip of each curly pate, she was borne down in state, while the others followed by way of the banisters.

Tea was ordered earlier than usual, so that Jamie and his dolly could have a taste, at least, of the holiday fun,

for they were to stay till seven, and be allowed twelve roasted chestnuts apiece, which they were under bonds

Tea was despatched rapidly, therefore, and the party gathered round the wide hearth in the diningroom,

where the nuts were soon dancing gaily on hot shovels or bouncing out among the company, thereby causing

"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

"Yes, we poor monkeys can't burn our paws for nothing, so tell away, Pussy," added Charlie, as he threw

"Well, I happen to have a little story with a moral to it in my mind, and I will tell it, though it is intended for

younger children than you," answered Rose, who was rather fond of telling instructive tales.

"Fire away," said Geordie, and she obeyed, little thinking what a disastrous story it would prove to herself.

"Well, once upon a time, a little girl went to see a young lady who was very fond of her. Now, the young lady

happened to be lame, and had to have her foot bandaged up every day; so she kept a basketful of bandages,

all nicely rolled and ready. The little girl liked to play with this basket, and one day, when she thought no one

saw her, she took one of the rolls without asking leave, and put it in her pocket."

Here Pokey, who had been peering lovingly down at the five warm nuts that lay at the bottom of her tiny

pocket, suddenly looked up and said, "Oh!" in a startled tone, as if the moral tale had become intensely

Rose heard and saw the innocent betrayal of the small sinner, and went on in a most impressive manner,

"But an eye did see this naughty little girl, and whose eye do you think it was?"

"Eye of Dod," murmured consciencestricken Pokey, spreading two chubby little hands before the round

Rose was rather taken aback by this reply, but, feeling that she was producing a good effect, she added

"Yes, God saw her, and so did the young lady, but she did not say anything; she waited to see what the little

girl would do about it. She had been very happy before she took the bandage, but when it was in her pocket

she seemed troubled, and pretty soon stopped playing, and sat down in a corner looking very sober. She

thought a few minutes, and then went and put back the roll very softly, and her face cleared up, and she was a

happy child again. The young lady was glad to see that, and wondered what made the little girl put it back."

"Tonscience p'icked her," murmured a contrite voice from behind the small hands pressed tightly over

"And why did she take it, do you suppose?" asked Rose, in a schoolmarmish tone, feeling that all the

"It was so nice and wound, and she wanted it deffly," answered the little voice.

"Well, I'm glad she had such a good conscience. The moral is that people who steal don't enjoy what they

take, and are not happy till they put it back. What makes that little girl hide her face?" asked Rose, as she

"Me's so 'shamed of Pokey," sobbed the small culprit, quite overcome by remorse and confusion at this awful

"Come, Rose, it's too bad to tell her little tricks before everyone, and preach at her in that way; you wouldn't

like it yourself," began Dr. Alec, taking the weeper on his knee and administering consolation in the shape of

Before Rose could express her regret, Jamie, who had been reddening and ruffling like a little turkeycock

for several minutes, burst out indignantly, bent on avenging the wound given to his beloved dolly.

"I know something bad that you did, and I'm going to tell right out. You thought we didn't see you, but we

did, and you said uncle wouldn't like it, and the boys would tease, and you made Ariadne promise not to tell,

and she punched holes in your ears to put earrings in. So now! and that's much badder than to take an old

Jamie's somewhat incoherent explosion produced such an effect that Pokey's small sin was instantly

"What! what! what!" cried the boys in a chorus, dropping their shovels and knives to gather round Rose, for a

guilty clutching at her ears betrayed her, and with a feeble cry of "Ariadne made me!" she hid her head

"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

"I didn't think she'd be so silly," said Mac, in a tone of disappointment that told Rose she had sunk in the

"That Blish girl is a nuisance, and ought not to be allowed to come here with her nonsensical notions," said

the Prince, feeling a strong desire to shake that young person as an angry dog might shake a mischievous

"How do you like it, uncle?" asked Archie, who, being the head of a family himself, believed in preserving

"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

"What shall you do about it, sir?" inquired Geordie, wondering what punishment would be inflicted on a

"As she is fond of ornaments, perhaps we had better give her a nosering 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

"Good! good! We'll do it right away! Here's a gimlet, so you hold her, boys, while I get her dear little nose all

ready," cried Charlie, whisking away the pillow as the other boys danced about the sofa in true Fiji style.

It was a dreadful moment, for Rose could not run away she could only grasp her precious nose with one hand

Of course he saved her; and when she was securely barricaded by his strong arm, she confessed her folly in

such humiliation of spirit, that the lads, after a good laugh at her, decided to forgive her and lay all the blame

on the tempter, Ariadne. Even Dr. Alec relented so far as to propose two gold rings for the ears instead of one

copper one for the nose; a proceeding which proved that if Rose had all the weakness of her sex for jewellery,

he had all the inconsistency of his in giving a pretty penitent exactly what she wanted, spite of his better

"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

"Uncle, I want to have some serious conversation with you, if you have time," she said, coming out of a

"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.

"I've been trying to decide what trade I would learn, and I want you to advise me."

"Trade, my dear?" and Dr. Alec looked so astonished that she hastened to explain.

"I forgot that you didn't hear the talk about it up at Cosey Corner. You see we used to sit under the pines and

sew, and talk a great deal all the ladies, I mean and I liked it very much. Mother Atkinson thought that

everyone should have a trade, or something to make a living out of, for rich people may grow poor, you

know, and poor people have to work. Her girls were very clever, and could do ever so many things, and Aunt

Jessie thought the old lady was right; so when I saw how happy and independent those young ladies were, I

wanted to have a trade, and then it wouldn't matter about money, though I like to have it well enough."

Dr. Alec listened to this explanation with a curious mixture of surprise, pleasure, and amusement in his face,

and looked at his little niece as if she had suddenly changed into a young woman. She had grown a good deal

in the last six months, and an amount of thinking had gone on in that young head which would have

astonished him greatly could he have known it all, for Rose was one of the children who observe and

meditate much, and now and then nonplus their friends by a wise or curious remark.

"I quite agree with the ladies, and shall be glad to help you decide on something if I can," said the Doctor

seriously. "What do you incline to? A natural taste or talent is a great help in choosing, you know."

"I haven't any talent, or any especial taste that I can see, and that is why I can't decide, uncle. So, I think it

would be a good plan to pick out some very useful business and learn it, because I don't do it for pleasure,

you see, but as a part of my education, and to be ready in case I'm ever poor," answered Rose, looking as if

she rather longed for a little poverty so that her useful gift might be exercised.

"Well, now, there is one very excellent, necessary, and womanly accomplishment that no girl should be

without, for it is a help to rich and poor, and the comfort of families depends upon it. This fine talent is

neglected nowadays, and considered oldfashioned, 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

"Oh, what is it?" cried Rose eagerly, charmed to be met in this helpful and cordial way.

"Is that an accomplishment?" asked Rose, while her face fell, for she had indulged in all sorts of vague,

"Yes; it is one of the most beautiful as well as useful of all the arts a woman can learn. Not so romantic,

perhaps, as singing, painting, writing, or teaching, even; but one that makes many happy and comfortable,

and home the sweetest place in the world. Yes, you may open your big eyes; but it is a fact that I had rather

see you a good housekeeper than the greatest belle in the city. It need not interfere with any talent you may

possess, but it is a necessary part of your training, and I hope that you will set about it at once, now that you

"Is she accomplished?" began Rose in a wondering tone, for this greataunt of hers had seemed the least

"In the good oldfashioned way she is very accomplished, and has made this house a happy home to us all,

ever since we can remember. She is not elegant, but genuinely good, and so beloved and respected that there

will be universal mourning for her when her place is empty. No one can fill it, for the solid, homely virtues of

the dear soul have gone out of fashion, as I say, and nothing new can be half so satisfactory, to me at least."

"I should like to have people feel so about me. Can she teach me to do what she does, and to grow as good?"

asked Rose, with a little prick of remorse for even thinking that Aunt Plenty was a commonplace old lady.

"Yes, if you don't despise such simple lessons as she can give. I know it would fill her dear old heart with

pride and pleasure to feel that anyone cared to learn of her, for she fancies her day gone by. Let her teach you

how to be what she has been a skilful, frugal, cheerful housewife; the maker and the keeper of a happy home,

"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

"So it is! I don't mind that a bit, for I like to mess, and used to try at home; but I had no one to tell me, so I

never did much but spoil my aprons. Pies are great fun, only Dolly is so cross, I don't believe she will ever let

"Then we'll cook in the parlour. I fancy Aunt Plenty will manage her, so don't be troubled. Only mind this, I'd

rather you learned how to make good bread than the best pies ever baked. When you bring me a handsome,

wholesome loaf, entirely made by yourself, I shall be more pleased than if you offered me a pair of slippers

embroidered in the very latest style. I don't wish to bribe you, but I'll give you my heartiest kiss, and promise

"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

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

To tell the truth, the elder aunts had sometimes felt that they did not have quite their share of the little niece

who had won their hearts long ago, and was the sunshine of the house. They talked it over together

sometimes, but always ended by saying that as Alec had all the responsibility, he should have the larger share

of the dear girl's love and time, and they would be contented with such crumbs of comfort as they could get.

Dr. Alec had found out this little secret, and, after reproaching himself for being blind and selfish, was trying

to devise some way of mending matters without troubling anyone, when Rose's new whim suggested an

excellent method of weaning her a little from himself. He did not know how fond he was of her till he gave

her up to the new teacher, and often could not resist peeping in at the door to see how she got on, or stealing

sly looks through the slide when she was deep in dough, or listening intently to some impressive lecture from

Aunt Plenty. They caught him at it now and then, and ordered him off the premises at the point of the

rollingpin; 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.

Of course he made a point of partaking copiously of all the delectable messes that now appeared at table, for

both the cooks were on their mettle, and he fared sumptuously every day. But an especial relish was given to

any dish when, in reply to his honest praise of it, Rose coloured up with innocent pride, and said modestly

It was some time before the perfect loaf appeared, for breadmaking 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 teatime, on a

silver salver, proudly borne in by Phebe, who could not refrain from whispering, with a beaming face, as she

"It is a regularly splendid loaf! Did my girl make it all herself?" he asked, surveying the shapely,

"Every particle herself, and never asked a bit of help or advice from anyone," answered Aunt Plenty, folding

her hands with an air of unmitigated satisfaction, for her pupil certainly did her great credit.

"I've had so many failures and troubles that I really thought I never should be able to do it alone. Dolly let

one splendid batch burn up because I forgot it. She was there and smelt it, but never did a thing, for she said,

when I undertook to bake bread I must give my whole mind to it. Wasn't it hard? She might have called me at

"She meant you should learn by experience, as Rosamond did in that little affair of the purple jar, you

"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,

"Never mind her now, but tell me all about my loaf," said Dr. Alec, much amused at Rose's burst of

"There's nothing to tell, uncle, except that I did my best, gave my mind to it, and sat watching over it all the

while it was in the oven till I was quite baked myself. Everything went right this time, and it came out a nice,

round, crusty loaf, as you see. Now taste it, and tell me if it is good as well as handsome."

