第8章

"Hesenttheflowers,hecameforme,and,onthewayhome,showedmehowwrongIhadbeentodoubthimforanhour。Don\'taskmetotellthatpart,butbesureIwasthehappiestcreatureintheworldthen。"

AndPhebehidherfaceagain,allwetwithtendertearsthatfellsoftandsuddenasasummershower。

Roseletthemflowundisturbedwhileshesilentlycaressedthebenthead,wondering,withawistfullookinherownweteyes,whatthismysteriouspassionwaswhichcouldsomove,ennoble,andbeautifythebeingswhomitblessed。

AnimpertinentlittleclockuponthechimneypiecestrikingelevenbrokethesilenceandremindedPhebethatshecouldnotindulgeinlovedreamsthere。Shestartedup,brushedoffhertears,andsaidresolutely:"Thatisenoughfortonight。Gohappilytobed,andleavethetroublesfortomorrow。"

"But,Phebe,Imustknowwhatyousaid,"criedRose,likeachilddefraudedofhalfitsbedtimestory。

"Isaid,\'No。\'"

"Ah！Butitwillchangeto\'yes\'byandby,I\'msureofthat­soI\'llletyougotodreamofhim。TheCampbellsareratherproudofbeingdescendantsofRoberttheBruce,buttheyhavecommonsenseandloveyoudearly,asyou\'llseetomorrow。"

"Perhaps,"Andwithagoodnightkiss,poorPhebewentaway,tolieawaketilldawn。Chapter8。Chapter8。8BREAKERSAHEADAnxioustosmooththewayforPhebe,RosewasupbetimesandslippedintoAuntPlenty\'sroombeforetheoldladyhadgottenhercapon。

"Aunty,I\'vesomethingpleasanttotellyou,andwhileyoulisten,I\'llbrushyourhair,asyouliketohaveme,"shebegan,wellawarethattheproposedprocesswasaverysoothingone。

"Yes,dear­onlydon\'tbetooparticular,becauseI\'mlateandmusthurrydownorJanewon\'tgetthingsstraight,anditdoesfidgetmetohavethesaltcellarsuneven,theteastrainerforgotten,andyouruncle\'spapernotaired,"returnedMissPlenty,brisklyunrollingthetwograycurlssheworeathertemples。

ThenRose,brushingawayatthescantybackhair,ledskillfullyuptothecrisisofhertalebydescribingPhebe\'spanicandbraveeffortstoconquerit;allabouttheflowersArchiesenther;andhowSteveforgot,anddear,thoughtfulArchietookhisplace。SofaritwentwellandAuntPlentywasfullofinterest,sympathy,andapprobation,butwhenRoseadded,asifitwasquiteamatterofcourse,"So,onthewayhome,hetoldherhelovedher,"agreatstarttwitchedthegraylocksoutofherhandsastheoldladyturnedaround,withthelittlecurlsstandingerect,exclaiming,inundisguiseddismay:"Notseriously,Rose？"

"Yes,Aunty,veryseriously。Heneverjokesaboutsuchthings。"

"Mercyonus！Whatshallwedoaboutit？"

"Nothing,ma\'am,butbeasgladasweoughtandcongratulatehimassoonasshesays\'yes。\'"

"Doyoumeantosayshedidn\'tacceptatonce？"

"Sheneverwillifwedon\'twelcomeheraskindlyasifshebelongedtooneofourbestfamilies,andIdon\'tblameher。"

"I\'mgladthegirlhassomuchsense。Ofcoursewecan\'tdoanythingofthesort,andI\'msurprisedatArchie\'sforgettingwhatheowestothefamilyinthisrashmanner。Givememycap,child­ImustspeaktoAlecatonce。"AndAuntPlentytwistedherhairintoabuttonatthebackofherheadwithoneenergetictwirl。

"Dospeakkindly,Aunty,andrememberthatitwasnotPhebe\'sfault。

Sheneverthoughtofthistillverylatelyandbeganatoncetoprepareforgoingaway,"saidRosepleadingly。

