EH IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.: 1.25 ISO ""^ m^M m 2.0 Urn 1.4 1.6 m und with portraits of solemn old gentlemen in wigs, severe-nosed ladies in top-heavy caps, and star- ing children in little bob-tailed coats or short-waisted frocks. It wa^ an excellent place for woe; and the fitful spring rain that pattered on the window-pane seemed to sob, " Cry away : I 'm with you." Rose really did have some cause to be sad ; for she had no mother, and had lately lost her father also, which left her no home but this with her great-aunts. She had been with them only a week, and, though the dear old ladies had tried their best to make her happy, they had not succeeded very well, for she was unlike any child they had ever seen, and they felt very much as if they had the care i)f a low-spirited butterfly. They had given her the freedom of the house, and EIGHT COUSINS. 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 mys- terious passages. Windows broke out in unexpected places, little balconies overhung the garden most ro- mantically, and there was £ long upper hall full of curiosities from all parts of the world ; for the Camp- bells had been sea-captains for generation^. Aunt Plenty had even allowed Rose to rummage in her great china closet, — a spicy retreat, rich in all the " goodies " that children love ; but Rose seemed to care little for these toothsome temptations ; and when that hope failed, Aunt Plenty gave up in despair. Gentle Aunt Peace had tried all sorts of pretty needle-work, and planned a doll's wardrobe that wouJd have won the heart of even an older child. But Rose took little interest in piijk satin hats and tiny hose, though she sewed dutifully till her aunt caught her wiping tears away with the train of a wedding-dress, and that discovery put an end to the sewing society. Then both old ladies put their heads together and picked out the model child of the neighborhood to come and play with their niece. But 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 doU 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 in-doors, and she spent most of her time in the library where her father's books were stored. Here she read a great deal, cried TWO GIRLS. 8 a little, and dreamed many of the innocent bright dreams in which imaginative children find such com- fort and delight. This suited her better than any thing else, but it was not good for her, and she grew pale, heavy-eyed, and listless, though Aunt Plenty gave her iron enough to make a cooking-stove, and Aunt Peace petted her like a poodle. Seeing this, the poor aunties racked their brains for a new amusement, and determined to venture a bold stroke, though not very hopeful of its success. They said nothing to Rose about their plan for this Saturday afternoon, but let her alone till the time came for the grand surprise, little dreaming that the odd child would find pleasure for herself* in a most unexpected quarter. 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 mixt- ure of all the notes, as if the bird burst out laughing. Rose laughed also, and, forgetting her woes, jumped up, saying eagerly,— " It is a mocking-bird. Where is it ? " Running down the long hall, she peeped out at both doors, but saw nothing feathered except a draggle- tailed chicken under a burdock leaf. She listened again, and the sound seemed to be in the house. Away she went, much excited by the chase, and following the changeful song it led her to the china-closet door. " In there ? How funny ! " she said. But when she EIGHT COUSINS. entered, not a bird appeared except the everlastingly kissing swallowB 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, — " Did you hear that mocking-bird ? " " I should call it a phebe-bird," answered the girl, looking up with a twinkle in her black eyes. "Where did it go?" "It is here still." "Where?" " In my throat. Do you want to hear it ? " " Oh, yes I I '11 come in." And Rose crept through the slide to the wide shelf on the other side, being too hurried and puzzled to go round by the door. The girl wiped her hands, crossed her feet on the little island of cai^et where she was stranded in a nea of soap-suds, and then, sure enough, out of her slender throat came the swallow's twitter, the robin's whistle, the blue-jay's call, the thrush's song, the wood-dove's coo, and many another familiar note, all ending as before with the musical ecstasy of a bobolink singing and swinging among the meadow grass on a bright June day. Rose was so astonislied that she nearly fell off her perch, and when the little concert was over clapped her hands delightedly. "Oh, it V as lovely I Who taught you ? " <* The b ds," answered the girl, with a smile, aa she fell to work again. i'M TWO GIRLS. " It is very wonderful ! I can sing, but notLing half BO fine as that. What is your name, please ? " "Phebe Moore." "I.Ve heard of phebe-birds ; but I don't believe the real ones could do that," laughed Rose, adding, as she watched with interest the scattering of dabs of soft soap over the bricks, " May I stay and see you work ? It is very lonely in the parlor." "Yes, indeed, if you want to," answered Phebe, wringing out her cloth in a capable sort of way that impressed Rose very much. " It must be fun to swash the water round and dig out the soap. I 'd love to do it, only aunt would n't like it, I suppose," paid Rose, quite taken with the new employment. " You 'd soon get tired, so you 'd better keep tidy and look on." " I suppose you help your mother a good deal? " " I have n't got any folks." " Why, where do you live, then ? " " 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 a bird and worked like a woman. " Hope I shall ; for I 'm fifteen now, and old enough to earn my own living. You have come to stay a spell, have n't you ? " asked Phebe, looking up at her guest and wondering how life coitld be dull to a girl who wore a silk frock, a daintily frilled apron, a pretty I^oket, and had her hair tied up with a velvet snood. '* Yes, I shall stay till my uncle comes. He is my 6 EIGHT COUSINS. guardian now, and I don't know what he will do with me. Have you a guardian ? " " My sakes, no I I was left on the poor-house steps a little mite of a baby, and Miss Rogers took a liking to me, so I Ve been there ever since. But she is dead now, and I take care of myself." " How interesting I It is like Arabella Montgomery in the * Gypsy's Child.' Did you ever read that sweet story ? '' asked Robe, who was fond of tales of found- lings, and had read many. " I don't have any books to read, and all the spare time I get I run off into the woods; that rests me better than stories," answered Phebe, as she finished one job and began on another. 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, — " You 've had lots of schooling, I suppose ? " "Oh, dear me, yes! I've been at boarding-school nearly a year, and I 'm almost dead with lessons. The more I got, the more Miss Power gave me, and I was so miserable I 'most cried my eyes out. Papa never gave me hard things to do, and he always taught me Bo pleasantly I loved to study. Oh, we were so happy and so fond of one another ! But now he is gone, and I am left all alone." The toar that would not come when Rose sat wait- ing for it came now of its own accord, — two of them in fact, — and ro'led down her cheeks, telling the tale of love and sorrow better than any words could do it. TWO GIRLS. For a minute there was no sound in the kitchen but the little daughter's sobbing and the sympathetic pat- ter of the rain. Phebe stopped rattling her beans from one pan to the other, and her eyes were full of pity as they rested on the curly head bent down on Rose's knee, for she saw that the heart under the pretty locket ached with its loss, and the dainty apron was used to dry sadder tears than any she had ever shed. Somehow, she felt more contented with her brown calico gown and blue-checked pinafore ; envy changed to compassion ; and if she had dared she would have gone and hugged her afflicted guest. Fearing that might not be considered proper, she said, in her cheery voice, — " I 'm sure you ain't all alone with such a lot of folks belonging to you, and all so rich and clever. You 'H be petted to pieces, Debby says, because you are the only girl in the family." Phebe's last words made Rose smile in spite of her tears, and she looked out from behind her apron with an April face, saying in a tone of comic distress, — " That 's one of my troubles ! I 've got six aunts, and they all want me, and I don't know any of them very well. Papa named this place the Aunt-hill, and now I see why." Phebe laughed with her as she said encouragingly, — " Every one calls it so, and it 's a real good name, for all the Mrs. Campbells live handy by, and keep coming up to see the old ladies." "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 V EIGHT COUSINS: was lying down, and when auntie came to call Ida I went under the quilt and pretended to be asleep. I shall Aaue 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 con- sidered them a species of wild animal. " Oh ! I guess you '11 like 'em. I 've seen 'em flying round when they come over from the Point, some- times in their boats and sometimes on horseback. If you like boats and horses, you'll enjoy yourself " first- rate." " 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 much for her, and she began to think of a speedy return to the detested school. Phebe laughed at her woe till the beans danced in the pan, but tried to comfort her by suggesting a means of relief. * " Perhaps your uncle will take you away where there ain't any boys. Debby says he is a real kind- man, and always brings heaps of nice things when he comes." " Yes, but you see that is another trouble, for I don't know Uncle Alec at all. He hardly ever came to see us, though he sent me pretty things very often. Now I belong to him, and shall have to mind him, till I am eighteen. I may not like him a bit, and I fret about it all the time.'' ^ " Well, I would n'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 TWO GIRLS. 9 myself,*' began Phebe, but got no further, for a sudden rush and rumble outside made them both jump. " It 's thunder," said Phebe. " It 's a circus ! " cried Rose, who from her elevated perch had caught glimpses of a gay cart of some sort and several ponies with flying manes and tails. The sound died away, and the girls were about to continue their confidences when old Debby appeared, looking rather cross and sleepy after her nap. " You are wanted in the parlor. Miss Rose." " Has anybody come ? " " Little girls should n't ask questions, but do as they are bid," was all Debby would answer. " I do hope it is n't Aunt Myra ; she always scares me out of my wits asking how my cough is, and groan- ing over me as if I was going to die," said Rose, pre- paring 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 '11 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 biler," growled Debby, who thought it her diity to snub children on all occasions. !♦ * » . V CHAPTER n. 4 _-■' THE CLAN. - r ROSE scrambled into the china-closet as rapidly as possible, and there refreshed herself by making faces at Debby, while she settled her plumage and screwed up her courage. Then she crept softly down the hall and peeped into the parlor. No one appeared, and all was so still she felt sure the company was up- stairs. So she skipped boldly through the half-open folding-doors, to behold on the other side a sight that nearly took her breath away. Seven boys stood in a row, — all ages, all sizes, all yellow-haired and blue-eyed, all in full Scotch costume, and all smiling, nodding, and saying as with one voice, " How are you, cousin ? " 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, how- ever, the tallest lad stepped out of the line, saying pleasantly, — " 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 hd spoke, and Rose timidly THE CLAN. 11 '•\ ^ ¥A$iC ^1^^ <& h I 'I (] i. , I I #i!:-< *«;:^ '^ • --^ ( ^C.M.fOM£U^ The Eight Cousins. — Page lo. 12 EIGHT COUSINS, put her own into a brown paw, which closed over the white morsel and held it as the chief continued his introductions. "We came in full rig, for we always turn out m style on grand occasions. Hope you like it. Now I '11 tell you who these chaps are, and then we shall be all right. This big one is Prince Charlie, Aunt Clara's boy. She has but one, so he is an extra good one. This old fellow is Mac, the bookworm, called Worm for short. This sweet creature is Steve the Dandy. Look at his gloves and top-knot, if you please. They are Aunt Jane's lads, and a precious pair you 'd better believe. These are the Brats, my brothers, Geordie and Will, and Jamie the Baby. Now, my men, step out and show your manners." 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 £ trying moment to the bashtul 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 per- vaded with boys. Rose hastily retired to the shelter of a big chair and sat there watching the invaders and wondering when her aunt would come and rescue her. As if bound to do their duty manfully, yet rather oppressed by it, each lad paused beside her chair in Ms wanderings, made a brief remark, received a still briefer answer, and then i^eevod off with a relieved expression. ^ THE CLAN. 18 StS Archie came first, and, leaning over the chair-back, observed in a paternal tone, — " I 'm glad you Ve come, cousin, and I hope you 11 find the Aunt-hill pretty jolly." « I think I shaU-." Mac shook his hair out of his eyes, stumbled over a stool, and asked abruptly, — " Did you bring any books with you ? '* " Four boxes full. They are in the library." Mac vanished from the room, and Steve, striking an attitude which displayed his costume effectively, said with an afEable smile, — "We W3re sorry not to see you last Wednesday. I hope your cold is better." "Yes, thank you." And a smile began to dimple about Rose's mouth as she remembered her retreat under the bed-cover. Feeling that he had been received with distin- guished marks of attention, Steve strolled away with his top-knot higher than ever, and Prince Charlie pranced across the room, saying in a free and easy tone, — " Mamma sent her love and hopes you will be well enough to come over for a day next week. It must be desperately dull here for a little thing like you." " I 'm thirteen and a half, though I do look small," cried Rose, forgetting her shyness in indignation at this insult to her newly acquired teens. "Beg piirdon, ma'am; never should have guessed it." And Charlie went ofE with a laugh, glad to have struck a spark out of his meek cousin. Geordie and Will came together, two sturdy eleven ( 14 EIGHT COUSINS. 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. . " Did you bring your monkey ? " " No ; he is dead." " Are you going to have a boat ? " " I hope not." Here the two, with a right-about-face movement, abruptly marched away, and little Jamie demanded with childish frankness, — " Did you bring me any thing nice ? " "Yes, lots of candy," answered Rose, whereupon Jamie ascended into her lap with a sounding kiss and the announcement that he liked her very much. This proceeding rather startled Rose, for the other lads looked and laughed, and in her confusion she said hastily to the young usurper, — " Did you see the circus go by ? " "When? Where?" cried all the boys in great excitement at once. " Just before you came. At least I thought it was a circus, for I saw a red and black sort of oart and ever so many little ponies, and — " She got no farther, for a general shout made her pause suddenly, as Archie explained the joke by saying in the middle of his laugh, — " It was our new dog-cart and the Shetland -ponies. You '11 never hear the last of your circus, cousin." "But there weie so many, and they went so fast, and the cart was so very red," began Rose, trying to explain her mistake. " Come and see them all I " cried the Prince. And THE CLAN. 15 before she knew what was happening she was borne away to the bam and tumultuously introduced to three shaggy ponies and the gay new dog-cart. She had never visited these regions before, and had her doubts as to the propriety of her being there now, but when she suggested that " Auntie might not like it," there was a general cry of, — " She told us to amuse you, and we can do it ever so much be^er 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 element. " No, you won't ! We '11 fix you," cried the lads, as one clapped his cap on her head, another tied a rough jacket round her neck by the sleeves, a third nearly smothered her in a carriage blanket, and a fourth threw open the door of the old barouche that stood there, saying with a flourish, — " Step in, ma'am, and make yourself comfortable while we show you some fun." So Rose sat in state enjoying herself very much, for the lads proceeded to dance a Highland Fling with -a spirit and skill that made her clap her hands and laugh as she had not done for weeks. " 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 I" s^d Rose, smiling upon her kinsmen like a little queen upon her subjects. " Ah, we 're a fine lot, and that is only the begin- It) EIGHT COUSINS. ning of our larks. We haven't got the pipes here or we 'd * Sing for you, play for you A dulcy melody.' " answered Charlie, looking much elated at her praise. " I did not know we were Scotch ; papa never said any thing about it, or seemed to care about Scotland, except tc have me sing th^ old ballads," said Rose, be- ginning to feel as if she had left America behind her somewhere. "Neither did we till lately. We've been reading Scott's novels, and all of a sudden we remembered that our grandfather was a Scotchman. So we hunted up the old stories, got a bagpipe, put on our plaids, and went in, heart and soul, for the glory of the clan. We've been at it some time now, and it 's great fun. Our people like it, and I think we are a pretty canny set.^' Archie said this from the other coach-step, where he had perched, while the rest climbed up before and behind to join in the chat as they rested. •* I'm Fitzjames and he 's Roderick Dhu, and we 11 give you the broadsword combat some day. It's a great thing, you 'd better believe," added the Prince. "Yes, and you should hear Steve play the pipes.- He makes 'em skirl like a good one," cried Will from the box, eager to air the accomplishments of his race. "Mac's the fellow to L-v\t up the old stories and tell us how to dress right, and pick out rousing bita for us to speak and sing," put in Geordie, saying a good word for the absent Worm. "And what do you and Will do?" asked Rose of TEE CLAN. IT Jamie, who sat beside her as if bound to keep her in sight till the promised gift had been handed over. " Oh, I 'm the little foot-page, and do errMids, and Will and Geordie are the troops when we march, and the stags when we hunt, and the traitors when we want to cut any heada off." " They are very obligmg, 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 *8 hare a game of tag," cried the Prince, swing- ing himself up to a beam with a sounding slap on Stevie's shoulder. Regardless of his gloves, Dandy tore after him, and the rest swarmed in every direction as if bent on breaking thoii- necks and dislocating their joints as rapidly as possible. It was a new and astonishing spectacle to Rose, fresh from a prim bbarding-school, and she watched the active lads with breathless interest, thinking their antics far superior to those of Mops, the deai* departed monkey. Will had just covered himself with glory by pitch- ing off of a high loft head first and coming up all right, when Phebe appeared with a cloak, hood, and rubbers, also a message from Aunt Plenty that "Miss Rose was to come in directly." "All right; we'll bring her I" 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 18 EIGHT COUSINS. doer with a cheer that brought two caps to an upper window, and caused Debby to cry aloud from the back porch, — " Them harum-scarum boys will certainly be the death of that delicate little creter I " 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 '11 be as good as gold if you '11 let us stay, auntie," clamored the boys, who not only ap- proved of " our cousin," but had no mind to lose their tea, for Aunt Plenty's name but feebly expressed her bountifrJ nature. " 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 direc- tions for the approaching feast. " Marmalade for me, auntie." " Plenty of plum-cake, please." " Tell Debby to trot out the baked pears." " I 'm your man for lemon-pie, ma'am." " Do have fritters ; Rose will like ' em." " She 'd rather have tarts, / know." 'When Rose came down, fifteen minutes later, with every curl smoothed and her most beruffled apron on, she found the boys loafing about the long hall, and paused on the half-way landing to take an observation, for till now she had not really examined her new-foucd ooubIzia. TH^ CLAN. 19 There was a strong family resemblance among them, though some of the yellow heads were darker than others, some of the cheeks brown instead of rosy, and the ages varied all the way from sixteen-year-old Archie to Jamie, who was ten years younger. None of them were especially comely but the Prince, yet all were hearty, happy-looking lads, and Rose decided that boys were not as dreadful as she had expected to find them. 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 Dun- dee;" Mac was reading in a corner, with his book close to his near-sighted eyes; Dandy was arranging his hair before the oval glass in the hat-stand ; Geordie and Will investigating the internal economy of the moon-faced clock ; and Jamie lay kicking up his heels on the mat at the foot of the stairs, bent on demand- ing his sweeties the instant Rose appeared. She guessed his intention, and forestalled his de- mand by dropping a handful of sugar-plums down upon him. At his cry of rapture the other lads looked up and smiled involuntarily, for the little kinswoman stand- ing there above was a winsome sight with her shy, soft eyep, bright hair, and laughing face» The black frock reminded them of her loss, and filled the boyish hearts with a kindly desire to be good to " our cousin," who had no longer any home but this. " There she is, as fine as you please," cried Steve, kissing his hand to her. (.. 20 EIGHT COUSINS. " Come on, Missy ; tea is ready," added the Prince encouragingly. " / shall take her in." And Archie offered his arm with great dignity, an honor that made Rose turn as red as a cherry and long to run upstairs again. It was a merry supper, and the two elder boys added much to the fun oy tormenting the rest with dark hints of some interesting event which was about to occur. Something uncommonly fine they declared it was, but enveloped in the deepest mystery for the present. " Did I ever see it ? " asked Jamie. "Not to remember it; but Mac and Steve have, and liked it inmiensely," answered Archie, thereby causing the two mentioned to neglect Debby's delect- able fritters for several minutes, while they cudgelled their brains. "Who will have it first?" asked Will, with his mouth full of marmalade. " Aunt Plenty, I guess." "When will she have it?" demanded GJeordie, bouncing in his seat with impatience. " Sometime on Monday." "Heart alive! what is the boy talking about?" cried the old iidy from behind the tall urn, which left little to be seen but the topmost bow of her cap. " Does n*t auntie know ? " asked a chorus of voices. "No; and that's the best of the joke, for she is desperately fond of it." " What color is it ? " asked Rose, joining in the fun. " Blue and brown." «* Is it good to eat ? " adked Jamie. THE CLAN. 21 K^ "Some people think so, but I shouldn't like to try it," answered Charlie, laughing so he spilt his tea. " Who does it belong to ? " put in Steve. Archie and the Prince stared at one another rather blankly for a minute, then Archie answered with a twinkle of the eye that made Charlie explode again, — " To Grandfather Campbell." This was a poser, and they gave up the puzzle, though Jamie confided to Rose that he did not think he could live till Monday without knowing what this remarkable thing was. Soon after tea the Clan departed, singing ** All the blue bonnets are over the border" at the tops of their voices. " Well, dear, how cIo you like your cousins?" asked Aunt Plenty, as the last pony frisked round the corner and the din died away. "Pretty weh, ma'am; but I like Phebe better." An answer which caused Aunt Plenty to hoM up her hands in despair and trot away to tell sister Peace that she never shotUd understand that child, and it was a mercy Alec was coming soon to take the respon- sibility off their hands. Fatigued by the unusual exertions of the afternoon. Rose curled herself up in the sofa comer to rest and think about the great mystery, little guessing that she was to know it first of all. 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 ; " 22 EIGHT COUSINS. to ans\v er, " 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, — " This is my little girl, and I am Uncle Alec." ■\ CHAPTER in. UNCLES. w HEN 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 t,lip down and see if the big portmanteau and packing-cases were really in the hall. She seemed to remember tum- bling over them when she went to bed, for the aunts had sent her off very punctually, because they wanted their pet nephew all to themselves. The sun was shining, and Rose opened her window to let in the soft M&y air fresh from the sea. As she leaned over her little balcony, watching ain early bird get the ^orm, 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 24 EIGET COUSINS. she conld take a good stare at him as he lingered along, looking about him as if glad to see the eld place again. A brown, breezy man, in a blue jacket, with no hat on the curly head which he shook now and then like a water-dog ; broad-shouldered, alert in his motions, and with a general air of strength and stability about him which pleased Rose, though she could not explain the feeling of comfort it gave her. She had just said to herself, with a sense of relief, " I guess I shall like him, though he looks as if he made people mind," when he lifted his eyes to examine the budding horse-chestnut overhead, and saw the eager face peering down at him. He waved his hand to her, nodded, and called out in a bluff, cheery voice, — " You are on deck early, little niece." " I got up to see if you had really come, uncle." " Did you ? Well, come down here and make sure of it." " I 'm not allowed to go out before breakfast, sir." "Oh, indeed!" with a shrug, "Then I'll come aboard and salute," he added ; and, to Rose's great amazement. Uncle Alec went up one of the pillars of the back piazza hand over hand, stepped across the roof, and swung himself into her balcony, saying, as he landed on the wide balustrade : ".Have you any doubts about me now, ma'am?" 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 ones. " Pretty well, thank you, sir," UNCLES. 