"Must I cut it? Can't I put it under a glass cover and keep it in the parlor as they do wax flowers and fine

"What an idea, uncle! It would mould and be spoilt. Besides, people would laugh at us, and make fun of my

oldfashioned accomplishment. You promised to eat it, and you must; not all at once, but as soon as you can,

Dr. Alec solemnly cut off his favourite crusty slice, and solemnly ate it; then wiped his lips, and brushing

"My dear, it is perfect bread, and you are an honour to your teacher. When we have our model school I shall

"I've got it already, and I'm quite satisfied," said Rose, slipping into her seat, and trying to hide her right hand

But Dr. Alec saw it, guessed how it came there, and after tea insisted on easing the pain which she would

"Aunt Clara says I am spoiling my hands, but I don't care, for I've had such good times with Aunt Plenty, and

I think she has enjoyed it as much as I have. Only one thing troubles me, uncle, and I want to ask you about

it," said Rose, as they paced up and down the hall in the twilight, the bandaged hand very carefully laid on

"Well, you see I feel as if Aunt Peace would like to do something for me, and I've found out what it can be.

You know she can't go about like Aunty Plen, and we are so busy nowadays that she is rather lonely, I'm

afraid. So I want to take lessons in sewing of her. She works so beautifully, and it is a useful thing, you know,

"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

buttonholes, for I believe that is where young ladies fail; at least, I've heard them say so. So, do you devote

your mind to buttonholes; make 'em all over my clothes if you want something to practice on. I'll wear any

Rose laughed at this reckless offer, but promised to attend to that important branch, though she confessed that

darning was her weak point. Whereupon Uncle Alec engaged to supply her with socks in all stages of

dilapidation, and to have a new set at once, so that she could run the heels for him as a pleasant beginning.

Then they went up to make their request in due form, to the great delight of gentle Aunt Peace, who got quite

excited with the fun that went on while they would yarn, looked up darning needles, and fitted out a nice little

Very busy and very happy were Rose's days now, for in the morning she went about the house with Aunt

Plenty attending to linenclosets and storerooms, pickling and preserving, exploring garret and cellar to see

that all was right, and learning, in the good oldfashioned manner, to look well after the ways of the

In the afternoon, after her walk or drive, she sat with Aunt Peace plying her needle, while Aunt Plenty, whose

eyes were failing, knitted and chatted briskly, telling many a pleasant story of old times, till the three were

moved to laugh and cry together, for the busy needles were embroidering all sorts of bright patterns on the

lives of the workers, though they seemed to be only stitching cotton and darning hose.

It was a pretty sight to see the rosyfaced 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 sewingroom 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

"There! I've made you a new set of warm nightgowns with four buttonholes in each. See if they are not

"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

"Can he, really?" asked Rose of Aunt Peace, as Uncle Alec marched off with a comical air of importance.

"Oh, yes, I taught him years ago, before he went to sea; and I suppose he has had to do things for himself,

He evidently had, for he was soon back with a funny little workbag, 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

"I wonder if there is anything in the world that you cannot do," she said, in a tone of respectful admiration.

"There are one or two things that I am not up to yet," he answered, with a laugh in the corner of his eye, as he

It was a rainy Sunday afternoon, and four boys were trying to spend it quietly in the "liberry," as Jamie called

the room devoted to books and boys, at Aunt Jessie's. Will and Geordie were sprawling on the sofa, deep in

the adventures of the scapegraces and ragamuffins whose histories are now the fashion. Archie lounged in the

easy chair, surrounded by newspapers; Charlie stood upon the rug, in an Englishman's favourite attitude, and,

"It is my opinion that this day will never come to an end," said Prince, with a yawn that nearly rent him

"Read and improve your mind, my son," answered Archie, peering solemnly over the paper behind which he

"Don't you preach, parson, but put on your boots and come out for a tramp, instead of mulling over the fire

"No, thank you, tramps in an easterly storm don't strike me as amusing." There Archie stopped and held up

"Yes, dear, and longing for sunshine; so run in and make it for them," answered Mrs. Jessie.

"True; but I'm not going to waste my weed," and Prince poked his into the empty inkstand that served them

A gentle tap at the door was answered by a chorus of "Come in," and Rose appeared, looking blooming and

"If I disturb you, say so, and I'll go away," she began, pausing on the threshold with modest hesitation, for

"You never disturb us, cousin," said the smokers, while the readers tore themselves from the heroes of the

As Rose bent to warm her hands, one end of Archie's cigar stuck out of the ashes, smoking furiously and

"Oh, you bad boys, how could you do it, today of all days?" she said reproachfully.

"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

"Fiddlesticks! every man smokes, even Uncle Alec, whom you think so perfect," began Charlie, in his teasing

"Now I think of it, I haven't seen the old meerschaum since he came home. Did he stop it on our account?"

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

"You too?" and Rose looked up at the bonny Prince, who never looked less bonny than at that moment, for he

Now Charlie cared as little as Archie about smoking, but it would not do to yield too soon: so he shook his

"You women are always asking us to give up harmless little things just because you don't approve of them.

"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

"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

"Then I promise; what is it?" and Rose quite trembled with anxiety to know which of her pet habits or

"Give up your earrings," and Charlie laughed wickedly, sure that she would never hold to that bargain.

Rose uttered a cry and clapped both hands to her ears where the gold rings hung.

"Oh, Charlie, wouldn't anything else do as well? I've been through so much teasing and trouble, I do want to

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

He had no idea she would do it, and was much surprised when she took the dear rings from her ears, with a

quick gesture, and held them out to him, saying, in a tone that made the colour come up to his brown cheek, it

"I care more for my cousins than for my earrings, so I promise, and I'll keep my word."

"For shame, Prince! let her wear her little danglers if she likes, and don't bargain about doing what you know

is right," cried Archie, coming out of his grove of newspapers with an indignant bounce.

But Rose was bent on showing her aunt that she could use her influence for the boys' good, and said steadily

"It is fair, and I want it to be so, then you will believe I'm in earnest. Here, each of you wear one of these on

your watchguard to remind you. I shall not forget, because very soon I cannot wear earrings if I want to."

As she spoke, Rose offered a little ring to each cousin, and the boys, seeing how sincere she was, obeyed her.

When the pledges were safe, Rose stretched a hand to each, and the lads gave hers a hearty grip, half pleased

"What's this? Dancing Ladies' Triumph on Sunday?" exclaimed Uncle Alec, surveying the trio with surprise.

"No, sir, it is the AntiTobacco League. Will you join?" said Charlie, while Rose slipped away to her aunt,

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

"I wish Rose would drive a bargain with Will and Geordie also, for I think these books are as bad for the

small boys as cigars for the large ones," said Mrs. Jessie, sitting down on the sofa between the readers, who

"I thought they were all the fashion," answered Dr. Alec, settling in the big chair with Rose.

"So is smoking, but it is harmful. The writers of these popular stories intend to do good, I have no doubt, but

it seems to me they fail because their motto is, 'Be smart, and you will be rich,' instead of 'Be honest, and you

will be happy.' I do not judge hastily, Alec, for I have read a dozen, at least, of these stories, and, with much

that is attractive to boys, I find a great deal to condemn in them, and other parents say the same when I ask

"Now, Mum, that's too bad! I like 'em tiptop. This one is a regular screamer," cried Will.

"You have just shown us one of the chief evils, and that is slang," answered their mother quickly.

"Must have it, ma'am. If these chaps talked all right, there'd be no fun in 'em," protested Will.

"A bootblack mustn't use good grammar, and a newsboy must swear a little, or he wouldn't be natural,"

"But my sons are neither bootblacks nor newsboys, and I object to hearing them use such words as

'screamer,' 'bully,' and 'buster.' In fact, I fail to see the advantage of writing books about such people unless it

is done in a very different way. I cannot think they will help to refine the ragamuffins if they read them, and

I'm sure they can do no good to the better class of boys, who through these books are introduced to police

courts, counterfeiters' dens, gambling houses, drinking saloons, and all sorts of low life."

"Some of them are about firstrate boys, mother; and they go to sea and study, and sail round the world,

"I have read about them, Geordie, and though they are better than the others, I am not satisfied with these

optical delusions, as I call them. Now, I put it to you, boys, is it natural for lads from fifteen to eighteen to

command ships, defeat pirates, outwit smugglers, and so cover themselves with glory, that Admiral Farragut

invites them to dinner, saying, 'Noble boy, you are an honour to your country!' Or, if the hero is in the army,

he has hairbreadth 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 Commanderinchief 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 pocketbook 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 peanuts or neckties, and grows rich so rapidly that Sinbad

"Well, the fellows in these books are mighty lucky, and very smart, I must say," answered Will, surveying an

illustration on the open page before him, where a small but virtuous youth is upsetting a tipsy giant in a

barroom, and under it the elegant inscription, "Dick Dauntless punches the head of Sam Soaker."

"It gives boys such wrong ideas of life and business; shows them so much evil and vulgarity that they need

not know about, and makes the one success worth having a fortune, a lord's daughter, or some worldly

honour, often not worth the time it takes to win. It does seem to me that some one might write stories that

should be lively, natural and helpful tales in which the English should be good, the morals pure, and the

characters such as we can love in spite of the faults that all may have. I can't bear to see such crowds of eager

little fellows at the libraries reading such trash; weak, when it is not wicked, and totally unfit to feed the

hungry minds that feast on it for want of something better. There! my lecture is done; now I should like to

hear what you gentlemen have to say," and Aunt Jessie subsided with a pretty flush on the face that was full

"Tom Brown just suits mother, and me too, so I wish Mr. Hughes would write another story as good," said

"You don't find things of this sort in Tom Brown; yet these books are all in the Sundayschool libraries" and

Mrs. Jessie read the following paragraph from the book she had taken from Will's hand

" 'In this place we saw a tooth of John the Baptist. Ben said he could see locust and wild honey sticking to it.

"A larky sort of a boy says that, Mum, and we skip the parts where they describe what they saw in the

"And those descriptions, taken mostly from guidebooks, I fancy, are the only parts of any real worth. The

scrapes of the bad boys make up the rest of the story, and it is for those you read these books, I think,"

answered his mother, stroking back the hair off the honest little face that looked rather abashed at this true

"Anyway, mother, the ship part is useful, for we learn how to sail her, and by and by that will all come handy

"Indeed, then you can explain this man uvre to me, of course " and Mrs. Jessie read from another page the

"The wind is southsouthwest, 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

"I guess I could, if I wasn't afraid of uncle. He knows so much more than I do, he'd laugh," began Geordie,

"Ho, you know you can't, so why make believe? We don't understand half of the sea lingo, Mum, and I dare

say it's all wrong," cried Will, suddenly going over to the enemy, to Geordie's great disgust.

"I do wish the boys wouldn't talk to me as if I was a ship," said Rose, bringing forward a private grievance.