"Sheoughttohavegonelongago。ItoldMyraweshouldhavetroublesomewhereassoonasIsawwhatagood—lookingcreatureshewas,andhereitisasbadascanbe。Dear,dear！Whycan\'tyoungpeoplehavealittleprudence？"

"Idon\'tseethatanyoneneedobjectifUncleJemandAuntJessieapprove,andIdothinkitwillbevery,veryunkindtoscoldpoorPhebeforbeingwell—bred,pretty,andgood,afterdoingallwecouldtomakeherso。"

"Child,youdon\'tunderstandthesethingsyet,butyououghttofeelyourdutytowardyourfamilyanddoallyoucantokeepthenameashonorableasitalwayshasbeen。WhatdoyousupposeourblessedancestressLadyMargetwouldsaytoouroldestboytakingawifefromthepoorhouse？"

Asshespoke,MissPlentylookedup,almostapprehensively,atoneofthewooden—facedoldportraitswithwhichherroomwashung,asifaskingpardonofthesevere—nosedmatronwhostaredbackatherfromunderthesortofbluedishcoverwhichformedherheadgear。

"AsLadyMargetdiedabouttwohundredyearsago,Idon\'tcareapinwhatshewouldsay,especiallyasshelookslikeaverynarrow—minded,haughtywoman。ButIdocareverymuchwhatMissPlentyCampbellsays,forsheisaverysensible,generous,discreet,anddearoldladywhowouldn\'thurtafly,muchlessagoodandfaithfulgirlwhohasbeenasistertome。Wouldshe？"entreatedRose,knowingwellthattheelderauntledalltherestmoreorless。

ButMissPlentyhadhercaponnowandconsequentlyfeltherselftwicethewomanshewaswithoutit,soshenotonlygaveitasomewhatbelligerentairbysettingitwellup,butsheshookherheaddecidedly,smootheddownherstiffwhiteapron,andstoodupasifreadyforbattle。

"Ishalldomyduty,Rose,andexpectthesameofothers。Don\'tsayanymorenow­Imustturnthematteroverinmymind,forithascomeuponmesuddenlyandneedsseriousconsideration。"

Withwhichunusuallysolemnaddressshetookupherkeysandtrottedaway,leavingherniecetofollowwithananxiouscountenance,uncertainwhetherherchampionshiphaddonegoodorilltothecauseshehadatheart。

ShewasmuchcheeredbythesoundofPhebe\'svoiceinthestudy,forRosewassurethatifUncleAlecwasontheirsideallwouldbewell。Butthecloudsloweredagainwhentheycameintobreakfast,forPhebe\'sheavyeyesandpalecheeksdidnotlookencouraging,whileDr。AlecwasassoberasajudgeandsentaninquiringglancetowardRosenowandthenasifcurioustodiscoverhowsheborethenews。

Anuncomfortablemeal,thoughalltriedtoseemasusualandtalkedoverlastnight\'seventswithalltheinteresttheycould。Buttheoldpeacewasdisturbedbyaword,asapebblethrownintoaquietpoolsendstelltalecirclesripplingitssurfacefarandwide。AuntPlenty,while"turningthesubjectoverinhermind,"alsoseemedintentonupsettingeverythingshetouchedandmadesadhavocinherteatray;Dr。Alecunsociablyreadhispaper;Rose,havingsaltedinsteadofsugaredheroatmeal,absentlyateit,feelingthatthesweetnesshadgoneoutofeverything;andPhebe,afterchokingdownacupofteaandcrumblingaroll,excusedherselfandwentaway,sternlyresolvingnottobeaboneofcontentiontothisbelovedfamily。

AssoonasthedoorwasshutRosepushedawayherplateand,goingtoDr。Alec,shepeepedoverthepaperwithsuchananxiousfacethatheputitdownatonce。

"Uncle,thisisaseriousmatter,andwemusttakeourstandatonce,foryouarePhebe\'sguardianandIamhersister,"beganRosewithprettysolemnity。"Youhaveoftenbeendisappointedinme,"shecontinued,"butIknowInevershallbeinyoubecauseyouaretoowiseandgoodtoletanyworldlyprideorprudencespoilyoursympathywithArchieandourPhebe。Youwon\'tdesertthem,willyou？"