25 " Ah, but it should be very well. Why is n't it ? " •" I always wake up with a headache, and feel tired." " Don't you sleep well ? " *' I lie awake a long time, and then I dream, and my sleep does not seem to rest me much." " What do you do all day ? " '^ Oh, I read, and sew a little, and take naps, and sit with auntie." " No running about out of doors, or house-work, or riding, hey ? " " Aunt Plenty says I 'm not strong enough for much exercise. I drive out with her sometimes, but I don't care for it." " I 'm not surprised at that," said Uncle Alec, half to himself, adding, in his quick way : " Who have you had to play with ? " * 30 EIGHT COUSINS, ious, troubled look in his eyes, she was moved to put up her innocent lips and seal the contract with a con- fiding kiss. The strong arm held her close a minute, and she felt the broad chest heave once as if with a greai sigh of relief ; but not a word was spoken till a tap at the door made both start. Rose popped her head through the window to say " come in," while Dr. Alec hastily rubbed the sleeve of his jacket across his eyes and began to whistle again. Phebe appeared with a cup of coffee. " Debby told me to bring this and help you get up," she said, opening her black eyes wide, as if she won- dered how on earth " the sailor man " got there. " I 'm all dressed, so I don't need any help. I hope that is good and strong," added Rose, eying the steam* ing cup with an eager look. But she did not get it, for a brown hand took pos- session 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 every morning. Rose ? " " 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 'U see that I am right. Any new milk downstabs, Phebe ? " " Yes, sir, plenty, — right in from the barn." ** That's the drink for my patient. Gk> bring me a UNCLES. 31 pitcherful, and another cup ; I want a draught myself. This won't hurt the honeysuckles, for they have no nerves to speak of." And, to Rose's great discomfort, the coffee went after the medicine. Dr. Alec saw the injured look she put on, but took no notice, and presently banished it by saying pleas- antly, — " I Ve got a capital little cup among my traps, and I '11 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 rae ; one of the boxes Phebe wanted to lug upstairs last night is for you. Knowing that I was coming home to find a ready-made daughter, 7 picked up all sorts of odd and pretty trifles along tii3 way, hoping she would be able to find something she liked among them all. Early to-morrow we '11 have a gr^nd rum- mage. Here 's our milk ! I propose the health of Miss Rose Campbell — and drink it v;ith all my heart." It was impossible for Rose to pout with the prospect of a delightful boxful of gifts dancing before her eyes ; so, in spite of herself, she smiled as she drank her own health, and found .that fresh milk was not a hard dose to take. " Now I must be off, before I am caught again with my wig in a toss," said Dr. Alec, preparing to descend the way he came. " Do you always go in and out like a cat, uncle ? " asked Rose, much amused at his odd weys. " 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, aid it keeps me lim- 32 EIGHT COUSINS. ber when I have no rigging to climb. 6ood-by till breakfast." And away he went down the water-spout, over the roof, and vanished among the budding honey- suckles below. "Ain't he a funny guardeen?" exclaimed Phebe, as she went o£E with the cups. " He is a very kind one, I think," answered Rose, following, to prowl round the big boxes and try to guess which was hers. When her uncle appeared at sound of the bell, he found her surveying with an anxious face a new dish that smoked upon the table. " Got a fresh trouble, Rosy ? " he asked, stroking Ler smooth head. "Uncle, are you going to make me eat oatmeal?" asked Rose, in a tragic tone* "Don't you like it?" " I de-test it ! " answered Rose, with all the emphasis which a turned-up nose, a shudder, and a groan could give to the three words. " YoT are not a true Scotchwoman, if you don't like the * parritch.' It 's a pity, for I made it myself, and thought we'd have such a good time with all that cream to float it in. Well, never mind." And he sat down with a disappointed air. 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 phanged her mind and thought she would. " I H try to eat it to please you, uncle ; but people are always saying how wholesome it is, and that makes me hate it," she said, half ashamed at her silly excuse. UNCLES, 88 " 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 stu£E for them, and they are the biggest and bon- niest lads of the lot. Bless you, auntie, and good morning ! " 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 forty-year- old nephew " my dear boy ; " and Uncle Alec was so full of lively gossip about all creation in general, and the Aunt-hill in particular, that the detested porridge vanished without a murmur. " You will go to church with us, I hope. Alec, if you are not too tired," said the old lady, when breakfast was over. " I came all the way from Calcutta for that express purpose, ma'am. Only I must send the sisters word of my arrival, for they don't expect me till to-morrow, you know, and there will be a row in church if those boys see me without warning." " I 'U send Ben up the hill, and you can step over to Myra's yourself ; it will please her, and you will have plenty of time." 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. 2» ' 84 EIGHT COUSiys. Away they drove in state, and all the way Uncle Alec's hat was more off his head than on, for every one they met smiled and bowed, and gave him as blithe a greeting as the day permitted. 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 im- possible to keep those fourteen eyes off Uncle Alec, and the dreadful things that were done during sermon- time will hardly be believed. 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 fig- ure 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 F^^ and passing it politely to Rose. Her only salvation was trying to fix her attention upon Uncle Mao, — a portly, placid gentleman, who Beemed 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 UNCLES. 85 Jem and TTncle Steve, the husbands of Aunt Jessie and Aunt Clara, were at sea, and Aint Myra was «, widow. Uncle Mac was a merchant, very rich and busy, and as quiet as a mouse at home, for he was in such a minority among the women folk he dared not open his lips, and let his wife rule undis- turbed. 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 Aleo she felt better about it, for she did not particularly admire Aunt Jane. When church w^as 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 wel- comed him with bright faces and glad hearts. Rose was nearly crushed flat behind a door in that danger- ous passage from pew to porch ; but Uncle Mac res- cued her, and put her into the carriage for safe keeping. " Now, girls, I want you all to come and dine with Alec; Mac also, of course. But I cannot ask the boys, for we did not expect this dear fellow till to- morrow, you know, so I made no preparations. Send the lads home, and let them wait till Monday, for really I was shocked at their behavior in church," said Aunt Plenty, as she followed Rose. In any other place the defrauded boys would have ^■ii«i mmw 36 EIGHT COUSINS, set up a howl ; as it was, they growled and protested till Dr. Alec settled the matter by saying,— "Never mind, old chaps, I'll make it up to ycm to-morrow, if you sheer off quietly ; if you don't, not a blessed thing shall you have out of my big boxes." ^1 ¥ 'i -a-« CHAPTER IV. AUNTS. ALL dinner-time Rose felt that she was going to be talked about, and afterward she was sure of it, for Aunt Plenty whispered to her as they went into the parlor, — " Run up and sit awhile with Sister Peace, my dear. She likes to have you read while she rests, and we are going to be busy." Rose obeyed, and the quiet rooms above were so like a church that she soon composed her ruffled feel- ings, and was unconsciously a little minister of happi- ness to the sweet old lady, who for years had sat there patiently waiting to be set free from pain. Rose knew the sad romance of her life, and it gave a certain tender charm to this great-aunt of hers, whom she already loved. When Peace was twenty, she was about to be married ; all was done, the wed- ding-dress lay ready, the flowers were waiting to be put on, the happy hour afc 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 bejiutiful, meek woman, with hair as 38 EIGHT COUSINS. white as snow and cheeks that never bloomed again. She wore no black, but soft, pale colors, as if always ready for the marriage that had never come. 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 I Aunt Plenty was utterly dissimilar, being a stout, brisk old lady, with a sharp eye, a lively tongue, and a face like a winter-apple. Always trotting, chatting, and bustling, she was a regular Martha, cumbered with the cares of this world and quite happy in them. Rose was right; and while she softly read psalms to Aunt Peace, the other ladies were talking about her little self in the frankest manner. " Well, Alec, how do you like your ward ? " began Aunt Jane, as they all settled down, and Uncle Mac deposited himself in a corner to finish his doze. " I should like her better if I could have begun at the beginning, and so got a fair start. Poor George led such a solitary life that the child has suffered in many ways, and since he died she has been going on worse than ever, judging from the state I find her in." ** 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 mtmm AUNTS. 39 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 per- plexed shake of the head which caused great commo- tion among the stiff loops of purple ribbon that bristled all over her cap like crocus buds. "If my advice had been taken, she would have remained at the ex«ellent school where I placed her. But our aunt thought best to remove her because she con: plained, and she . has been dawdling about ever sin e 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 anotht term at the school, which was a regular Blimber hot-bed, and turned out many a feminine Toots. " 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 ec/a^," put in Aunt Clara, who had been a beauty and a belle, and was still a handsome woman. "Dear, dear! how short-sighted you all are to be discussing education and plans for the future, when this unhappy child is so plainly marked for the tomb," sighed Aunt Myra, with a lugubrious sniff and a sol- 40 EIGHT COUSINS. emn 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 a look in her eyes that goes to my heart, for it shows that she feels the need of what none of us can give her, — a mother," said Aunt Jessie, with tears in her own bright eyes at the thought of her boys being left, as Rose was, to the care of others. Uncle Alec, who had listened silently as each spoke, turned quickly toward the last sister, and said, with a decided nod of approval, — " You've got it, Jessie ; and, with you to help me, I hope to make the child feel that she is not quite father- less and motherless.' " I '11 do my best. Alec ; and I think you wiU need me, for, wise as you are, you cannot understand a ten- der, timid little creature like Rose as a woman can," said Mrs. Jessie, smiling back at him with a heart full of motherly good-will. "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 intrust her to me," observed Aunt Myra, with an air of mel- ancholy importance, for she was the only one who had given a daughter to the family, and she felt that she had distinguished herself, though ill-natured people said that she had dosed her darling to death. " I never blamed him in the least, when I remember the perilous experiments you tried with poor Carrie," began Mrs. Jane, in her hard voice. " Jane Campbell, I will not hear a word ! My sainted c«b. Phebe. "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 A BELT AND A BOX. 67 something else; and you won't mind, will you? be- cause I want to adopt you as Arabella was in the story. Won't that be nice?" " Why, Miss Rose, have you lost your wits ? " No wonder Phebe asked, for Rose talked very fast, and looked so odd in her new costume, and was so eager she could not stop to explain. Seeing Phebe's bewilderment, she quieted down and said, with a pretty air of earnestness, — " It is n't fair that I should have so much and you so little, and I want to be as good to you as if you were my sister, for Aunt Peace says we are all sisters really. I thought if I adopted you as much as I can now, it would be nicer. Will you let me, please?" To Rose's great surprise, Phebe sat down on the floor and hid her face in her- apron for a minute with- out answering a word. "Oh dear, now she's offended, and I don't know what to do," thought Rose, much discouraged by this reception of her offer. - "Please, forgive me; I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, and hope you won't think — " she faltered presently, feeling that she must undo the mischief if possible. But Phebe gave her another surprise, by dropping the apron and showing a face all smiles, in spite of tears in the eyes, as she put both arms round Rose and said, with a laugh and sob, — " I think you are the dearest girl in the world, and I'll let you do any thing you like with me." " Then you do like the plan ? You did n't cry be- 8» 68 EIGHT COUSINS. cause I seemed to be kind of patronizing? I truly did n't mean to be," cried Rose, delighted. " I guess I do like it I and cried because no one was ever so good to me before, and I couldn't help it. As for patronizing, you may walk on me if you want to, and I won't mind," said Phebe, in a burst of grati- tude, for the words, " we are aU sisters," went straight to her lonely heart and nestled there. " 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 Cin'^erella, and must say what you want," said Rose, trying to put the question delicately. Phebe understood that, for she had a good deal of natural refinement, though she did come from the poor-house. "I don't feel as if I wanted any thing now. Miss Rose, but to find some way of thanking you for all youVe done," she said, rubbing off a tear that went rolling down the bridge of her nose in the most un- romantic way. "Why, I haven't done any thing but given you a bit of candy I Here, have some more, and eat 'em while you work, and think what I can do. I must go and clear up, so good-by, 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 brick-dust, Phebe pressed the little hand Rose offered warmly in both her hard ones, while the black eyes followed the departing visitor with a grateful look that made theift very soft and bright. CHAPTER VI. UNCLE ALEC'S ROOM. SOON after dinner, and before she had got ac- quainted 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 bur- nous from the box, which not only possessed a most engaging little hood, but had funny tassels bobbing in all directions. The big carriage was full of parcels, and even Ben's seat was loaded with Indian war-clubs, a Chinese kite of immense size, and a pair of polished ox-horns from Africa. Uncle Alec, very blue as to his clothes, and very brown as to his face, sat bolt upright, surveying well-knowi) j>1accs with interest, while Rose, feeling unusually elegant and comfortable, leaned back folded in her soft mantle, and played she was an Eastern princess making a ra can come and play with Jamie's whenever you l&e, for we believer m dollies up here," began Aunt Jessie, smiling to herself as if something amused ber. Just then Jamie came back, and Rose understood UNCLE ALEC'S STORY. 63 the smile, for his dolly proved to be a pretty four- year-old little girl, who trotted in as fast as her fat legs would carry her, and, making straight for the shells, scrambled up an armful, saying, with a laugh that showed her little white teeth, — " All for Dimmy and me, for Dimmy and me ! " JAMIE AND HT8 DOLLY. "That's my dolly; isn't she a nice one?" asked Jamie, proudly surveying his pet with his hands behind him and his short legs rather far apart, — a manly at- titude copied from his brothers. "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 ev^ery thing ; and as 64 EIGHT COUSINS. ^' Paul Pry did not suit, the boys fell to calling her Pokey. Not a pretty name, but very expr< ssive." It certainly was, for, having examined the shells, the busy tot laid hold of every thing she could find, and continued her researches till Archie caught her suck- ing his carved ivory chessmen to see if they were not barley-sugar. Rice-paper pictures were also discov- ered crumpled up in her tiny pocket, and she nearly smashed Will's ostrich egg by trying to sit upon it. " Here^ Jim, take her away; she 's worse than the puppies, and we can't have her round," commanded the elder brother, picking her up and handing her over to the little fellow, who received her with open arms and the warning remark, — " You 'd better mind what you do, for I 'm going to 'dopt Pdkey like Rose did Phebe, and then you'll havf* to be very good to her, you big fellows." "'Dopt away, baby, and I'll give you a cage to keep her in, or you won't have her long, for she is get- ting worse than a monkey ; " and Archie went back to his mates, while Aunt Jessie, foreseeing a crisis, pro- posed that Jamie should take his dolly home, as she was borrowed, and it was time her visit ended. "JM^ dolly is better than yours, isn't she? 'cause she can walk and talk and sing and dance, and yours can't do any thing, can she ? " asked Jamie with pride, as he regarded his Pokey, who just then had been moved to execute a funny little jig and warble the well-known couplet, — " ' Puss-tat, pus8-tftt, where you been 1 ' ' I been Lunnin, to saw a a. ./een.' *' After which superb display shfe retired, escorted by UNCLE ALEC'S ROOM. 65 Jamie, both making a fearful din blowing on conch bhells. "We must tear ourselves away, Rose, because I want to get you home before sunset. Will you come for a drive, Jessie ? " said Dr. Alec, as the music died away in the distance. * " No, thank you ; but I see the boys want a scam- per, so, if you don't mind, they may escort you home, but not go in. That is only allowed on holidays." The words were hardly out of Aunt Jessie's mouth when Archie said, in a tone of command, — "Pa^s the word, lads. Boot and saddle, and be quick about it." "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 dog-cart rattling in front, for Archie and Charlie scorned shelties since this magnificent equi- page had been set up. Ben enjoyed the fun, and the lads cut up capers till Rose declared that " circus " was the proper name for them after all. 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 i( IrT^ &6 EIGHT COUSINS. Rose, skipping up the steps with her head over her shoulder to watch the dear tassels bob about. " 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 I They roll their eyes and bounce about so, I should die of fright," cried Kyso, clasping her hands tragically. " Are you a coward ? " " About horses I am." " 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 decid- edly. She was a great deal more sorry five minutes later, and well she might be. " Now take a good look, and tell me what you think of it," said Dr. Alec, opening the door and letting her enter before him, while Phebe was seen whisking down the backstairs with a dust-pan. Rose walked to the middle of the room, stood still, and gazed about her with eyes that brightened as they looked, for all was changed. 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 over- looked the bay ; one to the south, where the horse- chestnuts waved their green fans ; and one to the west, toward the hills and the evening sky. A ruddy sunset burned there now, filling the room with an enchanted glow; the soft murmur of the sea was heard, and UNCLE ALEC'S ROOM. 67 a robin chirped "Good night!" 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 simple luxury. India matting covered the floor, with a gay rug here and there ; the antique andirons shone on th© wide hearth, where a cheery blaze dispelled the dampness of the long-closed room. Bamboo lounges and chairs stood about, and quaint little tables in cosey comers ; one bearing a pretty basket, one a desk, and on a third lay several familiar-looking books. In a recess stood a narrow white bed, with a lovely Madonna hanging over it. The Japanese screen half folded back showed^ a delicate toiletnservice of blue and white set forth on a marble slab, and near by was the great bath-pan, with Turkish towels and a sponge as big as Rose's head. "Uncle must love cold water like a duck," she thought, with a shiver. Then her eye went on to the tall cabinet, where a half-open door revealed a tempting array of the drawers, shelves, and " cubby holes," which so delight the hearts of children. "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 I " was her next mental exclamation, as she approached this inviting spot. 68 EIGHT COUSINS A round old-fashioned mirror hung over it, with a gilt eagle a-top, holding in his beak the knot of blue ribbon that tied up a carta in of muslin falling on either side of the table, where appeared little ivory-handled brushes, two slender silver candlesticks, a porcelain match-box, several pretty trays for small matters, and, most imposing of all, a plump blue silk cushion, coquet- tishly trimmed with lace, and pink rose-buds at the corners. 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 nev r should have guessed it," when he opened the door of a large closet, saying, with a careless wave of the hai — " Men like plenty of room tor their rattle-traps ; don't you think that ought to satisfy me?" Rose peeped in and gave a start, though ?U she saw was what one usually finds in closets, — clothes and boots, boxes and bags. Ah ! but you see these clothes were small black and white frocks ; the row of little boots that stood below had never been on Dr. Alec's feet ; the green bandbox had a gray veil straying out of it, and, — yes! the bag hanging on the door was certainly her own piece-bag, with a hole in one corner. She gave a quick look round the room and understood now why it had seemed too dainty for a man, why her Testament and Prayer-book were on the table by the bed, and what those rose-buds meant on the blue cushion. It came upon her in one delicious burst that this little paradise was all for her, and, not knowing how else to express her gratitude, she caught Dr. Aleo round the neck, saying impetuously, — UNCLE ALECS ROOM. 69 "O uncle, you are too good to me! I'll do any thing you ask me ; ride wild horses and take freezing baths and eat bad-tasting messes, and let my clothes hang on me, to show how much I thank you for this dear, sweet, lovely room ! " "You like it, then? But why do you think it is yours, my lass ? " asked Dr. Alec, as he sat down look- ing well pleased, and drew his excited little niece to his knee. ." I don't thinks I know it is for me ; I see it in your face, and I feel as if I did n'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 1 — perhaps I ought not to have this beautiful room after all I " and Rose tried to look as if she could be heroic enough to give it up if it was best. " 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, — " Thi is part of the cure. Rose, and I put you here t* «>+ J . 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 vou how to take care of this room, and be your little maid as well as friend and teacher. Does that sound hard and disagreeable to yon, dear?" " No, sir ; very, very pleasant, and I '11 do my best to be a good patient. But I really don't think any one coidd be sick in this delightful room," she said, 70 EIGHT COUSINS. With a long 8igh of happiness as her eye went from one pleasant object to another. "Then you like my sort of medicine better than CHAPTER VII. A TRIP TO CHINA. " /^^OME, little girl, I Ve got another dose for you. v-^ I fancy you won't take it as well as you did the last, but you will like it better after a while," said l5r. 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 flower-beds in order, learning all sorts of new and pleasant things about the plants as she worked, for, though she had studied botany at school, it seemed very dry stufE compared with Uncle Alec's lively lesson. " What is it now ? " she asked, shutting her work- box without a murmur. ' "Salt-water." "How must I take it?" "Put on the new suit Miss Hemming sent home yesterday, and come down to the beach; then I'll show you." 72 EIGHT COUSINS. "Yes, sir," answered Rose obediently, adding to herself, with a shiver, as he went off : " It is too early for bathing, so I know it is something to do with a dreadful boat." Putting on the new suit of blue flannel, prettily trimmed with white, and the little sailor-hat with long streamers, diverted her mind from the approach- ing trial, till a shrill whistle reminded her that her uncle Tvns waitii 5. Away she ran through the gar- den, down the sandy path, out upon the strip of beach that belonged to the house, and here she found Dr. Alec busy with a slender red and white boat that lay rocking on the rising tide. " That is a dear little boat ; and ' Bonnie Belle ' is a pretty name," she s»id, trying not to show how nervous she felt. " It is for you ; so sit in the stem 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 nut-shells when the sea is a bit rough," answered her sailor uncle, neve"* guessing her secret woe. "Is it rough to-day?" "No'i very ; I looks a trifle squally to the eastward, but we are all right till the wind changes. Come." " Can you swim, uncle ? " asked Rose, clutching at his arm as he took her hand. " Like a fish. Now then." "Oh, please hold me very tight till I get there I Why do you have the stern so far away?" and, fitifling several squeaks of alarm in her passage, Rose A TRIP TO CHINA. 73 w a o (A o H O n a > \ 74 EIGHT COUSINS. crept to the distant seat, and sat there holding on with both hands and looking as if she expected every wave to bring a sudden shipwreck. Uncle Alec took no notice of her fear, but patiently instructed her in the art of steering, till she was so absorbed i-i remembering which was starboard and which larboard, that she forgot to say " Ow ! " every time a big wave slapped against the boat. " Now where shall we go ? " she asked, as the wind blew freshly in her face, and a few long, swift strokes sent them half across the little bay. " Suppose we go to China?" " Is n't that rather a long voyage ? " " Not as I go. Steer round the Point into the har- bor, and I '11 give you a glimpse of China in twenty minutes or so." " I should like that ! " and Rose sat wondering what he meant, while she enjoyed the new sights all about her. Behind them the green Aunt-hill sloped gently up- ward to the grove at the top, and all along the sea- ward side stood familiar houses, stately, cosey, or picturesque. As they rounded the Point, the great bay opened before them full of shipping, and the city lay beyond, its spires rising above the tall masts with their gay streamers. "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 I love dearly to go poking about A TRIP TO CHINA. 