"Coming home from church this morning, the wind blew me about, and Will called out, right in the street,

The boys shouted at the plaintive tone in which Rose repeated the words that offended her, and Will vainly

endeavoured to explain that he only meant to tell her to wrap her cloak closer, and tie a veil over the

"To tell the truth, if the boys must have slang, I can bear the 'sea lingo,' as Will calls it, better than the other.

It afflicts me less to hear my sons talk about 'brailing up the foresail' than doing as they 'darn please,' and 'cut

your cable' is decidedly preferable to 'let her rip.' I once made a rule that I would have no slang in the house. I

give it up now, for I cannot keep it; but I will not have rubbishy books; so, Archie, please send these two after

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

"The boys threw away halfsmoked cigars; and your books must go after them. Surely you would not be

outdone by the 'old fellows,' as you call them, or be less obedient to little Mum than they were to Rose."

"Course not! Come on, Geordie," and Will took the vow like a hero. His brother sighed and obeyed, but

"You have laid out a hard task for yourself, Jessie, in trying to provide good reading for boys who have been

living on sensation stories. It will be like going from raspberry tarts to plain bread and butter; but you will

probably save them from a bilious fever," said Dr. Alec, much amused at the proceedings.

"I remember hearing grandpa say that a love for good books was one of the best safeguards a man could

"Yes, but there's no time to read nowadays; a fellow has to keep scratching round to make money or he's

"This love of money is the curse of America, and for the sake of it men will sell honour and honesty, till we

don't know whom to trust, and it is only a genius like Agassiz who dares to say, 'I cannot waste my time in

"No, dear, and you never need be, while you can use your hands; but I am afraid of this thirst for wealth, and

the temptations it brings. O, my boys! I tremble for the time when I must let you go, because I think it would

break my heart to have you fail as so many fail. It would be far easier to see you dead if it could be said of

Mrs. Jessie was so earnest in her motherly anxiety that her voice faltered over the last words, and she hugged

the yellow heads closer in her arms, as if she feared to let them leave that safe harbour for the great sea where

so many little boats go down. The younger lads nestled closer to her, and Archie said, in his quiet, resolute

"I cannot promise to be an Agassiz or a Sumner, mother; but I do promise to be an honest man, please God."

"Then I'm satisfied!" and holding fast the hand he gave her, she sealed his promise with a kiss that had all a

"I don't see how they ever can be bad, she is so fond and proud of them," whispered Rose, quite touched by

"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

"I'm so glad you think I can do anything, for I perfectly ache to be useful; everyone is so good to me,

"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 welldoing, 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

"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

Phebe said this as she popped her head into the study, where Dr. Alec sat reading a new book.

"They are at it, are they?" he said, looking up quickly, and giving himself a shake, as if ready for a battle of

"Yes, sir, as hard as they can talk, and Miss Rose don't seem to know what to do, for the things are ever so

stylish, and she looks elegant in 'em; though I like her best in the old ones," answered Phebe.

"You are a girl of sense. I'll settle matters for Rosy, and you'll lend a hand. Is everything ready in her room,

"Oh, yes, sir; but they are so funny! I know Miss Rose will think it's a joke," and Phebe laughed as if

"Never mind what she thinks so long as she obeys. Tell her to do it for my sake, and she will find it the best

joke she ever saw. I expect to have a tough time of it, but we'll win yet," said the Doctor, as he marched

There was such a clatter of tongues in the sewingroom that no one heard his tap at the door, so he pushed it

open and took an observation. Aunt Plenty, Aunt Clara, and Aunt Jessie were all absorbed in gazing at Rose,

who slowly revolved between them and the great mirror, in a full winter costume of the latest fashion.

"Bless my heart! worse even than I expected," thought the Doctor, with an inward groan, for, to his benighted

eyes, the girl looked like a trussed fowl, and the fine new dress had neither grace, beauty, nor fitness to

The suit was of two peculiar shades of blue, so arranged that patches of light and dark distracted the eye. The

upper skirt was tied so lightly back that it was impossible to take a long step, and the under one was so loaded

with plaited frills that it "wobbled" no other word will express it ungracefully, both fore and aft. A bunch of

folds was gathered up just below the waist behind, and a great bow rode atop. A small jacket of the same

material was adorned with a high ruff at the back, and laid well open over the breast, to display some lace and

a locket. Heavy fringes, bows, puffs, ruffles, and revers finished off the dress, making one's head ache to

think of the amount of work wasted, for not a single graceful line struck the eye, and the beauty of the

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. Highheeled 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

"Now she looks like other girls, and as I like to see her," Mrs. Clara was saying, with an air of great

"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

"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

"Well, dear to be quite honest, then, I think it is frightful," answered Mrs. Jessie, with a candour that caused

"Hear, hear," cried a deep voice, and with a general start the ladies became aware that the enemy was among

Rose blushed up to her hat brim, and stood, looking, as she felt, like a fool, while Mrs. Clara hastened to

"Of course, I don't expect you to like it, Alec, but I don't consider you a judge of what is proper and becoming

for a young lady. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of providing a pretty street suit for Rose. She need not

wear it if you object, for I know we promised to let you do what you liked with the poor dear for a year."

"It is a street costume, is it?" asked the Doctor, mildly. "Do you know, I never should have guessed that it

was meant for winter weather and brisk locomotion. Take a turn, Rosy, and let me see all its beauties and

Rose tried to walk off with her usual free tread, but the underskirt got in her way, the overskirt was so tight

she could not take a long step, and her boots made it impossible to carry herself perfectly erect.

"I haven't got used to it yet," she said, petulantly, kicking at her train, as she turned to toddle back again.

"Suppose a mad dog or a runaway horse was after you, could you get out of the way without upsetting,

Colonel," asked the Doctor, with a twinkle in the eyes that were fixed on the rakish hat.

"Don't think I could, but I'll try," and Rose made a rush across the room. Her bootheels caught on a rug,

several strings broke, her hat tipped over her eyes, and she plunged promiscuously into a chair, where she sat

"I should say that a walking suit in which one could not walk, and a winter suit which exposes the throat,

head, and feet to cold and damp, was rather a failure, Clara, especially as it has no beauty to reconcile one to

its utter unfitness," said Dr. Alec, as he helped Rose undo her veil, adding, in a low tone, "Nice thing for the

eyes; you'll soon see spots when it's off as well as when it's on, and, by and by, be a case for an oculist."

"No beauty!" cried Mrs. Clara, warmly, "Now, that is just a man's blindness. This is the best of silk and

camel's hair, real ostrich feathers, and an expensive ermine muff. What could be in better taste, or more

"I'll shew you, if Rose will go to her room and oblige me by putting on what she finds there," answered the

"Alec, if it is a Bloomer, I shall protest. I've been expecting it, but I know I cannot bear to see that pretty child

sacrificed to your wild ideas of health. Tell me it isn't a Bloomer!" and Mrs. Clara clasped her hands

"Thank Heaven!" and she resigned herself with a sigh of relief, adding plaintively, "I did hope you'd accept

my suit, for poor Rose has been afflicted with frightful clothes long enough to spoil the taste of any girl."

"You talk of my afflicting the child, and then make a helpless guy like that of her!" answered the Doctor,

pointing to the little fashion plate that was scuttling out of sight as fast as it could go.

He closed the door with a shrug, but before anyone could speak, his quick eye fell upon an object which

"After all I have said, were you really going to tempt my girl with those abominable things?"

"I thought we put them away when she wouldn't wear them," murmured Mrs. Clara, whisking a little pair of

corsets out of sight with guilty haste. "I only brought them to try, for Rose is growing stout, and will have no

figure if it is not attended to soon," she added, with an air of calm conviction that roused the Doctor still

"Growing stout! Yes, thank Heaven, she is, and shall continue to do it, for Nature knows how to mould a

woman better than any corsetmaker, and I won't have her interfered with. My dear Clara, have you lost your

senses that you can for a moment dream of putting a growing girl into an instrument of torture like this?" and

with a sudden gesture he plucked forth the offending corsets from under the sofa cushion, and held them out

with the expression one would wear on beholding the thumbscrews or the rack of ancient times.

"Don't be absurd, Alec. There is no torture about it, for tight lacing is out of fashion, and we have nice,

sensible things nowadays. Everyone wears them; even babies have stiffened waists to support their weak little

backs," began Mrs. Clara, rushing to the defence of the pet delusion of most women.

"I know it, and so the poor little souls have weak backs all their days, as their mothers had before them. It is

vain to argue the matter, and I won't try, but I wish to state, once for all, that if I ever see a pair of corsets near

As he spoke the corsets were on their way to destruction, but Mrs. Jessie caught his arm, exclaiming merrily,

"Don't burn them, for mercy sake, Alec; they are full of whalebones, and will make a dreadful odour. Give

"Whalebones, indeed! A regular fence of them, and metal gateposts 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,

Peals of laughter issued from Rose's room, and smiles involuntarily touched the lips of those who listened to

"Some new prank of yours, Alec?" asked Aunt Plenty, indulgently, for she had come to believe in most of her

"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 today. I'm not going to 'afflict' Rose, but let her choose, and if I'm not entirely mistaken, she will like my

rig best. While we wait I'll explain, and then you will appreciate the general effect better. I got hold of this

little book, and was struck with its good sense and good taste, for it suggests a way to clothe women both

healthfully and handsomely, and that is a great point. It begins at the foundations, as you will see if you will

look at these pictures, and I should think women would rejoice at this lightening of their burdens."

As he spoke, the Doctor laid the book before Aunt Plenty, who obediently brought her spectacles to bear

upon the illustrations, and after a long look exclaimed, with a scandalised face

"Mercy on us, these things are like the nightdrawers Jamie wears! You don't mean to say you want Rose to

"I do mean it, and I'm sure my sensible aunt will consent when she understands that these well I'll call them

by an Indian name, and say pajamas are for underwear, and Rose can have as pretty frocks as she likes

outside. These two suits of flannel, each in one piece from head to foot, with a skirt or so hung on this

easilyfitting 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 backache if I can help it, nor the long list of ills you dear women think you cannot escape."

"I don't consider it modest, and I'm sure Rose will be shocked at it," began Mrs. Clara, but stopped suddenly,

"Come on, my hygienic model, and let us see you," said her uncle, with an approving glance, as she walked

"Well, I don't see anything remarkable. That is a neat, plain suit; the materials are good, and it's not

unbecoming, if you want her to look like a little 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.

"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,

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 sealskin sack, cap, and mittens, with a glimpse of scarlet at

the throat, and the pretty curls tied up with a bright velvet of the same colour, completed the external

"How do you like it, Rosy?" asked the Doctor, feeling that her opinion was more important to the success of

"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

"You can run away from the mad dogs, and walk off at a smart pace without tumbling on your nose, now, I

"Yes, uncle! suppose the dog coming, I just hop over a wall so and when I walk of a cold day, I go like this "

Entering fully into the spirit of the thing, Rose swung herself over the high back of the sofa as easily as one of

her cousins, and then went down the long hall as if her stout boots were related to the famous sevenleaguers.

"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 strongminded women!" exclaimed Mrs. Clara, as Rose came back at a run.