"Never！"answeredDr。Alecwithgratifyingenergy。

"Thankyou！Thankyou！"criedRose。"Now,ifIhaveyouandAuntyonmyside,I\'mnotafraidofanybody。"

"Gently,gently,child。Idon\'tintendtodesertthelovers,butIcertainlyshalladvisethemtoconsiderwellwhattheyareabout。I\'llownIamratherdisappointed,becauseArchieisyoungtodecidehislifeinthiswayandPhebe\'scareerseemedsettledinanotherfashion。Oldpeopledon\'tliketohavetheirplansupset,youknow,"headdedmorelightly,forRose\'sfacefellashewenton。

"Oldpeopleshouldn\'tplantoomuchfortheyoungones,then。Weareverygrateful,I\'msure,butwecannotalwaysbedisposedofinthemostprudentandsensibleway,sodon\'tsetyourheartsonlittlearrangementsofthatsort,Ibeg,"AndRoselookedwondrouswise,forshecouldnothelpsuspectingevenherbestuncleof"plans"inherbehalf。

"Youarequiteright—weshouldn\'t,yetitisveryhardtohelpit,"

confessedDr。Alecwithaconsciousair,and,returninghastilytothelovers,headdedkindly:"IwasmuchpleasedwiththestraightforwardwayinwhichPhebecametomethismorningandtoldmeallaboutit,asifIreallywasherguardian。Shedidnotownitinwords,butitwasperfectlyevidentthatshelovesArchiewithallherheart,yet,knowingtheobjectionswhichwillbemade,verysensiblyandbravelyproposestogoawayatonceandendthematter­asifthatwerepossible,poorchild。"AndthetenderheartedmangaveasighofsympathythatdidRosegoodtohearandmollifiedherrisingindignationatthebareideaofendingPhebe\'sloveaffairsinsuchasummaryway。

"Youdon\'tthinksheoughttogo,Ihope？"

"Ithinkshewillgo。"

"Wemustnotlether。"

"Wehavenorighttokeepher。"

"Oh,Uncle,surelywehave！OurPhebe,whomwealllovesomuch。"

"Youforgetthatsheisawomannow,andwehavenoclaimonher。Becausewe\'vebefriendedherforyearsistheveryreasonweshouldnotmakeourbenefitsaburden,butleaveherfree,andifshechoosestodothisinspiteofArchie,wemustletherwithaGodspeed。"

BeforeRosecouldanswer,AuntPlentyspokeoutlikeonehavingauthority,forold—fashionedwaysweredeartohersoulandshethoughtevenloveaffairsshouldbeconductedwithaproperregardtothepowersthatbe。

"Thefamilymusttalkthematteroveranddecidewhatisbestforthechildren,whoofcoursewilllistentoreasonanddonothingilladvised。

Formypart,Iamquiteupsetbythenews,butshallnotcommitmyselftillI\'veseenJessieandtheboy。Jane,clearaway,andbringmethehotwater。"

Thatendedthemorningconference。And,leavingtheoldladytosoothehermindbypolishingspoonsandwashingcups,RosewentawaytofindPhebewhilethedoctorretiredtolaughoverthedownfallofbrotherMac\'smatchmakingschemes。

TheCampbellsdidnotgossipabouttheirconcernsinpublic,butbeingaveryunitedfamily,ithadlongbeenthecustomto"talkover"anyinterestingeventwhichoccurredtoanymemberthereof,andeveryonegavehisorheropinion,advice,orcensurewiththeutmostcandor。Thereforethefirstengagement,ifsuchitcouldbecalled,createdagreatsensation,amongtheauntsespecially,andtheywereinasmuchofaflutterasaflockofmaternalbirdswhentheiryoungbegintohopoutofthenest。Soatallhourstheexcellentladieswereseenexcitedlynoddingtheircapstogetherastheydiscussedtheaffairinallitsbearings,withouteverarrivingatanyunanimousdecision。