76 in the warehouses with Uncle Mac; every thing is so curious and new to me ; and I 'm specially inter- ested in China because you have been there." " I '11 show you two genuine Chinamen who have just arrived. You will like to welcome Whang Lo and Fun See, I 'm sure." " Don't ask me to speak to them, unc le ; I shall be sure to laugh at the odd names and the pig-tails and the slanting eyes. Please let me just trot round after you ; I like that best." "Very well; now steer toward the wharf where the big ship with the queer flag is. That's the * Rajah,' and we will go aboard if we can." In among the ships they went, by the wharves where the water was green and still, and queer bar- nacles gi'ew 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 baits 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 available corner, at the risk of being crushed, lost, or drowned. " WeU, child, how would you like to take a voyage round the world with me in a jolly old craft like 76 EIGHT COUSINS. this ? " asked her uacle, as they rested a minute in the captain's cabin. " I should like to see the world, but not in sucL a small, untidy, smelly place as this. We would go in a yacht all clean and comfortable ; Charlie says that is the proper way," answered Rose, surveying the close quarters with little favor. " You are not a true Campbell if you don't like the smell of tar and salt-water, nor Charlie either, with his luxurious yacht. Now come ashore and chin-chin with the Celestials." After a delightful progress through the great ware- house, peeping and picking asv they went, they found Uncle Mac and the yellow gentlemen in his private room, where samples, gifts, curiosities, and newly arrived treasures of all sorts were piled up in pleasing pro-fusion and con-fusion. As soon as possible Rose retired to a corn._, with a porcelain god on one side, a green dragon on the other, and, what was still more embarrassing. Fun See sat on a tea-chest in front, and stared at her with his beady black eyes till she did not know where to look. Mr. Whang Lo was an elderly gentleman in Ameri- can costume, with his pig-tail neatly wound round his head. He spoke English, and was talking busily with Uncle Mac in the most commonplace way, — so Rose considered him a failure. But Fun See was delight- fully Chinese from his junk-like shoes to the button on his pagodp 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 comi'^Jly; his A TRIP TO CHINA. t7 eyes were very "slanting," as Rose said; his queue was long, so were his nails ; his yellow face was plump and shiny, and ^ e was altogether a highly satisfactory Chinaman. Uncle Alec told her that Fun See had come oijit to be educated, and could only speak a little pigeon E aglish ; 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 ^■^ the rice-paper landscapes on the wall, and sat nodding at her so like a toy Mandarin that she could hardly keep sober. In the midst of her polite perplexity, Uncle Mac saw the two young people gazing wistfully at one another, and seemed to enjoy the joke of this making acquaintance under difficulties. Taking a box from his table, he gave it to Fun See with an order that seemed to please him very much. Descending from his perch, he fell to unpacking it with great neatness and despatch, while Rose watched him, wondering what was going to happen. Pres- ently out from the wrappings came a teapot, which oaustd her to clasp her hands wi^h delight, for it was made in the likeness of a plmnp ^^oile 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 could n't help laughing, which pleased him much. Two pretty cups with covers, and a fine scarlet tray, J' mw 78 BIGHT COUSINS, Fun signified in pantomime that they were hers. — Page 79. .^.r ■';-it':"'"'.;*i..^:' Aiv A TRIP TO CHINA. 79 ^\ completed the set, and made one long to have a " dish of tea," even in Chinese style, without cream or sugar. When he had arranged them on a little table before her. Fun signified in pantomime that they were hers, from her uncle. She returned her thanks in the same way, whereupon he returned to his tea-chest, and, having no other means of communication, they sat smiling and nodding at one another in an absurd sort of way till a new idea seemed to strike Fun. Tum- bling off his seat, he waddled away as fast as his petti- coats permitted, leaving Rose hoping that he had not gone to get a roasted rat, a stewed puppy, or any other foreign mess which civility would oblige her to eat. While she waited for her funny new frienrl, she improved her mind in a way that would have charmed Aunt Jane. The gemlemen were talking over all sorts of things, and sht listened attentively, storing up much of what she heard, for she had an excellent memory, and longed to distinguish herseli by being able to produce some useful information when re- proached with her ignorance. 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 ho unfuiled an immense fan, and presented it with a string of Chi- nese compliments, the meaning of which would have amused her even more than the sovmd if she could have understood it. 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 80 EIGHT COUSINS. it a peculiar charm to Rose, for in one place a lovely lady, with blue knitting-needles in her hair, sat di- rectly upon the spire of a stately pagocla. In another charming view a brook appeared to flow in at the front door of a stout gentleman's house, and out at his chimney. In a third a zigzag wall went up into the sky like a flash of lightning, and a bird with two tails was apparently brooding over a fisherman whose boat was just going aground upon the moon. 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 re- packed, Rose furled her fan, and with several parcels of choice teas for the old ladies stowed away in Dr. Alec's pockets, they took their leave, after Fun had saluted them with the " three bendings and the nine knockings," as they salute the Emperor, or " Son of Heaven," at home. " 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 ^2 the "Rajah." 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 tearset 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 A TRIP TO CHINA. 81 ■it have learned more about China to-day than in all the lessons I had at school, though I used to rattle off the answers as fast as I could go. No one explained any thing to us, so all I remember is that tea and silk come from there, and the women have little bits 07 feet. I saw Fun looking at mine, and he must have though*, them perfectly immense," answered Rose, surveying her stout boots with sudden contempt. " We will have out the maps and the globe, and I '11 show you some of my journeys, telling s Lories as we go. That will be next best to doing it actually." " You are so fond of trai elling, I should think it would be very dull for you here, uncle. Do you know. Aunt Plenty says she is sure you will be off in a year or two." " Very Ukely." "Oh me! what shall I do then?" sighed Rose, in a tone of despair that made Uncle Alec's face brighten with a look of genuine pleasure as he said signifi- cantly, — " Next time I go I shall take my little anchor with me. How will that suit ? " " Really, uncle ? " " Really, niece." 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." 4* F 82 EIGHT COUSINS. The " Stormy Petrel " was manned by half a dozen jaunty-looking sailors, who made a fine display of blue shirts and shiny hats, with stars and anchors in every direction. " 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 I oh, please do, and not let them catch up with us ! " cried Rose, in such a state of excitement that the new umbrella nearly went overboard. " All right, here we go I " and away they did go with a long steady sweep of the oars that carried the " Bonnie Belle " through the water with a rush. 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. "Did you catch a crab, uncle?" " No, a blue-fish," he answered, as the dripping hat "- was landed on a seat to dry. "What have you been doing?" " Seeing Fun." "Good for you, Rose! I know what you mean. We are going to have him up to show us how to fly the big kite, for we can't get the hang of it. Is n*t he great fun, though?" " No, Lctle Fun." •* Ck)me, stop joking, and show us what you Ve got." A TRIP TO CHINA. 88 "You'd better hoist that fan for a sail." " Lend Dandy yuur umbrella ; he hates to bum his pretty nose." " I say, uncle, are you going to have a Feast of , Lanterns ? " " No, I 'm going to have a feast of bread and butter, If or it's tea-time. If that black cloud does it lie, we shall have a gust before long, ho ,ou had better get home as soon as you can, or your mother will be l'^ anxious, Archie." " Ay, ay, skipper. Good-night, Rose ; come out often, and we '11 teach you all there is to know about rowing," was Charlie's modest invitation. Then the boats parted company, and across the water from the "Petrel's" crew came a verse from one of the Nonsense Songs in which the boys de- lighted. " Oh, Timballoo ! how happy we are, We live in a sieve and a crockery jar ! And all inght long, in the starlight pale, ^ We sail a, ay, with a pea-green 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 Junablies live ; Their heads are green, and their hands are blue. And they went to sea in a sieve." IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) / A m 4c ^ 1^ 1.0 I.I 1.25 I^IM 12.5 |50 *^* IM^S vx 1^ 2.0 18 U III! 1.6 ^' m. » o / w ^ %!,. /A T HiotograpiJic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STRUT WEBSTIR.N.Y. USM (716)872-4503 4 '4^ '» 1^. 1 !^. O^ k If i CHAPTER Vm. AND WHAT CAME OF IT. "T TNCLE, could you lend me a ninepence? I'll v-/ return it as soon as I get my pocket-money," said Rose, coming into the library in a great hurry that evening. '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 '11 come in a minute ; I 've been longing to fix my books, but didn 't dare to touch them, because you always shake your head when I read." "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 escape a lecture. But she got it when she came back, for Uncle Al«c was still knitting his brows over the list of books, and sternly demanded, pointing to a tipsy-looking title staggering down the page, — AND WHAT CAME OF IT. 85 " Is that meant for * Pulverized Bones,' ma'am ? " " No, »\T ; it 's * Paradise Lost.' " " Well, I 'm glad to know it, for I began to think you were planning to study surgery or farming. And what is this, if you please ? * Babies' Aprons ' is all / can make of it." Rose looked hard at the scrawl, and presently an- nounced, with an air of superior wisdom, — "Oh, that's 'Bacon's Essays.'" " Miss Power did not teach any thing so old-fashioned as writing, I see. Now look at this little memorandum Aunt Plenty gave me, and see what a handsome plain hand that is. She went to a dame-school and learnt a few useful things well ; that is better than a smatter- ing of half a dozen so-called higher branches, I take the liberty of thinking." " Well, I 'm sure I was considered a bright girl at school, and learned every thing I was taught. Luly and me were the finest in all our classes, and 'specially praised for our French and music and those sort of things," said Rose, rather offended at Uncle Alec'o criticism. " I dare say ; but if your French grammar was no better than your English, I think the praise was not deserved, my dear." " Why, uncle, we did study English grammar, and I could parse beautifully. Miss Power used to have us up to show off when people came. I don't see but I talk as right as most girls." " 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.' " 86 EIGHT COUSINS. Rose pulled her pet curl and put up her lip, but had to own that she was wrpng, and said meekly, after a pause which threatened to be sulky, — " I suppose I should have said ' Luly and I,' in that case, and *that sort of things' and 'rightly,' though * correctly ' would have been a better word, I guess." " Thank you ; and if you will kindly drop * I guess,' I shall like my little Yankee all the better. Now, see here. Rosy, I don't pretend to set myself up for a model in any thing, and you may come down on my grammar, manners, or morals as often as you think I 'm wrong, and I '11 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 well educated, even if she studies nothing but the * three Rs ' for a year to come. Let us be thorough, no matter how. slowly we go." He spoke so earnestly and looked so sorry to have ruffled her that Rose went and sat on the arm of his chair, saying, with a pretty air of penitence, — " 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 arithme- tic, grammar and music, I used to feel sometimes as if it would split. I'm sure I don't wonder it ached." Aiid 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 WHAT CAME OF IT. 87 and I dare say it would be if the benighted lady did not think it necessary to cram her pupils like Thanks- giving turkeys, instead of feeding them in a natural and wholesome way. It is the fault with most Amer- ican schools, and the poor little heads will go on aching till we learn better." This was one of Dr. Alec's .hobbies, and Rose was : afraid he was off for a gallop, but he reined himself in and gave her thoughts a new turn by saying suddenly, as he pulled out a fat pocket-book, — " tJncle Mac has put all your affairs into my hands now, and here is your month's pocket-money. You keep your own little accounts, I suppose ? " " 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 could n'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 dilapi- dated Jittle book, which she was ashamed to show when she found it. "Well, as figures are rather important things to most of us, and you may have a good many accounts to keep some day, would n't it be wise to begin at once and learn to manage your pennies before the pounds come to perplex you ? " "I thought you would do all that fussy part and take care of the pounds, as you call them. Need I worry about it ? I do hate sums so I " " I shall take care of things till you are of age, but I mean that you shall knpw how your property is man- aged and do as much of it as you can by and by; then you won't be dependent on the honesty of other people." 86 EIGHT COUSINS. " Gracious me ! as if I would n't trust you with mil- lions of billions if I had them," cried Rose, scandalized at the mere suggestion. " Ah, but I might be tempted ; guardians are some- times ; so you d better keep your eye on me, and in order to do that you must learn all about these affairs," answered Dr. Alec, as he made an entry in his own very neat account-book. Rose peeped over his shoulder at it, and then turned to the arithmetical puzzle in her hand with a sigh of despair. "Uncle, when you add up your expenses do you ever find you have got more money than you had in the beginning?" " No ; i usually find that I have a good deal less than I had in the beginning. Are you troubled in the pe- culiar way you mention ? " "Yes; it is very curious, but I never can make things come out square." " Perhaps I can help you," began Uncle Alec, in the most respectful tone. " 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 I know I 'm very stupid, and my book is a disgrace, but I never could get it straight." And with great trepidation Rose gave up her funny little accounts. It really Moas good in Dr. Alec not to laugh, and Rose felt deeply grateful when he said, in a mildly suggestive tone, — "The dollars and cents seem to be rather mixed; perhaps if I just straightened them out a bit we should find things all right." AND WHAT CAME OF IT. 89 " Please do, and then show me on a fresh leaf how to make mine look nice and ship-shape 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 frac- tions, before she read any more fairy tales. " Am I a rich girl, uncle ? " she asked suddenly, as he was copying a column of figures. " Rather a poor one, I should say, since you had to borrow a ninepence." " That wao your fault, because you forgot my pocket- money. But, really, shall I be rich by and by ? " " I am afraid you will." «« Why afraid, uncle?" " Too much money is a bad thing." " 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 Rs shall be taught, and all the children live on oatmeal, and the girls have waists a yard round," said Rose, with a sudden saucy smile dimpling her cheeks. " You are an impertinent little baggage, to turn on me in that way right in the midst of my first attempt at teaching. IVever mind, I'll have an extra bitter dose for you next time, miss." "I knew you want 3d to laugh, so I gave you a chance. Xow I will be good, master, and do my lesson nicely." 90 EIGHT COUSmS. \ So Dr. Alec had his laugh, and then Kose sat down and took a lefison in accounts which she never forgot. "Now Qome and read aloud to me; my eyes are tired, and it ifc pleasant to sit here by the fire while the rain pourn outside and Aunt Jane lectures up- stairs," said Uncle Alec, when last month's accounts had been put in good order and a fresh page neatly begun. Rose liked to read aloud, and gladly gave him the chapter in " Nicholas Nickleby " where the Miss Ken- wigses take their French lesson. She did her very best, feeling that she was being criticised, and hoping that she might not be found wanting in this as in other things. " Shall I go on, sir ? " she asked very meekly when the chapter ended. "K you are not tired, dear. It is a pleasure to hear you, for you read remarkably well," was the an- swer that filled her heart with pride and pleasure. " Do you really think so, uncle ? I 'm so glad I papa taught me, and I read for hours to him, but I thought, perhaps, he liked it because he was fond of me." "So am I ; but you really do read unusually well) and I am very glad of it, for it is a rare accomplish- ment, and one I value highly. Come here in this cosey, low chair ; the light is better, and I can pull these curls if you go too fast. I see you are going to be a great comfort as well as a great credit to your old uncle, Rosy." And Dr. Alec drew her close beside him with such a fatherly lock and tone that she felt it would be very easy to love and obey him since he knew how to mix praise and blame so pleasantly together. AND WHAT CAME OF IT. 91 Another chapter was just finished, when the sound of a carriage warned them that Aunt Jane was about to depart. Before they could go to meet her, however, she appeared in the door-way looking like an unusually tall mummy in her waterproof, with her glasses shin- ing like cat's eyes from the depths of the hood. " Just as I thought I petting that child to death and letting her sit up late 'reading trash. I do hope you feel the. weight of the responsibility you have taken upon yourself, Alec," she said, with a certain grim sort of satisfaction at seeing things go wrong. " I think I have a very realizing sense of it, sister Jane," answered Dr. Alec, with a comical shrug of the shoulders and a glance at Rose's bright face. " 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 have had five to-day, ma'am," was Rose's very unexpected answer. " I 'm glad to hear it ; and what were they, pray ? " Rose looked very demure as she replied, — " Navigation, geography, grammar, arithmetic, and keeping my temper." " 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, 92 EIGHT COUSINS. Howqua's mixture, Scented Caper, Padral tea, black Congou, and green Twankey. Shanghai is on the Woosung River. Hong Kong means * Island of sweet waters.' Singapore is 'Lion's Town.' 'Chops' are the boats they live in ; and they drink tea out of little saucers. Principal productions are porcelain, tea, cinnamon, shawls, tin, tamarinds, and opium. They have beautiful temples and queer gods ; and in Canton is the Dwelling of the Holy Pigs, fourteen of them, very big, and all blind." 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, soniewhat bewildered and very much disturbed. She would have been more so if she had seen her reprehensible brother-in-law dancing a triumphal polka down the hall with Rose in honor of having silenced the enemy's battery for once. .,■ "^ k- ■ CHAPTER IX. y ' PHEBE'S SECRET. W3 Y do you keep smiling to yourself, Phebe?'* asked Rose, as they were working together one m( rning, for Dr. Alec considered house-work the best so rt of gymnastics for girls ; so Rose took lessons of Phebe in sweeping, dusting, and bed-making. "I was thinking about a nice little secret I know, and could n't help smiling." " Shall I know it sometime ? " " Guess you will." "Shall I like it ?^' " Oh, won't you, though I " " Will it happen soon ? " " Sometime this week." " I know what it is ! The boys are going to have fire-works on the Fourth, and have got some surprise for me. Have n't they ? " " That's telling." "Well, I can wait; only tell me one thing, — is imcle in it?" "Of course he is; there's never any fun without him." " Then it is all right, and sure to be nice." -c *: *^ 94 EIGHT COUSINS. 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 s.un and rain had worked won- ders with the seeds and slips she had planted. Morn- ing-glories and nasturtiums ran all over the bars, making haste to bloom. Scarlet beans and honey- suckles were climbing up from below to meet their pretty neighbors, and the woodbine was hanging its green festoons wherever it could cling. The waters of the bay were dancing in the sunshine, a fresh wind stirred the chestnut-trees with a pleasant sound, and the garden below was full of roses, butter- flies, and bees. A great chirping and twittering went on among the birds, busy with their summer house- keeping, and, far away, the white-winged 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 Kose, 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 ; t must go do my stairs," and Phebe trudged away with the broom, singing as she went. Rose leaned where she was, and fell to thinking ho^'^ 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, PHEBE'S SECRET. 95 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 color in them now, the hands were growing plump and brown, and the belt was not much too loose. No one talked to her about her health, and she forgot that she had " no constitution." She took no medicine but Dr. Alec's three great remedies, and they seemed to suit her excellently. Aunt Plenty said it was the pills ; but, as no second batch ever followed the first, I think the old lady was mistaken. 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 yeai*8 later, the magic of good health. " * Look only/ said the brownie, ' At the pretty gown of blue, At the kerchief pinned about her head, And at her little shoe,' " said a voice from below, as a great cabbage-rose came flying against her cheek, " What is the princess dreaming about up there in her hanging-garden?" added Dr. Alec as she flung back a morning-glory. "I was wishing I could do something pleasant this fine day ; something very new and interesting, for the wind makes me feel frisky and gay." 96 EIGHT COUSINS. "Suppose we take a pull over to the Island? I intended to go this afternoon; but if you feel more like it now, we can be off at once." " I do ! 1 (JO ! I '11 come in fifteen minutes, uncle. I must just scrabble my room to rights, for Phebe has got a great deal to do." Rose caught up the rugs and vanished as she spoke, while Dr. Alec went in, saying to himself, with an indulgent smile, — "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 " scrab- bled" to rights in such haste as hers. Tables and chairs flew into their places as if alive ; curtains shook as if a gale was blowing; china rattled and small articles tumbled about as if a young earthquake was playing with them. The boating suit went on in a twinkling, and Rose was off with a hop and a skip, little dreaming how many hours it would be before she saw her pretty room again. . - Uncle Alec was putting a large basket into the boat when she arrived, and before they were off Phebe came running down with a queer, knobby bundle done up in a water-proof. " We can't eat haK that luncheon, and I know we shall not need so many wraps. J would n't lumber the boat up so," said Rose, who still had secret scares when on the water, "Couldn't you make a smaller parcel, Phebe?" fUftked Dr. Alec, eying the bundle suBpioiously. PHEBE'S SECRET. c ^^^^^^ 97 " 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 '11 send it right off," and Phebe ran up the bank as if she had wings to her feet. " We '11 take a look at the light-house first, for you have not been there yet, and it is worth seeing. By the time we have done that it will be pretty warm, and we will have lunch under the trees on the Island." Rose was ready for any thing, and enjoyed her visit to the light-house on the Point very much, especially climbing up the narrow stairs and going inside the gi'eat lantern. They made a long stay, for Dr. Alec seemed in no hurry to go, and kept looking through his spy-glass as if he expected to discover something remarkable on sea or land. It was past twelve before they reached the Island, and Hose was ready for her lunch long before she got it. " Now this is lovely I I do wish the boys were here. Won't it be nice to have them with us all their vacation? Why, it begins to-day, doesn't it? Oh, I wish I'd remembered it sooner, and perhaps they would have come with us," she said, as they lay lux- uriously eating sandwiches under the old apple-tree. " So we might. Next time we won't be in such a hurry. I expect the lads will take our heads o£E when they find us out," answered Dr. Alec, placidly drink- ing cold ten,. " Uncle, I smell a frying sort of a smell," Rose said,- pausing suddenly as she was putting away the remains of the lunch half an hour later. * p 98 ^^r EIGHT COUSINS. " So do I ; it is fish, I think." VoT a moment they both sat with their noses in the air, sniffing like hounds; then Dr. Alec sprang up, saying with great decision, — " Now this won't dc ! No one is permitted on this island without asking leave. I must see who dares to fry fish on my private property." Taking the basket on one arm and the bundle on the other, he strode away toward the traitorous smell, looking as fierce as a lion, while Rose marched behind under her umbrella. " We are Robinson Crusoe and his man Friday goitig to see if the savages have come," she said presently, for her fancy was full of the dear old stories that all children love so well. "And there they are! Two tents and two boats, as I live ! These rascals mean fco enjoy themselves, that's evident." "There ought to be more boats and no tents. I wonder where the prisoners are?" " 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 j don't you hear the knives rattle in that tent?" " We ought to creep up and peep ; Crusoe was cau- tious, you know, and Friday scared out of his wits," added Rose, still keeping up the joke. "But this Crusoe is going to pounce upon them regardk s of consequences. If I am killed and eaten, you sei the basket and run for the boat; there are provisions enough for yCur voyage hbme," PHEBE'S SECRET. m 99 With that Uncle Alec slipped round to the front of the tent, and, casting in the hig bundle like a bomb- shell, roared out, in a voice of thunder, — " Pirates, surrender ! " A crash, a shout, a laugh, and out came the savages, brandishing knives and forks, chicken bones, and tin mugs, and all fell upon the intruder, pommelling him unmercifully as they cried, — " You came too soon ! We are not half ready ! You 've spoilt it all! Where is Rose ? " " Here I am." answered a half-stifled voice, and Rose was discovered sitting on the pile of red flannel bath- ing-clothes, which she had mistaken for lobsters, and where she had fallen in a fit of merriment when she discovered that t je cannibals were her merry cousins. "You good-for-nothing boys! You are always bursting out upon me in some ridiculous way, and I always get taken in because I'm not used to such pranks. Uncle is as bad as the rest, and it's great fun," she said, as the lads came round her, half scold- ing, half welcoming, and wholly ^joying the double surprise. " You were not to come till afternoon, and mamma was 'jO be here to receive you# Every thing is in a mess now, except your tent ; we got that in order the first thing, and you can sit there and see us work," said Archie, doing the honors as usual. " Rose felt it in her bones, as Dolly says, that some- thing 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," ex- plained Uncle Alec, subsiding from a ferocious Crusoe into his good-natured self again. # loo EIGHT COUSINS, w dl O H M < O H S O Q < a" o < H O X (A PHEBE'S SECRET. 