第3章

BeforeRosecouldspeakagain,acheeryvoicecalledfromthehall,"Littlemistress,whereareyou？"

"Inmyroom,Phebe,dear,"andupcamethegirlRosewasgoingto"makealadyof,"lookingsolikeonethatAnnabelopenedherchina—blueeyesandsmiledinvoluntarilyasPhebedroppedalittlecurtseyinplayfulimitationofheroldmannerandsaidquietly:"Howdoyoudo,MissBliss？"

"Gladtoseeyouback,MissMoore,"answeredAnnabel,shakinghandsinawaythatsettledthequestionofPhebe\'splaceinhermindforever,forthestoutdamselhadakindheartinspiteofaweakheadandwasreallyfondofRose。Itwasevidently"Loveme,lovemyPhebe,"

soshemadeuphermindonthespotthatPhebewassomebody,andthatgaveanairofromanceeventothepoorhouse。

Shecouldnothelpstaringalittleasshewatchedthetwofriendsworktogetherandlistenedtotheirhappytalkovereachnewtreasureasitcametolight,foreverylookandwordplainlyshowedthatyearsofclosecompanionshiphadmadethemverydeartooneanother。ItwasprettytoseeRosetrytodothehardestpartofanylittlejobherself­stillprettiertoseePhebecircumventheranduntiethehardknots,foldthestiffpapers,orlifttheheavytrayswithherownstronghands,andprettiestofalltohearhersayinamotherlytone,assheputRoseintoaneasychair:"Now,mydeary,sitandrest,foryouwillhavetoseecompanyallday,andIcan\'tletyougettiredoutsoearly。"

"ThatisnoreasonwhyIshouldletyoueither。CallJanetohelporI\'llbobupagaindirectly,"answeredRose,withaverybadassumptionofauthority。

"Janemaytakemyplacedownstairs,butnooneshallwaitonyouhereexceptme,aslongasI\'mwithyou,"saidstatelyPhebe,stoopingtoputahassockunderthefeetofherlittlemistress。

"Itisveryniceandprettytosee,butIdon\'tknowwhatpeoplewillsaywhenshegoesintosocietywiththerestofus。IdohopeRosewon\'tbeveryodd,"saidAnnabeltoherselfasshewentawaytocirculatethedepressingnewsthattherewastobenograndballand,saddestdisappointmentofall,thatRosehadnotasinglePariscostumewithwhichtorefreshtheeyesandrousetheenvyofheramiablefriends。

"NowI\'veseenorheardfromalltheboysbutCharlie,andIsupposeheistoobusy。Iwonderwhatheisabout,"thoughtRose,turningfromthehalldoor,whithershehadcourteouslyaccompaniedherguest。

Thewishwasgrantedamomentafter,for,goingintotheparlortodecidewheresomeofherpicturesshouldhang,shesawapairofbrownbootsatoneendofthesofa,atawny—brownheadattheother,anddiscoveredthatCharliewasbusilyoccupiedindoingnothing。

"ThevoiceoftheBlisswasheardintheland,soIdodgedtillshewentupstairs,andthentookabriefsiestawhilewaitingtopaymyrespectstothedistinguishedtraveler,LadyHesterStanhope,"hesaid,leapinguptomakehisbestbow。

"Thevoiceofthesluggardwouldbeamoreappropriatequotation,I

think。DoesAnnabelstillpineforyou？"askedRose,recallingcertainyouthfuljokesuponthesubjectofunrequitedaffections。

"Notabitofit。Funhascutmeout,andthefairAnnabellawillbeMrs。TokiobeforethewinterisoverifI\'mnotmuchmistaken。"

"What,littleFunSee？HowdrollitseemstothinkofhimgrownupandmarriedtoAnnabelofallpeople！Sheneversaidawordabouthim,butthisaccountsforheradmiringmyprettyChinesethingsandbeingsointerestedinCanton。"

"LittleFunisagreatswellnow,andmuchenamoredofourfatfriend,whowilltaketochopstickswheneverhesaystheword。Ineedn\'taskhowyoudo,Cousin,foryoubeatthatAuroraallhollowinthewayofcolor。