"Ah, but you see some of these sensible inventions come from the brain of a fashionable modiste, who will

make you more lovely, or what you value more 'stylish' outside and comfortable within. Mrs. Van Tassel has

been to Madame Stone, and is wearing a full suit of this sort. Van himself told me, when I asked how she

was, that she had given up lying on the sofa, and was going about in a most astonishing way, considering her

"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

Dr. Alec looked at Mrs. Jessie, and both smiled, for "little Mum" had been in the secret, and enjoyed it

"I didn't wait for Mrs. Van to lead the way, and for once in my life I have adopted a new fashion before Clara.

My freedom suit is ordered, and you may see me playing tag with Rose and the boys before long," answered

Meantime Aunt Plenty was examining Rose's costume, for the hat and sack were off, and the girl was eagerly

"See, auntie, all nice scarlet flannel, and a gay little petticoat, and long stockings, oh, so warm! Phebe and I

nearly died laughing when I put this rig on, but I like it ever so much. The dress is so comfortable, and

doesn't need any belt or sash, and I can sit without rumpling any trimming, that's such a comfort! I like to be

tidy, and so, when I wear fussedup things, I'm thinking of my clothes all the time, and that's tiresome. Do

say you like it. I resolved I would, just to please uncle, for he does know more about health than anyone else,

"I don't ask that, Rose, but I wish you'd weigh and compare the two suits, and then choose which seems best.

I leave it to your own commonsense," answered Dr. Alec, feeling pretty sure he had won.

"Why, I take this one, of course, uncle. The other is fashionable, and yes I must say I think it's pretty but it's

very heavy, and I should have to go round like a walking doll if I wore it. I'm much obliged to auntie, but I'll

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

"Thank you, dear; now read this book and you will understand why I ask it of you. Then, if you like, I'll give

you a new lesson; you asked for one yesterday, and this is more necessary than French or housekeeping."

"Oh, what?" and Rose caught up the book which Mrs. Clara had thrown down with a disgusted look.

Though Dr. Alec was forty, the boyish love of teasing was not yet dead in him, and, being much elated at his

victory, he could not resist the temptation of shocking Mrs. Clara by suggesting dreadful possibilities, so he

answered, half in earnest, half in jest, "Physiology, Rose. Wouldn't you like to be a little medical student,

with Uncle Doctor for teacher, and be ready to take up his practice when he has to stop? If you agree, I'll hunt

That was too much for Aunt Clara, and she hastily departed, with her mind in a sad state of perturbation

Rose accepted her uncle's offer, as Aunt Myra discovered two or three days later. Coming in for an early call,

and hearing voices in the study, she opened the door, gave a cry and shut it quickly, looking a good deal

startled. The Doctor appeared in a moment, and begged to know what the matter was.

"How can you ask when that long box looks so like a coffin I thought it was one, and that dreadful thing

stared me in the face as I opened the door," answered Mrs. Myra, pointing to the skeleton that hung from the

"This is a medical college where women are freely admitted, so walk in, madam, and join the class if you'll

"Do, auntie, it's perfectly splendid," cried Rose's voice, and Rose's blooming face was seen behind the ribs of

"What are you doing, child?" demanded Aunt Myra, dropping into a chair and staring about her.

"Oh, I'm learning bones today, and I like it so much. There are twelve ribs, you know, and the two lower

ones are called floating ribs, because they are not fastened to the breastbone. That's why they go in so easily

if you lace tight and squeeze the lungs and heart in the let me see, what was that big word oh, I know thoracic

"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 vertebr�, and waggled a hipjoint in its

"An excellent study, for she enjoys it, and I mean to teach her how to manage her nerves so that they won't be

a curse to her, as many a woman's become through ignorance or want of thought. To make a mystery or terror

of these things is a mistake, and I mean Rose shall understand and respect her body so well that she won't

"Very much, auntie! It's all so wonderful, and so nicely planned, you can hardly believe what you see. Just

think, there are 600,000,000 air cells in one pair of lungs, and 2,000 pores to a square inch of surface; so you

see what quantities of air we must have, and what care we should take of our skin so all the little doors will

open and shut right. And brains, auntie, you've no idea how curious they are; I haven't got to them yet, but I

long to, and uncle is going to show me a manikin that you can take to pieces. Just think how nice it will be to

see all the organs in their places; I only wish they could be made to work as ours do."

It was funny to see Aunt Myra's face as Rose stood before her talking rapidly with one hand laid in the

friendliest manner on the skeleton's shoulder. Every word both the Doctor and Rose uttered hit the good lady

in her weakest spot, and as she looked and listened a long array of bottles and pillboxes rose up before her,

reproaching her with the "ignorance and want of thought" that made her what she was, a nervous, dyspeptic,

"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

"Wouldn't it be a comfort to know that your liver was on the right side, auntie, and not on the left!" asked

Rose with a naughty laugh in her eyes, for she had lately learnt that Aunt Myra's liver complaint was not in

"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

"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 vertebr� with such a happy face, that Aunt Myra had not the heart to say a word to

"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,

"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

Half an hour later came another interruption in the shape of Mac, who announced his arrival by the brief but

Rose explained, Mac gave a long whistle of surprise, and then took a promenade round the skeleton,

"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,"

"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

"Don't you want to come and join my class? Uncle explains it all to us, and you can take a look at the plates

as they come along. We'll give up bones today and have eyes instead; that will be more interesting to you,"

"Rose, we must not fly about from one thing to another in this way," began Dr. Alec, but she whispered

quickly, with a nod towards Mac, whose goggles were turned wistfully in the direction of the forbidden books

"He's blue today, and we must amuse him; give a little lecture on eyes, and it will do him good. No matter

"Very well; the class will please be seated," and the Doctor gave a sounding rap on the table.

"Come, sit by me, dear, then we can both see the pictures; and if your head gets tired you can lie down," said

Rose, generously opening her little college to a brother, and kindly providing for the weaknesses that all

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

"Jove! if I'd known what mischief I was doing to that mighty delicate machine of mine, you wouldn't have

caught me reading by firelight, or studying with a glare of sunshine on my book," said Mac, peering solemnly

at a magnified 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

"Ah, Mac, that's just what I keep lecturing about, and people won't listen. You lads need that sort of

knowledge so much, and fathers and mothers ought to be able to give it to you. Few of them are able, and so

we all go blundering, as you say. Less Greek and Latin and more knowledge of the laws of health for my

boys, if I had them. Mathematics are all very well, but morals are better, and I wish, how I wish that I could

"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

Poor Mac was right there, and expressed a want that many a boy and girl feels. Fathers and mothers are too

absorbed in business and housekeeping to study their children, and cherish that sweet and natural confidence

which is a child's surest safeguard, and a parent's subtlest power. So the young hearts hide trouble or

temptation till the harm is done, and mutual regret comes too late. Happy the boys and girls who tell all

things freely to father or mother, sure of pity, help, and pardon; and thrice happy the parents who, out of their

own experience, and by their own virtues, can teach and uplift the souls for which they are responsible.

This longing stirred in the hearts of Rose and Mac, and by a natural impulse both turned to Dr. Alec, for in

this queer world of ours, fatherly and motherly hearts often beat warm and wise in the breasts of bachelor

uncles and maiden aunts; and it is my private opinion that these worthy creatures are a beautiful provision of

nature for the cherishing of other people's children. They certainly get great comfort out of it, and receive

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

"Now, look here, children, you just come and tell me all your worries, and with God's help, I'll settle them for

you. That is what I'm here for, I believe, and it will be a great happiness to me if you can trust me."

"We can, uncle, and we will!" both answered, with a heartiness that gratified him much.

"Good! now school is dismissed, and I advise you to go and refresh your 600,000,000 air cells by a brisk run

in the garden. Come again whenever you like, Mac, and we'll teach you all we can about your 'works,' as you

Mac did come again, glad to find something he could study in spite of his weak eyes, and learned much that

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

It was a holiday, and Rose up in her room thought she heard the voices of her cousins, so she ran down to

"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 bookcases at the back of the room, a darkish corner, where Brother Bones, as the boys

As Rose stood looking in that direction, and wondering if a rat had got shut in, the door of the case swung

slowly open, and with a great start she saw a bony arm lifted, and a bony finger beckon to her. For a minute

she was frightened, and ran to the study door with a fluttering heart, but just as she touched the handle a

queer, stifled sort of giggle made her stop short and turn red with anger. She paused an instant to collect

herself, and then went softly toward the bony beckoner. A nearer look revealed black threads tied to the arm

and fingers, the ends of threads disappearing through holes bored in the back of the case. Peeping into the

dark recess, she also caught sight of the tip of an elbow covered with a rough gray cloth which she knew very

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

"I told him not to do it, because it might give you a start," explained Archie, emerging from the closet.

"I had a smelling bottle all ready if she fainted away," added Steve, popping up from behind the great chair.

"It's too bad of you not to squawk and run; we depended on it, it's such fun to howl after you," said Will and

"You are getting altogether too strongminded, 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

"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

"Hear how I got that skeleton, and then I'm sure you will treat it with respect."

The boys settled down at once on any article of furniture that was nearest and listened dutifully.

"Years ago, when I was in the hospital, a poor fellow was brought there with a rare and very painful disease.

There was no hope for him, but we did our best, and he was so grateful that when he died he left us his body

that we might discover the mysteries of his complaint, and so be able to help others afflicted in the same way.

It did do good, and his brave patience made us remember him long after he was gone. He thought I had been

kind to him, and said to a fellowstudent of mine, 'Tell the Doctor I lave him me bones, for I've nothing else

in the wide world, and I'll nos be wanting 'em at all, at all, when the great pain hat kilt me entirely.' So that is

how they came to be mine, and why I've kept them carefully, for, though only a poor, ignorant fellow, Mike

Nolan did what he could to help others, and prove his gratitude to those who tried to help him."

As Dr. Alec paused, Archie closed the door of the case as respectfully as if the mummy of an Egyptian king

was inside; Will and Geordie looked solemnly at one another, evidently much impressed, and Charlie

"I've often heard of a skeleton in the house, but I think few people have one as useful and as interesting as

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 nightcaps at

So when Rose opened her eyes that day they fell upon faithful Phebe, rolled up in a shawl, sitting on the rug

"Merry Christmas!" answered the little maid, so heartily that it did one good to hear her.

"Bring the stockings right away, Phebe, and let's see what we've got," said Rose, sitting up among the

A pair of long knobby hose were laid out upon the coverlet, and their contents examined with delight, though

Never mind what they were; it is evident that they were quite satisfactory, for as Rose leaned back, she said,

with a luxurious sigh of satisfaction, "Now, I believe I've got everything in the world that I want," and Phebe

answered, smiling over a lapful of treasures, "This is the most splendid Christmas I ever had since I was

"Do wish for something else, because I happen to know of two more presents outside the door this minute."

"Oh, me, what richness!" cried Rose, much excited. "I used to wish for a pair of glass slippers like

Phebe clapped her hands as she skipped off the bed and ran to the door, saying merrily, "One of them is for

your feet, anyway. I don't know what you'll say to the other, but I think it's elegant."

