第1章

ThreeyoungmenstoodtogetheronawharfonebrightOctoberdayawaitingthearrivalofanoceansteamerwithanimpatiencewhichfoundaventinlivelyskirmisheswithasmalllad,whopervadedthepremiseslikeawill—o\'—the—wispandaffordedmuchamusementtotheothergroupsassembledthere。

"TheyaretheCampbells,waitingfortheircousin,whohasbeenabroadseveralyearswithheruncle,thedoctor,"whisperedoneladytoanotherasthehandsomestoftheyoungmentouchedhishattoherashepassed,luggingtheboy,whomhehadjustrescuedfromalittleexpeditiondownamongthepiles。

"Whichisthat？"askedthestranger。

"PrinceCharlie,ashe\'scalled­afinefellow,themostpromisingoftheseven,butalittlefast,peoplesay,"answeredthefirstspeakerwithashakeofthehead。

"Aretheothershisbrothers？"

"No,cousins。TheelderisArchie,amostexemplaryyoungman。Hehasjustgoneintobusinesswiththemerchantuncleandbidsfairtobeanhonortohisfamily。Theother,withtheeyeglassesandnogloves,isMac,theoddone,justoutofcollege。"

"Andtheboy？"

"Oh,heisJamie,theyoungestbrotherofArchibald,andthepetofthewholefamily。Mercyonus­he\'llbeiniftheydon\'tholdontohim！"

Theladies\'chatcametoasuddenendjustthere,forbythetimeJamiehadbeenfishedoutofahogshead,thesteamerhoveinsightandeverythingelsewasforgotten。Asitswungslowlyaroundtoenterthedock,aboyishvoiceshouted,"Theresheis！IseeherandUncleandPhebe！HoorayforCousinRose！"AndthreesmallcheersweregivenwithawillbyJamieashestoodonapostwavinghisarmslikeawindmillwhilehisbrotherheldontothetailofhisjacket。

Yes,theretheywere­UncleAlecswinginghishatlikeaboy,withPhebesmilingandnoddingononesideandRosekissingbothhandsdelightedlyontheotherassherecognizedfamiliarfacesandheardfamiliarvoiceswelcomingherhome。

"Blessherdearheart,she\'sbonnierthanever！LookslikeaMadonna­doesn\'tshe？­withthatbluecloakroundher,andherbrighthairflyinginthewind！"saidCharlieexcitedlyastheywatchedthegroupuponthedeckwitheagereyes。

"Madonnasdon\'twearhatslikethat。Rosehasn\'tchangedmuch,butPhebehas。Why,she\'saregularbeauty！"answeredArchie,staringwithallhismightatthedark—eyedyoungwomanwiththebrilliantcolorandglossyblackbraidsshininginthesun。

"DearoldUncle！Doesn\'titseemgoodtohavehimback？"wasallMacsaid,buthewasnotlookingat"dearolduncle"ashemadetheferventremark,forhesawonlytheslenderblondgirlnearbyandstretchedouthishandstomeethers,forgetfulofthegreenwatertumblingbetweenthem。

Duringtheconfusionthatreignedforamomentasthesteamersettledtohermoorings,Roselookeddownintothefourfacesupturnedtohersandseemedtoreadinthemsomethingthatbothpleasedandpainedher。

Itwasonlyaglance,andherowneyeswerefull,butthroughthemistofhappytearsshereceivedtheimpressionthatArchiewasaboutthesame,thatMachaddecidedlyimproved,andthatsomethingwasamisswithCharlie。

Therewasnotimeforobservation,however,forinamomenttheshorewardrushbegan,andbeforeshecouldgrasphertravelingbag,Jamiewasclingingtoherlikeanecstaticyoungbear。Shewaswithdifficultyreleasedfromhisembracetofallintothegentleronesoftheeldercousins,whotookadvantageofthegeneralexcitementtowelcomebothbloominggirlswithaffectionateimpartiality。Thenthewandererswereborneashoreinatriumphalprocession,whileJamiedancedrapturousjigsbeforethemevenonthegangway。