Theboystookitmuchmorecalmly。MacwastheonlyonewhocameoutstronglyinArchie\'sfavor。CharliethoughttheChiefoughttodobetterandcalledPhebe"asirenwhohadbewitchedthesageyouth。"Stevewasscandalizedanddeliveredlongorationsuponone\'sdutytosociety,keepingtheoldnameup,andthedangerofmésalliances,whileallthetimehesecretlysympathizedwithArchie,beingmuchsmittenwithKittyVanhimself。WillandGeordie,unfortunatelyhomefortheholidays,consideredit"ajollylark,"andlittleJamienearlydrovehiselderbrotherdistractedbycuriousinquiriesasto"howfolksfeltwhentheywereinlove。"

UncleMac\'sdismaywassocomicalthatitkeptDr。Alecingoodspirits,forhealoneknewhowdeepwasthedeludedman\'schagrinatthefailureofthelittleplotwhichhefanciedwasprosperingfinely。

"I\'llneversetmyheartonanythingofthesortagain,andtheyoungrascalsmaymarrywhomtheylike。I\'mpreparedforanythingnow—soifStevebringshomethewasherwoman\'sdaughter,andMacrunsawaywithourprettychambermaid,Ishallsay,\'Blessyoumychildren,\'withmournfulresignation,for,uponmysoul,thatisallthat\'sleftforamodernparenttodo。"

Withwhichtragicburst,poorUncleMacwashedhishandsofthewholeaffairandburiedhimselfinthecountinghousewhilethestormraged。

AboutthistimeArchiemighthaveechoedRose\'schildishwish,thatshehadnotquitesomanyaunts,forthetonguesofthoseinterestedrelativesmadesadhavocwithhislittleromanceandcausedhimtolongferventlyforadesertislandwherehecouldwooandwinhisloveindeliciouspeace。Thatnothingofthesortwaspossiblesoonbecameevident,sinceeverywordutteredonlyconfirmedPhebe\'sresolutiontogoawayandprovedtoRosehowmistakenshehadbeeninbelievingthatshecouldbringeveryonetoherwayofthinking。

Prejudicesareunmanageablethings,andthegoodaunts,likemostwomen,possessedaplentifulsupply,soRosefounditlikebeatingherheadagainstawalltotryandconvincethemthatArchiewaswiseinlovingpoorPhebe。

Hismother,whohadhopedtohaveRoseforherdaughter­notbecauseofherfortune,butthetenderaffectionshefeltforher­putawayherdisappointmentwithoutawordandwelcomedPhebeaskindlyasshecouldforherboy\'ssake。Butthegirlfeltthetruthwiththequicknessofanaturemadesensitivebyloveandclungtoherresolveallthemoretenaciously,thoughgratefulforthemotherlywordsthatwouldhavebeensosweetifgenuinehappinesshadpromptedthem。

AuntJanecalleditromanticnonsenseandadvisedstrongmeasures­"kind,butfirm,Jessie。"AuntClarawassadlydistressedabout"whatpeoplewouldsay"ifoneof"ourboys"marriedanobody\'sdaughter。AndAuntMyranotonlysecondedherviewsbypaintingportraitsofPhebe\'sunknownrelationsinthedarkestcolorsbututtereddirefulpropheciesregardingthedisreputablebeingswhowouldstartupinswarmsthemomentthegirlmadeagoodmatch。

ThesesuggestionssowroughtuponAuntPlentythatsheturnedadeafeartothebenevolentemotionsnativetoherbreastand,takingrefugebehind"ourblessedancestress,LadyMarget,"refusedtosanctionanyengagementwhichcouldbringdiscredituponthestainlessnamewhichwasherpride。

Soitallendedwhereitbegan,forArchiesteadilyrefusedtolistentoanyonebutPhebe,andsheassteadilyreiteratedherbitter"No！"fortifyingherselfhalfunconsciouslywiththehopethat,byandby,whenshehadwonaname,fatemightbekinder。