101 " As this seat is rather damp, I think I '11 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 an oar, — "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 Lob- sters, you know, and we can have no end of fun teach- ing you to dive and float and tread water." "I didn't bring any thing — " began Rose, but was interrupted by the Brats (otherwise Will and Geordie) , who appeared bearing the big bundle, so much demoralized by its fall that a red flannel tunic trailed out at one end and a little blue dressing-gown at the other, while the knobs proved to be a toilet-case, rubbers, and a silver mug. \ " Oh, that sly Phebe I This was the secret, and she bundled up those things after I went down to the boat," cried Rose, with sparkling eyes. " Guess something is smashed inside, for a bit of glass fell out," observed Will, as they deposited the bundle at her feet. "Catch a girl going anywhere without a looking- glass. We have n't got one among the whole lot of us," added Mac, with masculine scorn. " Dandy has ; I caught him touching up his wig be- hind the trees after our swim," cut in Geordie, wagging a derisive finger at Steve, who promptly silenced him by a smart rap on the head with the drum-stick he had just polished off. " Come, come, you lazy lubbers, fall to work, or we 102 EIGHT COUSINS. I shall not be ready for mamma. Take Rose's things to her tent, and tell her all about it, Prince. Mao and Steve, you cut away and bring up the rest of the straw ; and you small chaps clear off the table, if you have stuffed all you can. Please, uncle, I 'd like your advice about the boundary lines and the best place for the kitchen." Every one obeyed the Chief, and Rose was escorted to her tent by Charlie, who devoted himself to her service. She was charmed with her quarters, and still more so with the programme which he unfolded before her as they worked. " We always camp out somewhere in vacation, and this year we thought we 'd try the Island. It is handy, and our fire-works will show off well from here." " 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 '11 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," bbserved Rose, with an artless air of appreciation that was very flattering. ♦* We are a pretty clever set, I fancy ; but we have a ,> 'V PHEBE'S SECRET. 1G3 good many advantages, you see. There are a tribe of us, to begin with ; then our family has been here for ages, and we have plenty of ' spondulics,' so we can rather lord it over the other fellows and do as we like. There, ma'am, you can hang your smashed glass on that nail and do up your back hair as fine as you please. You can have a blue blanket or a red one, and a straw pillow or an air cushion for your head, whichever you like. You can trim up to any extent, and be as free and easy as squaws in a wigwam, for this corner is set apart for you ladies, and we never cross the line uncle is drawing until we ask leave. Any thing more I can do for you, cousin ? " " No, thank you. I think I '11 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 Giarlie, as he led the way to the rocky nook where Archie was putting up a sail-cloth awning. " I can make tea and toast bread." " Well, we '11 show you how to fry fish and make chowder. Now you just set these pots and pans round tastefully, and sort oi tidy up a bit, for Aunt Jessie insists on doing some of the work, and I want it to be decent here." By four o'clock the camp was in order, and the weary workers settled down on Lookout Rock to watch for Mrs. Jessie and Jamie, who was never far from mamma's apron-string. They looked like a flock of blue-birds, all being in sailor rig, with blue ribbon enough flying from the seven hats to have set up a 104 EIGHT COUSINS, milliner. Very tuneful blue-birds they were, too, for all the lads sang, and the echo of their happy voices reached Mrs. Jessie long before she saw them. The moment the boat hove in sight up went the Island flag, and the blue-jackets cheered lustily, as they did on every possible occasion, like true young Americans. This welcome was answered by the flapping of a handkerchief and the shrill " Rah I Rah I Rah ! " of the one small tar who stood in the stern waving his hat manfully, while a maternal hand clutched him firmly in the rear. Cleopatra landing from her golden galley never re- ceived a heartier greeting than " Little Mum " as she was borne to her tent by the young folk, for love of whom she smilingly resigned herseK to three days of discomfort; while Jamie immediately attached him- self to Rose, assuring her of his protection from the manifold perils which might assail them. Taught by long experience that boys are always hungry. Aunt Jessie soon proposed supper, and pro- ceeded 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 interesting insects are not expected to adorn. " I never thought I should like to wash dishes, but I do," said Rose, as she sat in a boat after supper lazily rinsing plates in the sea, and rocking luxuriously as she wiped them. PHEBE'S SECRET. 105 "Mum is mighty particular; we just give 'em a scrub with sand, and dust 'em off with a bit of paper. It 's much the best way, I think," replied Geordie, who reposed in another boat alongside. " How Phebe would like this I I wonder uncle did not have her come." " I believe he tried to, but Dolly was as cross as two sticks, and said she cc .ild n't spare her. I 'm sorry, for we all like the Phebe bird, and she'd chirp like a good one out here, would n'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. Tibe merry going to bed would have been best of all, for Rose wanted some one to cuddle under the blue blanket-with her, there to whisper and giggle and tell secrets, as girls delight to do. Long after the rest were asleep, Rose lay wide awake, excited by the novelty of all about her, and a thought that had come into her mind. Far away she heard a city clock strike twelve ; a large star like a mild eye peeped in at the opening of the tent, and the soft plash of the waves seemed calling her to come out. Aunt Jessie lay fast asleep, with Jamie rolled up like a kitten at her feet, and neither stirred as Rose in her wrapper crept out to see how the world looked at midnight. She found it very lovely, and sat down on a cracker 106 EIGHT COUSINS. keg to enjoy it with a heart full of the innocent senti- ment of her years. Fortunately, Dr. Alec saw her before she had time to catph cold, for coming out to tie back the door-flap of his tent for more air, he be- held the small figure perched in the moonlight. Hav- ing no fear of ghosts, he quietly approached, and, seeing that she was wide awake, said, with a hand on her shining hair, — ' " What is my girl doing here ? " " Having a good time," answered Rose, not at all startled. " I wonder what she was thinking about with such a sober look ? " " 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 acJced, earnestly. "If the sacrifice is a true one. But many of the bravest never are known, and get no praise. That does not lessen their beauty, though perhaps it makes them harder, for we all like sympathy," and Dr. Alec sighed a patient sort of sigh. " I suppose you have made a great many ? Would you mind telling me one of them ? " asked Rose, ar- rested by the sigh, ' ^^Mj last was to give up smoking," was tha very imromantic answer to her pensive question. "Why did you?" " Bad example for the boys." " That was very good of you, uncle ! Was it hard ? " , " I 'm ashamed to say it was, But as a wise old fel- PHEBE'S SECRET. 107 low once said, ' It is necessary to do right ; it is not necessary to be happy.' " 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?" «Yes." " Doing it one's own self because one loves another person very much and wants her to be happy?" « Yes." " And doing it pleasantly, and being glad about it, and not minding the praise if it does n't come ? " " Yes, dear, that is the true spirit of self-sacri/ice ; 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." " I think they will," began Rose, and there stopped short. " Well, make one now, and go to sleep, or my girl will be ill to-morrow, and then the aunts will say camping out was bad for her." "I '11 go, — goodnight!" 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. <* i CHAPTER X. ROSE'S SACRIFICE. THERE certainly were "larks" on Campbell's Isl- and next day, as Charlie had foretold, and Rose took her part in them like one intent on enjoy- ing 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 far out beyond her depth, with uncle to float her back ; Aunt Jessie splashed placidly in the shallow pools, with Jamie paddling near by like a little whale beside its mother ; while the lads careered about, looking like a flock of distracted flamingoes, and acting like the famous dancing party in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Nothing but chowder would have lured them from their gambols in the briny deep; that time-honored dish demanded the concentrated action of several mighty minds ; so the " Water Babies " came ashore ^nd fell to cooking. - HOSE'S SACRIFICE, 109 It is unnecessary to say that, when done, it was the most remarkable chowder ever cooked, and the quan- tity eaten would have amazed the world if Ihe 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 slumbering where they fell. 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 stir- ring scenes enacted with great vigor and historical accuracy by her gifted relatives. Captain Cook was murdered by the natives of Owhy- hee 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 wrecT s bestrewed the sands. Rose considered them by far the most exciting dramas she had ever witnessed ; and when the perform- ance closed with a grand ballet of Feejee Islanders, whose barbaric yells alarmed the gulls, she had no words in which to express her gratification. Another swim at sunset, another merry evening on the rocks watching the lighted steamers pass seaward and the pleasure-boats come into port, ended the second day of the camping out, and sent every one to no EIGHT COUSINS. bed early that they might be ready for the festivities of the morrow. " Archie, did n't I hear uncle ask you to row home in the morning for fresh milk and things ? " "Yes: why?" " 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. " I 'm willing, and I guess Charlie won't mind." " Thank you ; be sure you stand by me when I ask leave in the morning, and don't say any thing till then, except to Charlie. Promise," urged Rose, so eagerly that Archie struck an attitude, and cried dramati- cally,— " By yonder moon I swear ! " " Hush I it 's all right, go along ; " and Rose departed as if satisfied. " She's a queer little thing, is n't she. Prince ? " " Rather a nice little thing, 7" think. I 'm quite fond of her." Rose's quick ears caught both remarks, and she re- tu'ed to her tent, saying to herself with sleepy dig- nity, -— " Little thing, indeed ! Those boys talk as if I was a baby. They will treat me with more respect aftei to-morrow, I guess." Ardhie did stand by her in the morning, and her request was readily granted, as :* e 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 noSB'S SACRIFICE. Ill self-sacrifice was about to be illustrated in a new and touching manner. 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 ex- plain this somewhat mysterious performance. Phebe obeyed, and when she went to the boat Rose accompa- nied her, telling the boys she was not ready to go yet, but they could some of them come for her when she hung a white signal on her balcony. " But why not come now ? What are you about, miss? Uncle won't like it," protested Charlie, in great amazement. " Just do as I tell you, little boy ; uncle will under- stand and explain. Obey, as Phebe does, and ask no questions. J can have secrets as well as other people ; " and Rose walked off with an air of lofty independence that impressed her friends immensely. "It's some plot between uncle and herself, so we won't meddle. All right, Phebe? Pull away. Prince;" and off they went, to be received with much surprise by the islanders. This was the note Phebe bore : — " Dear Uncle, — I am going to take Phebe's place to-day, and let her have all the f irn she can. Please don't mind what she says, but keep her, and tell the boys to be very good to her for my sake. Don't think it is easy to do this ; it is very hard to give up the best day of all, but I feel so selfish to have all the pleasure, and Phebe none, that I wish to make this sacrifice. Do let me, and don't laugh at it ; I truly do not wish to be praised, and I truly ,want to do it. Love to all from " Roain." "Bless the little dear, what a generous heart she has! Shall we go after her, Jessie, or let her have 112 EIGHT COUSINS. her tv^ay?" said Dr. Alec, after the first mingled amusement and astonishment had subsided. " 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 1 hebe a pleasant day. I'm sure she has earned it;" and Mrs. Jessie made a sign to the boys to suppress their disappointment and oxert themselves to please Hose's guest. Phebe was with difficulty kept from going fitraight home, and declared that she should not enjoy herself one bit without Miss Rose. " She won't hold out all day, and we shall see her paddling back before noon, I '11 wager any thing," said Charlie ; and the rest so strongly inclined to his opinion th^,t they resigned themselves to the loss of the little queen of the revels, sure that it would be only a temporary one. But hour after hour passed, and no signal appeared on the balcony, though Phebe watched it hopefully. No passing boat brought the truant back, though more than one pair of eyes looked out for the bright hair under the round hat ; and sunset came, bringing no Rose but the' lovely color in the western sky. "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 '11 make it up to her a thou- sand times over, and beg her pardon for thinking it might be done for effect," Dr. Alec said remorsefully, as £e strained his eyes through the dusk, fancying he saw a small figure sitting in the garden as it had sat HOSE'S SACRIFICE. 113 on the keg the night before, laying the generous little plot that had cost more than he could guess. " Well, she can't help sec mg the fire-works any way, unless she is goose enough to think she must liide 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 'ra sure the sight of her will be better than the finest fire-works that ever went off," said Phebe, meditating an elopement with one of the boats if she could get a chance. " Let things work ; if she resists the brilliant in- vitation we give her she will be a heroine," added Uncle Alec, secretly hoping that she would not. Meanwhile Rose had spent a quiet, busy day help- ing Dolly, waiting on Aunt Peace, and steadily re- sisting Aunt Plenty's attempts to send her back to the happy island. It had been hard in the morning to come in from the bright world outside, with flags flying, cannon booming, crackers popping, and every one making ready for a holiday, and go to washing cups, while Dolly grumbled and the aunts lamented. It was very hard to see the day go by,, knowing how gay each hour must have been across the water, and how a word from her would take her where she longed to be with all her heart. But it was hardest of all when evening came and Aunt Peace v/as asleep, Aunt Plenty seeing a gossip in the parlor, Dolly established in the porch to enjoy the show, and noth- 114 EIGHT COUSINS. ing 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 railing, and a wide-awake nasturtium heard a little whisper,— " I hope some one wishes I was there ! " 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 what- ever you call it, and run off with me. I came to get Phebe, but aunt says she is gone, so 1 want you. I Ve got Fun down in the boat, and I want you to go with us and see my fire-works. Got them up for you, and you mustn't miss them, or I shall be disappointed." **But, undo," 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 Bose went and found the little Chinaman with a funny lantern waiting to help her in and convulse \ ROSE'S SACRIFICE. 115 n I ) 1 \ her with laughter trying to express his emotions in pigeon English. The city clocks were striking nine as they got out into the bay, and the island fire-works seemed to be o/er, for no rocket answered the last Roman candle that shone on the Aunt-hill. "Ours are done, I see, but they are going up all round the city, and how pretty they are," said Rose, folding her mantle about her and surveying the scene with a pensive interest. "Hope my fellows have not got into trouble up there," muttered Uncle Mac, adding, with a satisfied chuckle, as a spark shone out, "No; there it goes! Look, Rosy, and see how you like this one; it was ordered especially in honor of your coming." 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 xose, uncle ?" she asked, clasping her hands with delight ias she recognized the handsome flower. " Of course it is ! Look again, and guess what those are," answered Uncle Mac, chuckling and enjoy- ing it all like a boy. 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 tbeih, — one for each boy! Oh, what a jokel" and she laughed so that she plumped into the bottom of the boat and stayed there till the brilliant spectacle was quite gone. 116 EIGHT COUSINS, i nOSE'S SACRIFICE. 117 "Tnat was rather a neat thing, I flatter myself," said Uncle Mac in high glee at the success of his illumination. " Now, shall I leave you on the Island or take you home again, my good little girl?" he added, lifting her up with such a tone of approbation in his voiqe that Rose kissed him on the spot. " Home, please, uncle ; and I thank you very, very much for the beautiful fire -work you got up for me. I 'm so glad I saw it ; and I know I shall dream about it," answered Rose steadily, though a wistful glance went toward the Island, now so near that she could smell powder and see shadowy figures flitting about. Home they went; and Rose fell asleep saying to herself, " It was harder than I thought, but I 'm glad I did it, and I truly don't want any reward but Phebe's pleasure.^ i> CHAPTER XI. POOR MAC. ROSE'S sacrifice was a failure in one respect, for, though the elders loved her the better for it, and showed that they did, the boys were not inspired with the sudden respect which she had hoped for. In fact, her feelings were much hurt by overhearing Archie say that he couldn't see any sense in it ; and the Prince added another blow by pronouncing her " the queerest chicken ever seen.'* 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 un- consciously, won not only the respect of her cousins, but their gratitude and affection likewise. Soon after the Island episode, Mac had a sun-stroke, and was very ill for some time. It was so sudden that every one was startled, and for some days the boy's life was in danger. He pulled through, however ; and .then, just as the family were rejoicing, a new trouble appeared which cast a gloom over them all. '■!'fj '1 h POOR MAC. 119 i Poor Mac's eyes gave out ; and well they might, for he had abused them, and never bemg very strong, they suffered doubly now. 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. Every one was very ready to read to him, and at first the lads contended for this honor. But as week after week went by, and Mac was still condemned to idleness and a darkened room, their zeal abated, and one after the other fell off. It 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 er- rands, and warm expressions of sympathy. The elders did their best, but Uncle Mac was a busy man. Aunt Jane's reading was of a funereal sort, im- posriible to listen to long, and the other aunties ^ore all absorbed in their own cares, though they supplied the boy with every delicacy they could invent. Uncle Alec was a host in himself, but he could not ^ve 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 unfail- ing, her time of no apparent value, and her eager good-will was very comforting. The womanly power of self-devotion was strong in the child, and she remained faithfully at her post when all the rest dropped away. Hour after hour she sat in 120 EIGHT COUSINS. 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 some- times 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 fret- ted, she was patient ; when he growled, she ploughed bravely through the hard pages, — not dry to her in one sense, for quiet tears dropped on them now and then ; and when Mac fell into a despairing mood, she comforted him with every hopeful word she dared to offer. He said little, but she knew he was grateful, for she suited him better than any one else. If she was late, he was impatient ; when she had to go, he seemed for- lorn ; and when the tired head ached worst, she could always soothe him to sleep, crooning the old songs her father used to love. " I don't know what I should do without that child," Aunt Jane often said. " She's worth all those racketing fellows put to- gether," Mac would add, fumbling about to discover if the little chair was ready for her coming. That was the sort of reward Rose liked, the thanks ,that cheered her ; and whenever she grew very tired, one look at the green sh^de, the curly head so restless on the pillow, and the poor groping hands, touched her tender heart and put new spirit into the weary voice. POOR MAC. 121 She did not know how much she was learning, both from the books she read and the daily sacrifices she made. Stories and poetry were her delight, but Mac did not care for them ; and since his favorite Greeks and Romans were forbidden, he satisfied himself with travels, biographies, and the history of great inventions of discoveries. Rose despised this taste at first, but soon got interested in Livingstone's adventures. Hob- son's stirring life in India, and the brave trials and triumphs of Watt and Arkwright, Fulton, and " Pal- issy, the Potter." The true, strong books helped the dreamy girl ; her faithful service and sweet patience touched and won the boy; and long afterward both learned to see how useful those seemingly hard and weary hours had been to them. One bright morning, as Rose sat down to begin a fat volume entitled "History of the French Revolu- tion," expecting to come to great grief over the long names, Mac, whq was lumbering about the room like a blind bear, stopped her by asking abruptly, — « What day of the month is it ? " " The seventh of August, I believe." " More than half my vacation gone, and I Ve only had a week of it ! I call that hard," and he groaned dismally. " So it is ; but there is more to come, and you may be able to enjoy that." "Jtfay be able I I will be able! Does that old noodle think I 'm going to stay stived up here much longer ? " " I guQss he does, unless your eyes get on faster than they have yet." W.-:. 122 EIGHT COUSINS. " Has he said any thing more lately ? " "I have n't seen him, you know. Shall I begin? — this looks rather nice." " Read away ; it 's all one to me." And Mac cast himself down upon the old lounge, where his heavy head felt easiest. Rose began with great spirit, and kept on gallantly for a couple of chapters, getting over the unpronounce- able 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 vas 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 sus- pected what it was. His next words proved that she was right. "Now look here, I want to know something, and you 've got to tell me." " Please, don't, — " began Rose, beseechingly. " You must, or I '11 pull c^ this shade and stare at the sun as hard as ever I caa stare. Come now ! " Mid he half rose, as if ready to execute the threat. "I will! oh, I will tell, if I know I But don't be reckless and do any thing so crazy as that," cried Rose, in great distress. " Very well ; then listen, and don't dodge, as every ore else does. Did n't the doctor think my eyes worse the last time he came ? Mother won't say, but you ahaUr ' POOR MAC. 128 s, " I believe he did," faltered Rose. " I thought so 1 Did he say I should be. able to go to school when it begins ? " " No, Mac," very low. "Ah!" 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, — " How soon does he think I can study again ? " It was so hard to answer that I Yet Rose knew she must, for Aunt Jane had declared she could not do it, and Uncle Mac had begged her to break the truth to the poor lad. " Not for a good many months." "How many?" he asked with a pathetic sort of gruffness. "A year, perhaps." " A whole year I 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 some- how. It's aU humbug about taking care so long. These doctors like to keep hold of a fellow if they can. But I won't stand it, — I vow I won't!" and he banged his fist down on the unoffending pillow as if he were pommelling the hard-hearted doctor. 124 EIGHT COUSINS. " 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 fire- light and in the dusk, and sitting up late, and now you '11 have to pay for it ; the doctor said so. You must be carefol, and do as he tells you, or you will be — bUnd." "No!" " 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 '11 all help you ; I '11 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 come, for he had promised to tell Mac. 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 must n't cry ! It is so bad for your poor eyes. Take your head out of that hot POOR MAC. 125 pillow, and let me cool it. I don't wonder you feel so, but please don't cry. I 'U cry for you ; it won't hurt me." •yi'.PAV/^'S. " BUNNINO TO THE SOFA, SHE KNELT DOWN BY IT." As she spoke, she pulled away the cushion with gentle force, and saw the ^^reon shade all crushed and stained with the few hot tears that told how 126 EIGHT COUSINS. bitter the disappointment had been. Mac felt her sympathy, but, being a boy, did not thank her for it ; only sat up with a jerk, saying, as he tried to rub away the tell-tale drops with the sleeve of his jacket: "Don't bother; weak eyes always water. I'm all right." But Rose cried out, and caught his arm: "Don't touch them with that rough woollen stuff ! Lie down and let me bathe them, there 's a dear boy ; then there will be no harm done." "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 tlie orders of his nurse, wha had flown for the eye-wash and linen cambric handkerchief. " Of course I won't ; but any one would be upset at the idea of being — well — troubled in this way. I'm sure you bear it splendidly, and you know it is n't haM so bad when you get used to it. Besides, it is only for a time, and you can do lots of pleasant things if you can't study. You'll have to wear blue goggles, perhaps; won't that be funny?" And while she was pouring out all the comfortable words she could think of. Rose was softly bathing the eyes and dabbing tLe hot forehead with lavender- water, as her patient lay quiet with a look on his face that grieved her sadly. "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 POOR MAC. 127 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 some one read and did the eye part. Do you suppose I could, by and by ? " he asked, with a sudden ray of hope. " I dare say, if your head is strong enough. This sun-stroke, you know, is what upset you, and your brains need rest, the doctor says." " I '11 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 sorts of queer things. Wonder if g-U blind people do ? " " Don't think about them ; I '11 go on reading, shall I? We shall come ^>o the exciting part soon, and then you'll forget all this," suggested Rose. " No, 1 never shall forget. Hang the old * Revolu- tion ! ' I don't want to hear another word of it. My head aches, and I'm hot. Oh, wouldn't I like to go for a pull in the * Stormy Petrel ! ' " and poor* Mac tossed about as if he did not know what to do with himself. ' " L<3t me sing, and perhaps you 'U drop off ; then the day will seem shorter," said Rose, taking up a fan and sitting down beside him. "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 128 EIGHT COUSINS. I don't want them to talk about it or howl over me. That 's all ; now drone away, and I '11 try to sleep. Wish I could for a year, and wake up cui*ed." " Oh, I wish, I wish you could I " !