ArchieremainedtohelphisunclegettheluggagethroughtheCustomHouse,andtheothersescortedthedamselshome。Nosoonerweretheyshutupinacarriage,however,thananewandcuriousconstraintseemedtofallupontheyoungpeople,fortheyrealized,allatonce,thattheirformerplaymatesweremenandwomennow。Fortunately,Jamiewasquitefreefromthisfeelingofrestraintand,sittingbodkinwisebetweentheladies,tookallsortsoflibertieswiththemandtheirbelongings。

"Well,mymannikin,whatdoyouthinkofus？"askedRose,tobreakanawkwardpause。

"You\'vebothgrownsopretty,Ican\'tdecidewhichIlikebest。Phebeisthebiggestandbrightest—looking,andIwasalwaysfondofPhebe,butsomehowyouaresokindofsweetandprecious,IreallythinkImusthugyouagain,"andthesmallyouthdidittempestuously。

"Ifyoulovemebest,IshallnotmindabitaboutyourthinkingPhebethehandsomest,becausesheis。Isn\'tshe,boys？"askedRose,withamischievouslookatthegentlemenopposite,whosefacesexpressedarespectfuladmirationwhichmuchamusedher。

"I\'msodazzledbythebrilliancyandbeautythathassuddenlyburstuponme,Ihavenowordstoexpressmyemotions,"answeredCharlie,gallantlydodgingthedangerousquestion。

"Ican\'tsayyet,forIhavenothadtimetolookatanyone。Iwillnow,ifyoudon\'tmind。"And,tothegreatamusementoftherest,Macgravelyadjustedhiseyeglassesandtookanobservation。

"Well？"saidPhebe,smilingandblushingunderhishoneststare,yetseemingnottoresentitasshedidthelordlysortofapprovalwhichmadeheranswertheglanceofCharlie\'saudaciousblueeyeswithaflashofherblackones。

"Ithinkifyouweremysister,Ishouldbeveryproudofyou,becauseyourfaceshowswhatIadmiremorethanitsbeauty­truthandcourage,Phebe,"answeredMacwithalittlebowfullofsuchgenuinerespectthatsurpriseandpleasurebroughtasuddendewtoquenchthefireofthegirl\'seyesandsoothethesensitiveprideofthegirl\'sheart。

Roseclappedherhandsjustassheusedtodowhenanythingdelightedher,andbeamedatMacapprovinglyasshesaid:"Nowthat\'sacriticismworthhaving,andwearemuchobliged。Iwassureyou\'dadmiremyPhebewhenyouknewher,butIdidn\'tbelieveyouwouldbewiseenoughtoseeitatonce,andyouhavegoneupmanypegsinmyestimation,Iassureyou。"

"Iwasalwaysfondofmineralogyyouremember,andI\'vebeentappingroundagooddeallately,soI\'velearnedtoknowpreciousmetalswhenIseethem,"Macsaidwithhisshrewdsmile。

"Thatisthelatesthobby,then？Yourlettershaveamusedusimmensely,foreachonehadanewtheoryorexperiment,andthelatestwasalwaysthebest。IthoughtUnclewouldhavediedoflaughteroverthevegetarianmania­itwassofunnytoimagineyoulivingonbreadandmilk,bakedapples,andpotatoesroastedinyourownfire,"continuedRose,changingthesubjectagain。

"Thisoldchapwasthelaughingstockofhisclass。TheycalledhimDonQuixote,andthewayhewentatwindmillsofallsortswasasighttosee,"

putinCharlie,evidentlyfeelingthatMachadbeenpattedontheheadquiteasmuchaswasgoodforhim。