Whiletheresttalked,shehadbeenworking,foreveryhourshowedherthatherinstincthadbeenatrueoneandpridewouldnotletherstay,thoughlovepleadedeloquently。So,afteraChristmasanythingbutmerry,Phebepackedhertrunks,richingiftsfromthosewhogenerouslygaveherallbuttheonethingshedesired,and,withapocketfulofletterstopeoplewhocouldfurtherherplans,shewentawaytoseekherfortune,withabravefaceandaveryheavyheart。

"Writeoften,andletmeknowallyoudo,myPhebe,andrememberIshallneverbecontentedtillyoucomebackagain,"whisperedRose,clingingtohertillthelast。

"Shewillcomeback,forinayearI\'mgoingtobringherhome,pleaseGod,"saidArchie,palewiththepainofpartingbutasresoluteasshe。

"I\'llearnmywelcome­thenperhapsitwillbeeasierforthemtogiveandmetoreceiveit,"answeredPhebe,withabackwardglanceatthegroupofcapsinthehallasshewentdownthestepsonDr。Alec\'sarm。

"Youearneditlongago,anditisalwayswaitingforyouwhileIamhere。Rememberthat,andGodblessyou,mygoodgirl,"hesaid,withapaternalkissthatwarmedherheart。

"Inevershallforgetit！"AndPhebeneverdid。Chapter9。Chapter9。9NEWYEAR\'SCALLS"NowI\'mgoingtoturnoveranewleaf,asIpromised。IwonderwhatI

shallfindonthenextpage？"saidRose,comingdownonNewYear\'smorningwithaseriousfaceandathickletterinherhand。

"Tiredoffrivolity,mydear？"askedheruncle,pausinginhiswalkupanddownthehalltoglanceatherwithaquick,brightlookshelikedtobringintohiseyes。

"No,sir,andthat\'sthesadpartofit,butI\'vemadeupmymindtostopwhileIcanbecauseI\'msureitisnotgoodforme。I\'vehadsomeverysoberthoughtslately,forsincemyPhebewentawayI\'vehadnoheartforgaiety,soitisagoodplacetostopandmakeafreshstart,"answeredRose,takinghisarmandwalkingonwithhim。

"Anexcellenttime！Now,howareyougoingtofilltheachingvoid？"

heasked,wellpleased。

"Bytryingtobeasunselfish,brave,andgoodassheis。"AndRoseheldtheletteragainstherbosomwithatendertouch,forPhebe\'sstrengthhadinspiredherwithadesiretobeasself—reliant。"I\'mgoingtosetaboutlivinginearnest,asshehas;thoughIthinkitwillbeharderformethanforher,becauseshestandsaloneandhasacareermarkedoutforher。I\'mnothingbutacommonplacesortofgirl,withnoendofrelationstobeconsultedeverytimeIwinkandadreadfulfortunehanginglikeamillstoneroundmynecktoweighmedownifItrytofly。Itisahardcase,Uncle,andIgetlowinmymindwhenIthinkaboutit,"sighedRose,oppressedwithherblessings。

"Afflictedchild！HowcanIrelieveyou？"AndtherewasamusementaswellassympathyinDr。Alec\'sfaceashepattedthehanduponhisarm。

"Pleasedon\'tlaugh,forIreallyamtryingtobegood。Inthefirstplace,helpmetoweanmyselffromfoolishpleasuresandshowmehowtooccupymythoughtsandtimesothatImaynotidleaboutanddreaminsteadofdoinggreatthings。"

"Good！We\'llbeginatonce。Cometotownwithmethismorningandseeyourhouses。Theyareallready,andMrs。Gardnerhashalfadozenpoorsoulswaitingtogoinassoonasyougivetheword,"answeredthedoctorpromptly,gladtogethisgirlbackagain,thoughnotsurprisedthatshestilllookedwithregretfuleyesattheVanityFair,alwayssoenticingwhenweareyoung。

"I\'llgiveittoday,andmakethenewyearahappyonetothosepoorsoulsatleast。I\'msosorrythatit\'simpossibleformetogowithyou,butyouknowImusthelpAuntyPlenreceive。Wehaven\'tbeenhereforsolongthatshehadsetherheartonhavingagrandtimetoday,andIparticularlywanttopleaseherbecauseIhavenotbeenasamiableasIoughtlately。