^ose said it so fervently, that Mac was moved to grope for her apron and hold on to a corner of it, as if it was comfortable to feel her near him. But all he said was, — " 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-, the pretty Scotch air, the burden of which is, — ^ " Bonny lassie, will ye gang, will ye gang To the Birks of Aberfeldie ? " 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. yi^ CHAPTER XII. ''THE OTHER FELLOWS.'' -r ►,5 ROSE did tell "the people" what had passed, and no one "howled" over Mac, or said a word to trouble him. He had his talk with the doctor, and got very little comfort out of it, for he found that "just what he might do" was nothing at all; though the prospect of some study by and by, if all went well, gave him courage to bear the woes of the present. Having made up his mind to this, he behaved so well that every one was astonished, never having suspected so much manliness in the quiet Worm. The boys were much impressed, both by the great- ness of the affliction which hung over him and by his way of bearing it. They were very good to him, but not always particularly wise in their attempts to cheer and amuse ; and Rose often found him much downcast after a visit of condolence from the Clan. She still kept her place as head-nurse and chief-reader, though the boys did their best in an irregular sort of way. They were rather taken aback sometimes at finding Rose's services preferred to theirs, and pri- vately confided to one another that <*01d Mac was 6* I 130 EIGHT COUSINS. getting fond of being molly-coddled." But they could not heip seeing how useful she was, and owning that the alone had remained faithful, — a fact which caused some of them much secret compunction now and then. 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 sensi- ble like Archie, nor gay and handsome like Prince Charlie, nor neat and obliging like Steve, nor amusing like the "Brats," nor confiding and affectionate like little Jamie. He was rough, absent-minded, careless, and awkward, rather priggish, and not at air agreeable to a dainty, beaucy-loving girl like Rose. But when his trouble came upon him, she discov- ered 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 cheer- ful, and found it a harder task than any one guessed, except the little nurse, who saw him in his gloomiest moods. She soon came to' think that his friends did not appreciate him, and upon one o^3casion was mpved to free her mind in a way that made a deep impression on the boys. Vacation was almost over, and the time drawing near when Mac would be left outside the happy school-world f ''THE OTHER FELLOWS.'' 131 whioh he so much enjoyed. This made him rather low in his mind, and his cousins exerted themselves to cheer him up, especially one afternoon when a spasm of devotion seemed to seize them all. Jamie trudged down the hill with a basket of blackberries which he had " picked all his ownself," as his scratched fingers and stained lips plainly testified. Will and Geordie brought their puppies to beguile the weary hours, and the three elder lads called to discuss base-ball, cricket, and kindred subjects, eminently fitted to remind the invalid of his privations. Rose had gone to drive with Uncle Alec, who de- clared 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 mo- ment she returned, to find things in a fine state of con- fusion. 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, tho room close, berries scattered freely about, Mac's shade half off, his cheeks flushed, his temper ruffled, and his voice loudest of all as he disputed hotly with Steve about lending certain treasured books which he could no longer use. Now Rose considered this her special kingdom, and came down upon the invaders with an energy whicli amazed them and quelled the riot at once. They had never seen her roused before, and the effect was tre- mendous ; also comical, for she drove the whole flock. 182 EIGHT COUSINS. M O (5 > H (A < M (/) M lA 3 H i ^'THE OTHER FELLOWS:' 188 M Oh I .< = O U >« (A tn H of boys out of the room like an ind^jjaant little hen defending her brood. They all went as meekly as sheep ; the small lads fled from the house precipitately, but the three elder ones only retired to the next room, and remained there hoping for a chance to explain and apologize, and so appease the irate young lady, who had suddenly turned the tables and clattered them about their ears. As they waited, they observed her proceedings through the half-open door, and commented upon them briefly but expressively, feeling quite bowed down with remorse at the harm they had innoccDtly ( >ne. " She 's put the room to rights in a jiffy. What jacks we were to let those dogs in and kick up such a row," observed Steve, after a prolonged peep. "The poor old Worm turns as if she w s treading on him instead of cuddling him like a pussy oat. Is n'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 rum- ple him up and then leave her to smooth him down. I 'd go and help, but I don't know how," said Archie, looking much depressed, for he was a conscientious fellow, and blamed himself for his want of thought. " No more do I. Odd, is n't it, what a knack women have for taking care of sick folks ? " and Charlie fell a-musing over this undeniable fact. " She ha« been ever so good to Mac," began Steve, in a seK-reproachful tone. " Better than his own brother, hey?" cut in Archie, finding relief for his own regret in the delinquencies of another. 134 EIGHT COUSINS. " Well, you need n't preach ; you did n't any of yon do any more, and you might have, for Mac likes you better than he does me. I always fret him, he says, and it is n't my fault if I am a quiddle," protested Steve, in self-defence. " 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 honor 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, confess- ing his transgressions handsomely, and feeling quite ready to atone for them if he only knew how. " I '11 go down on my knees and beg her pardon for treating hey 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 *'THE OTHER FELLOWS.'' 136 feet five as if Rose was indeed a pygmy beside him. " 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 crea' ion. You need n't put on airs, Charlie, though you are a tall one, for Rose likes Archie better than you ; she said she did because he treated her respectfully." " Steve looks as fierce as a game-cock ; but don't you get excited, my son, for it won't do a bit of good. Of course, everybody likes the Chief best ; they ought to, and I'll punch their heads if they don't. So calm yourself, Dandy, and mend your own manners before you come down on other people's." Thus the Prince with great dignity and perfect g jod nature, while Archie looked modestly grat^ed with the flattering opinions of his kinsfolk, and Steve sub- sided, feeling he had done his duty as a cousin and a brother. A pause ensued, during which Aunt Jane appeared in the other room, accompanied by a tea-tray sumptuously spread, and prepared to feed her big nest- ling, 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 to-morrow if it is a cloudy day," said Mrs. Jane, spreading toast in a stately manner, while Mac slopped his tea about without receiving a word of re- proof. 186 EIGHT COUSINS. "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 parlor and sat down at the work-table without n word. It was funny to see the look the three tall lads cn^st 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 them- selves. The pause was becoming very awkward, when Charlie, who possessed all the persuasive arts of a born scapegrace, went slowly down upon his knees ^ '>fore her, beat his breast, and said, in a heart-broken - "Please forgive me this time, and I'll never do so any more." It was very hard to keep sober, but Rose managed it, and answered gravely, — "It is Mac's pardon you should ask, not mine, *f or you have n't hurt me, and I should n'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 in a remorseful heap among the table legs. " Yes, I do, for he has got a raging headache, and his eyes are as red as — as this emery bag," answered Rose, solemnly plunging her needle into a tat flannel strawberry. i ''THE OTHER FELLOWS.'' 187 Steve tore his hair, metaphorically speaking, for he clutched his cherished top-knot and wildly dishev elled it, as if that was the heaviest penance he could inflict upon himself at such short notice. Charlie laid himself out flat, melodrjimatically begging some one to take him away and hang him; but Archie, who felt worst of all, said nothing except to vow within himself that he would read to Mac till his own eyes were as red as a dozen emery bags combined. 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 ; R'> she gave him a thimble-pie on the top of his head, and said, with the air of an infinitely superior being, — " Don't be silly, but get up, and I '11 tell you some- thing much better to do than sprawling on the floor and getting all over lint." 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, soft- ened by this gratifying humility, addressed them in her most maternal tone. " 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. Gret 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, % n^ 138 EIGHT COUSINS. and don't learn Greek and Latin and all Borts of headachy stuff." " Yes, but you can do heaps of things better than we can; youVe proved that," said Archie, with an approving look that delighted Rose, though she could not resist giving Charlie one more rebuke, by saying, with a little bridling up of the head, and a curl of the lip that wanted to smile instead, — "I'm glad you think so, though I am a 'queer chicken.' " This scathing remark caused the Prince to hide his face for shame, and Steve to erect his head in the proud consciousness that this shot was not meant for him. Archie laughed, and Rose, seeing a merry blue eye winking at her from behind two brown hands, gave Charlie's ear a friendly tweak, and extended the olive-branch of peace. "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 cakn succeeded, during which plans of a most varied and surprising sort were laid, for every one burned to make noble sacrifices upon the shrine of "poor Mac," and Rose was the guiding star to whom the others looked with most gratifying submission. Of course, this elevated state of things could not endure long, but it was very nice while it lasted, and left an excellent effect upon the minds of all when the first ardor had subsided. ?.| ''THE OTHER FELLOWS.'' 139 " There, that 's ready for to-morrow, and I do hope it will be cloudy," said Rose, as she finished off the new shade, the progress of which the boys had watched with interest. " I 'd bespoken an extra sunny day, but I '11 tell the clerk of the weather to change it. He's an obliging fellow, and he '11 attend to it ; so make yourseK 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 feet. "It's horrid! Take it off, take it off I I don't wonder the poor old boy has the blues with a thing like that on ; " and Giarlie sat looking at what seemed to him an instrument of torture, with such a sober face that Rose took it gently away, and went in to bid Mac good-night. " I shall go home with her, for it is getting dark- ^ ish, and she is rathe timid," said Archie, forgetting that he had often laughed at this very timidity. "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 ^dlll" they said with one voice, and they, did, to Rose's great surprise and secret contentment ; though Archie had all the care of her, for the other two were leaping fences, running races, and having wrestling matches all the way down. I ■%■■ 140 BIGHT COUSINS. They composed themselves on reaching the door however; sl.ook hands cordiaUy aU ronndfm^e t^eb best bows and retired with great elegance and d'^ mty leavmg Rose to say to he«elf, with girul satisfaction, as she went in, — ^ « Now, tlmt is the Way I lie to be treated." CHAPTER XIIL COSEY CORNER. 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 noth- ing he could do but wander about, and try to amuse himself without using his eyes. Any one who has ever been condemned to that sort of idleness knows how irksome it is, and can understand the state of mind which caused Mac to say to Rose in a desperate tone one day, — " Look here, if you don*t invent some new employ- ment or amusement for me, I shall knock myself on the head as sure as you Uve." 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 Septeinber morning six very happy-looking people were aboard the express train for Portland, — two smiling mammas, laden with luncheon baskets and wraps; a pretty young girl with a bag of books on her arm; a tall, thin lad with his hat over his eyes; and two small m 142 EIGHT COUSINS. children, who sat with their short legs straight oat before them, and their chubby faces beaming with the first speechless delight of "truly travelling." An especially splendid sunset seemed to have been prepared to welcome them when, after a long day's journey, they drove into a wide, green door-yard, where a white colt, a red cow, two cats, four kittens, many hens, and a dozen people, old and young, were gayly disporting themselves. Every one nodded and smiled in the friendliest manner, and a lively old lady kissed the new-comers all round, as she said heart- iiy,- "Well, now, I'm proper glad to see you! Come right in and rest, and we'll have tea in less than no time, for you must be tired. Lizzie, you show the folks upstairs; Kitty, you fly round and help father in with the trunks; and Jenny and I will have the table all ready by the time you come down. Bless the dears, they want to go see the pussies, and so they shall ! " The three pretty daughters did "fly round," and every one felt at home at once, all were so hospitable and kind. Aunt Jessie had raptures over the home- made carpets, quilts, and quaint furniture ; Rose could not keep away from the windows, for each framed a lovely picture; and the little folks made friends at once with the other children, who filled their arms with chickens and kittens, and did the honors hand- somely. The toot of a horn called all to supper, and a goodly party, including six children besides the Camp- bells, assembled in the long dining-room, armed with v^ COSEY CORNER. 143 mountain appetites and the gayest spirits. It was impossible for any one to be shy or sober, for such gales of merriment arose they blew the starch out of the stiffest, and made the saddest jolly. Mother Atkinson, as all called their hostess, was the merriest there, and the busiest ; for she kept flying up to wait on the children, to bring' out some new dish, or to banish the live stock, who were of such a social turn that the colt came into the entry and demanded sugar ; the cats sat about in people's laps, winking sugges- tively at the food; and speckled hens cleared the kitchen floor of crumbs, as they joined in the chat with a cheerful clucking. Everybody turned out after tea to watch the sun- set till all the lovely red was gone, and mosquitoes wound their shrill horns to sound the retreat. The music of an organ surprised the new-comers, and in the parlor they found Father Atkinson playing sweetly on the little instrument made by himself. All the children gathered about him, and, led by the tuneful sisters, sang prettily till Pokey fell asleep behind the door, and Jamie gaped audibly right in the middle of his favorite, — " Coo," said the little doves : " Coo," said she, ** All in the top of the old pine-tree." The older travellers, being tired, went to " bye low " at the same time, and slept like tops in home-spun sheets, on husk mattresses made by Mother Atkinson, who seemed to have put some soothing powder among them, BO deep and sweet was the slumber that came. Kext day began the wholesome out-of-door life, 144 EIGHT COUSINS. 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 flders went about smiling at one another, and saying, " Is n'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 i\oae ran after him with his broad-brimmed 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 com- pany, composed entirely of officers, all wearing cocked hats, carrying flags, wa '^ing swords, or beating drums. It was a spectacle to stir the dullest soul when this gallant band marched out of the yard in full regimen- tals, with Captain Dove — a solemn, big-headed boy of eleven — issuing his orders with the gravity of a general, and his Falstaffian regiment obeying them with more docility than skill. The little Snow chil- dren did very well, and Lieutenant Jack Dove was fine to see ; so was Drummer Frank, the errand-boy of the house, as he rub-a-dub-dubbed with all his heart and drumsticks. Jamie had "trained" before, and was made a colonel at once ; but Pokey was the best of all, and called forth a spontaneous burst of applause from the. spectators as she brought up the rear, her cocked hat all over one eye, her flag trailing over her shoulder, and her wooden sword straight up in the air; her face beaming and every curl bobbing with delight as her fat legs tottered in the vain attempt to keep step nianfally. COSEY CORNER. 145 Mac and Kose were picking blackberries in the bushes beside the road when the soldiers passed with- out seeing them, and they witnessed a sight that was both pretty and comical. A little farther on was one of the family burial spots so common in those parts, and just this side of it Captain Fred Dove ordered his company to halt, explaining his reason for so doing in the following words: — " That 's a graveyard, and it 's proper to muffle the drums and lower the flags as we go by, and we'd better take off our hats, too ; it 's more respectable, I think." " Is n't that cunning of the dears ? " whispered Rost , as the little troop marched slowly by to the muffled roll of the drums, every flag and sword held low, all the little heads uncovered, and the childish faces very sober as the leafy shadows flickered over them. "Let's follow and see what they are after," pro- posed Mac, who found sitting (n a wall and being fed with blackberries luxurious ^mt tiresome. So they followed and hearc the music grow lively, fiaw the banners wave in the breeze again when the ^aveyard was passed, and watched the company file into the dilapidated old church that stood at the corner o^ three woodland roads. Presently the sound of sing- ing made the outsiders quicken their steps, and, stealing up, they peeped in at one of the broken windows. Captain Dove was up in the old wooden pulpit, gazing solemnly down upon his company, who, hav- ing stacked their arms in the porch, no\r sat in the bare pews singing a Sunday-school hymr, with great vigor and relish. 7 jr 146 EIGHT COUSINS. "Let us pray," said Captain Dove, with as much reverence as an army chaplain; and, folding his hands, he repeated a prayer which he thought all would know, — an excellent little prayer, but not exactly appropriate to the morning, for it was, — " Now I lay me down to sleep." Bvery one joined in saying it, and it was a pretty sight to see the little creatures bowing their curly heads and lisping out the words they knew so well. Tears came into Rose's eyes as she looked ; Mac took his hat off involuntarily, and then clapped it on again as if ashL.med 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 '11 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 need n'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 need n't fuss about it. Jamie seems to be a good boy, but I shall preach to him if he isn't. No, Pokey, people don't kiss in church or put their hats on. Now you must all remember what I tell you, because I'm the cap- tain, and you should mind me." Here Lieutenant Jack spoke right^out in meeting with the rebellious remark, — [ ■ COSEY CORNER. 147 "Don't care if you are; you'd better mind your- self, and tell how you took away my strap, and kept the biggest doughnut, and did n't draw fair when we had the truck." " 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 would n't go and swing when you wanted me to," added Annette, the oldest of the Snow trio. " I shanH build my house by Willie's if he don't want me to, so now I " put in little Marion, joining the mutiny. " I will tiss Dimmy 1 and I tored up my hat. 'tause a pin picked me," shouted Pokey, regardless of Jamie's efforts to restrain her. 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 gi xat tact and skill by saying, briefly, — " We will sing the last hymn ; * Sweet, sweet good- by,' — yoji all know that, so do it nicely, and then we will go and have luncheon.^" 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 rer^ered iu a physical impossibility for the company to x^^arch 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 cantain's beautiful teck." VM 148 EIGHT COUSINS. It was astonishing how much they all found to do at Cosey Corner ; and Mac, instead of lying in a ham- mock and being read to, as he had expected, was busiest of all. He was invited to survey and lay out Skeeterville, a town which the children were getting up in a huckleberry pasture ; and he found much amusement in planning little roads, staking off house- lots, attending to the water-works, and consulting with the " selectmen " about the best sites for public buildings ; for Mac was a boy still, in spite of his fifteen years and his love of books. Then he went fishing with a certain jovial gentle- man from the West ; and though they seldom caught any thing but colds they had great fun and exercise chasing the phantom trout they were bound to have. Mac also developed a geological mania, and went tapping about at rocks and stones, discoursing wisely of "strata, periods, and fossil remains;" while Rose picked up leaves and lichens, and gave him lessons in botany, in return for his lectures on geology. They led a very merry life ; for the Atl^son girls kept up a sort of perpetual picnic ; and did it so capi- tally, that one was never tired of it. So their visitors throve finely, and long before the month was out it was evident that Dr. Alec had prescribed the right medicine for his patients. CHAPTER XIV. A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. 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 per- form, 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 ple;ised her extremely, and that was only the beginning of the fun, for surprises and presents kept popping out in the most delightful manner all through the day, the Atkinson girls being famous jokers and Rose a favorite. But the best gift of all came on the way to Mount Windy-top, where it was decided to picnic in honor of the great occasion. Three jolly 160 EIGHT COUSINS. loads set off soon after breakfast, for everybody went, and everybody seemed bound to have an extra good time, especially Mother Atkinson, who wore a hat as broad-brimmed as an umbrella, and took the dinner- horn to keep her flock from straying away. "I'm going to drive aunty and a lot of the babies, so you must ride the pony. And please stay behind us a good bit when we go to the station, for a pjircel is coming, and you are not to see it till dinner-time. You won't mind, will you?" said Mac in a confi- dential aside during the wild flurry of the start. "Not a bit," answered Rose. "It hurts my feel- ings 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 ready as soon as you are, Gig- lamps." " Stop under the big maple till I call, — then you can't possibly see any thing," added Mac, as he mounted her on the pony his father had sent up for his use. "Barkis" 'ras 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 horn ; meantime she had many a fine canter "over the hills and far away" with Mac, who preferred Mr. Atkinson's old Sorrel. 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 A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. 151 hurry. One look was enough, and, with a cry of de- light. Rose was off down the road as fast as Barkis could go. "WHICH CAUSED BARKIS TO SHY." " Now I '11 astonish uncle," she thought. "I '11 dash up in grand style, and show him that I am not a coward, after all." 152 EIGHT COUSINS. Fired by tliis ambition, she startled Barkis by a sharp cut, and still more bewildered him by leaving him to his own guidance down the steep, stony road. The approach would have been a fine success if, just as Rose was about to pull up and salute, two or three distracted hens had not scuttled across the road with a great squawking, which caused Barkis to shy and stop so suddenly that his careless rider landed in an ignominious heap just under old Sorrel's astonished nose. Rose was up again before Dr. Alec was out of the carryall, and threw two dusty ?rtns about his neck, crying with a breathless voice, — "O uncle, I'm so glad to see you I It is better than a cart-load of goodies, and so dear of you to cornel" " But are n't you hurt, child ? That was a rough tumble, and I'm afraid you must be damaged some- where," answered the Doctor, full of fond anxiety, as he surveyed his girl with pride. "My feelings are hurt, but my bones are all safe. It 's too bad I I was going to do it so nicely, and those stupid hens spoilt it all," said Rose, quite crest-fallen, as well as much shaken. " I could n't believe my eyes when I asked * "Where is Rose ? ' and Mac pointed to the little Amazon pelt- ing down the hill at such a rate. You could n't have done any thing that would please me more, and I 'm delighted to see how well you ride. Now, will you mount again, or shall we turn Mac out and take you in?" asked Dr. Alec, as Aunt Jessie proposed a start, f cr the others were beckoning them to follow. A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. 163 " Pr.de goeth before a fall, — better not try to show off again, ma'am," said Mac, who would have been more than mortal if he had refrauied from teasing when so good a chance offered. "Pride does go before a fall, but I wonder if a sprained ankle always comes after it ? " thought Rose, bravely concealing her pain, as she answered, witii great dignity, — " I prefer to ride. Come on, and see who will cJ:(^k up first." 