"ButinspiteofthattheDongotthroughcollegewithallthehonors。

Oh,wasn\'tIproudwhenAuntJanewrotetousaboutit­anddidn\'tsherejoicethatherboykeptattheheadofhisclassandwonthemedal！"

criedRose,shakingMacbybothhandsinawaythatcausedCharlietowish"theoldchap"hadbeenleftbehindwithDr。Alec。

"Oh,come,that\'sallMother\'snonsense。Ibeganearlierthantheotherfellowsandlikeditbetter,soIdon\'tdeserveanypraise。Princeisright,though。Ididmakearegularjackofmyself,butonthewholeI\'mnotsurethatmywildoatsweren\'tbetterthansomeI\'veseensowed。Anyway,theydidn\'tcostmuch,andI\'mnonetheworseforthem,"saidMacplacidly。

"Iknowwhat\'wildoats\'means。IheardUncleMacsayCharliewassowing\'emtoofast,andIaskedMama,soshetoldme。AndIknowthathewassuspelledorexpended,Idon\'trememberwhich,butitwassomethingbad,andAuntClaracried,"addedJamieallinonebreath,forhepossessedafatalgiftofmakingmalaproposremarks,whichcausedhimtobeaterrortohisfamily。

"Doyouwanttogoontheboxagain？"demandedPrincewithawarningfrown。

"No,Idon\'t。"

"Thenholdyourtongue。"

"Well,Macneedn\'tkickme,forIwasonly……"begantheculprit,innocentlytryingtomakeabadmatterworse。

"Thatwilldo,"interruptedCharliesternly,andJamessubsided,acrushedboy,consolinghimselfwithRose\'snewwatchfortheindignitieshesufferedatthehandsofthe"oldfellows"ashevengefullycalledhiselders。

MacandCharlieimmediatelybegantotalkashardastheirtonguescouldwag,bringingupallsortsofpleasantsubjectssosuccessfullythatpealsoflaughtermadepassersbylookafterthemerryloadwithsympatheticsmiles。

AnavalancheofauntsfelluponRoseassoonasshereachedhome,andfortherestofthedaytheoldhousebuzzedlikeabeehive。Eveningfoundthewholetribecollectedinthedrawingrooms,withtheexceptionofAuntPeace,whoseplacewasemptynow。

Naturallyenough,theelderssettledintoonegroupafterawhile,andtheyoungfellowsclusteredaboutthegirlslikebutterfliesaroundtwoattractiveflowers。Dr。AlecwasthecentralfigureinoneroomandRoseintheother,forthelittlegirl,whomtheyhadalllovedandpetted,hadbloomedintoawoman,andtwoyearsofabsencehadwroughtacuriouschangeintherelativepositionsofthecousins,especiallythethreeelderones,whoeyedherwithamixtureofboyishaffectionandmanlyadmirationthatwasbothnewandpleasant。

Somethingsweetyetspiritedabouthercharmedthemandpiquedtheircuriosity,forshewasnotquitelikeothergirls,andratherstartledthemnowandthenbysomeindependentlittlespeechoractwhichmadethemlookatoneanotherwithaslysmile,asifremindedthatRosewas"Uncle\'sgirl。"

Letuslisten,asindutybound,towhattheeldersaresayingfirst,fortheyarealreadybuildingcastlesinairfortheboysandgirlstoinhabit。

"Dearchild­howniceitistoseehersafelyback,sowellandhappyandlikehersweetlittleself！"saidAuntPlenty,foldingherhandsasifgivingthanksforagreathappiness。

"Ishouldn\'twonderifyoufoundthatyou\'dbroughtafirebrandintothefamily,Alec。Two,infact,forPhebeisafinegirl,andtheladshavefounditoutalreadyifI\'mnotmistaken,"addedUncleMac,withanodtowardtheotherroom。

Alleyesfollowedhis,andahighlysuggestivetableaupresenteditselftothepaternalandmaternalaudienceinthebackparlor。