Ishouldhavebeenupbefore,butIthoughtyou\'dlikeagoodrestafteryourvoyage。"

"IwasrunningaracewithJamiebeforenineo\'clock。Whatwereyoudoing,youngman？"

"\'SleepingIdreamed,love,dreamed,love,ofthee,\'"beganCharlie,butRosecuthimshortbysayingasreproachfullyasshecould,whiletheculpritstoodregardingherwithplacidsatisfaction:"Yououghttohavebeenupandatworkliketherestoftheboys。IfeltlikeadroneinahiveofverybusybeeswhenIsawthemallhurryingofftotheirbusiness。"

"But,mydeargirl,I\'vegotnobusiness。I\'mmakingupmymind,yousee,anddotheornamentalwhileI\'mdeciding。Therealwaysoughttobeonegentlemaninafamily,andthatseemstoberathermyline,"answeredCharlie,posingforthecharacterwithanassumptionoflanguidelegancewhichwouldhavebeenveryeffectiveifhistwinklingeyeshadnotspoiltit。

"Therearenonebutgentlemeninourfamily,Ihope,"answeredRose,withtheproudairshealwaysworewhenanythingwassaidderogatorytothenameofCampbell。

"Ofcourse,ofcourse。Ishouldhavesaidgentlemanofleisure。YouseeitisagainstmyprinciplestoslaveasArchiedoes。What\'stheuse？

Don\'tneedthemoney,gotplenty,sowhynotenjoyitandkeepjollyaslongaspossible？I\'msurecheerfulpeoplearepublicbenefactorsinthisworldofwoe。"

Itwasnoteasytoobjecttothisproposition,especiallywhenmadebyacomelyyoungmanwholookedthepictureofhealthandhappinessashesatonthearmofthesofasmilingathiscousininthemostengagingmanner。RoseknewverywellthattheEpicureanphilosophywasnotthetrueonetobeginlifeupon,butitwasdifficulttoreasonwithCharliebecausehealwaysdodgedsobersubjectsandwassofullofcheeryspirits,onehatedtolessenthesortofsunshinewhichcertainlyisapublicbenefactor。

"YouhavesuchacleverwayofputtingthingsthatIdon\'tknowhowtocontradictyou,thoughIstillthinkI\'mright,"shesaidgravely。"Maclikestoidleaswellasyou,butheisnotgoingtodoitbecauseheknowsit\'sbadforhimtofritterawayhistime。Heisgoingtostudyaprofessionlikeawiseboy,thoughhewouldmuchprefertoliveamonghisbelovedbooksorridehishobbiesinpeace。"

"That\'sallverywellforhim,becausehedoesn\'tcareforsocietyandmayaswellbestudyingmedicineasphilanderingaboutthewoodswithhispocketsfullofmustyphilosophersandold—fashionedpoets,"answeredCharliewithashrugwhichplainlyexpressedhisopinionofMac。

"Iwonderifmustyphilosophers,likeSocratesandAristotle,andold—fashionedpoets,likeShakespeareandMilton,arenotsafercompanyforhimtokeepthansomeofthemoremodernfriendsyouhave？"saidRose,rememberingJamie\'shintsaboutwildoats,forshecouldbealittlesharpsometimesandhadnotlectured"theboys"forsolongitseemedunusuallypleasant。

ButCharliechangedthesubjectskillfullybyexclaimingwithananxiousexpression:"IdobelieveyouaregoingtobelikeAuntJane,forthat\'sjustthewayshecomesdownonmewhenevershegetsthechance！Don\'ttakeherforamodel,Ibeg­sheisagoodwomanbutamightydisagreeableoneinmyhumbleopinion。"

Thefearofbeingdisagreeableisagreatbugbeartoagirl,asthisartfulyoungmanwellknew,andRosefellintothetrapatonce,forAuntJanewasfarfrombeinghermodel,thoughshecouldnothelprespectingherworth。

"Haveyougivenupyourpainting？"sheaskedratherabruptly,turningtoagildedFraAngelicoangelwhichleanedinthesofacorner。