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 mo- tion of the pony as Barkio cantered along as easily as a rocking-chair. "You ought to see her go over a fence and race when we ride together. She can scud, too, like a deer when we play * Follow the leader,' and skip stones and bat balls almost as well as I can," said Mac, in reply to his uncle's praise of his pupil. " I 'm afraid ^-^ou 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 sh«i feels so full of spirits she must run and shout whether it is proper or not," added Mrs. JeE>die, who had been a pretty hoyden years ago herself. " Grood, — g<)ots turned up to the daisies in the most pathetic manner. " Now tl» wobins tum. You be twite dead, Dimmy, and I '11 peep and see 'em," one defunct innocent was heard to say. A HAPPY BIRTHDAY, 157 " I hope they '11 be quick, for I 'm lying on a stone, and ants are walking up my leg like fury," murmured the other. Here the robins came flapping in with red scarfs over their breasts and leaves in their mouths, which they carefully laid upon the babes wherever they would show best. A prickly blackberry-leaf placed directly over Pokey's nose caused her to sneeze so violently that her little legs flew into the air ; Jamie gave a startled "Ow!" and the pitying fowls fled giggling. After some discussion it was decided that the syl- lable must be " strew or strow," and then they waited to see if it was a good guess. This scene discovered Annette Snow in bed, evi- dently very ill ; Miss Jenny was her anxious mamma, and her merry conversation amused the audience till Mac came in as a physician, and made great fun with his big watch, pompous manner, and absurd questions. He prescribed one pellet with an unpronounceable name, and left after demanding twenty dollars for his brief visit. The pellet was administered, and such awful agonies immediately set in that the distracted mamma bade a sympathetic neighbor run for Mother Know-all. The neighbor ran, and in came a brisk little old lady in cap and specs, with a bundle of herbs under her arm, which she at once applied in all sorts of funny ways, explaining their virtues as she clapped a plantain poultice here, put a pounded catnip plaster there, or tied a couple of mullein leaves round the sufferer's throat. Instant relief ensued, the dying child sat up —n 158 EIGHT COUSINS. and demanded baked beans, the grateful parent offered fifty dollars ; but Mother Know-all indignantly refused it and went smiling away, declaring that a neighborly turn needed no reward, and a doctor's /ee was all a humbug. The audience were in fits of laughter over this scene, for Kose 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 JincUe 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 smash-up completed the word catastrophe, " Now let us act a proverb. I 've got one all ready," said Kose, who was dying to distinguish herself in some way before Uncle Aleo. So every one but Mac, the gay Westerner, and Kose, took their places on the rocky seats and dis- cussed the late beautiful and varied charade, in which Pokey frankly pronounced her own scene the " bestest of aU." In five minutes the curtain was lifted ; nothing ap- peared but a very large sheet of brown paper pinned to a tree, and on it was drawn a clock-face, the hands pointing to four. A small note below informed the public that 4 a.m. was the time. Hardly had the audience grasped this important fact when a long water-proof serpent was seen uncoiling itself from behind a stump. An inch-worm, perhaps, would be a better description, for it trave^^^^d in the same humpy A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. 159 way as that pleasing reptile. Suddenly a very wide- awake and active fowl advanced, pecking, chirping, and scratching vigorously. A tuft of green leaves waved upon his crest, a larger tuft of brakes made an umbrageous tail, and a shawl of many colors formed his flapping wings. A truly noble bird, whose legs had the genuine strut, whose eyes shone watchfully, and whose voice had a ring that evidently struck ter- ror into the caterpillar's soul, if it was a caterpillar. He squirmed, he wriggled, he humped as fast as he could, trying to escape ; but all iv vain. The tufted bird espied him, gave one warbling sort of crow, pounced upon him, and flapped triumphantly away. "That early bird got such a big worm he could hardly carry him off," laughed Aunt Jessie, as the children shouted over the joke suggested by Mac's nickname. " That is one of uncle's favorite proverbs, so I got it up for his especial benefit," said Rose, coming up with the two-legged worm beside her. "Very clever; what next?" asked Dr. Alec as she sat down beside him. " 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 160 EIGHT COUSINS. doze ; dropped slowly down, overpowered with slum-^ ber, 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" vfiih a Napoleonic attitude that bro\ight down the house ; for the big-headed boy, with solemn, dark eyes ard square brOw, was "the very mor; J of that rascal, Boneyparty," Mother Atkinson said. Some gi'eat scheme was evidently brewing in his mighty mind, — a trip across the iilps, 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, — "Ha! asleep at his post! Death is the penalty, — he must die!" Picking up the musket, he is about to execute sum- mary 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 o£E, 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 pro^'ed himself a man by relenting, and saying, with a lofty gesture of forgive- ness, — " Brave fellow, he is worn out ; I will let him sleep, and mount guard in his place." r A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. 161 'Pi 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 hap- pened, 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 unexpected bath. This mishap made it necessary to get the dripping infants home as soon as possible ; so the wagons were loaded up, and away they weni, as merry as if the mountain air had really been "Oxygenated Sweets not Bitters,*' as Dr. Alec suggested when Mac said he felt as jolly as if he had been drinking champagne instead of the currant wine that came with a great frosted cake wreathed with sugar roses in Aunt Plenty's hampei of goodies. Rose took part in all the fun, and never betrayed by look or word the twinges of pain she suffered in 162 ei^tHt cousins. her ankle. She excused herself from the games in the evening, however, and sat talking to Uncle Alec in a lively way, that both amazed and delighted him ; for she confided to him that she played horse with the children, drilled with the light infantry, climbed trees, and did other dreadful things that would have caused the aunts to cry aloud if they knew of them. "I don't care a pin what they say if you don't mind, uncle," she answered, when he pictured the dismay of the good ladies. " Ah, it 's all very well to defy them^ but you are getting so rampant, I'm afraid you will defy me next, and the where are we ? " " No, I won't I I should n't dare ; because you are my guardian, tid can put me in a strait-jacket if you like;" ana Rose laughed in his face, even while she nestled closer with a confiding gesture pleasant to see. "Upon my word. Rosy, I begin to leel 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 grow- ing up like a bean-stalk, and I shall find I 've got a strong-minded little woman on my hands before I can turn round. There's a predicament for a man and an uncle ! " Dr. Alec's comic distress was mercifully relieved for the time being by a dance of goblins on the lawn, where the children, with pumpkin lanterns on their heads, frisked about like will-o' the-wisps, as a parting surprise. When Rose went to bed, she found that Uncle \m A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. 163 Alec had not forgotten lier; for on the table stood A delicate little easel, holding two miniatures set in v^elvet. She knew them both, and stood looking at them till her eyes brimmed over with tears that were both sweet and sad; for they were the faces of her father and mother, beautifully copied from portraits fast fading away. Presently she knelt down, and, putting her arms round the little shrine, kissed one after the other, saying with an earnest voice, " I '11 truly try to make them glad to see me by and by." And that was Rose's little prayer on the night of her fourteenth birthday. Two days later, the Campbells went home, a larger party than when they came ; for Dr. Alec was escort, and Kitty Comet was borne in state in a basket, with a bottle of milk, some tiny sandwiches, and a doll's dish to drink out of, as well as a bit of carpet to lie on in her palace car, out of which she kept popping her head in the most fascinating manner. There was a great kissing and cuddling, waving of handkerchiefs, and last good-bys, as they went; and wlun 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 -clnldren came shrieking up to demand the three kittens that Pokey was coolly carrying off in a travelling-bag. The unhappy kits were rescued, half smothered, and restored to their lawful owners, amid dire lamentation from the little kidnapper, who de- %> '^ 164 EIGHT COUSINS. dared that she only "tooked um 'cause they'd want to go wid their sister Tomit." Start number three and stoppage number three, as Frank hailed them with the luncheon-basket, which had been forgotten, after every one had protested that it was safely in. All went well after that, and the long journey was pleasantly beguiled by Pokey and Pussy, who played together so prettily that they were considered public benefactors. '* Rose does n't want to go home, for she knows the aunts won't let her rampage as she did up at Cosey Comer," said Mac, as they approached the old house. "I can't rampage if I want to, — for a time, at least ; and I '11 tell you why. I sprained my ankle when I tmnbled off of Barkis, and it gets worse and worse; though I've done all I know to cure it and hide it, so it shouldn't trouble any one," whispered Rose, knitting her brows with pain, as she prepared to descend, wishing her uncle would take her instead of her bundles. How he did it, she never knew; but Mac had her up the steps and on the parlor sofa before she could put her foot to the ground. "There you are, — right side up with care; and mind, now, if your ankle bothers you, and you arc laid up with it, J 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, BO full of gratitude and good-will that his very goggles shone. V, *~r^ •» CHAPTER XV. EAR-RINGS. 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 honorably did he re- pay his debt; for, as school was still forbidden, he had plenty of leisure, and devoted most of it to Rose. He took many steps for her, and even allowed her to teach him to knit, after assuring himself that many a brave Scotchman knew how to "click the pricks." She was obliged to take a solemn vow of secrecy, however, before he would consent ; for, though he did not mind being called "Giglamps," ** Granny" was more than his boyish soul could bear, and at the approach of any of the clan his knitting vanished as if by magic, which frequent " chucking " out of sight did not improve the stripe he was doing for Rose's new afghan. She was busy with this pretty work one bright ■IP EIGHT COUSINS. { : October afternoon, all nicely established on her sofa in the upper hall, while Jamie and Pokey (lent for hped to bridle and shake her flaxen head over the delinquent Hatty Mason. Now, in her heart Miss Blish thought Rose "a stuck-up pu38," but the other girls wanted to know her and could n'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 coolness, and changed the subject as fast as possible. "Studying French, I see; who is your teacher?" she asked, flirting over the leaves of "Paul and Virginia," that lay on tne table. "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 native, and says I have a remarkably good accent." 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 patronize in her turn. " Oh, indeed I " said Miss Blish, rather blankly, for French was not /ler strong point by any means. 168 EIGHT COUSINS. li • "I am to go abroad with uncle in a year or two, and he knows how important it is to understand the language^. 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 in- voluntarily put her hand up to it. The touch of an ear-ring consoled her, and suggested a way of return- ing tit for tat in a telling manner. , " 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 liko my new ear-rings ? Papa gave them to me last week, and every one says they are lovely." Rose came down from her high horse with a rapidity that was comical, for Ariadne had the uppei 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 fool- ish, so she never had done it. She would gladly have given all the Freich she could jabber for a pair of golden bells with pearl-tipped tongues, like those Ariadne wore ; and, clasping her hands, she answered, in a tone that went to the hearer's heait^, — EAR-RINGS. 169 "They are too sweet for any thing! 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 pa:r now that were mamma's, and a beautiful little pair of pearl and turquoise ones, that I am dying to wear," sighed Rose. "Then do it. I'll pierce your ears, and you must wear a bit of silk in them till they are well ; your curls will hide them nicely ; then, some day, slip in your smallest ear-rings, and see if your uncle don't like them." " I asked him if it would n't do my eyes good once when they were red, and he only laughed. People do cure weak eyes that way, don't they ? " " Yes, indeed; and yours are sort of rer* . Let me see. Yes, I really think you ought to do it before they get worse," said Ariadue, peering into the large clear eye offered for inspection. "Does it hurt much?" asked Rose, wavering. " Oh dear, no ! just a prick and a pull, and it 's all over. I've done lots of ears, and know just how. Come, push up your hair and get a big needle." " I don't quite like to do it without asking uncle's leave," faltered Rose, when all was ready for the oper- ation- " Did he ever forbid it ? " demanded Ariadne, hov- ering over her prey like a vampire. " No, never I " 8 170 EIGHT COUSINS. EAR-RINGS. 171 I'j' •-! i fft (4 "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 ^^se said " Punch ! " in the tone of one giving the fatal order " Fire ! " Ariadne punched, and the victim bore it in heroic silence, though she turned pale and her eyes were I'ull of tears of anguish. " There I Now pull the bits of silk often, and cold- cream your ears every night, and you '11 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 upon the sofa, looking as exhausted as if she had had both ears cut oflt. " 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 below. " It 's the boys ! Hide the needle. Do my ears show ? Don't breathe a word I " whispered Rose, scrambling about to coroeal all traces of their iniquity from the sharp eyes . f the clan. Up they came, all in good order, laden with the pro- ceeds of a nutting expedition, for they always reported to Rose and paid tributJ to their queen in the hand- somest manner. " How many, and how big I We '11 have a grand 172 EIGHT COUSINS roasting frolic after tea, won i w^e?" said Rose, plung- ing 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 Mao, presenting a bushel or so. " You should have seen Giglamps when he was after them. He pitched out of the tree, and would have broken his olessed old neck if Arch had not caught him," observed Steve, as he lounged gracefully in the window seat. " You need n't talk, Dandy, when you did n't know a chestnut from a beech, and kept on thrashing till I told you of it," .'etorted 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 bf^tter mind what you are about," an- swered Steve, without a ray of proper respect for his elder brother. " It is getting dark, and 1 must go, or mamma will be alarmed," said Ariadne, rising in sudden haste, though she hoped to be asked to remain to the nut- party. No one invited her ; and all the while she was put- ting on her things and chatting to Rose the boys were telegraphing to one another the sad fact that some one ought to escort the young lady home. Not a boy felt heroic enough to cast himself into the breach, however ; even polite Archie shirked the duty, saying to Charlie, as they quietly slipped into an adjoining room, — "I'm not going to do all the giilli van ting. Let Steve take that chit homo and show his manners." MAR-RINGS. 178 " I '11 be hanged if I do ! " answered Prince, who dis- liked 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 ser- vices to the " chit." He was too late, however, for Mac, obeying a look from Rose, had already made a victim of himself, and trudged meekly away, wishing the gentle Ariadne at the bottom of the Red Sea. " 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 aunty has something extra nice for us to-night." As he spcke, Dr. Alec was preparing to carry Rose downstairs fs usual; but Archie and Prince rushed forward, begging with penitent eagerness for the honor of carrying her in an arm-chair. Rose consented, fear- ing 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 ir state, while the others followed by way of the banis- ters. Tea was ordered earlier than usual, so that Jamie and liis dolly could have a taste, at least, of the holi- day fun, for they were to stay till seven, and be al- lowed twelve roasted chestnuts apiece, which they were under bonds not to eat till next day. Tea was despatched rapidly, therefore, and the party gathered round the wide hearth in the dining-room, where the nuts were soon dancing gayly on hot shov- % ; W 174 BIGHT COUSINS. els or bouncing out among the company, thereby caus- ing delightful panics among the Httle ones. " 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 Scheher- azade his cousin was. "Yes, we poor monkeys can't burn our paws for nothing, so tell away. Pussy," added Charlie, as he threw several hot nuts into her lap and shook his fin- gers afterward. " Well, I happen to have a little story with a moral to it in my mind, and I will tell it, though it is in- tended 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 her- self. " 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 with- out 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 1 " in a startled tone, as if the moral tale had become intensely interesting all at once. Rose h«ard and saw the innocent betrayal of the EAR-RINGS. 176 3 a small sinner, and went on in a most impressive man- ner, while the beys nudged one another and ranked as they caught the ^'oke. "But an eye lid see this naughty little girl, and whose eye do you think it was ? " " Eye of Dod," murmured ooiis^ience-stricken Pokey, spreading two chubby little hands before the round face, which they were not l^ilf big enou^'ii to hide. Rose was rather taken aback by this reply, but, feeling that she was producing a good effect, she added, seriously, — " Yes, God saw her, and so did the young lady, but she did not say rmy thing; she waited to see what the little girl would do about it. Sho 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 comer, 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 viiat made the little girl put it back." " Tonscience p'icked her," murmured a contrite voice from behind the small hands pressed tightly over Pokey's red face. "And why did she take it, do you suppose?" asked Rose, in a school-marmish tone, feeling that all the listeners were interested in her tale and its unexpected application. " It was so nice and wound, and she wanted it deffly," answered thf little voice. "Well, I'm glad she hud such a good conscience. 176 EIGHT COUSINS. The moral is that people who steal don't enjoy what they take, and are not happy till they put it back. What makes that little girl hide her face?" asked Rose, as she concluded. " Me 's so 'shamed of Pokey," sobbed the small culprit, quite overcome by remorse and confusion at this awful disclosure. "Come, Rose, it's too bad to tell her little tricks before every one, and preach at her in that way; you wouldn't like it yourself," began Dr. Alec, tak- ing the weeper on his knee and administering conso- lation in the shape of kisses and nuts. Before Rose could express her regret, Jamie, who had been reddening and ruffling like a little turkey- xiock 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 would n'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 ear-rings in. So now! and that's much badder than to take an old piece of rag ; and I hate you for making my Pokey cry." Jamie's somewhat incoherent explosion produced such an effect that Pokey's small sin was instantly forgotten, and Rose felt that her hour had come. " What I what I what 1 " 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 1 " she hid her head among the pillows like an absurd little ostrich. EAR-RINGS. 177 ►rus, und her, slie ittle " Now she '11 go prancing round with bird-cages and baskets and carts and pigs, for all I kh<>w, in her ears, as the other girls do, and won't feht^ look like a goose ? " asked one tormentor, tweaking a curl that strayed out from the cushions. " I did n't think she 'd be 8( silly," said Mac, in a tone of disappointment that told Rose she had sunk in the esteem of her wise cousin. "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 mis- chievous kitten. "How do you like it, uncle?" asked Archie, who, being the head of a family himself, believed in pre- serving discipline at all costs. " 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 hnd expected to find Rose a sort of angel, above all earthly temptation. "What shall you do about it, sir?" inquired Geordie, wondering what punishment would be in- flicted on a feminine culprit. "As she is fond of ornaments, perhaps we had better give her a nose-ring also. I have one some- where that a Fiji belle once wore; I'll look it up," and, leaving Pokey to Jamie's care, Dr. Alec rose as if to carry out his suggestion in earnest. "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 8* L %. ^24^j^r.<^^- IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) A 1.0 I.I !.25 ■41321 ■so 2.5 ^ 12.2 US li£ III 2.0 ^ u 1.8 U ill 1.6 1^ V] '^'y 7: V # Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STKEET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14SS0 (716) •73-4903 ^4r i ^ ^ •mmmmm Hrj ^' " \ 178 EIGHT COUSINS. the pillows as the other boys danced about the sofa in true Fiji style. It was a drea» BREAD AND BUTTON-HOLES. 18" " Must I cut it ? Can't I put it under a glass cover and keep it in the parlor as they do wax flowers and fine works of that sort ? " "What an idea, uncle! It would mould and be spoilt. Besides, people would laugh at us, and make fun of my old-fashioned accomplishment. You prom- ised to eat it, and you must ; not all at once, but as soon as you can, so I can make you some more." Dr. Alec solemnly cut off his favorite crusty slice, and solemnly ate it ; then wiped his lips, and brush- ing back Rose's hair, solemnly kissed her on the fore- head, saying heartily, — " My dear, it is perfect bread, and you are an honor to your teacher. When we have our model school I shall ofEer a prize for the best bread, and you will get it." " I Ve got it already, and I 'm quite satisfied," said Rose, slipping into her seat, and trying to hide her right hand which had a burn on it. But Dr. Alec saw it, guessed how it came there, and after tea insisted on easing the pain which she would hardly confess. "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 Dr. Alec's arm. " More little confidences ? I like them immensely, so tell away, my dear." Well, you see I feel as if Aunt Peace would like (( 188 EIGHT COUSINS. 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 sew- ing of her. She works so beautifully, and it is a useful thing, you know, and I ought to be a good needlewoman as well as housekeeper, oughtn't I?" "Bless your kind little heart, that is what I was thinking of the other day when Aunt Peace said' she saw you very seldom now, you were so busy. I wanted to speak of it, but fancied you had as much on your hands as you could manage. It would delight the dear woman to teach you all her delicate handicraft, especially button-holes, for I believe that is where young ladies fail ; at least I 've heard them say so. So, do you devote your mind to button-holes ; make 'em all over my clothes if you want something to practice on. I '11 wear any quantity." Rose laughed at this reckless offer, but promised to attend to that important branch, though she con- fessed 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 wound yarn, looked up darning-needles, and fitted out a nice little mending basket for her pupil. Very busy and very happy were Rose's days now, for in the morning she went about the house with 0.;.:,..jv>-.,.':: ;Ci?Ml|ViJi-^v,,4?^v'-ir BREAD AND BUTTON-HOLES. 189 Aunt Plenty attending to linen-closets and store- rooms, pickling and preserving, exploring garret and cellar to see that all was right, and learning, in the good old-fashioned manner, to look well after the ways of the household. In the afternoon, after her walk or drive, she sat with Aunt Peace plying her needU*, while Aunt Plenty, whose eyes were failing, knit and chatted briskly, telling many a pleasant story of old times, till the three were moved to laugh and cry together, for the busy needles were embroidering all sorts of bright patterns on the lives of the workers, though they seemed to be only stitching cotton and darning hose. It was a pretty sight to see the rosy-faced little maid sitting between the two old ladies, listening du- tifully to their instructions, and cheering the lessons with her lively chatter and blithe laugh. If the kitchen had proved attractive to Dr. Alec when Rose was there at work, the sewing-room was quite irresistible, and he made himself so agreeable that no one had the heart to drive him away, especially when he read aloud or spun yarns. " There ! I Ve made you a new set of warm night- gowns with four button-holes in each. See if they are not neatly done," said Rose, one day, some weeks after the new lessons began. " Even to a thread, and nice little bars across the end so I can't tear them when I twitch the buttons out. Most superior work, ma'am, and I'm deeply grateful; so much so, that I'll sew on these buttons myself, and save those tired fingers from another prick." u 190 EIGHT COUSINS. "You sew them on?" cried Rose, witli her eyes wide open in amazement. " Wait a bit till I get my sewing tackle, and then you shall see what I can do." "Can he, really?" asked Rose of Aunt Peace, as Uncle Alec marched off with a comical air of impor- tance. " Oh, yes, I taught him years ago, befoi:e he went to sea ; and I suppose he has had to do things for himself, more or less, ever since ; so he has kept his hand in.'* He evidently had, for he was soon back with a funny little work-bag, out of which he produced a thimble without a top; and; having threaded his needle, he proceeded to sew on the buttons so handily that Rose was much impressed and amused. " I wonder if there is any thing in the world that you cannot do," she said, in a tone of respectful ad- miration. " There are one or two things that I am not up to yet," he answered, with a laugh in the comer of his eye, as he waxed his thread with a flourish. "I should like to know what?" "Bread and button-holes, ma'am." JHAPTER XVII. GOOD BARGAINS. 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 news- papers ; Charlie stood upon the rug, in an Englishman's favorite attitude, and, I regret to say, both were smok- ing cigars. "It is my opinion that this day will never come to an end," said Prince, with a yawn that nearly rent him asunder. , , " Read and improve your mind, my son," answered Archie, peering solemnly over the paper behind which he had been dozing. " Don't you preach, parson ; but put on your boots and come out for a tramp, instead of mulling over the fire like a granny." " No, thank you, tramps in an easterly storm don't strike me as amusing." There Archie stopped and held up his hand, for a pleasant voice was heard saying outside, — 192 EIGHT COUSINS. " Are the boys in the library, auntie ? " " Yes, dear, and longing for sunshine ; so run in and make it for them," answered Mrs. Jessie. " It 's Rose," and Archie threw his cigar into the fire. « What 's that for ? " asked Charlie. OOOD BARGAINS. 