RoseandPhebe,sittingsidebysideonthesofa,hadevidentlyassumedatoncetheplaceswhichtheyweredestinedtofillbyrightofyouth,sex,andbeauty,forPhebehadlongsinceceasedtobethemaidandbecomethefriend,andRosemeanttohavethatfactestablishedatonce。

Jamieoccupiedtherug,onwhichWillandGeordiestoodatease,showingtheiruniformstothebestadvantage,fortheywerenowinagreatschool,wheremilitarydrillwasthedelightoftheirsouls。Steveposedgracefullyinanarmchair,withMacloungingoverthebackofit,whileArchieleanedononecornerofthelowchimneypiece,lookingdownatPhebeasshelistenedtohischatwithsmilinglipsandcheeksalmostasrichincolorasthecarnationsinherbelt。

ButCharliewasparticularlyeffective,althoughhesatuponamusicstool,thatmosttryingpositionforanymannotgiftedwithgraceinthemanagementofhislegs。FortunatelyPrincewas,andhadfallenintoaneasyattitude,withonearmoverthebackofthesofa,hishandsomeheadbentalittle,ashemonopolizedRose,withadevotedairandaverybecomingexpressionofcontentmentonhisface。

AuntClarasmiledasifwellpleased;AuntJessielookedthoughtful;

AuntJane\'skeeneyeswentfromdapperStevetobroad—shoulderedMacwithananxiousglance;Mrs。Myramurmuredsomethingabouther"blessedCaroline";

andAuntPlentysaidwarmly,"Blessthedears！Anyonemightbeproudofsuchabonnyflockofbairnsasthat。"

"Iamallreadytoplaychaperonassoonasyouplease,Alec,forI

supposethedeargirlwillcomeoutatonce,asshedidnotbeforeyouwentaway。Myserviceswon\'tbewantedlong,Ifancy,forwithhermanyadvantagesshewillbecarriedoffinherfirstseasonorI\'mmuchmistaken,"

saidMrs。Clara,withsignificantnodsandsmiles。

"YoumustsettleallthosematterswithRose。Iamnolongercaptain,onlyfirstmatenow,youknow,"answeredDr。Alec,addingsoberly,halftohimself,halftohisbrother,"Iwonderpeopleareinsuchhasteto\'bringout\'theirdaughters,asit\'scalled。Tomethereissomethingalmostpatheticinthesightofayounggirlstandingonthethresholdoftheworld,soinnocentandhopeful,soignorantofallthatliesbeforeher,andusuallysoillpreparedtomeettheupsanddownsoflife。Wedoourdutybetterbytheboys,butthepoorlittlewomenareseldomprovidedwithanyarmorworthhaving,andsoonerorlatertheyaresuretoneedit,foreveryonemustfightherownbattle,andonlythebraveandstrongcanwin。"

"Youcan\'treproachyourselfwithneglectofthatsort,Alec,foryouhavedoneyourdutyfaithfullybyGeorge\'sgirl,andIenvyyoutheprideandhappinessofhavingsuchadaughter,forsheisthattoyou,"answeredoldMac,unexpectedlybetrayingthepaternalsortoftendernessmenseldomfeelfortheirsons。

"I\'vetried,Mac,andIambothproudandhappy,butwitheveryyearmyanxietyseemstoincrease。I\'vedonemybesttofitRoseforwhatmaycome,asfarasIcanforeseeit,butnowshemuststandalone,andallmycareispowerlesstokeepherheartfromaching,herlifefrombeingsaddenedbymistakes,orthwartedbytheactsofothers。Icanonlystandreadytoshareherjoyandsorrowandwatchhershapeherlife。"

"Why,Alec,whatisthechildgoingtodothatyouneedlooksosolemn？"

exclaimedMrs。Clara,whoseemedtohaveassumedasortofrighttoRosealready。

"Hark！Andlethertellyouherself,"answeredDr。Alec,asRose\'svoicewasheardsayingveryearnestly,"Now,youhavealltoldyourplansforthefuture,whydon\'tyouaskusours？"