Ireallycouldn\'tforgiveherforsidingagainstPhebe。"

"Shedidwhatshethoughtwasright,sowemustnotblameher。IamgoingtomakemyNewYear\'scallstodayand,asmyfriendslivedownthatway,I\'llgetthelistofnamesfromMrs。G。andtellthepoorladies,withMissCampbell\'scompliments,thattheirnewhomeisready。ShallI？"

"Yes,Uncle,buttakeallthecredittoyourself,forInevershouldhavethoughtofitifyouhadnotproposedtheplan。"

"Blessyourheart！I\'monlyyouragent,andsuggestnowandthen。I\'venothingtoofferbutadvice,soIlavishthatonalloccasions。"

"Youhavenothingbecauseyou\'vegivenyoursubstanceallawayasgenerouslyasyoudoyouradvice。Nevermind­youshallnevercometowantwhileIlive。I\'llsaveenoughforustwo,thoughIdomake\'ducksanddrakesofmyfortune。\'"

Dr。AleclaughedatthetossoftheheadwithwhichshequotedCharlie\'soffensivewords,thenofferedtotaketheletter,saying,ashelookedathiswatch:"I\'llpostthatforyouintimefortheearlymail。Ilikearunbeforebreakfast。"

ButRoseheldherletterfast,dimplingwithsuddensmiles,halfmerryandhalfshy。

"Nothankyou,sir。Archielikestodothat,andneverfailstocallforallIwrite。HegetsapeepatPhebe\'sinreturnandIcheerhimupabit,for,thoughhesaysnothing,hehasahardtimeofit,poorfellow。"

"Howmanylettersinfivedays？"

"Four,sir,tome。Shedoesn\'twritetohim,Uncle。"

"Asyet。Well,youshowhers,soit\'sallrightandyouareasetofsentimentalyoungsters。"Andthedoctorwalkedaway,lookingasifheenjoyedthesentimentasmuchasanyofthem。

OldMissCampbellwasnearlyasgreatafavoriteasyoungMissCampbell,soasuccessionofblackcoatsandwhiteglovesflowedinandoutofthehospitablemansionprettysteadilyallday。Theclanwasoutingreatforce,andcamebyininstallmentstopaytheirdutytoAuntPlentyandwishthecomplimentsoftheseasonto"ourcousin。"Archieappearedfirst,lookingsadbutsteadfast,andwentawaywithPhebe\'sletterinhisleftbreastpocketfeelingthatlifewasstillendurable,thoughhislovewastornfromhim,forRosehadmanycomfortablethingstosayandreadhimdeliciousbitsfromthevoluminouscorrespondencelatelybegun。

HardlywashegonewhenWillandGeordiecamemarchingin,lookingasfineasgrayuniformswithmuchscarletpipingcouldmakethemandfeelingpeculiarlyimportant,asthiswastheirfirstessayinNewYear\'scall—making。

Briefwastheirstay,fortheyplannedtovisiteveryfriendtheyhad,andRosecouldnothelplaughingatthedrollmixtureofmanlydignityandboyishdelightwithwhichtheydroveoffintheirowncarriage,bothaserectasramrods,armsfolded,andcapsstuckatexactlythesameangleoneachblondhead。

"Herecomestheothercouple­Steve,infullfeather,withabigbouquetforKitty,andpoorMac,lookinglikeagentlemanandfeelinglikeamartyr,I\'msure,"saidRose,watchingonecarriageturninastheotherturnedoutofthegreatgate,withitsarchofholly,ivy,andevergreen。

"Hereheis。I\'vegothimintowforthedayandwantyoutocheerhimupwithawordofpraise,forhecamewithoutastrugglethoughplanningtoboltsomewherewithUncle,"criedSteve,fallingbacktodisplayhisbrother,whocameinlookingremarkablywellinhisstateandfestivalarray,forpolishinghadbeguntotell。