"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

"Now we must hurry and get dressed, for there is a deal to do today, and I want to get through in time to try

"Gracious me, and I ought to be dusting my parlors this blessed minute!" and mistress and maid separated

with such happy faces that anyone would have known what day it was without being told.

"Birnam Wood has come to Dunsinane, Rosy," said Dr. Alec, as he left the breakfast table to open the door

for a procession of holly, hemlock, and cedar boughs that came marching up the steps.

Snowballs and "Merry Christmases!" flew about pretty briskly for several minutes; then all fell to work

"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 rigamadooning," said Charlie, as he fastened a dull green branch to the chandelier in the front parlor.

"It isn't very pretty," said Rose, who was trimming the chimneypiece with glossy holly sprays.

"Never mind that, it's mistletoe, and anyone who stands under it will get kissed whether they like it or not.

Now's your time, ladies," answered the saucy Prince, keeping his place and looking sentimentally at the girls,

"I've got my eye on Phebe," observed Will, in a patronising tone that made them all laugh.

"Bless the dear; I shan't mind it a bit," answered Phebe, with such a maternal air that Will's budding gallantry

"Oh, the mistletoe bough!" echoed all the boys, and the teasing ended in the plaintive ballad they all liked so

There was plenty of time to try the new skates before dinner, and then Rose took her first lesson on the little

bay, which seemed to have frozen over for that express purpose. She found tumbling down and getting up

again warm work for a time, but with six boys to teach her, she managed at last to stand alone; and, satisfied

with that success, she refreshed herself with a dozen grand coasts on the Amazon, as her sled was called.

"Ah, that fatal colour! it breaks my heart to see it," croaked Aunt Myra, as Rose came down a little late, with

cheeks almost as ruddy as the holly berries on the wall, and every curl as smooth as Phebe's careful hands

"I'm glad to see that Alec allows the poor child to make herself pretty in spite of his absurd notions," added

Aunt Clara, taking infinite satisfaction in the fact that Rose's blue silk dress had three frills on it.

"She's a very intelligent child, and has a nice little manner of her own," observed Aunt Jane, with unusual

affability; for Rose had just handed Mac a screen to guard his eyes from the brilliant fire.

"If I had a daughter like that to show my Jem when he gets home, I should be a very proud and happy

woman," thought Aunt Jessie, and then reproached herself for not being perfectly satisfied with her four

Aunt Plenty was too absorbed in the dinner to have an eye for anything else; if she had not been, she would

have seen what an effect her new cap produced upon the boys. The good lady owned that she did "love a

dressy cap," and on this occasion her head gear was magnificent; for the towering structure of lace was

adorned with buff ribbons to such an extent that it looked as if a flock of yellow butterflies had settled on her

dear old head. When she trotted about the rooms the ruches quivered, the little bows all stood erect, and the

streamers waved in the breeze so comically that it was absolutely necessary for Archie to smother the Brats in

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

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

"I ate hardly any breakfast, and I've done everything I know to make myself extra hungry, but I really don't

think I can eat straight through, unless I burst my buttons off," whispered Geordie to Will, as he surveyed the

"A fellow never knows what he can do till he tries," answered Will, attacking his heapedup plate with an

Everybody knows what a Christmas dinner is, so we need waste no words in describing this one, but hasten at

once to tell what happened at the end of it. The end, by the way, was so long in coming that the gas was

lighted before dessert was over, for a snow flurry had come on and the wintry daylight faded fast. But that

only made it all the jollier in the warm, bright rooms, full of happy souls. Everyone was very merry, but

Archie seemed particularly uplifted so much so, that Charlie confided to Rose that he was afraid the Chief

Rose indignantly denied the insinuation, for when healths were drunk in the good oldfashioned way to suit

the elders, she had observed that Aunt Jessie's boys filled their glasses with water, and had done the same

But Archie certainly was unusually excited, and when someone remembered that it was the anniversary of

Uncle Jem's wedding, and wished he was there to make a speech, his son electrified the family by trying to do

it for him. It was rather incoherent and flowery, as maiden speeches are apt to be, but the end was considered

superb; for, turning to his mother with a queer little choke in his voice, he said that she "deserved to be

blessed with peace and plenty, to be crowned with roses and lads'love, and to receive the cargo of happiness

sailing home to her in spite of wind or tide to add another Jem to the family jewels."

That allusion to the Captain, now on his return trip, made Mrs. Jessie sob in her napkin, and set the boys

cheering. Then, as if that was not sensation enough, Archie suddenly dashed out of the room, as if he had lost

"Too bashful to stay and be praised," began Charlie, excusing the peculiarities of his chief as in duty bound.

"Is it more presents coming?" asked Jamie, just as his brother reappeared, looking more excited than ever.

"Yes; a present for mother, and here it is!" roared Archie, flinging wide the door to let in a tall man, who

"Where's my little woman? The first kiss for her, then the rest may come on as fast as they like."

Before the words were out of his mouth, Mrs. Jessie was halfhidden under his rough greatcoat, and four

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 largesized cherub. That

"All hearty and all here, thank God!" said Captain Jem in the first pause that came, as he looked about him

"Faith, I forgot the child! Where is George's little girl?" asked the Captain, who had not seen her since she

"You'd better say Alec's great girl," said Uncle Mac, who professed to be madly jealous of his brother.

"Here I am, sir," and Rose appeared from behind the curtains, looking as if she had rather have stayed there.

"Saint George Germain, how the mite has grown!" cried Captain Jem, as he tumbled the boys out of his lap,

and rose to greet the tall girl, like a gentleman as he was. But, somehow, when he shook her hand it looked so

small in his big one, and her face reminded him so strongly of his dead brother, that he was not satisfied with

so cold a welcome, and with a sudden softening of the keen eyes he took her up in his arms, whispering, with

"God bless you, child! forgive me if I forgot you for a minute, and be sure that not one of your kinsfolk is

That made it all right; and when he set her down, Rose's face was so bright it was evident that some spell had

been used to banish the feeling of neglect that had kept her moping behind the curtain so long.

That everyone sat round and heard all about the voyage home how the Captain had set his heart on getting

there in time to keep Christmas; how everything had conspired to thwart his plan; and how, at the very last

minute, he had managed to do it, and had sent a telegram to Archie, bidding him keep the secret, and be ready

for his father at any moment, for the ship got into another port, and he might be late.

Then Archie told how that telegram had burnt in his pocket all dinnertime; 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

The elders would have sat and talked all the evening, but the young folks were bent on having their usual

Christmas frolic; so, after an hour of pleasant chat, they began to get restless, and having consulted together

in dumb show, they devised a way to very effectually break up the family council.

Steve vanished, and, sooner than the boys imagined Dandy could get himself up, the skirl of the bagpipe

was heard in the hall, and the bonny piper came to lead Clan Campbell to the revel.

"Draw it mild, Stenie, my man; ye play unco weel, but ye mak a most infernal din," cried Uncle Jem, with his

hands over his ears, for this accomplishment was new to him, and "took him all aback," as he expressed it.

So Steve droned out a Highland reel as softly as he could, and the boys danced it to a circle of admiring

relations. Captain Jem was a true sailor, however, and could not stand idle while anything lively was going

on; so, when the piper's breath gave out, he cut a splendid pigeonwing into the middle of the hall, saying,

"Who can dance a Fore and After?" and, waiting for no reply, began to whistle the air so invitingly that Mrs

Jessie "set" to him laughing like a girl; Rose and Charlie took their places behind, and away went the four

with a spirit and skill that inspired all the rest to "cut in" as fast as they could.

That was a grand beginning, and they had many another dance before anyone would own they were tired.

Even Fun See distinguished himself with Aunt Plenty, whom he greatly admired as the stoutest lady in the

company; plumpness being considered a beauty in his country. The merry old soul professed herself

immensely flattered by his admiration, and the boys declared she "set her cap at him," else he would never

have dared to catch her under the mistletoe, and, rising on the tips of his own toes, gallantly salute her fat

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 wideawake, and escaped all his snares, professing great contempt

for such foolish customs. Poor Phebe did not fare so well, and Archie was the only one who took a base

advantage of her as she stood innocently offering tea to Aunt Myra, whom she happened to meet just under

the fatal bough. If his father's arrival had not rather upset him, I doubt if the dignified Chief would have done

it, for he apologized at once in the handsomest manner, and caught the tray that nearly dropped from Phebe's

Jamie boldly invited all the ladies to come and salute him; and as for Uncle Jem, he behaved as if the entire

room was a grove of mistletoe. Uncle Alec slyly laid a bit of it on Aunt Peace's cap, and then softly kissed

her; which little joke seemed to please her very much, for she liked to have part in all the home pastimes, and

Charlie alone failed to catch his shy bird, and the oftener she escaped the more determined he was to ensnare

her. When every other wile had been tried in vain, he got Archie to propose a game with forfeits.

"I understand that dodge," thought Rose, and was on her guard so carefully that not one among the pile soon

"Now let us redeem them and play something else," said Will, quite unconscious of the deeplylaid plots all

"One more round and then we will," answered the Prince, who had now baited his trap anew.

Just as the question came to Rose, Jamie's voice was heard in the hall, crying distressfully, "Oh, come quick,

quick!" Rose started up, missed the question, and was greeted with a general cry of "Forfeit! forfeit!" in

"Now I'm lost," thought Rose, as she gave up her pincushion with a sternly defiant look that would have

daunted anyone but the reckless Prince. In fact, it made even him think twice, and resolve to "let Rose off

"Here's a very pretty pawn, and what shall be done to redeem it?" asked Steve, holding the pincushion over

"Hum, well, she shall take old Mac under the mistletoe, and kiss him prettily. Won't he be mad, though?" and

There was an impressive pause among the young folks in their corner, for they all knew that Mac would "be

mad," since he hated nonsense of this sort, and had gone to talk with the elders when the game began. At this

moment he was standing before the fire, listening to a discussion between his uncles and his father, looking

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

"Thank you, my dear," said the innocent gentleman, looking much pleased at the unexpected honour.

"Oh, come; that's not fair," began Charlie. But Rose cut him short by saying, as she made him a fine courtesy

"You said 'Old Mac,' and though it was very disrespectful, I did it. That was your last chance, sir, and you've

He certainly had, for, as he spoke, Rose pulled down the mistletoe and threw it into the fire, while the boys

"What's the joke?" asked young Mac, waked out of a brown study by the laughter, in which the elders joined.

But there was a regular shout when, the matter having been explained to him, Mac took a meditative stare at

Rose through his goggles, and said in a philosophical tone, "Well, I don't think I should have minded much if

That tickled the lads immensely, and nothing but the appearance of a slight refection would have induced

them to stop chaffing the poor Worm, who could not see anything funny in the beautiful resignation he had

Soon after this, the discovery of Jamie curled up in the sofa corner, as sound asleep as a dormouse, suggested

They were all standing about the hall lingering over the goodnights, 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

I fancy the happy family standing there together remembered this and felt the beauty of it, for when the

solitary voice came to the burden of its song, other voices took it up and finished it so sweetly, that the old

house seemed to echo the word "Home" in the ears of both the orphan girls, who had just spent their first

"Brother Alec, you surely don't mean to allow that child to go out such a bitter cold day as this," said Mrs.