"Becauseweknowthatthereisonlyonethingforaprettygirltodo­breakadozenorsoheartsbeforeshefindsonetosuit,thenmarryandsettle,"

answeredCharlie,asifnootherreplywaspossible。

"Thatmaybethecasewithmany,butnotwithus,forPhebeandIbelievethatitisasmucharightandadutyforwomentodosomethingwiththeirlivesasformen,andwearenotgoingtobesatisfiedwithsuchfrivolouspartsasyougiveus,"criedRosewithkindlingeyes。"ImeanwhatIsay,andyoucannotlaughmedown。Wouldyoubecontentedtobetoldtoenjoyyourselfforalittlewhile,thenmarryanddonothingmoretillyoudie？"sheadded,turningtoArchie。

"Ofcoursenot­thatisonlyapartofaman\'slife,"heanswereddecidedly。

"Averypreciousandlovelypart,butnotall,"continuedRose。

"Neithershoulditbeforawoman,forwe\'vegotmindsandsoulsaswellashearts;ambitionandtalentsaswellasbeautyandaccomplishments;

andwewanttoliveandlearnaswellasloveandbeloved。I\'msickofbeingtoldthatisallawomanisfitfor！Iwon\'thaveanythingtodowithlovetillIprovethatIamsomethingbesidesahousekeeperandbaby—tender！"

"Heavenpreserveus！Here\'swoman\'srightswithavengeance！"criedCharlie,startingupwithmockhorror,whiletheothersregardedRosewithmingledsurpriseandamusement,evidentlyfancyingitallagirlishoutbreak。

"Ah,youneedn\'tpretendtobeshocked­youwillbeinearnestpresently,forthisisonlythebeginningofmystrong—mindedness,"continuedRose,nothingdauntedbythesmilesofgood—naturedincredulityorderisiononthefacesofhercousins。"Ihavemadeupmymindnottobecheatedoutoftherealthingsthatmakeonegoodandhappyand,justbecauseI\'marichgirl,foldmyhandsanddriftassomanydo。Ihaven\'tlivedwithPhebealltheseyearsinvain。Iknowwhatcourageandself—reliancecandoforone,andIsometimeswishIhadn\'tapennyintheworldsothatIcouldgoandearnmybreadwithher,andbeasbraveandindependentasshewillbeprettysoon。"

ItwasevidentthatRosewasinearnestnow,forasshespokesheturnedtoherfriendwithsuchrespectaswellasloveinherfacethatthelooktoldbetterthananywordshowheartilytherichgirlappreciatedthevirtueshardexperiencehadgiventhepoorgirl,andhoweagerlyshedesiredtoearnwhatallherfortunecouldnotbuyforher。

Somethingintheglanceexchangedbetweenthefriendsimpressedtheyoungmeninspiteoftheirprejudices,anditwasinaperfectlyserioustonethatArchiesaid,"Ifancyyou\'llfindyourhandsfull,Cousin,ifyouwantwork,forI\'veheardpeoplesaythatwealthhasitstroublesandtrialsaswellaspoverty。"

"Iknowit,andI\'mgoingtotryandfillmyplacewell。I\'vegotsomecapitallittleplansallmade,andhavebeguntostudymyprofessionalready,"

answeredRosewithanenergeticnod。

"CouldIaskwhatitistobe？"inquiredCharlieinatoneofawe。

"Guess！"andRoselookedupathimwithanexpressionhalf—earnest,half—merry。

"Well,Ishouldsaythatyouwerefittedforabeautyandabelle,butasthatisevidentlynottoyourtaste,Iamafraidyouaregoingtostudymedicineandbeadoctor。Won\'tyourpatientshaveaheavenlytimethough？

Itwillbeeasydyingwithanangeltopoisonthem。"