193 and the " Gentlemen don't smoke before ladies." " True ; but I 'm not going to waste my weed," and Prince poked his into the empty inkstand that served them for an ash tray. A gentle tap at the door was answered by a chorus of " Come in," and Rose appeared, looking blooming and breezy with the chilly air. " If I disturb you, say so, and I '11 go away," she began, pausing on the threshold with modest hesita- tion, for something in the elder boys' faces excited her curiosity. " You never disturb us, cousin," said the smokers, while the readers tore themselves from the heroes of the bar-room and gutter long enough to nod affably to their guest. As Rose bent to warm her hands, one end of Archie's cigar stuck out of the ashes, smoking furiously and smelling strongly. " Oh, you bad boys, how could you do it, to-day of all days?" she said reproachfully. " Where's the harm ? " asked Archie. " You know as well as I do ; yotir mother does n't like it, and it 's a bad habit, for it wastes money and does you no good." " Fiddle-sticks ! every man smokes, even Uncle Alec, whom you think so perfect," began Charlie, in his teasing way. " No, he does n't I He has given it up, and I know why," cried Rose eagerly. "Now I think of it, I haven't seen the old meer- schaum since he came home. Did he stop it on our account?" asked Archie. 9 M i 1 F'/'./ 194 EIGHT COUSINS. "Yes," and Rose told the little scene on the sea- shore in the camping-out time. Archie seemed much impressed, and said manfully, — " He won't have done that in vain so far as I 'm con- cerned. I don't care a pin about smoking, so can give it up as easy as not, and I promise you I will. I only do it now and then for fun." " You too ? " and Rose looked up at the bonny Prince, who never looked less bonny than at that mo- ment, for he had resumed his cigar, just to torment her. Now Charlie cared as little as Archie about smok- ing, but it woulc. not do to yield too soon ; so he shook his head, gave a great puff, and said loftily, — " You women are always asking us to give up harm- less little things, just because you don't approve of them. How would you like it if we did the same by you, Miss ? " " If I did harmful or silly things, I 'd thank you for telling me of them, and I 'd try to mend my ways," answered Rose heartily. "Well, now, we'll see if you mean what you say. I '11 give up smoking to please you, if you will give up something to please me," said Princt,, seeing a good chance to lord it over the weaker vessel at small cost to himself. ^ -" I '11 agree if it is as foolish as cigars." " Oh, it 's ever so much sillier." " Then I promise ; what is it ? " and Rose quite trembled with anxiety to know which of her pet habits or possessions she must lose. "Give up your ear-rings," and Charlie laughed GOOD BARGAINS. 195 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. "O Charlie, wouldn't any thing else do as well? I Ve been through so much teasing and trouble, I do want to enjoy my pretty ear-rings, for I can wear them now." "Wear as many as you like, and I'll smoke in peace," returned this bad boy. "Will nothing else satisfy you?" imploringly. " Nothing," sternly. Rose stood silent for a minute, thinking of some- thing Aunt Jessie once said, — "You have more in- fluence over the boys than you know; use it for their good, and I shall thank you all my life." Here was a chance to do some good by sacrificing a little vanity of her own. She felt it was right to do it, yet found it very hard, and asked wistfully, — " Do you mean never wear them, Charlie ? " " Never ^ unless you want me to smoke." " I never do." " Then clinch the bargain." He had no idea she would do it, and was much surprised when she took the dear rings from her ears, with a quick gesture, and held them out to him, saying, in a tone that made the color come up to his brown cheek, it was so full of sweet good wiU,— " I care more for my cousins than for my ear- rings, so I promise, and I'll keep my word." "For shame. Prince! let her wear her little dan- 196 EIGHT COUSINS. glers if she likes, and don't bargain about doing wbat 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 watch-guard to remind you. I shall not forget, because very soon I cannot wear ear-rings 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 and half ashamed of their part in the compact. Just at that moment Dr. Alec and Mrs. Jessie came in. " What 's this ? Dancing Ladies Triumph on Sun- day ? " exclaimed Uncle Alec, surveying the trio with surprise. "No, sir, it is the Anti-Tobacco League. Will you join?" said Charlie, while Rose slipped away to her aunt, and Archie buried both cigars behind the back log. When the mystery was explained, the elders were weU pleased, and Rose received a vote of thanks, which made her ieel as if she had done a service to her country, as she had, for every boy who grows up free from bad habits bids fair to make a good citizen. <*I wish Rose would drive a bargain with Will GOOD BARGAINS 197 and Greordie also, for I think these books are as bad for the small boys as cigars for the large ones," said Mrs. Jessie, sitting down on the sofa between the readers, who politely eurled up their legs to make room for her. "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 writars 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 wiU be happy.' I do not judge hastily. Alec, for I have read a dozen, at least, of these stories, and, with much that is attractive to boys, I find a great deal to condemn in them, and other parents say the same when I ask them." "Now, Mum, that's too bad! I like 'em tip-top. This one is a regular screamer," cried Will. " They 're bully books, and I 'd like to know where's the harm," added Geordie. "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 boot-black mustn't use good grammar, and a newsboy must swear a little, or he wouldn't be natural," explained Geordie, both boys ready to fight gallantly for their favorites. "But my sons are neither boot-blacks nor news- boys, 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 ^i' 198 EIGHT COUSINS. 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, gam- bling houses, drinking saloons, and all sorts of low life." "Some of them are about first-rate boys, mother; and they go to sea and study, and sail round the world, having great larks all the way." " I have read about them, Greordie, 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 honor to your country ! ' Or, if the hero is in the army, he has hair-breadth escapes and adventures enough in one small volume to turn his hair white, and in the end he goes to Washington at the express desire of the President or Commander- in-Chief to be promoted to no end of stars and bars. Even if the hero is merely an honest boy trying to get his living, he is not permitted to do so in a natural way, by hard work and years of patient effort^ but is suddenly adopted by a millionaire whose pocket-book he has returned; or a rich uncle appears from sea, just in the nick of time ; or the remarkable boy earns a few dollars, speculates in pea-nuts or neckties, and grows rich so rapidly that Sinbad in the diamond val- ley is a pauper compared to him. Is n*t it so, boys ? " GOOD BARGAINS, 199 " 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 bar-room, and under it the elegant inscription : " Dick Dauntless punches the head of Sara Soaker." "It gives boys such wrong ideas of life and busi- ness ; sh'^ws them so much evil and vulgarity that they need not know about, and makes the one success worth having a fortune, a lord's daughter, or some worldly honor, often not worth the time it takes to win. It does seem to me that some one might write stories that should be lively, natural, and helpful, — tales in which the English should be good, the morals pure, and the characters such as we can love in spite of the faults that all may have. I can't bear to see such crowds of eager little fellows at the libraries reading such trash ; weak, when it is not wicked, and totaUy unfit to feed the hungry minds that feast on it for want of some- thing better. There! my lecture is done; now I should like to hear what you gentlemen have to say," and Aunt Jessie subsided with a pretty flush on the face that was full of motherly anxiety for her boys. " Tom Brown just suits mother, and me too, so I wish Mr. Hughes would write another story as good," said Archie. " You don't find things of this sort in Tom Brown ; yet these books are all in the Sunday-school libraries " <^- and Mrs. Jessie read the following paragraph firom 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 200 EIGHT COUSINS. to it. I could n't. Perhaps John used a piece of the true cross for a toothpick.' " " A larky sort of a boy says that, Mum, and we skip the parts where they describe what the/ saw in the different countries," cried Will. "And those descriptions, taken mostly from guide- books, I fancy, ai'e the only parts of any real worth. The scrapes of the bad boys make up the rest of the story, and it is for those you read these books, I think," answered his mother, stroking back the hair off the honest little face that looked rather abashed at this true statement of the case. "Any way, mother, the ship part is useful, for we learn how to sail her, and by and by that will all come handy when we go to sea," put in Geordie. "Indeed; then you can explain this manoeuvre to me, of course — " and Mrs. Jessie read from another page the following nautical paragraph: — " The wind is south-south-west, and we can have her up four points closer to the wind, and still be six points off the wind. As she luffs up we shall man the fore and main sheets, slack on the weather, and haul on the lee braces." , " I guess I could, if I was n't afraid of uncle. He knows so much more than I do, he'd laugh," began Geordie, evidently puzzled by the question. "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 would n't talk to me as if / was a ship," said Rose, bringing forward a private grievance. GOOD BARGAINS. 201 "Coming home from church, this morning, the wind blew me about, and Will called out, right in the street, * Brail up the foresail, and take in the flying-jib, that will ease her.' " The boys shouted at the plaintive tone in which Rose repeated the words that offended her, and Will vainly endeavored to explain that he only meant to tell her to wrap her cloak closer, and tie a veil over the tempest-tossed feathers in her hat. " 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 ' dam please,' and * cut your cable ' is decidedly prefer- able 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 your cigars." 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 dis- may. " Yes, right behind the back log," she continued, energetically. "There, my hearties — (you like sea slang, so I' 11 give you a bit) — now, I want you to promise not to read any more stufi" for a month, and I '11 agree to supply you with wholesome fiire." "O mother! not a single one?" cried Will. "Couldn't we just finish those?" pleaded Geordie. " The boys threw away half-smoked cigars ; and your books must go after them. Surely you would not be outdone by the *old fellows,' as you call them, or be less obedient to little Mum than they were to Rose." 9* 202 EIGHT COUSINS, "Course not! Gome on, Geordie," and Will took the vow like a hero. His brother sighed, and obeyed, but privately resolved to finish his story the minute the month was over. " 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 have," began Archie, staring thoughtfully at the fine library before him. "Yes, but there's no time to read nowadays; a fellow has to keep scratching round to make money or he 's nobody," cut in Charlie, trying to look worldly- wise. " This love of money is the curse of America, and for the sake of it men will sell honor and honesty, till we don't know whom to trust, and it is only a genius like Agassiz who dares to say, * I cannot waste my time in getting rich,' " said Mrs. Jessie sadly. " Do you want us to be poor, mother?" asked Archie, wondering. "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 trem- bk for the time when I must let you go, because I think it would break my heart to have you fail as so many fail. It would be far easier to see you dead if it could be said of you as of Somner, — < No man dared offer him a bribe.'" % GOOD BARGAINS 203 I Mrs. Jessie was so earnest in her motherly anxiety that her voice faltered over the last words, and she hugged the yellow heads closer in her arms, as if she feared to let them leave that safe harbor for the great sea where so many little boats go down. The younger lads nestled closer to her, and Archie said, in his quiet, resolute way, — **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 mother's hope and faith in it. " I don't see how they ever can be bad, she is so fond and proud of them," whispered Rose, quite touched by the little scene. " You must help her make them what they should be. You have begun already, and when I see those rings where they are, my girl is prettier in my sight than if the biggest diamonds that ever twinkled shone in her ears," answered Dr. Alec, looking at her with approving eyes. " I 'm so glad you think I can do any thing, for I perfectly ache to be useful, every one is so good to me, especially Aunt Jessie." ** I think you are in a fair way to pay your debts, Rosy, for when girls give up their little vanities, and boys their small vices, and try to strengthen each other in well-doing, matters are going as they ought. Work away, my dear, and help their mother keep these sons fit fHends for an innocent creature like yourself; they will be the manlier men for it, I can assure you." CHAPTER XVIII. FASHION AND PHYSIOLOGY. u PLEASE, sir, I guess you 'd better step up right away, or it will be too late, for I heard Miss Rose say she knew you wouldn't like it, and she'd never dare to let you see her." 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 some sort. " 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 '11 lend a hand. Is every thing ready ip her room, and are you sure you understand how they go?" " Oh, yes, sir ; but they are so funny I I know Miss Rose will think .> 's a joke," and Phebe laughed as if something tickled her immensely. <( Never mind what she thinks so long as she obeys. Tell her to do it for my sake, and she will find it the FASHION AND PHYSIOLOGY. 205 V best joke she ever saw. I expect to have a tough time of it, but we '11 win yet," said the Doctor, as he marched upstairs with the book in his hand, and an odd smile on his face. There was such a clatter of tongues in the sewing room that no one heard his tap at the door, so he pushed it open and took an observation. Aunt Plenty, Aunt Clara, and Aunt Jessie were all absorbed in gaz- ing 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 fit- ness to recommend it. The suit was of two peculiar shades of blue, so ar- ranged that patches of light and dark distracted the eye. The upper skirt was tied so tightly back that it was impossible to take a long step, and the under one was so loaded with plaited frills that it " wobbled " — no other word will express it — ungracefully, both fore and aft. A bunch of iolds was gathered up just below the waist behind, and a great bow rode a-top. A small jacket of the same material was adorned with a high ru£E 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 material was quite lost in the profusion of ornament. 206 EIGHT COUSINS. A high velvet hat, audaciously turned up in front, with a bunch of pink roses and a sweeping plume, was cooked 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 girPs. High-heeled boots tilted her well forward, a tiny mu£E pinioned her arms, and a spotted veil tied so closely over her face that her eyelashes were rumpled by it> gave the last touch of absurdity to her appear- ance. " Now she looks like other girls, and as I like to see her," Mrs. Clara was saying, with an air of great sat- isfaction.' *' 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, peer- ing through her glasses with a troubled look, for she could not imagine the creature before her ever sitting in her lap, running to wait upon her, or making the house gay with a child's blithe presence. " 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, bo honest, and own you do," said Mrs. Clara, bent on being praised for her work. " Well, dear, to be quite honest, then, I think it is frightful," answered Mrs. Jessie with a candor that caused revolving Rose to stop in dismay. '< Hear, hear," cried a deep voice, and with a general start the ladies became aware that the enemy was among thorn. 0b^ FASHION AND PHYSIOLOGY. 207 Rose blushed up to her hat brim, and stood, lookmg, as she felt, like a fool, while Mrs. Clara hastened to explain. " Of courje I don't expect you to like it. Alec, but I don't consider you a judge of what is proper and be- coming 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 prom- ised 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 loco- motion. Take a turn. Rosy, and let me see all its beauties and advantages." Rose tried to walk off with her usual free tread, but the under-skirt got in her way, the over-skirt was so tight she could not take n long step, and her boots made it impossible to carry herself perfectly erect. " I have n'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 '11 try," and Rose made a rush across the room. Her boot-heels caught on a rug, several strings broke, her hat tipped over her eyes, and she plunged promiscuously into a chair, where she sat laughing so infectiously that all but Mrs. Clara joined in her mirth. *•*■ I should say that a walking suit in which one could •.muf* » ' ■» 208 EIGHT COUSINS, not walk, and a winter suit which exposes the throiitt, head, and feet to cold and damp, was rather a failure, Clara ; especially as it has no heauty to reconcile one to its utter unfitness," said Dr. Aleo, as he helped Rose undo her veil, adding, in a low tone, " Nice thing for the eyes ; you '11 soon see spots when it is off as well as when it is on, and, by and by, be a case for an oculist." " No beauty 1 " 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 proper for a young girl ? " "I'll show ycu, if Rose will go to her room and oblige me by putting on what she finds there," answered the Doctor, with unexpected readiness. " 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 is n't a Bloomer I " and Mrs. Clara clasped her hands imploringly. " It is not." " Thank Heaven I " 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 I " 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 any one could speak, his quick eye fell iipon an object which k FASHWN AND PHYSIOLOGY. 209 caused him to frown, and demand in an indignant tone, — "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 would n'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 m^ore, for this was one of his especial abom- inations. "Growing stout! Yes, thank Heaven, she is, and shall continue to do it, for Nature knows how to mould a woman better than any corset-maker, and I won't have her interfered with. My dear Clara, 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. Every one wears Jihem ; even babies have stiffened waists to support their weak little backs," began Mrs. Clara, rushing to the defence of the peli 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 ■H 210 EIGHT COUSINS, wish to state, once for all, that if I ever see a pair of corsets near Rose, I '11 put them in the fire, and you may send the bill to me." As he spoke, the corsets were on their way to de- struction, but Mrs. Jessie caught his arm, eitclaiming merrily, " Don't burn them, for mercy sake. Alec ; they are full of whalebones, and will make a dreadful odor. Give them to me. I '11 see that tlicy do no harm." " Whalebones indeed ! A regular fence of them, and metal gate-posts in front. As if our own bones were not enough, if weBir, • her little college to a brother, and kindly providing for the weaknesses that all humanity is subject to. Side by side they sat and listened to a very simple explanation of the mechanism of the eye, finding it as wonderful as a fairy tale, for fine plates illustrated it, and a very willing teacher did his best to make the lesson pleasant. " Jove I if I 'd known what mischief I was doing to that mighty delicate machine of mine, you would n't have caught me reaaing by fire light, ;. ; studying with a glare of sunshine on my book," sa^ ' 1 J[dc, peer- ing solemnly at a magnified eyeball; then, | 'i uing it away, he added indignantly : " Why is n't a fellow taught all about his works, and how to manage 'em, and not left to go blundering into all sorts of worries ? Telling him after he 's down is n't much use, for then he 's found it out himself and won't thank you." " Ah, Mac, that's just what I keep lecturing about, and people i/7on'^ listen. You lads need. that sort of BROTHER BONES. 221 knowledge so much, and fathers and mothers ought to be able to give it to you. Few of them are able, and so we ^11 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 help teachers and parents to feel it as they ought.'* " Some do ; Aunt Jessie and her boys have capital talks, and I wish we could ; but mother *s so busy with her housekeeping, and father with his business, there never seems to be any time for that sort of thing ; even if there was, it don't seem as if it would be easy to talk to them, because we 've never got into the way of it, you know." 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, arid 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 re- sponsible. 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 '£■' 222 SIGHr COUSINS. bachelor uncles ana maiden aunts ; and it is my private opinion that these worthy creatures are a beautiful provision of nature for the cherishing of other people's children. They certainly get great comfort out of it, and receive much innocent affection that otherwise would be lost. Dr. Alec was one of these, and his big heart had room for every one of the eight cousins, especially orphaned Rose and afflicted Mac ; so, when the boy uttered .that unconscious reproach to his parents, and Rose added with a sigh, " It must be beautiful to have a mother ! " — the good Doctor yearned over them, and, shutting his book with a decided slam, said in that cordial voice of his, — " Now, look here, children, you just come and tell me all your worries, and with God's help I '11 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 '11 teach you all we can about your * works,' as you call them, so you can keep them running SLioothly." " We '11 come, sir, much obliged," and tho class in physiology went out to walk. Mao did come again, glad to find something he could study in spite of his weak eyes, and learned much that was of more value than any thing his school had ever taught him. BROTHER BONES. 223 Of course, the other lads made great fun of the whole thing, and plagued Dr. Alec's students half out of their lives. But they kept on persistently, and one day something happened which made the other fellows behave themselves for ever after. It was a holiday, and Rose up in her room thought she heard the voices of her cousins, so she ran down to welcome them, but found no one there. " Never mind, they will be here soon, and then we '11 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 some- where, and following the soimd it seemed to come from the inside of the long case in which the skeleton lived when not professionally engaged. This case stood upright in a niche between two book-cases at the back of the room, a darkish corner, where Brother Bones, as the boys would call him, was out of the way. As Rose stood looking in that direction, and won- dering if a rat had got shut in, the door of the case swung slowly open, and with a great start she saw a bony arm lifted, and a bony finger beckon to her. For a minute she was frightened, and ran to the study door with a fluttering heart, but just as she touched the handle a queer, stifled sort of giggle made her stop short and turn red with anger. She paused an instant to collect herself, and then went softly toward the bony beckoner. A nearer look revealed black threads tied to the arm and fingers, the ends of threads disappearing through holes bored in the back of the case. Peeping into the deep recess, she also caught sight of th» tip of 224 EIGHT COUSINS. an elbow covered with a rough gray cloth which she knew very well. 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 irrup- tion of boys all in a high state of tickle proclaimed to the hidden rogue that his joke was a failure. " 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 Geordie, rolling out from under the sofa in a promiscuous heap. "You are getting altogether too strong-minded. Rose ; most girls would have been in a jolly tw^itter to see this old fellow waggling his finger at them," complained Charlie, squeezing out from his tight quarters, dusty and disgusted. " 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 would n't like it, so please don't," began Rose just as Dr. Alec came in, and, seeing the state of the case at a glance, he said quietly, — " Hear how I got that skeleton, and then I 'm sure you will treat it with respect." Thd boys settled down at once on any article of furniture that was nearest and listened dutifully. BROTHER BONES. 225 " Years ago, when I was in the hospital^ a poor fel- low 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 bis complaint, and so be able to help others afflicted in the same way. It did do good, and his brave patien<)e made us remember him long after he was gone. He thought I had been kind to him, and said to a fellow- student of mine : ' Tell the Doctor I lave him me bones, for I 've nothing else in the wide world, and I '11 not be wanting *em at all, at all, when the great pain has kilt me entirely.' So that is how they came to be mine, and why I 've kept them carefully ; for, though only a poor, ignorant fellow, Mike Nolan did what he could to help others, and prove his gratitude to those who tried to help him." 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 impressedj and Charlie pensively remarked from the coal-hod where he sat, — " I 've often heard of a skeleton in the house, but I think few people have one as useful and as interesting as ours. » 10» :ac wmm CHAPTER XX. UNDER THE MISTLETOE. ! " ROSE made Phebe promise that she woald bring her stocking into the "Bower," as she called her pretty room, on Christmas morning, becaase that first delicious rummage loses half its charm if two little night-caps at least do not meet over the treas- ures, and two happy voices Oh and Ah together. So when Rose opened her eyes that day tney fell upon faithful Phel^e, rolled up in a shawl, sitting on the rug before a blazing fire, with her untouched stocking laid beside her. " Merry Christmas ! " cried the little mistress, smil- inggayly. "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 pillows, and looking as eager as a child. A pair of long knobby hose were laid out iipon the coverlet and their contents examined with delight, though each knew every blessed thing that had been put into the other's stocking. Never mind what they were ; it is evident that they UNDER THE MISTLETOE. 