"SweetestfaceIeversaw,andverylikeyouabouttheeyes,isn\'tit？"

saidCharlie,whoseemedtohaveaYankeetrickofreplyingtoonequestionwithanother。

"Iwantananswer,notacompliment,"andRosetriedtolooksevereassheputawaythepicturemorequicklythanshehadtakenitup。

"HaveIgivenuppainting？Oh,no！Idaubalittleinoils,slopalittleinwatercolors,sketchnowandthen,andpokeaboutthestudioswhentheartisticfitcomeson。"

"Howisthemusic？"

"Moreflourishing。Idon\'tpracticemuch,butsingagooddealincompany。

Setupaguitarlastsummerandwenttroubadouringroundingreatstyle。

Thegirlslikeit,andit\'sjollyamongthefellows。"

"Areyoustudyinganything？"

"Well,Ihavesomelawbooksonmytable­good,big,wise—lookingchaps­andItakeaturnatthemsemioccasionallywhenpleasurepallsorparentschide。ButIdoubtifIdomorethanlearnwhat\'aallybi\'isthisyear,"andaslylaughinCharlie\'seyesuggestedthathesometimesavailedhimselfofthisbitoflegalknowledge。

"Whatdoyoudothen？"

"Faircatechist,Ienjoymyself。Privatetheatricalshavebeentherageoflate,andIhavewonsuchlaurelsthatIseriouslythinkofadoptingthestageasmyprofession。"

"Really！"criedRose,alarmed。

"Whynot？IfImustgotowork,isn\'tthatasgoodasanything？"

"NotwithoutmoretalentthanIthinkyoupossess。Withgeniusonecandoanything­withoutitonehadbetterletthestagealone。"

"There\'saquencherforthe\'starofthegoodliecompanie\'towhichIbelong。Machasn\'tarayofgeniusforanything,yetyouadmirehimfortryingtobeanM。D。,"criedCharlie,rathernettledatherwords。

"Itisrespectable,atallevents,andI\'dratherbeasecond—ratedoctorthanasecond—rateactor。ButIknowyoudon\'tmeanit,andonlysaysotofrightenme。"

"Exactly。Ialwaysbringitupwhenanyonebeginstolectureanditworkswonders。UncleMacturnspale,theauntsholduptheirhandsinholyhorror,andageneralpanicensues。ThenImagnanimouslypromisenottodisgracethefamilyandinthefirstburstofgratitudethedearsoulsagreetoeverythingIask,sopeaceisrestoredandIgoonmywayrejoicing。"

"Justthewayyouusedtothreatentorunofftoseaifyourmotherobjectedtoanyofyourwhims。Youarenotchangedinthatrespect,thoughyouareinothers。Youhadgreatplansandprojectsonce,Charlie,andnowyouseemtobecontentedwithbeinga\'jackofalltradesandmasterofnone\'"。

"Boyishnonsense！Timehasbroughtwisdom,andIdon\'tseethesenseoftyingmyselfdowntooneparticularthingandgrindingawayatityearafteryear。Peopleofoneideagetsodeucedlynarrowandtame,I\'venopatiencewiththem。Cultureisthething,andthesortonegetsbyrangingoverawidefieldistheeasiesttoacquire,thehandiesttohave,andthemostsuccessfulintheend。Atanyrate,itisthekindIlikeandtheonlykindIintendtobothermyselfabout。"

Withthisdeclaration,Charliesmoothedhisbrow,claspedhishandsoverhishead,and,leaningback,gentlywarbledthechorusofacollegesongasifitexpressedhisviewsoflifebetterthanhecould:"WhileourrosyfilletsshedBlusheso\'ereachfervidhead,WithmanyacupandmanyasmileThefestalmomentswebeguile。""Someofmysaintsherewerepeopleofoneidea,andthoughtheywerenotverysuccessfulfromaworldlypointofviewwhilealive,theywerelovedandcanonizedwhendead,"saidRose,whohadbeenturningoverapileofphotographsonthetableandjustthenfoundherfavorite,St。Francis,amongthem。