"Now,Charlie,that\'sbaseofyou,whenyouknowhowwellwomenhavesucceededinthisprofessionandwhatacomfortDr。MaryKirkwastodearAuntPeace。Ididwanttostudymedicine,butUnclethoughtitwouldn\'tdotohavesomanyM。D。\'sinonefamily,sinceMacthinksoftryingit。

Besides,IseemtohaveotherworkputintomyhandsthatIambetterfittedfor。"

"Youarefittedforanythingthatisgenerousandgood,andI\'llstandbyyou,nomatterwhatyou\'vechosen,"criedMacheartily,forthiswasanewstyleoftalkfromagirl\'slips,andhelikeditimmensely。

"Philanthropyisagenerous,good,andbeautifulprofession,andI\'vechosenitforminebecauseIhavemuchtogive。I\'monlythestewardofthefortunePapaleftme,andIthink,ifIuseitwiselyforthehappinessofothers,itwillbemoreblestthanifIkeepitallformyself。"

Verysweetlyandsimplywasthissaid,butitwascurioustoseehowdifferentlythevarioushearersreceivedit。

Charlieshotaquicklookathismother,whoexclaimed,asifinspiteofherself,"Now,Alec,areyougoingtoletthatgirlsquanderafinefortuneonallsortsofcharitablenonsenseandwildschemesforthepreventionofpauperismandcrime？"

"\'TheywhogivetothepoorlendtotheLord,\'andpracticalChristianityisthekindHelovesthebest,"wasallDr。Alecanswered,butitsilencedtheauntsandcausedevenprudentUncleMactothinkwithsuddensatisfactionofcertainsecretinvestmentshehadmadewhichpaidhimnointerestbutthethanksofthepoor。

ArchieandMaclookedwellpleasedandpromisedtheiradviceandassistancewiththeenthusiasmofgenerousyounghearts。Steveshookhishead,butsaidnothing,andtheladsontherugatonceproposedfoundingahospitalforinvaliddogsandhorses,whitemice,andwoundedheroes。

"Don\'tyouthinkthatwillbeabetterwayforawomantospendherlifethanindancing,dressing,andhusband—hunting,Charlie？"askedRose,observinghissilenceandanxiousforhisapproval。

"Veryprettyforalittlewhile,andveryeffectivetoo,forIdon\'tknowanythingmorecaptivatingthanasweetgirlinameeklittlebonnetgoingoncharitableerrandsandglorifyingpoorpeople\'shouseswithadelightfulmixtureofbeautyandbenevolence。Fortunately,thedearsoulssoontireofit,butit\'sheavenlywhileitlasts。"

Charliespokeinatoneofmingledadmirationandcontempt,andsmiledasuperiorsortofsmile,asifheunderstoodalltheinnocentdelusionsaswellastheartfuldevicesofthesexandexpectednothingmorefromthem。ItbothsurprisedandgrievedRose,foritdidnotsoundliketheCharlieshehadlefttwoyearsago。Butsheonlysaid,withareproachfullookandaproudlittlegestureofheadandhand,asifsheputthesubjectasidesinceitwasnottreatedwithrespect:"Iamsorryyouhavesolowanopinionofwomen。Therewasatimewhenyoubelievedinthemsincerely。"

"Idostill,uponmywordIdo！Theyhaven\'tamoredevotedadmirerandslaveintheworldthanIam。Justtrymeandsee,"criedCharlie,gallantlykissinghishandtothesexingeneral。

ButRosewasnotappeased,andgaveadisdainfulshrugassheansweredwithalookinhereyesthathislordshipdidnotlike,"Thankyou。Idon\'twantadmirersorslaves,butfriendsandhelpers。I\'velivedsolongwithawise,goodmanthatIamratherhardtosuit,perhaps,butIdon\'tintendtolowermystandard,andanyonewhocaresformyregardmustatleasttrytoliveuptoit。"