"AhappyNewYear,Aunty,sametoyou,Cousin,andbestwishesforasmanymoreasyoudeserve,"saidMac,heedingStevenomorethanifhehadbeenaflyashegavetheoldladyaheartykissandofferedRoseaquaintlittlenosegayofpansies。

"Heart\'s—ease­doyouthinkIneedit？"sheasked,lookingupwithsuddensobriety。

"Wealldo。CouldIgiveyouanythingbetteronadaylikethis？"

"No­thankyouverymuch。"AndasuddendewcametoRose\'seyes,for,thoughoftenbluntinspeech,whenMacdiddoatenderthing,italwaystouchedherbecauseheseemedtounderstandhermoodssowell。

"HasArchiebeenhere？Hesaidheshouldn\'tgoanywhereelse,butI

hopeyoutalkedthatnonsenseoutofhishead,"saidSteve,settlinghistiebeforethemirror。

"Yes,dear,hecamebutlookedsooutofspiritsIreallyfeltreproached。

Rosecheeredhimupalittle,butIdon\'tbelievehewillfeelequaltomakingcallsandIhopehewon\'t,forhisfacetellsthewholestorymuchtooplainly,"answeredAuntyPlenty,rustlingaboutherbountifultableinherrichestblacksilkwithallheroldlaceon。

"Oh,he\'llgetoveritinamonthortwo,andPhebewillsoonfindanotherlover,sodon\'tbeworriedabouthim,Aunty,"saidSteve,withtheairofamanwhoknewallaboutthatsortofthing。

"IfArchiedoesforget,Ishalldespisehim,andIknowPhebewon\'ttrytofindanotherlover,thoughshe\'llprobablyhavethem­sheissosweetandgood！"criedRoseindignantly,for,havingtakenthepairunderherprotection,shedefendedthemvaliantly。

"Thenyou\'dhaveArchhopeagainsthopeandnevergiveup,wouldyou？"

askedMac,puttingonhisglassestosurveythethinbootswhichwerehisespecialabomination。

"Yes,Iwould,foraloverisnotworthhavingifhe\'snotinearnest！"

"Exactly。Soyou\'dlikethemtowaitandworkandkeeponlovingtilltheymadeyourelentorplainlyprovedthatitwasnouse。"

"Iftheyweregoodaswellasconstant,IthinkIshouldrelentintime。"

"I\'llmentionthattoPemberton,forheseemedtobehitthehardest,andarayofhopewilldohimgood,whetherheisequaltothetenyears\'

waitornot,"putinSteve,wholikedtorallyRoseaboutherlovers。

"I\'llneverforgiveyouifyousayawordtoanyone。ItisonlyMac\'soddwayofaskingquestions,andIoughtnottoanswerthem。YouwilltalkaboutsuchthingsandIcan\'tstopyou,butIdon\'tlikeit,"saidRose,muchannoyed。

"PoorlittlePenelope！SheshallnotbeteasedabouthersuitorsbutleftinpeacetillherUlyssescomeshome,"saidMac,sittingdowntoreadthemottoesstickingoutofcertainfancifulbonbonsonthetable。

"ItisthisfussaboutArchiewhichhasdemoralizedusall。Eventheowlwakedupandhasn\'tgotovertheexcitementyet,yousee。He\'shadnoexperience,poorfellow,sohedoesn\'tknowhowtobehave,"observedSteve,regardinghisbouquetwithtenderinterest。

"That\'strue,andIaskedforinformationbecauseImaybeinlovemyselfsomedayandallthiswillbeuseful,don\'tyousee？"

"Youinlove！"AndStevecouldnotrestrainalaughattheideaofthebookwormaslavetothetenderpassion。

Quiteunruffled,Macleanedhischininbothhands,regardingthemwithameditativeeyeasheansweredinhiswhimsicalway:"Whynot？Iintendtostudyloveaswellasmedicine,foritisoneofthemostmysteriousandremarkablediseasesthatafflictmankind,andthebestwaytounderstanditistohaveit。Imaycatchitsomeday,andthenIshouldliketoknowhowtotreatandcureit。"