"Thisismoretomytaste。Thoseworn—out,cadaverousfellowsgivemetheblues,buthere\'sagentlemanlysaintwhotakesthingseasyanddoesgoodashegoesalongwithouthowlingoverhisownsinsormakingotherpeoplemiserablebytellingthemoftheirs。"AndCharlielaidahandsomeSt。Martinbesidethebrown—frockedmonk。

Roselookedatbothandunderstoodwhyhercousinpreferredthesoldierlyfigurewiththeswordtotheasceticwithhiscrucifix。Onewasridingbravelythroughtheworldinpurpleandfinelinen,withhorseandhoundandsquiresathisback;andtheotherwasinalazar—house,prayingoverthedeadanddying。Thecontrastwasastrongone,andthegirl\'seyeslingeredlongestontheknight,thoughshesaidthoughtfully,"Yoursiscertainlythepleasantest­andyetIneverheardofanygooddeedhedid,exceptdividehiscloakwithabeggar,whileSt。FrancisgavehimselftocharityjustwhenlifewasmosttemptingandspentyearsworkingforGodwithoutreward。He\'soldandpoor,andinadreadfulplace,butIwon\'tgivehimup,andyoumayhaveyourgaySt。Martinifyouwanthim。"

"No,thankyou,saintsarenotinmyline­butI\'dlikethegolden—hairedangelinthebluegownifyou\'llletmehaveher。SheshallbemylittleMadonna,andI\'llpraytoherlikeagoodCatholic,"answeredCharlie,turningtothedelicate,deep—eyedfigurewiththeliliesinitshand。

"Withallmyheart,andanyothersthatyoulike。Choosesomeforyourmotherandgivethemtoherwithmylove。"

SoCharliesatdownbesideRosetoturnandtalkoverthepicturesforalongandpleasanthour。Butwhentheywentawaytolunch,iftherehadbeenanyonetoobservesosmallbutsignificantatrifle,goodSt。Francislayfacedownwardbehindthesofa,whilegallantSt。Martinstooderectuponthechimneypiece。Chapter3。Chapter3。3MISSCAMPBELLWhilethetravelersunpacktheirtrunks,wewillpickup,asbrieflyaspossible,thedroppedstitchesinthelittleromanceweareweaving。

Rose\'slifehadbeenaverybusyandquietoneforthefouryearsfollowingtheMaydaywhenshemadeherchoice。Study,exercise,housework,andmanywholesomepleasureskeptherahappy,heartycreature,yearlygrowinginwomanlygraces,yetalwayspreservingtheinnocentfreshnessgirlslosesosoonwhentooearlysetupontheworld\'sstageandgivenaparttoplay。

Notaremarkablygiftedgirlinanyway,andfarfromperfect;fullofallmannerofyouthfulwhimsandfancies;alittlespoiledbymuchlove;

ratherapttothinkalllivesassafeandsweetasherown;and,whenwantorpainappealedtoher,thetenderheartoverflowedwitharemorsefulcharitywhichgaveofitsabundancerecklessly。Yet,withallherhumanimperfections,theuprightnatureofthechildkeptherdesiresclimbingtowardthejustandpureandtrue,asflowersstruggletothelight;andthewoman\'ssoulwasbuddingbeautifullyunderthegreenleavesbehindthelittlethorns。

Atseventeen,Dr。Alecpronouncedherreadyforthevoyagearoundtheworld,whichheconsideredabetterfinishingoffthananyschoolcouldgiveher。ButjustthenAuntPeacebegantofailandsoonslippedquietlyawaytorejointhelovershehadwaitedforsolong。Youthseemedtocomebackinamysteriouswaytotouchthedeadfacewithlostloveliness,andalltheromanceofherpasttogatheraroundhermemory。Unlikemostagedwomen,herfriendswereamongtheyoung,andatherfuneralthegrayheadsgaveplacetothebandoflovinggirlswhomadethesweetoldmaidenreadyforherrest,boreherpall,andcoveredhergravewiththewhiteflowersshehadneverworn。