"Whew！Here\'sawrathfuldove！Comeandsmoothherruffledplumage,Mac。I\'lldodgebeforeIdofurthermischief,"andCharliestrolledawayintotheotherroom,privatelylamentingthatUncleAlechadspoiledafinegirlbymakingherstrong—minded。

Hewishedhimselfbackagaininfiveminutes,forMacsaidsomethingthatproducedagaleoflaughter,andwhenhetookalookoverhisshoulderthe"wrathfuldove"wascooingsopeacefullyandpleasantlyhewassorelytemptedtoreturnandsharethefun。ButCharliehadbeenspoiledbytoomuchindulgence,anditwashardforhimtoownhimselfinthewrongevenwhenheknewit。Healwaysgotwhathewantedsoonerorlater,andhavinglongagomadeuphismindthatRoseandherfortuneweretobehis,hewassecretlydispleasedatthenewplansandbeliefsoftheyounglady,butflatteredhimselfthattheywouldsoonbechangedwhenshesawhowunfashionableandinconvenienttheywere。

Musingoverthedelightfulfuturehehadlaidout,hemadehimselfcomfortableinthesofacornernearhismothertilltheappearanceofaslightrefectioncausedbothgroupstomeltintoone。AuntPlentybelievedineatinganddrinking,sotheslightestexcuseforfestivitydelightedherhospitablesoul,andonthisjoyfuloccasionshesurpassedherself。

ItwasduringthisinformalbanquetthatRose,roamingaboutfromoneadmiringrelativetoanother,cameuponthethreeyoungerlads,whowerehavingaquietlittlescuffleinasecludedcorner。

"Comeouthereandletmehavealookatyou,"shesaidenticingly,forshepredictedanexplosionandpublicdisgraceifpeacewasnotspeedilyrestored。

Hastilysmoothingthemselvesdown,theyounggentlemenpresentedthreeflushedandmerrycountenancesforinspection,feelinghighlyhonoredbythecommand。

"Dearme,howyoutwohavegrown！Youbigthings­howdareyougetheadofmeinthisway！"shesaid,standingontiptoetopatthecurlypatesbeforeher,forWillandGeordiehadshotuplikeweeds,andnowgrinnedcheerfullydownuponherasshesurveyedthemincomicamazement。

"TheCampbellsareallfine,tallfellows,andwemeantobethebestofthelot。Shouldn\'twonderifweweresix—footerslikeGrandpa,"observedWillproudly,lookingsolikeayoungShanghairooster,alllegsandaninsignificanthead,thatRosekepthercountenancewithdifficulty。

"Weshallbroadenoutwhenwegetourgrowth。WearetallerthanStevenow,ahalfahead,bothofus,"addedGeordie,withhisnoseintheair。

RoseturnedtolookatSteveand,withasuddensmile,beckonedtohim。

Hedroppedhisnapkinandflewtoobeythesummons,forshewasqueenofthehour,andhehadopenlyannouncedhisdeathlessloyalty。

"Telltheotherboystocomehere。I\'veafancytostandyouallinarowandlookyouover,asyoudidmethatdreadfuldaywhenyounearlyfrightenedmeoutofmywits,"shesaid,laughingatthememoryofitasshespoke。

Theycameinabodyand,standingshouldertoshoulder,madesuchanimposingarraythattheyoungcommanderwasratherdauntedforamoment。

Butshehadseentoomuchoftheworldlatelytobeabashedbyatrifle,andthedesiretoseeagirlishtestgavehercouragetofacethelineofsmilingcousinswithdignityandspirit。

"Now,I\'mgoingtostareatyouasyoustaredatme。Itismyrevengeonyousevenbadboysforentrappingonepoorlittlegirlandenjoyingheralarm。I\'mnotabitafraidofyounow,sotrembleandbeware！"

Asshespoke,RoselookedupintoArchie\'sfaceandnoddedapprovingly,forthesteadygrayeyesmethersfairlyandsoftenedastheydidso­abecomingchange,fornaturallytheywereratherkeenthankind。