"Ifyoutakeitasbadlyasyoudidmeaslesandwhoopingcough,itwillgohardwithyou,oldfellow,"saidSteve,muchamusedwiththefancy。

"Iwantitto。Nogreatexperiencecomesorgoeseasily,andthisisthegreatestwecanknow,Ibelieve,exceptdeath。"

SomethinginMac\'squiettoneandthoughtfuleyesmadeRoselookathiminsurprise,forshehadneverheardhimspeakinthatwaybefore。

Stevealsostaredforaninstant,equallyamazed,thensaidbelowhisbreath,withanairofmockanxiety:"He\'sbeencatchingsomethingatthehospital,typhoidprobably,andisbeginningtowander。I\'lltakehimquietlyawaybeforehegetsanywilder。Come,oldlunatic,wemustbeoff。"

"Don\'tbealarmed。I\'mallrightandmuchobligedforyouradvice,forIfancyIshallbeadesperateloverwhenmytimecomes,ifiteverdoes。

Youdon\'tthinkitimpossible,doyou？"AndMacputthequestionsosoberlythattherewasageneralsmile。

"Certainlynot­you\'llbearegularDouglas,tenderandtrue,"answeredRose,wonderingwhatqueerquestionwouldcomenext。

"Thankyou。Thefactis,I\'vebeenwithArchiesomuchinhistroublelatelythatI\'vegotteninterestedinthismatterandverynaturallywanttoinvestigatethesubjectaseveryrationalmanmust,soonerorlater,that\'sall。Now,Steve,I\'mready。"AndMacgotupasifthelessonwasover。

"Mydear,thatboyiseitherafooloragenius,andI\'msureIshouldbegladtoknowwhich,"saidAuntPlenty,puttingherbonbonstorightswithapuzzledshakeofherbestcap。

"Timewillshow,butIinclinetothinkthatheisnotafoolbyanymeans,"answeredthegirl,pullingaclusterofwhiterosesoutofherbosomtomakeroomforthepansies,thoughtheydidnotsuitthebluegownhalfsowell。

JustthenAuntJessiecameintohelpthemreceive,withJamietomakehimselfgenerallyuseful,whichheproceededtodobyhoveringaroundthetablelikeaflyaboutahoneypotwhennotflatteninghisnoseagainstthewindowpanestoannounceexcitedly,"Here\'sanothermancomingupthedrive！"

Charliearrivednextinhismostsunshinyhumor,foranythingsocialandfestivewashisdelight,andwheninthismoodthePrincewasquiteirresistible。HebroughtaprettybraceletforRoseandwasgraciouslyallowedtoputitonwhileshechidhimgentlyforhisextravagance。

"Iamonlyfollowingyourexample,foryouknow\'nothingistoogoodforthosewelove,andgivingawayisthebestthingonecando,\'"heretorted,quotingwordsofherown。

"Iwishyouwouldfollowmyexampleinsomeotherthingsaswellasyoudointhis,"saidRosesoberlyasAuntPlentycalledhimtocomeandseeifthepunchwasright。

"Mustconformtothecustomsofsociety。Aunty\'sheartwouldbebrokenifwedidnotdrinkherhealthinthegoodoldfashion。Butdon\'tbealarmed­I\'veastrongheadofmyown,andthat\'slucky,forIshallneeditbeforeI

getthrough,"laughedCharlie,showingalonglistasheturnedawaytogratifytheoldladywithallsortsofmerryandaffectionatecomplimentsastheglassestouched。

Rosedidfeelratheralarmed,forifhedrankthehealthofalltheownersofthosenames,shefeltsurethatCharliewouldneedaverystrongheadindeed。ItwashardtosayanythingthenandtherewithoutseemingdisrespecttoAuntPlenty,yetshelongedtoremindhercousinoftheexampleshetriedtosethiminthisrespect,forRosenevertouchedwine,andtheboysknewit。Shewasthoughtfullyturningthebracelet,withitsprettydeviceofturquoiseforget—me—nots,whenthegivercamebacktoher,stillbubblingoverwithgoodspirits。