WhenthiswasoverpoorAuntPlentyseemedsolostwithoutherlifelongchargethatDr。Alecwouldnotleaveher,andRosegladlypaidthedebtsheowedbythetenderservicewhichcomfortswithoutwords。ButAuntPlenty,havinglivedforothersallherdays,soonrebelledagainstthiswillingsacrifice,soonfoundstrengthinherownsincerepiety,solaceincheerfuloccupation,andamusementinnursingAuntMyra,whowasacapitalpatient,assheneverdiedandnevergotwell。

Soatlastthemomentcamewhen,withfreeminds,thetravelerscouldsetout,andonRose\'seighteenthbirthday,withUncleAlecandthefaithfulPhebe,shesailedawaytoseeandstudythebig,beautifulworldwhichliesreadyforusallifweonlyknowhowtouseandenjoyit。

Phebewassettostudyingmusicinthebestschools,andwhileshetrainedherlovelyvoicewithhappyindustry,Roseandheruncleroamedaboutinthemostdelightfulwaytilltwoyearsweregonelikeadreamandthoseathomeclamoredfortheirreturn。

Backtheycame,andnowtheheiressmustmakereadytotakeherplace,forattwenty—oneshecameintopossessionofthefortuneshehadbeentryingtolearnhowtousewell。Greatplansfermentedinherbrain,for,thoughtheheartwasasgenerousasever,timehadtaughtherprudenceandobservationshownherthatthewisestcharityisthatwhichhelpsthepoortohelpthemselves。

Dr。Alecfounditalittledifficulttorestraintheardorofthisyoungphilanthropistwhowantedtobeginatoncetoendowhospitals,buildhomes,adoptchildren,andbefriendallmankind。

"Takealittletimetolookaboutyouandgetyourbearings,child。

Theworldyouhavebeenlivinginisamuchsimpler,honesteronethanthatyouarenowtoenter。Testyourselfabitandseeiftheoldwaysseembestafterall,foryouareoldenoughtodecide,andwiseenoughtodiscover,whatisforyourtruestgood,Ihope,"hesaid,tryingtofeelreadytoletthebirdescapefromunderhiswingandmakelittleflightsalone。

"Now,Uncle,I\'mverymuchafraidyouaregoingtobedisappointedinme,"answeredRosewithunusualhesitationyetaverystrongdesirevisibleinhereyes。"Youliketohavemequitehonest,andI\'velearnedtotellyouallmyfoolishthoughts­soI\'llspeakout,andifyoufindmywishverywrongandsilly,pleasesayso,forIdon\'twantyoutocastmeoffentirely,thoughIamgrownup。Yousay,waitalittle,testmyself,andtryiftheoldwaysarebest。Ishouldliketodothat,andcanIinabetterwaythanleadingthelifeothergirlslead？Justforalittlewhile,"

sheadded,asheruncle\'sfacegrewgrave。

Hewasdisappointed,yetacknowledgedthatthedesirewasnaturalandinamomentsawthatatrialofthissortmighthaveitsadvantages。

Nevertheless,hedreadedit,forhehadintendedtochoosehersocietycarefullyandtrytokeepherunspoiledbytheworldaslongaspossible,likemanyanotherfondparentandguardian。ButthespiritofEveisstronginallherdaughters­forbiddenfruitwilllookrosiertothemthananyintheirownorchards,andthetemptationtotakejustonelittlebiteprovesirresistibletothewisest。SoRose,lookingoutfromthesafeseclusionofhergirlhoodintothewoman\'skingdomwhichshewasabouttotakepossessionof,feltasuddenwishtotryitspleasuresbeforeassumingitsresponsibilities,andwastoosinceretohidethelonging。

"Verywell,mydear,tryitifyoulike,onlytakecareofyourhealth­betemperateinyourgaietyanddon\'tlosemorethanyougain,ifthatispossible,"headdedunderhisbreath,endeavoringtospeakcheerfullyandnotlookanxious。