"AtrueCampbell,blessyou！"shesaid,andshookhishandheartilyasshepassedon。

Charliecamenext,andhereshefeltlesssatisfied,thoughscarcelyconsciouswhy,for,asshelooked,therecameadefiantsortofflash,changingsuddenlytosomethingwarmerthananger,strongerthanpride,makinghershrinkalittleandsay,hastily,"Idon\'tfindtheCharlieIleft,butthePrinceistherestill,Isee。"

TurningtoMacwithasenseofrelief,shegentlytookoffhis"winkers,"

asJamiecalledthem,andlookedstraightintothehonestblueeyesthatlookedstraightbackather,fullofafrankandfriendlyaffectionthatwarmedherheartandmadeherowneyesbrightenasshegavebacktheglasses,saying,withalookandtoneofcordialsatisfaction,"Youarenotchanged,mydearoldMac,andI\'msogladofthat！"

"Nowsaysomethingextrasweettome,becauseI\'mtheflowerofthefamily,"saidSteve,twirlingtheblondmoustache,whichwasevidentlytheprideofhislife。

RosesawataglancethatDandydeservedhisnamemorethanever,andpromptlyquenchedhisvanitiesbyanswering,withaprovokinglaugh,"ThenthenameoftheflowerofthefamilyisCockscomb。"

"Ah,ha！who\'sgotitnow？"jeeredWill。

"Letusoffeasy,please,"whisperedGeordie,mindfulthattheirturncamenext。

"Youblessedbeanstalks！I\'mproudofyou­onlydon\'tgrowquiteoutofsight,orevenbeashamedtolookawomanintheface,"answeredRose,withagentlepatonthecheekofeitherbashfulyounggiant,forbothwereredaspeonies,thoughtheirboyisheyeswereasclearandcalmassummerlakes。

"Nowme！"andJamieassumedhismanliestair,feelingthathedidnotappeartoadvantageamonghistallkinsmen。Buthewenttotheheadoftheclassineveryone\'sopinionwhenRoseputherarmsaroundhim,saying,withakiss,"Youmustbemyboynow,foralltheothersaretooold,andIwantafaithfullittlepagetodomyerrandsforme。"

"Iwill,Iwill­I\'llmarryyoutoo,ifyou\'lljustholdontillIgrowup！"criedJamie,ratherlosinghisheadatthissuddenpromotion。

"Blessthebaby,whatishetalkingabout？"laughedRose,lookingdownatherlittleknightasheclungaboutherwithgratefulardor。

"Oh,Iheardtheauntssaythatyou\'dbettermarryoneofus,andkeepthepropertyinthefamily,soIspeakfirst,becauseyouareveryfondofme,andIdolovecurls。"

AlasforJamie！ThisawfulspeechhadhardlylefthisinnocentlipswhenWillandGeordieswepthimoutoftheroomlikeawhirlwind,andthehowlsofthathaplessboywereheardfromthetorturehall,wherebeingshutintotheskeletoncasewasoneofthemildestpunishmentsinflicteduponhim。

Dismayfellupontheunfortunateswhoremained,buttheirconfusionwassoonended,forRose,withalookwhichtheyhadneverseenuponherfacebefore,dismissedthemwiththebriefcommand,"Breakranks­thereviewisover,"andwalkedawaytoPhebe。

"Confoundthatboy！Yououghttoshuthimuporgaghim！"fumedCharlieirritably。

"Heshallbeattendedto,"answeredpoorArchie,whowastryingtobringupthelittlemarplotwiththesuccessofmostparentsandguardians。

"Thewholethingwasdeuceddisagreeable,"growledSteve,whofeltthathehadnotdistinguishedhimselfinthelateengagement。

"Truthgenerallyis,"observedMacdrylyashestrolledawaywithhisoddsmile。