Myra, looking into the study, where the Doctor sat reading his paper, one February morning.

"Why not? If a delicate invalid like yourself can bear it, surely my hearty girl can, especially as she is dressed

"But you have no idea how sharp the wind is. I am chilled to the very marrow of my bones," answered Aunt

"I don't doubt it, ma'am, if you will wear crape and silk instead of fur and flannel. Rosy goes out in all

"Well, I warn you that you are trifling with the child's health, and depending too much on the seeming

improvement she has made this year. She is a delicate creature for all that, and will drop away suddenly at the

first serious attack, as her poor mother did," croaked Aunt Myra, with a despondent wag of the big bonnet.

"I'll risk it," answered Dr. Alec, knitting his brows, as he always did when any allusion was made to that

"Mark my words, you will repent it," and with that awful prophecy, Aunt Myra departed like a black shadow.

Now it must be confessed that among the Doctor's failings and he had his share was a very masculine dislike

of advice which was thrust upon him unasked. He always listened with respect to the greataunts, 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 rosyfaced

Esquimaux in her sealskin suit, as she smiled at Aunt Myra stalking along as solemnly as a crow.

"I hope the child won't stay out long, for this wind is enough to chill the marrow in younger bones than

Myra's," thought Dr. Alec, half an hour later, as he drove toward the city to see the few patients he had

The thought returned several times that morning, for it was truly a bitter day, and, in spite of his bearskin

coat, the Doctor shivered. But he had great faith in Rose's good sense, and it never occurred to him that she

was making a little Casabianca of herself, with the difference of freezing instead of burning at her post.

You see, Mac had made an appointment to meet her at a certain spot, and have a grand skating bout as soon

as the few lessons he was allowed were over. She had promised to wait for him, and did so with a faithfulness

that cost her dear, because Mac forgot his appointment when the lessons were done, and became absorbed in

a chemical experiment, till a general combustion of gases drove him out of his laboratory. Then he suddenly

remembered Rose, and would gladly have hurried away to her, but his mother forbade his going out, for the

"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 hilltop.

"Of course, your uncle won't let her go out such a day as this. If he does, she will have the sense to come here

for you, or to go home again when you don't appear," said Aunt Jane, returning to her "Watts on the Mind."

"I wish Steve would just cut up and see if she's there, since I can't go," began Mac, anxiously.

"Steve won't stir a peg, thank you. He's got his own toes to thaw out, and wants his dinner," answered Dandy,

So Mac resigned himself, and Rose waited dutifully till dinnertime 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 pinetree to wait and watch. When she at length started for home, she was

benumbed with cold, and could hardly make her way against the wind that buffeted the frostbitten rose most

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

"Mac didn't come I can't get warm the fire makes me ache!" and with a long shiver Rose burst out crying,

while her teeth chattered, and her poor little nose was so blue, it made one's heart ache to see it.

In less time than it takes to tell it, Dr. Alec had her on the sofa rolled up in the bearskin coat, with Phebe

rubbing her cold feet while he rubbed the aching hands, and Aunt Plenty made a comfortable hot drink, and

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

She lay so several hours for the drowse deepened into a heavy sleep, and Uncle Alec, still at his post, saw

with growing anxiety that a feverish colour began to burn in her cheeks, that her breathing was quick and

uneven, and now and then she gave a little moan, as if in pain. Suddenly she woke up with a start, and seeing

Aunt Plenty bending over her, put out her arms like a sick child, saying wearily

"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,

"My side aches when I breathe, and I feel stiff and queer; but it isn't bad, so don't be troubled, uncle,"

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 warmingpan, but could not, for the sharp pain took her breath away and made

"Pewmonia!" groaned Dolly, burrowing among the bedclothes with the longhandled pan, as if bent on

"Oh, is it bad?" asked Phebe, nearly dropping a pail of hot water in her dismay, for she knew nothing of

"Hush!" ordered the Doctor, in a tone that silenced all further predictions, and made everyone work with a

"Make her as comfortable as you can, and when she is in her little bed I'll come and say goodnight," he

added, when the bath was ready and the blankets browning nicely before the fire.

Then he went away to talk quite cheerfully to Aunt Peace about its being "only a chill"; after which he

tramped up and down the hall, pulling his beard and knitting his brows, sure signs of great inward

"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 overconfidence. She shall not suffer for it! Pneumonia, indeed! I defy it," and he shook his fist in

the ugly face of an Indian idol that happened to be before him, as if that particularly hideous god had some

In spite of his defiance his heart sunk when he saw Rose again, for the pain was worse, and the bath and

blankets, the warmingpan and pipinghot 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

In the midst of the worst paroxysm Charlie came to leave a message from his mother, and was met by Phebe

coming despondently downstairs with a mustard plaster that had brought no relief.

"What the dickens is the matter? You look as dismal as a tombstone," he said, as she held up her hand to stop

"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

"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

"Oh, but she is though. The Doctor don't say much, but he don't call it a 'chill' any more. It's 'pleurisy' now,

and I'm so afraid it will be pewmonia tomorrow," answered Phebe, with a despairing glance at the plaster.

Charlie exploded into a stifled laugh at the new pronunciation of pneumonia, to Phebe's great indignation.

"How can you have the heart to do it, and she in such horrid pain? Hark to that, and then laugh if you darst,"

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

Neither could Charlie, when he heard the broken voice say that; but, boylike, he wouldn't own it, and said

"Don't hold that confounded thing right under my nose; the mustard makes my eyes smart."

"Don't see how it can, when it hasn't any more strength in it than meal. The Doctor said so, and I'm going to

get some better," began Phebe, not a bit ashamed of the great tears that were bedewing the condemned

"I'll go!" and Charlie was off like a shot, glad of an excuse to get out of sight for a few minutes.

When he came back all inconvenient emotion had been disposed of, and, having delivered a box of the hottest

mustard procurable for money, he departed to "blow up" Mac, that being his next duty in his opinion. He did

it so energetically and thoroughly that the poor Worm was cast into the depths of remorseful despair, and

went to bed that evening feeling that he was an outcast from among men, and bore the mark of Cain upon his

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

"Come and let a fellow in," he said in a low tone, and when he stood in the hall he clutched Phebe's arm,

"Thanks be to goodness, she's better," answered Phebe, with a smile that was like broad sunshine to the poor

"Oh, dear no! Dolly says she's sure to have rheumatic fever, if she don't have noomonia!" answered Phebe,

Down went Mac's face, and remorse began to gnaw at him again as he gave a great sigh and said doubtfully

Mac opened his mouth to say something more, when a sneeze came upon him unawares, and a loud "Ah rash

"Why didn't you stop it?" said Phebe reproachfully. "I dare say you've waked her up."

"Didn't know it was coming. Just my luck!" groaned Mac, turning to go before his unfortunate presence did

But a voice from the stairhead called softly, "Mac, come up; Rose wants to see you."

"Charlie said it was all my fault, and if she died I'd killed her. I couldn't sleep, so I came to see how she was,

and no one knows it but Steve," he said with such a troubled face and voice that the Doctor had not the heart

Before he could say anything more a feeble voice called "Mac!" and with a hasty "Stay a minute just to

please her, and then slip away, for I want her to sleep," the Doctor led him into the room.

The face on the pillow looked very pale and childish, and the smile that welcomed Mac was very faint, for

Rose was spent with pain, yet could not rest till she had said a word of comfort to her cousin.

"I knew your funny sneeze, and I guessed that you came to see how I did, though it is very late. Don't be

worried, I'm better now, and it is my fault I was ill, not yours; for I needn't have been so silly as to wait in the

Mac hastened to explain, to load himself with reproaches, and to beg her not to die on any account, for

"I didn't know there was any danger of my dying," and Rose looked up at him with a solemn expression in

"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

"I don't think I shall die; uncle won't let me; but if I do, remember I forgave you."

She looked at him with a tender light in her eyes, and, seeing how pathetic his dumb grief was, she added

softly, drawing his head down, "I wouldn't kiss you under the mistletoe, but I will now, for I want you to be

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

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

"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

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

"I must know what the dear thing is about, and why she cried, and then set her lips tight and went to work

with all her might," thought Rose, forgetting all about the caramels, and, going round to the door, she entered

"Phebe, I want something to do. Can't you let me help you about anything, or shall I be in the way?"

"Oh, dear no, miss; I always love to have you round when things are tidy. What would you like to do?"

answered Phebe, opening a drawer as if about to sweep her own affairs out of sight; but Rose stopped her,

"I'm only trying to study a bit; but I'm so stupid I don't get on much," answered the girl reluctantly, permitting

her little mistress to examine the poor contrivances she was trying to work with.

A broken slate that had blown off the roof, an inch or two of pencil, an old almanac for a reader, several bits

of brown or yellow paper ironed smoothly and sewn together for a copybook, 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

"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

"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 copybook.

"I didn't like to ask for anything more when you are so good to me all the time, miss, dear," began Phebe,

"O you proud thing! just as if it wasn't fun to give away, and I had the best of it. Now, see here, I've got a

plan and you mustn't say no, or I shall scold. I want something to do, and I'm going to teach you all I know; it

won't take long," and Rose laughed as she put her arm around Phebe's neck, and patted the smooth dark head

"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

"He didn't want me to study much, but he never said a word about teaching, and I don't believe he will mind a

bit. Anyway, we can try it till he comes, so pack up your things and go right to my room and we'll begin this

very day; I'd truly like to do it, and we'll have nice times, see if we don't!" cried Rose eagerly.

It was a pretty sight to see Phebe bundle her humble outfit into her apron, and spring up as if the desire of her

heart had suddenly been made a happy fact to her; it was a still prettier sight to see Rose run gaily on before,

"Oh, won't I!" answered Phebe fervently, adding, as they entered the Bower, "You are the dearest spider that

"I'm going to be very strict, so sit down in that chair and don't say a word till school is ready to open,"

ordered Rose, delighted with the prospect of such a useful and pleasant "something to do."

So Phebe sat demurely in her place while her new teacher laid forth books and slates, a pretty inkstand and a

little globe; hastily tore a bit off her big sponge, sharpened pencils with more energy than skill, and when all

"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

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 stuckup piece

"Dolly's an old goose, so don't you mind her, for she will say 'nater,' 'vittles,' and 'doos' as long as she lives,

and insist that they are right. You do talk very nicely, Phebe, I've observed it, and grammar will help you, and

show you some things are right and others ain't are not, I mean," added Rose, correcting herself, and feeling

that she must mind her own parts of speech if she was to serve as an example for Phebe.

When the arithmetic came, the little teacher was surprised to find her scholar quicker in some things than

herself, for Phebe had worked away at the columns in the butcher's and baker's books till she could add so

quickly and correctly that Rose was amazed, and felt that in this branch the pupil would soon excel the

teacher if she kept on at the same pace. Her praise cheered Phebe immensely, and they went bravely on, both

getting so interested that time flew unheeded till Aunt Plenty appeared, exclaiming, as she stared at the two

"School, aunty. I'm teaching Phebe, and it's great fun!" cried Rose, looking up with a bright face.