"Iknowitisfoolish,butIdowanttobearegularbutterflyforalittlewhileandseewhatitislike。YouknowIcouldn\'thelpseeingagooddealoffashionablelifeabroad,thoughwewerenotinit,andhereathomethegirlstellmeaboutallsortsofpleasantthingsthataretohappenthiswinter,soifyouwon\'tdespisemeverymuch,Ishouldliketotryit。"

"Forhowlong？"

"Wouldthreemonthsbetoolong？NewYearisagoodtimetotakeafreshstart。Everyoneisgoingtowelcomeme,soImustbegayinspiteofmyself,unlessI\'mwillingtoseemveryungratefulandmorose,"saidRose,gladtohavesogoodareasontoofferforhernewexperiment。

"Youmaylikeitsowellthatthethreemonthsmaybecomeyears。Pleasureisverysweetwhenweareyoung。"

"Doyouthinkitwillintoxicateme？"

"Weshallsee,mydear。"

"Weshall！"AndRosemarchedaway,lookingasifshehadtakenapledgeofsomesort,andmeanttokeepit。

ItwasagreatrelieftothepublicmindwhenitbecameknownthatMissCampbellwasreallycomingoutatlast,andinvitationstoAuntPlenty\'spartywerepromptlyaccepted。AuntClarawasmuchdisappointedaboutthegrandballshehadplanned,butRosestoodfirm,andthedearoldladyhadherwayabouteverything。

Theconsequencewasadelightfullyinformalgatheringoffriendstowelcomethetravelershome。Justagood,old—fashioned,hospitablehousewarming,sosimple,cordial,andgenuinethatthosewhocametocriticizeremainedtoenjoy,andmanyownedthecharmtheycouldneitherdescribenorimitate。

MuchcuriositywasfeltaboutPhebe,andmuchgossipwentonbehindfansthatevening,forthosewhohadknownheryearsagofoundithardtorecognizethelittlehousemaidinthehandsomeyoungwomanwhoboreherselfwithsuchquietdignityandcharmedthemallwithherfinevoice。

"Cinderellahasturnedoutaprincess,"wasthegeneralverdict,andRoseenjoyedthelittlesensationimmensely,forshehadhadmanybattlestofightforherPhebesinceshecameamongthem,andnowherfaithwasvindicated。

MissCampbellherselfwasingreatdemandanddidthehonorssoprettilythatevenMissBlissforgaveherforhersadneglectofWorth,thoughsheshookherheadoverthewhitegowns,justalikeexceptthatPhebeworecrimsonandRose,bluetrimmings。

Thegirlsswarmedeagerlyaroundtheirrecoveredfriend,forRosehadbeenafavoritebeforeshewentawayandfoundherthronewaitingforhernow。TheyoungmenprivatelypronouncedPhebethehandsomest­"Butthenyouknowthere\'sneitherfamilynormoney,soit\'snouse。"Phebe,therefore,wasadmiredasoneoftheornamentalpropertiesbelongingtothehouseandleftrespectfullyalone。

ButbonnyRosewas"allright,"astheseamiableyouthsexpressedit,andmanyawistfuleyefollowedthebrightheadasitflittedabouttheroomsasifitwereasecondGoldenFleecetobewonwithdifficulty,forstalwartkinsmenhedgeditround,andwatchfulauntskeptguard。

Littlewonderthatthegirlfoundhernewworldanenchantingoneandthatherfirstsipofpleasureratherwenttoherhead,foreverybodywelcomedandsmiledonher,flatteredandpraised,whisperedagreeablepropheciesinherear,andlookedthecomplimentsandcongratulationstheydarednotuttertillshefeltasifshemusthaveleftheroldselfsomewhereabroadandsuddenlybecomeanewandwonderfullygiftedbeing。

"Itisverynice,Uncle,andI\'mnotsureImayn\'twantanotherthreemonthsofitwhenthefirstaregone,"shewhisperedtoDr。AlecashestoodwatchingthedanceshewasleadingwithCharlieinthelonghallaftersupper。

"Steady,mylass,steady,andrememberthatyouarenotreallyabutterflybutamortalgirlwithaheadthatwillachetomorrow,"heanswered,watchingtheflushedandsmilingfacebeforehim。

"Ialmostwishtherewasn\'tanytomorrow,butthattonightwouldlastforever­itissopleasant,andeveryonesokind,"shesaidwithalittlesighofhappinessasshegatheredupherfleecyskirtslikeawhitebirdplumingitselfforflight。

"I\'llaskyouropinionaboutthatattwoA。M。,"beganherunclewithawarningnod。

"I\'llgiveithonestly,"wasallRosehadtimetosaybeforeCharliesweptherawayintotheparticoloredcloudbeforethem。

"It\'snouse,Alec­trainagirlaswiselyasyouchoose,shewillbreakloosewhenthetimecomesandgoinforpleasureaseagerlyasthemostfrivolous,for\'\'tistheirnatureto,\'"saidUncleMac,keepingtimetothemusicasifhewouldnotmind"goingin"forabitofpleasurehimself。

"Mygirlshalltasteandtry,butunlessI\'mmuchmistaken,alittlebitofitwillsatisfyher。Iwanttoseeifshewillstandthetest,becauseifnot,allmyworkisafailureandI\'dliketoknowit,"answeredthedoctorwithahopefulsmileonhislipsbutananxiouslookinhiseyes。

"Shewillcomeoutallright­blessherheart！­solethersowherinnocentwildoatsandenjoyherselftillsheisreadytosettledown。

Iwishallouryoungfolkswerelikelytohaveassmallacropandgetthroughassafelyasshewill,"addedUncleMacwithashakeoftheheadasheglancedatsomeoftheyoungmenrevolvingbeforehim。

"Nothingamisswithyourlads,Ihope？"

"No,thankheaven！SofarI\'vehadlittletroublewitheither,thoughMacisanoddstickandSteveapuppy。Idon\'tcomplain,forbothwilloutgrowthatsortofthingandaregoodfellowsatheart,thankstotheirmother。ButClara\'sboyisinabadway,andshewillspoilhimasamanasshehasasaboyifhisfatherdoesn\'tinterfere。"

"ItoldbrotherStephenallabouthimwhenIwasinCalcuttalastyear,andhewrotetotheboy,butClarahasgotnoendofplansinherheadandsosheinsistedonkeepingCharlieayearlongerwhenhisfatherorderedhimofftoIndia,"repliedthedoctorastheywalkedaway。

"Itistoolateto\'order\'­Charlieisamannow,andStephenwillfindhehasbeentooeasywithhimalltheseyears。Poorfellow,ithasbeenhardlinesforhim,andislikelytobeharder,Ifancy,unlesshecomeshomeandstraightensthingsout。"

"Hewon\'tdothatifhecanhelpit。Hehaslostallhisenergylivinginthatclimateandhatesworrymorethanever,soyoucanimaginewhataneffortitwouldbetomanageafoolishwomanandaheadstrongboy。Wemustlendahand,Mac,anddoourbestforpooroldSteve。"

"Thebestwecandofortheladistomarryandsettlehimassoonaspossible。"

"Mydearfellow,heisonlythreeandtwenty,"beganthedoctor,asiftheideawaspreposterous。Thenasuddenchangecameoverhimasheaddedwithamelancholysmile,"Iforgethowmuchonecanhopeandsuffer,evenattwenty—three。"

"Andbeallthebetterfor,ifbravelyoutlived,"saidUncleMac,withhishandonhisbrother\'sshoulderandthesincerestapprovalinhisvoice。

Then,kindlyreturningtotheyoungerpeople,hewentoninquiringly,"Youdon\'tinclinetoClara\'sviewofacertainmatter,Ifancy？"

"Decidedlynot。Mygirlmusthavethebest,andClara\'strainingwouldspoilanangel,"answeredDr。Alecquickly。

"ButweshallfindithardtoletourlittleRosegooutofthefamily。

HowwouldArchiedo？Hehasbeenwellbroughtupandisathoroughlyexcellentlad。"