"Maybe I ought to have asked leave first; only when Miss Rose proposed this, I was so happy I forgot to.

"Of course not, child; I'm glad to see you fond of your book, and to find Rose helping you along. My blessed

mother used to sit at work with her maids about her, teaching them many a useful thing in the good old

fashion that's gone by now. Only don't neglect your work, dear, or let the books interfere with the duties."

As Aunt Plenty spoke, with her kind old face beaming approvingly upon the girls, Phebe glanced at the clock,

saw that it pointed to five, knew that Dolly would soon be down, expecting to find preparations for supper

"School is dismissed," answered Rose, and with a grateful "Thank you, heaps and heaps!" Phebe ran away

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

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 Phebebird such a

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 longdesired arrival till two large, warm hands met under her chin and gently turned her

head back, so that someone could kiss her heartily on either cheek, while a fatherly voice said, half

reproachfully, "Why is my girl brooding over a dusty Encyclopedia when she ought to be running to meet the

"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

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

"Have you had a good time? Did you save the poor lady? Aren't you glad to be home again with your girl to

"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."

"Not a word more expect that you were rather doubtful how I'd take it, and so wanted to 'fess' yourself and

get round me as you always try to do, though you don't often succeed. Now, then, own up and take the

So Rose told about her school in her pretty, earnest way, dwelling on Phebe's hunger for knowledge, and the

"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. Today, 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 tomorrow 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

"You artful little baggage! that's the way you expect to get round me, is it? That's not studying, I suppose?"

"No, sir, it's teaching; and please, I like it much better than having a good time by myself. Besides, you know,

I adopted Phebe and promised to be a sister to her, so I am bound to keep my word, am I not?" answered

Dr. Alec was evidently already won, for Rose had described the old slate and brown paper copybook with

pathetic effect, and the excellent man had not only decided to send Phebe to school long before the story was

done, but reproached himself for forgetting his duty to one little girl in his love for another. So when Rose

tried to look meek and failed utterly, he laughed and pinched her cheek, and answered in that genial way

"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

"Hey? what? has anyone turned up since I've been gone?" asked Dr. Alec quickly, for it was a firm belief in

"No, her best friend turned up when you came home, uncle," answered Rose with an approving pat, adding

gratefully, "I can't half thank you for being so good to my girl, but she will, because I know she is going to

"Bless your dear heart, I haven't begun to do anything yet, more shame to me! But I'm going at it now, and as

soon as she gets on a bit, she shall go to school as long as she likes. How will that do for a beginning?"

"It will be 'just heavenly,' as Phebe says, for it is the wish of her life to 'get lots of schooling,' and she will be

too happy when I tell her. May I, please? it will be so lovely to see the dear thing open her big eyes and clap

"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

"Yes, uncle, only when it is opened won't 'the birds begin to sing?"' laughed Rose, taking a turn about the

room as a vent for the joyful emotions that made her eyes shine. All of a sudden she stopped and asked

"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 chambergirl if any can be found to suit our honoured relatives."

"Oh, me! how can I ever get on without Phebe? Couldn't she stay, just so I could see her? I'd pay her board

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 schoolhours.

"She is a proud creature, for all her humble ways, and even from us would not take a favour if she did not

earn it somewhere. So this arrangement makes it all square and comfortable, you see, and she will pay for the

"Your plans are always so wise and kind! That's why they work so well, I suppose, and why people let you do

what you like with them. I really don't see how other girls get along without an Uncle Alec!" answered Rose,

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

Her heart was so full of content that if overflowed in music, and the sweet voice singing all about the house

gave thanks so blithely that no other words were needed. Her willing feet were never tired of taking steps for

those who had smoothed her way; her skilful hands were always busy in some labour of love for them, and on

the face fast growing in comeliness there was an almost womanly expression of devotion, which proved how

"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.

"Dare say; we fellows are always having little rows, you know. I do believe a sty is coming on my starboard

"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

"Botheration! you don't want me to turn telltale, do you?" growled Steve, pulling his topknot, as he always

"Yes, I do," was Rose's decided answer for she saw from his manner that she was right, and determined to

have the secret out of him if coaxing would do it. "I don't wish you to tell things to everyone, of course, but to

me you may, and you must, because I have a right to know. You boys need somebody to look after you, and

I'm going to do it, for girls are nice peacemakers, and know how to manage people. Uncle said so, and he is

Steve was about to indulge in a derisive hoot at the idea of her looking after them, but a sudden thought

restrained him, and suggested a way in which he could satisfy Rose, and better himself at the same time.

"What will you give me if I'll tell you every bit about it?" he asked, with a sudden red in his cheeks and an

"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

"I'll lend it to you with pleasure, so tell away," said Rose, bound to get at the secret.

Evidently much relieved by the promise, Steve set his topknot cheerfully erect again, and briefly stated the

"As you say, it's all right to tell you, but don't let the boys know I blabbed, or Prince will take my head off.

You see, Archie don't like some of the fellows Charlie goes with, and cuts 'em. That makes Prince mad, and

he holds on just to plague Arch, so they don't speak to one another, if they can help it, and that's the row."

"Guess not, only rather wild. They are older than our fellows, but they like Prince, he's such a jolly boy; sings

so well, dances jigs and breakdowns, you know, and plays any game that's going. He beat Morse at billiards,

and that's something to brag of, for Morse thinks he knows everything. I saw the match, and it was great fun!"

Steve got quite excited over the prowess of Charlie, whom he admired immensely, and tried to imitate. Rose

did not know half the danger of such gifts and tastes as Charlie's, but felt instinctively that something must be

"If Prince likes any billiardplaying boy better than Archie, I don't think much of his sense," she said

"Of course he doesn't; but, you see, Charlie and Arch are both as proud as they can be, and won't give in. I

suppose Arch is right, but I don't blame Charlie a bit for liking to be with the others sometimes, they are such

a jolly set," and Steve shook his head morally, even while his eye twinkled over the memory of some of the

"Oh, dear me!" sighed Rose, "I don't see what I can do about it, but I wish the boys would make up, for

"That's the trouble; Arch preaches, and Prince won't stand it. He told Arch he was a prig and a parson, and

Arch told him he wasn't a gentleman. My boots! weren't they both mad, though! I thought for a minute they'd

pitch into one another and have it out. Wish they had, and not gone stalking round stiff and glum ever since.

Mac and I settle our rows with a bat or so over the head, and then we are all right."

Rose couldn't help laughing as Steve sparred away at a fat sofapillow, to illustrate his meaning; and, having

given it several scientific whacks, he pulled down his cuffs and smiled upon her with benign pity for her

"What droll things boys are!" she said, with a mixture of admiration and perplexity in her face, which Steve

"We're a pretty clever invention, miss, and you can't get on without us," he answered, with his nose in the air.

Then, taking a sudden plunge into business, he added, "How about that bit of money you were going to lend

"Could you spare five dollars? I want to pay a little debt of honour that is rather pressing," and Steve put on a

"Yes, of course; but this is a bet I made, and it ought to be settled up at once," began Steve, finding it

"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

"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,"

Having decided to be a peacemaker, Rose waited for an opportunity, and very soon it came.

She was spending the day with Aunt Clara, who had been entertaining some young guests, and invited Rose

to meet them, for she thought it high time her niece conquered her bashfulness and saw a little of society.

Dinner was over, and everyone had gone. Aunt Clara was resting before going out to an evening party, and

She sat alone in the elegant drawingroom, 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 tearose bud in her sash, like the beautiful Miss Van

Tassel, whom everyone admired. She had spread out her little skirts to the best advantage, and, leaning back

in a luxurious chair, sat admiring her own feet in new slippers with rosettes almost as big as dahlias.

Presently Charlie came lounging in, looking rather sleepy and queer, Rose thought. On seeing her, however,

"I thought you were with mother, so I took forty winks after I got those girls off. Now, I'm at your service,

"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,"

"I think I see myself letting you do it. Champagne always makes my headache, but the air will set me up."

"Can't help it, when I'm host. Now, don't you begin to lecture; I've had enough of Archie's oldfashioned

Charlie's tone was decidedly cross, and his whole manner so unlike his usual merry goodnature, that Rose

"I wasn't going to lecture, only when people like other people, they can't bear to see them suffer pain."

That brought Charlie round at once, for Rose's lips trembled a little, though she tried to hide it by smelling the

"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

"I wish you'd beg Archie's too, and be good friends again. You never were cross when he was your chum,"

Rose said, looking up at him as he bent toward her from the low chimneypiece, where he had been leaning

In an instant he stood as stiff and straight as a ramrod, and the heavy eyes kindled with an angry spark as he

"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

"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

"Oh, my heart, what a pepperpot!" thought Rose, and, hoping to make him laugh, she added slyly: "I was not

talking about men, but boys, and one of them a Prince, who ought to set a good example to his subjects."

But Charlie would not relent, and tried to turn the subject by saying gravely, as he unfastened the little gold

"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 earrings to suit yourself, as my forfeit. You

"No, I can only wear one, and that is no use, for Archie will keep his word I'm sure!" Rose was so mortified

and grieved at this downfall of her hopes that she spoke sharply, and would not take the ring the deserter

He shrugged his shoulders, and threw it into her lap, trying to look cool and careless, but failing entirely, for

he was ashamed of himself, and out of sorts generally. Rose wanted to cry, but pride would not let her, and,

being very angry, she relieved herself by talk instead of tears. Looking pale and excited, she rose out of her

chair, cast away the ring, and said in a voice that she vainly tried to keep steady

"You are not at all the boy I thought you were, and I don't respect you one bit. I've tried to help you be good,

but you won't let me, and I shall not try any more. You talk a great deal about being a gentleman, but you are

not, for you've broken your word, and I can never trust you again. I don't wish you to go home with me. I'd

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

Her little thunderstorm cleared off in a sob or two as she put on her things in the entrycloset, and when she

emerged she looked the brighter for the shower. A hasty goodnight to Aunt Clara now under the hands of

the hairdresser and then she crept down to find Mary the maid. But Mary was out, so was the man, and Rose

slipped away by the backdoor, flattering herself that she had escaped the awkwardness of having Charlie for

There she was mistaken, however, for the gate had hardly closed behind her when a wellknown tramp was

heard, and the Prince was beside her, saying in a tone of penitent politeness that banished Rose's wrath like

"You needn't speak to me if you don't choose, but I must see you safely home, cousin."

Now that was better than a dozen sermons on the beauty of forgiveness, and did Charlie more good, for it

showed him how sweet humility was, and proved that Rose practised as she preached.

He shook the hand warmly, then drew it through his arm and said, as if anxious to recover the good opinion

"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

"Yes, I do! Ariadne plagues me every time I see her, because I don't wear earrings after all the trouble I had

"Ah, but her twaddle isn't half as bad as the chaffing I get. It takes a deal of pluck to hold out when you are

told you are tied to an apron string, and all that sort of thing," sighed Charlie.

"I thought you had a 'deal of pluck,' as you call it. The boys all say you are the bravest of the seven," said

"Please don't call him names! I guess he has what is called moral courage, and you physical courage. Uncle

explained the difference to me, and moral is the best, though often it doesn't look so," said Rose thoughtfully.