Thebrothershadretiredtothestudybythistimeandwerealone,yetDr。Alecloweredhisvoiceashesaidwithatendersortofanxietypleasanttosee:"YouknowIdonotapproveofcousinsmarrying,soI\'minaquandary,Mac,forIlovethechildasifsheweremyownandfeelasifIcouldnotgiveheruptoanymanwhomIdidnotknowandtrustentirely。Itisofnouseforustoplan,forshemustchooseforherself­yetIdowishwecouldkeepheramongusandgiveoneofourboysawifeworthhaving。"

"Wemust,sonevermindyourtheoriesbutdevoteyourselftotestingourelderladsandmakingoneofthemahappyfellow。Allareheart—whole,Ibelieve,and,thoughyoungstillforthissortofthing,wecanbegentlyshapingmattersforthem,sincenooneknowshowsoonthemomentmaycome。

Myfaith­itislikelivinginapowdermilltobeamongalotofyoungfolksnowadays！Alllooksascalmaspossibletillasuddensparkproducesanexplosion,andheavenonlyknowswherewefindourselvesafteritisover。"

AndUncleMacsathimselfcomfortablydowntosettleRose\'sfatewhilethedoctorpacedtheroom,pluckingathisbeardandknittinghisbrowsasifhefoundithardtoseehisway。

"Yes,Archieisagoodfellow,"hesaid,answeringthequestionhehadignoredbefore。"Anupright,steady,intelligentladwhowillmakeanexcellenthusbandifheeverfindsoutthathehasaheart。IsupposeI\'manoldfool,butIdolikealittlemoreromanceinayoungmanthanheseemstohave­morewarmthandenthusiasm,youknow。Blesstheboy！Hemightbefortyinsteadofthreeorfourandtwenty,he\'ssosober,calm,andcool。I\'myoungerthanheis,andcouldgoa—wooinglikeaRomeoifIhadanyhearttoofferawoman。"

Thedoctorlookedrathershamefacedashespoke,andhisbrotherburstoutlaughing。"Seehere,Alec,it\'sapitysomuchromanceandexcellenceasyoursshouldbelost,sowhydon\'tyousettheseyoungfellowsanexampleandgoa—wooingyourself？JessiehasbeenwonderinghowyouhavemanagedtokeepfromfallinginlovewithPhebeallthistime,andClaraisquitesurethatyouwaitedonlytillshewassafeunderAuntPlenty\'swingtoofferyourselfinthegoodold—fashionedstyle。"

"I！"Andthedoctorstoodaghastatthemereidea,thenhegavearesignedsortofsighandaddedlikeamartyr,"Ifthosedearwomenwouldletmealone,I\'dthankthemforever。Puttheideaoutoftheirmindsforheaven\'ssake,Mac,orIshallbehavingthatpoorgirlflungatmyheadandhercomfortdestroyed。SheisafinecreatureandI\'mproudofher,butshedeservesabetterlotthantobetiedtoanoldfellowlikemewhoseonlymeritishisfidelity。"

"Asyouplease,Iwasonlyjoking,"andUncleMacdroppedthesubjectwithsecretrelief。Theexcellentmanthoughtagooddealoffamilyandhadbeenratherworriedatthehintsoftheladies。Afteramoment\'ssilencehereturnedtoaformertopic,whichwasratherapetplanofhis。"Idon\'tthinkyoudoArchiejustice,Alec。Youdon\'tknowhimaswellasIdo,butyou\'llfindthathehasheartenoughunderhiscool,quietmanner。

I\'vegrownveryfondofhim,thinkhighlyofhim,anddon\'tseehowyoucoulddobetterforRosethantogivehertohim。"

"Ifshewillgo,"saidthedoctor,smilingathisbrother\'sbusinesslikewayofdisposingoftheyoungpeople。

"She\'lldoanythingtopleaseyou,"beganUncleMacinperfectgoodfaith,fortwenty—fiveyearsinthesocietyofaveryprosaicwifehadtakennearlyalltheromanceoutofhim。

"Itisofnouseforustoplan,andIshallneverinterfereexcepttoadvise,andifIweretochooseoneoftheboys,Ishouldinclinetomygodson,"answeredthedoctorgravely。

"What,myUglyDuckling！"exclaimedUncleMacingreatsurprise。