Charlie didn't like that, and answered quickly, "I don't believe he'd stand it any better than I do, if he had

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

"If he was my brother, now, he'd have some right to interfere," began Charlie, in an injured tone.

The laugh did them good, and when Prince spoke again, it was in a different tone pensive, not proud nor

"You see, it's hard upon me that I have no brothers and sisters. The others are better off and needn't go abroad

for chums if they don't like. I am all alone, and I'd be thankful even for a little sister."

Rose thought that very pathetic, and, overlooking the uncomplimentary word "even" in that last sentence, she

"Play I was a little sister. I know I'm silly, but perhaps I'm better than nothing, and I'd dearly love to do it."

"So should I! and we will, for you are not silly, my dear, but a very sensible girl, we all think, and I'm proud

to have you for a sister. There, now!" and Charlie looked down at the curly head bobbing along beside him

Rose gave a skip of pleasure, and laid one sealskin mitten over the other on his arm, as she said happily

"That's so nice of you! Now, you needn't be lonely any more, and I'll try to fill Archie's place till he comes

"Well, I don't mind telling you that while he was my mate I never missed brothers and sisters, or wanted

anyone else; but since he cast me off, I'll be hanged if I don't feel as forlorn as old Crusoe before Friday

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

Rose also had some sage reflections upon the subject, and fell asleep thinking that there were a great many

curious things in this world, and feeling that she was beginning to find out some of them.

Next day she trudged up the hill to see Archie, and having told him as much as she thought best about her

"I've been thinking that perhaps I ought to, though I am in the right. I'm no end fond of Charlie, and he's the

besthearted lad alive; but he can't say No, and that will play the mischief with him, if he does not take care,"

"While father was home, I was very busy with him, so Prince got into a set I don't like. They try to be fast,

and think it's manly, and they flatter him, and lead him on to do all sorts of things play for money, and bet,

and loaf about. I hate to have him do so, and tried to stop it, but went to work the wrong way, so we got into a

"He is all ready to make up if you don't say much, for he owned to me he was wrong; but I don't think he will

"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

"I think Steve does know, for he talked about debts of honour the day I gave him " There Rose stopped short

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 fivedollar bill into her pocket by main force, looking both indignant

"Never do so again; but send Steve to me, if he is afraid to go to his father. Charlie had nothing to do with

that; he wouldn't borrow a penny of a girl, don't think it. But that's the harm he does Steve, who adores him,

and tries to be like him in all things. Don't say a word; I'll make it all right, and no one shall blame you."

"Oh me! I always make trouble by trying to help, and then letting out the wrong thing," sighed Rose, much

Archie comforted her with the novel remark that it was always best to tell the truth, and made her quite

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, arminarm, as of old, talking away as if to

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

But Charlie added, with a look that made Rose very proud and happy, "And my little sister."

"Uncle, I have discovered what girls are made for," said Rose, the day after the reconciliation of Archie and

"Well, my dear, what is it?" asked Dr. Alec, who was "planking the deck," as he called his daily promenade

"To take care of boys," answered Rose, quite beaming with satisfaction as she spoke. "Phebe laughed when I

told her, and said she thought girls had better learn to take care of themselves first. But that's because she

"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

brightfaced figure resting on the old bamboo chair, after a lively game of battledore and shuttlecock, in

"Am I? I'm glad of that; but really, uncle, I do feel as if I must take care of the boys, for they come to me in

all sorts of troubles, and ask advice, and I like it so much. Only I don't always know what to do, and I'm

"All right, my dear; what's the first worry? I see you have something on your little mind, so come and tell

Rose put her arm in his, and, pacing to and fro, told him all about Charlie, asking what she could do to keep

"Could you make up your mind to go and stay with Aunt Clara a month?" asked the Doctor, when she ended.

"The best cure for Charlie is a daily dose of Rose water, or Rose and water, or Rose and water; will you go

"You mean that if I'm there and try to make it pleasant, he will stay at home and keep out of mischief?"

"No danger but he'd have the boys, for they swarm after you like bees after their queen. Haven't you found

"Aunt Plen often says they never used to be here half so much before I came, but I never thought I made the

"Little modesty doesn't know what a magnet she is; but she will find it out some day," and the Doctor softly

stroked the cheek that had grown rosy with pleasure at the thought of being so much loved. "Now, you see, if

I move the magnet to Aunt Clara's, the lads will go there as sure as iron to steel, and Charlie will be so happy

at home he won't care for these mischievous mates of his I hope," added the Doctor, well knowing how hard

it was to wean a seventeenyearold boy from his first taste of what is called "seeing life," which, alas! often

"I'll go, uncle, right away! Aunt Clara is always asking me, and will be glad to get me. I shall have to dress

and dine late, and see lots of company, and be very fashionable, but I'll try not to let it hurt me; and if I get in

a puzzle or worried about anything I can run to you," answered Rose, goodwill conquering timidity.

So it was decided, and without saying much about the real reason for this visit, Rose was transplanted to Aunt

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

Rose often longed to be back in the old house with the simpler pleasures and more useful duties of the life

there; but, having made up her mind, in spite of Phebe, that "girls were made to take care of boys," here

It was a pretty sight to see the one earnest, sweetfaced 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

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

After Mac and Steve had had their turn, Archie and Company bore her away for some weeks; and with them

she was so happy, she felt as if she would like to stay for ever, if she could have Uncle Alec also.

Of course, Aunt Myra could not be neglected, and, with secret despair, Rose went to the "Mausoleum," as the

boys called her gloomy abode. Fortunately, she was very near home, and Dr. Alec dropped in so often that

her visit was far less dismal than she expected. Between them, they actually made Aunt Myra laugh heartily

more than once; and Rose did her so much good by letting in the sunshine, singing about the silent house,

cooking wholesome messes, and amusing the old lady with funny little lectures on physiology, that she forgot

to take her pills and gave up "Mum's Elixir," because she slept so well, after the long walks and drives she

So the winter flew rapidly away, and it was May before Rose was fairly settled again at home. They called

her the "Monthly Rose," because she had spent a month with each of the aunts, and left such pleasant

memories of bloom and fragrance behind her, that all wanted the family flower back again.

Dr. Alec rejoiced greatly over his recovered treasure; but as the time drew near when his year of experiment

ended, he had many a secret fear that Rose might like to make her home for the next twelve month with Aunt

Jessie, or even Aunt Clara, for Charlie's sake. He said nothing, but waited with much anxiety for the day

when the matter should be decided; and while he waited he did his best to finish as far as possible the task he

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 horsechestnuts 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

No one remembered the date of the eventful conversation which resulted in the Doctor's experiment (no one

but himself at least); so when the aunts were invited to tea one Saturday they came quite unsuspiciously, and

were all sitting together having a social chat, when Brother Alec entered with two photographs in his hand.

"Do you remember that?" he said, showing one to Aunt Clara, who happened to be nearest.

"Yes, indeed; it is very like her when she came. Quite her sad, unchildlike expression, and thin little face,

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

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

Dr. Alec set both photographs on the chimneypiece, and, falling back a step or two, surveyed them with

infinite satisfaction for several minutes, then wheeled round, saying briefly, as he pointed to the two faces

"She certainly has improved, but appearances are deceitful, and she had no constitution to build upon,"

"I am willing to allow that, as far as mere health goes, the experiment is a success," graciously observed Aunt

"So am I; and I'll go farther, for I really do believe Alec has done wonders for the child; she will be a beauty

in two or three years," added Aunt Clara, feeling that she could say nothing better than that.

"I always knew he would succeed, and I'm so glad you all allow it, for he deserves more credit than you

know, and more praise than he will ever get," cried Aunt Jessie, clapping her hands with an enthusiasm that

Dr. Alec made them a splendid bow, looking much gratified, and then said soberly

"Thank you; now the question is, shall I go on? for this is only the beginning. None of you know the

hindrances I've had, the mistakes I've made, the study I've given the case, and the anxiety I've often felt.

Sister Myra is right is one thing Rose is a delicate creature, quick to flourish in the sunshine, and as quick to

droop without it. She has no special weakness, but inherits her mother's sensitive nature. and needs the

wisest, tenderest care, to keep a very ardent little soul from wearing out a finely organised little body. I think

I have found the right treatment, and; with you to help me, I believe we may build up a lovely and a noble

There Dr. Alec stopped to get his breath, for he had spoken very earnestly, and his voice got a little husky

over the last words. A gentle murmur from the aunts seemed to encourage him, and he went on with an

engaging smile, for the good man was slyly trying to win all the ladies to vote for him when the time came.

"Now, I don't wish to be selfish or arbitrary, because I am her guardian, and I shall leave Rose free to choose

for herself. We all want her, and if she likes to make her home with any of you rather than with me, she shall

do so. In fact, I encouraged her visits last winter, that she might see what we can all offer her, and judge

where she will be happiest. Is not that the fairest way? Will you agree to abide by her choice, as I do?"

"Yes, we will," said all the aunts, in quite a flutter of excitement at the prospect of having Rose for a whole

"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

As he spoke, Dr. Alec turned his back abruptly and affected to be examining the pictures again; but the aunts

understood how dear the child was to the solitary man who had loved her mother years ago, and who now

found his happiness in cherishing the little Rose who was so like her. The good ladies nodded and sighed, and

telegraphed to one another that none of them would complain if not chosen, or ever try to rob Brother Alec of

Just then a pleasant sound of happy voices came up from the garden, and smiles broke out on all serious

faces. Dr. Alec turned at once, saying, as he threw back his head, "There she is; now for it!"

"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

"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

"Of course, we choose to stay! Wouldn't miss our Saturday high tea for anything," said the Chief, as he

"What is up? a courtmartial?" asked Charlie, looking at the assembled ladies with affected awe and real

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

"You really ought to come to us for mother's sake, as a relish, you know, for she must be perfectly satiated

with boys," began Archie, using the strongest argument he could think of at the moment.

"Ah! yes," she thought, "he wants me most! I've often longed to give him something that he wished for very

So, when, at a sudden gesture from Aunt Peace, silence fell, Rose said slowly, with a pretty colour in her

"It's very hard to choose when everybody is so fond of me; therefore I think I'd better go to the one who

"No, dear, the one you love the best and will be happiest with," said Dr. Alec quickly, as a doleful sniff from

Aunt Myra, and a murmur of "My sainted Caroline," made Rose pause and look that way.

"Take time, cousin; don't be in a hurry to make up your mind, and remember, 'Codlin's your friend,' " added

"I don't want any time! I know who I love best, who I'm happiest with, and I choose uncle. Will he have me?"

cried Rose, in a tone that produced a sympathetic thrill among the hearers, it was so full of tender confidence

If she really had any doubt, the look in Dr. Alec's face banished it without a word, as he opened wide his

No one spoke for a minute, but there were signs of emotion among the aunts, which warned the boys to bestir

themselves before the waterworks began to play. So they took hands and began to prance about uncle and

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."

But Rose hushed the noise by slipping into the circle, and making them dance prettily like lads and lasses

round a Maypole; 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.