227 were quite satisfactory, for as Rose leaned buck, she said, with a luxurious sieh of satisfaction : " Now, I believe I Ve got every thing in the world that I want," and Phebe answered, smiling over a lapful of treas- ures : " This is the most splendid Christmas I ever had since I was born." Then, she added with an impor- tant air, — " Do wish for something else, because I happen to know of two more presents outside the door this min- ute." " Oh, me, what richness ! " cried Rose, much ex- cited. "I used to wish for a pair of glass slippers like Cinderella's, but as I can't have them, I really don't know what to ask for." Phebe clapped her hands as she skipped off the bed and ran to the door, saying merrily : " One of them ^& for your feet any way. I don't know what you '11 say to the other, but I thin' it 's elegant." So did Rose, when a shining pair of skates and a fine sled appeared. " Uncle sent those ; I know he did ; and, now I see them, I remember that I did want to skate and coast. Is n't it a beauty ? See ! they fit nicely," and, sit- ting on the new sled. Rose tried a skate on her little bare foot, while Phebe stood by admiring the pretty tableau. "Now we must hurry and get dressed, for there is a deal to do to^ay, and I want to get through in time to try my sled before dinner." " Gracious me, and I ought to be dusting my par- lors this blessed minute ! " and mistress and maid sep- arated with such happy faces that any onis would have known what day it was without being told. IS 228 EIGHT COUSINS. "Birnam Wood has come to Dansinane, 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 I " flew about pretty briskly for several minutes ; then all fell to work trimming up the old house, for the family al- ways dined together there on that day. ' " I rode miles and mileses, as Ben says, to get this fine bit, and I 'm going to hang it there ^as the last touch to the rig-a-madooning,'* said Charlie, as he fastened a dull green branch to the chandelier in the front parlor. " It is n't very pretty," said Rose, who was trim- ming the chimney-piece with glossy holly sprays. " Never mind that, it *s mistletoe, and any one who stands under it will get kissed whether they like it or not. Kow's your time, ladies," answered the saucy Prince, keeping his place and looking sentimentally at the girls, who retired precipitately from the dangerous spot. ." You won't catch me," said Rose, with great dig- nity. - " See if I don't I " " I 've got my eye on Phebe," observed Will, in a patronizing tone that made them all laugh. " Bless the dear; I sha'n't mind it a bit," answered Phebe, with such a maternal Jlir that Will's budding gallantry was chilled to death. " Oh, the mistletoe bough I " sang Rose. " Oh, the mistletoe bough I " echoed all the boys, and the teasing ended in the plaintive ballad they all liked i|o well. UNDER THE MISTLETOE. 229 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 he self with a dozen grand coasts on the Amazon, as her sled was called. * " Ah, that fatal color ! it breaks my heart to see it," croaked Aunt Myra, as Rose came down a little late, with cheeks almost as ruddy as the holly berries on the wall, and every curl as smooth as Phebe's care- ful hands could make it. " 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. " 3he is a very intelligent child, {*nd has a nice little manper of her own," observed Aunt Jane, with un- usual 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 re- proached herself for not being perfectly satisfied with her four brave lads. Aunt Plenty was too absorbed in the dinner to have an eye for any thing else; if she had not been, she would have seen what an effect her new cap produced upon the boys. The good lady owned that she did "love a dressy cap," and on this occasion her head- I 280 EIGHT COUSINS. l\ gear was magnificent; for the towering stmcture 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, arid the streamers waved in the breeze so comi- cally lb at it was absolutely necessary for Archie to smother tne Brats in the curtains till they had had their first laugh out. * Uncle Mao had brought Fun See to dinner, and it was a mercy he did, for the elder lads found a venv for their merriment in joking the young Chinaman on his improved appearance. He was in American cos- tume now, with a cropped head, and spoke remarkably good English after six months at school ; but, for all that, his yellow face and bead' ves made a curious contrast to the blonde Campbei ^A about him. Will called him the " Typhoon," meaning Tycoon, and the name stuck to him to his great disgust. 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 em- bodiment of Peace on earth," Uncle Alec said, as he took his place beside her, while Uncle Mac supported Aunt Plenty at the other end. " I ate hardly any breakfast, and I Ve done every thing I know to make myself extra hungry, but I really don't think I can eat straight through, unless I burst my buttons off," whispered Geordie to Will^ as he sur- veyed the bounteous stores before him with a hopeless wgh, " A fellow never knows what he can do till he tries," 1 JNDER THE MISTLETOE. 231 answered Will, attacking his heapud-up plate with the evident intention of doing his duty like a man. Everybody knows what a Christmas dinner is, so we need waste no words in describing this one, but hasten at once to tell what happened at the end of it. The end, by the way, was so long in coming" that the gas was lighted before dessert was over, for a snow flurry had come on and the wintry daylight faded fast But that only made it all the jollier in the warm, bright rooms, full of happy souls. Every one was very merry, but Archie seemed particularly uplifted, — so much so, that Charlie confided to Rose that he was afraid the Chief had been at the decanters. Rose indignantly denied the insinuation, for when healths vere drunk in the good old-fashioned way to suit the elders, she had observed that Aunt Jessie's boys filled their glasses with water, and had done the same herself in spite of the Prince's jokes about " the rosy." But Archie certainly was unusually excited, and when some one remembered that it was the anniversary of Uncle Jem's wedding, and wished he was there to make a speech, his son electrified the family by trying to do it for him. It was rather incoherent and flowery, as maiden speeches are apt to be, but the end was con- sidered 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 happi- ness 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, i 232 EIGHT COUSINS. made Mrs. Jessie sob in her napkin, and set the boys cheeiing. Then, as if that was not sensation enough, Archie suddenly dashed out of the room as if he had lost his wits. " Too bashful to stay and be praised," began Charlie, excusing the peculiarities of his chief as in duty bound. " "Phebe beckoned to him; I saw her," cried Rose, staring hard at the door. " Is it more presents coming ? " asked Jamie, just as his brother re-appeared looking more excited than ever. " Yes ; a present for mother, land here it is I " roared Archie, flinging wide the door to let in a tall man who cried out, — " 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, Mr-s. Jessie was half hidden under his rough great-coat, and four boys were prancing about him clamoring for their turn. Of course, there was a joyful tumult for a time, dur- ing which Rose slipped into the window recess and watched what went on, as if it were a chapter in a Christmas story. It was good to see bluff Uncle Jem look proudly at his tall son, and fondly hug the little ones. It was better still to see him shake his brothers* hands as if he would never leave off, and kiss all the sisters in a way that made even solemn Aunt Myra brighten up for a minute. But it was best of all to see him finally established in grandfather's chair, with his " little woman " beside him, his three youngest boys in his lap, and Archie hovering over him like a large- UNDER THE MISTLETOE, 288 31 \ sized cherub. That really was, as Charlie said, "A landscape to do one's heart good." " All hearty and all here, thank God ! " said Captain Jem in the first pause that came, as he looked about him with a grateful face. ** AH but Rose," answered loyal little Jamie, remem- bering the absent. ** Faith, I forgot the child 1 Where is George's little girl ? " asked the Captain, who had not seen her since she was a baby. "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 staid 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 a rough cheek against her smooth one, — " God bless you, child I forgive me if I forgot you for a minute, and be sure that not one of your kinsfolk is happier to see you here than Uncle Jem." That made it all right ; and when he set her down, Rose's &iipi was so bright it was evident that some spell had becin used to banish the feeling of neglect that had kept ber moping behind the curtain so long. \ ""^?m!^HI!D«"P?f«l"ff"'W?P" 234 EIGHT COUSINS, / Then every one sat round and heard all about the voyage home, — how the Captain had set his heart on getting there in time to keep Christmas ; how every thing had conspired to thwart his plan ; and how, at the very last minute, he had managed to do it, and had sent a telegram to Archie, bidding him keep the secret, and be ready for his father at any moment, for the ship got into another port, and he might be late. Then Archie told how that telegram had burnt in his pocket all dinner-time ; how he had to take Phebe into his confidence, and how clever she was to keep the Captain back till the speech was over, and he could come in with effect. The elders would have sat and talked all the even- ing, 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 bag-pipe 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 ex- pressed it. So Steve droned out a Highland reel as softly as he could, and the boys danced it to a circle of admiring relations. Cap'^ain Jem was a true sailor, however, and could not stand idle while any thing lively was UNDER THE MISTLETOE. 236 going on ; so, when the piper's breath gave out, he cut a splendid pigeon-wing into the middle of the hall, saying, "Who can dance a Fore and After?" and, waiting for no reply, began to whistle the air so invit- ingly 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 any one would own they were tired. Even Fun See distinguished himself with Aunt Plenty, whom he greatly admired as the stoutest lady in the company ; plumpness being considered a beauty in his country. The meiTy 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, ris- ing on the tips of his own toes, gallantly salute her fat cheek. How they all laughed at her astonishment, and how Fun's little black eyes twinkled over this exploit! Charlie put him up to it, and Charlie was so bent on catching Rose, that he laid all sorts of pitfalls for her, and bribed the other lads to help him. But Rose was wide-awake, and escaped all his snares, professing great contempt for such foolish customs. Poor Phebe did not fare so well, and Archie was the one who took a base advantage of her as she stood innocently offering tea to Aunt Myra, whom she happened to meet just under the fatal bough. If his father's arrival had not rather upset him, I doubt if the dignified Chief would have done it, for he apologized at once in the hand- ■4 aiBfe mmm 236 EIGHT COUSIj^S. somest manner, and caugjit the tray that nearly dropped from Phebe*8 hands. ^ Jamie boldly invited a/? the ladies to come and salute him J- and a« for Uncle Jem, he behaved as if the entire UNDER THE MISTLETOE. 237 room was a grove of mistletoe. Uncle Alec slyly laid a bit of it on Aunt Peace's cap, and then softly kissed her; which little joke seemed to please her very much, for she liked to have part in all the home pastimes, and Alec was her favorite nephew. 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 for- feits. " I understand that dodge," thought Rose, and was on her guard so carefully that not one among the pile soon collected belonged to her. " Now let us redeem them and play something else," said Will, quite unconscious of thfli deeply laid plots all about him. , " 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 I " Rose started up, missed the question, and was greeted with a general cry of "Forfeit! forfeit!" m which the little traitor came to join. "Now I've got her," thought the young rascal, exulting in his fun-loving soul. " Now I 'm lost," thought Rose, as she gave up' her pin-cushion with a sternly defiant look that would have daunted any one, but the reckless Prince. In fact, it made jeven him think twice, and resolve to " let Rose off easy," she had been so clever. "Here's a very pretty pawn, and what shall be done ta redeem it?" asked Steve, holding the pin- 238 EIGHT COUSINS. cushion over Charlie^s head, for he had insisted on being judge, and kept that for the last. " Fir e or supei*fine ? " "Super." " . *^ Ham, well, she shall take old Mac under the mistletoe and kiss him prettil^^. Won't he be mad, though?" — and this bad boy chuckled over the dis- comfort he had caused two harmless beings. There was an impress* ve pause among the young folks in their comer, for they all knev 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 as wise as a young owl, and blissfully unconscious of the plots against him. Charlie expected that Rose would say, " I won't ! " therefore he was rather astonished, not to say grati- fied, when, after a lock at the victim, she laughed suddenly, and, going up to the group of gentlemen, drew her uncle Mac under the mistletoe and surprised him with a hearty kiss. " Thank you, my dear," said the innocent gentle- man, looking much pleased at the unexpected honor. "Oh, come; that's not fair," began Charlie. But Rose cut him short by saying, ^s she made him a fine courtesy, — "You said *01d Mac,' and though it was very disrespectfiil, I did it. That was your last chance, sir, and you've lost it." He certainly had, for, as she spoke, Rose pulled • •V. UNDER THE MISTLETOE. 239 do\ni the mistletoe and threw it into the fire, while the boys jeered at the crest-fallen Prince, and exalted quick-witted Rose to the skies. "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 medi- tative stare at Rose through his goggles, and said in a philosophical tone, " Well, I don't think I should have minded much if she Jiad done it." That tickled the lads immensely, and nothing but the appearance of a slight refection w >uld have in- duced them to stop cht'ffing the poor Worm, who could not see any thing funny in the beautiful resig- nation he had shown on this trying occasion. Soon after this, the discovery of Jamie curled up in the sofa corner, as sound asleep as a dormouse, bUggested the propi iety of going home, and a general move was made. They were aLl standing about the hall lingering over the good-nights, when the sound of a voice softly singing " Sweet Home," made them pause and listen. It was Phebe, poor little Phebe, who never had a home, never knew the love of father or mother, brother or sister; who stood all alone in the wide world, yet was not sad nor afraid, but took her bits of happiness gratefully, and sung over her work without a thought of discontent. I fancy the happy family standing there together remembered this and felt tlie beauty of it, for when the solitary voice came to the burden of its song) 240 EIGHT COUSINS. other voices took it up and finished it so sweetly, that the old house seemed to echo the word **Home" in the ears of both the orphan girls, who had just spent their first Christmas under its hospitable roof. 4 < \\ ,y ,1 « ■•^i ^ CHAPTER XXI. A SCARE, "ID BOTHER 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 for cold weather," answered Dr. Alec with provoking confidence. " But you have no idea how sharp the wind is. I am chilled to the very marrow of my bones," answered Aunt Myra, chafing the end of her purple nose with her sombre glove. " I don't doubt it, ma'am, if you will wear crape and silk instead of fur and flannel. Rosy goes out in all weathers, and will be none the worse for an hour's brisk Bki ing." " 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 Axrnt Myra, with a despondent wag of the big bonnet. 11 p 242 EIOHT COUSINS. " I '11 risk it," answered Dr. Alec, knitting his brows, as he always did when any allusion was made to that other Rose. "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 hun unasked. He always listened with respect to the great-aunts, and often consulted Mrs. Jessie ; but the other three ladies tried his patience sorely, by constant warnings, com- plaints, '»nd counsels. Aunt Myra was an e^tpecial 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 Rooe brave the cold. He had no fear of 'its harming her, for she went out every day, and it was a great satisfaction to him to see her run down the avenue a minute afterward, with her skates on her arm, looking like a rosy-faced Esquimaux in her seal- skin suit, as she smiled at Aunt Myra stalking along as solemnly as a crow. " 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 oonsented to take for old acquaintance' sake. A SCARE. 248 The thought returned several times that morning, for it was truly a bitter day, and, in spite of his bear- skin coat, the Doctor shivered. But he had great faith in Rose's good sense, and it never occurred to him that she was making a little Casablanca of herself, with the difference of freezing instead of burning at her post. Tou 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 t3ost her dear, because Mac forgot his appointment when the lessons were done, and became absorbed in a chemical experiment, till a general com- bustion of gases drove him out of his laboratory. Then he suddenly remembered RoRe, and would gladly have hurried away to her, but his mother forbade his going out, for the sharp wind would hurt his eyes. " She will wait and wait, mother, for she always keeps her word, and I told her to hold on till I came," explained Mac, with visions of a shivering little figure watching on the windy hill-top. " 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, just in from school, and wrestling impatiently with his boots. 244 EIGHT COUSINS. So Mac resigned himself, and Rose waited dutifully till dinner-time assured her that her waiting was in vain. She had done her best to keep warm, had skated till she was tired and hot, then stood watching others '^^.-^•S till she was chilled ; tried to get up a glow again by trotting up and down the road, but failed to do so, and finally cuddled disconsolately under a pine-tree to wait and watch. When she at length started for A SCARE. 245 in Bd srs &. ^ ^ by SO, I to for home, she was benumbed with the cold, and could hardly make her way against the wind that buffeted the frost-bitten rose most unmercifully. Dr. Alec v/aj 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. RoRe lay in a shivering bunch near the register, with Ver things half off, wringing her hands, and trying no^j to cry with the pain returning warmth brought to bir half-frozen fingers. " My d?./7lng, what is it ? " and Uncle Alec had her in his ariLfi in a minute. " Ma^ did n't come — I can 't get warm — the fire makos 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 bear-skin coat, with Phebe rubbing her cold feet while he rubbed the aching hands, and Aunt Plenty made a comfortable hot drink, and Aunt Peace sent down her own foot-warmer and em- broidered blanket " for the dear." Full of remorseful tenderness. Uncle Alec worked over his new patient till she declared she was all right again. He would not let her get up to dinner, but fed her himself, and then forgot his own while he sat watching her fall into a drowse, for Aunt Plenty's cordial made her sleepy. She lay so several hours, for the drowse deepened into a heavy sleep, and Uncle Alec, still at his post, saw with growing anxiety that a feverish color began 246 EIGHT COUSINS. to bum 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, — " Please, could I go to bed ? " " The best place for you, deary. Take her right up, Alec ; I 've got the hot water ready, and after a nice bath, she shall have a cup of my sage tea, and be rolled up in blankets to sleep off her cold," answered the old lady, cheerily, as she bustled away to give orders. " Are you in pain, darling ? " asked Uncle Alec, as he carried her up. " My side aches when I breathe, and I feel stiff and queer ; but it is n't bad, so don't be troubled, uncle," whispered Rose, with a little hot hand against his cheek. But the poor Doctor did look troubled, and had cause to do so, for just then Rose tried to laugii at Dolly charging into the room with a warming-pan, but could not, for the sharp pain that took her breath away, and made her cry out. " Pleurisy," sighed Aunt Plenty, from the depths of the bath-tub. "Pewmonia!" groaned Dolly, burrowing among the bedclothes with the long-handled pan, as if bent on fishing up that treacheroufi * disease. " Oh, is it bad ? " asked Phebe, nearly dropping a pail of hot water in her dismay, for she knew nothing of sickness, and DoUy^s suggestion had a peculiarly drei^dful sound to her. ** Hush I " ordered the Doctor, in a tone that silenoed A SCARE. 247 all further predictions, and made every one work with a will. "Make her as comfortable as you can, and when she is in her little bed 1 *ll come and say good-night," he added, when the bath was ready and the blankets browning nicely before the fire. Then he went away to calk quite cheerful] y to Aunt Peace about its being " only a ohill ; " after which he tramped up and down the hall, pulling, hk beard and knitting his brows, sure signs of great inward pertur- bation. " I thought it would be too good luck to get through the year without a downfall. Confound my perver- sity ! why could n't I take Myra's advice and keep Rose at home. It's not fair that the poor child should 8u£Per for my sinful over-confidence. She shall not suffer for it I Pneumonia, indeed I I defy it I " and he shook his fist in the ugly face of an Indian idol that happened to be before him, as if that particularly hideous god had some spite against his own little god- dess. In spite of his defiance his heart sunk when he saw Ptose again, for the pain was worse, and the bath and blankets, the warming-pan and piping-hot sage tea, were all in vain. For several hours there was no rest for the poor child, and all manner of gloomy forebod- ingly haunted the minds of those who hovered about her with *ices full of the tenderest anxiety. In th« Ttiidst of the worst paroxysm Charlie came to le»v« ft message from his mothei, and was met by Phebe coming despondently downatairs with a mus- tard piastre r that had brought no relief. 248 EIGHT COUSINS. " What the dickens is the n atter ? You look as dis- mal as a tombstone," he said, ^s she held up her hand to stop his lively whistling. " Miss Rose is dreadful sick." "The deuce she is!" " Don't swear, Mr. Charlie ; she really is, and it 's Mr. Mac's fault," and Phebe told the sad tale in a few sharp words, for she felt at war with the entire race of boys at that moment. "I'll give it to him, make your mind easy about that," said Charlie, with an ominous doubling up of his fist. " But Rose is n't dangerously ill, is she ? " he added anxiously, as Aunt Plenty was seen to trot across the upper hall, shaking a bottle violently as she w«it. ''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 to-morrow," answered Phebe, with a despairing glance at the plaster. Charlie exploded into a stifled laugh at the new pro- nunciation of pneumonia, to Phebe's great indigntu tion. " How can you have the heart to do it, and she in such horrid pain ? Hark to that, and then laugh if you darst," she said with a tragic gesture, and her black eyes full of fire. 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 I Don't tell the boys I was n't brave. I try to bear it, but it 's so sharp I can't help crying." A SCARE. 249 Neither could Charlie, when he heard the broken ^oice say that ; but, boy-like, he would n't own it, and jaid pettishly, as he rubbed his sleeve across his eyes, — " 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 plaster. " I '11 go I " 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 opin- ion. He did it so energetically and thoroughly, that the poor Worm was cast into the depths of remorseftil despair, and went to bed that evening feeling that he was an outcast from among men, and bore the mark of Cain upon his brow. 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 Ros<' was ill, and Aunt Plenty in- sisted 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 aot afraid, for ; second look showed her that it was Beicher ghost nor burglar, but Mac, looking pale and "wild in the wintry moonlight. 11* •A 250 EIGHT COUSINS. " Come and let a fellow in," he said in a low tone, and when he stood in the hall he clutched Phebe's arm, whispering grujBiy, " How is Rose ? " "Thanks be to goodness, she's better," answered Phebe, with a smile that was like broad sunshine to the poor lad's anxious heart. " And she will be all right again to-morrow ? " " Oh, dear, no. Dolly says she 's sure to have rheu- matic fever, if she don't have noo-monia I " answered Phebe, careful to pronounce the word rightly this time. Down went Mac's face, and remorse began to gnaw at him again as he gave a great sigh and said doubt- folly,- "I suppose I couldn't see her?" " Of course not at this time of night, when we want her to go to sleep ! " Mac opened his mouth to say something more, when a meeze came upon him unawares, and a loud "Ah rash hoo I " awoke the echoes of the quiet house. " Why did n't you stop it ? " ^aid Phebe reproach- f idly. " I dare say you 've waked her up." "Didn't know it was coming. Just my luckl" groaned Mac, turning to go before his unfortunate presence did more harm. But a voice from the stair-head called softly, " Mac, come up ; Rose wants to see you." Up he went, and found his uncle waiting for him. "What brings you here, at this hour, my boy?" aHked the Doctor in a whisper. ( " Charlie said it was all ray fault, and if she died I 'd killed her. T could n't sleep, so I came to see how she A SCARE. 251 was, and no one knows it but Steve," he said with such a troubled face and voice that the Doctor had not the heart to blame him. Before he could say any thing more a feeble voice called " Mac I " 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 cold just because I said I would." Mac hastened to explain, to load himself with reproaches, and to beg her not to die on any ac- count, for Charlie's lecture had made a deep im- pression on the poor boy's mind. "I didn't know there was any danger of my dying," and Rose looked up at him with a solemn expression in her great eyes. " Oh, I hope not ; but people do sometimes go suddenly, you know, and I couldn't re.t till I'd asked you to forgive me," faltered Mac, thinking that Rose looked very like an angel already, with the golden hair loose on the pillow, and the meek- ness of suffering on her little white face. "I don't think I shall die; uncle won't let me; but if I do, remember I forgave you." 252 EIGHT COUSINS. 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 lass you under the mistletoe, but I will now, for I want you to be sure I do foi-give and love you just the same." That quite upset poor Mac ; he could only murmur his thanks and get out of the room as fast as possible, to grope his way to the couch at the far end of the hall, and lie there till he fell asleep, worn out with trying not to "make a baby" of himself. CHAPTER XXn. SOMETHING TO DO, 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 re- doubled vigilance and tenderness for months after- ward. 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 en one afternoon when the aunts were taking their naps, and the house was very still within while snow fell softly without. "I'll go and hunt up Phebe, she is always nice and busy, anu are so good to me all the time, miss, dear," began Phebe, looking up with grateful eyes. "O you proud thing I just as if it wasn't fun to give away, and I had the best of it. Now, see here, 266 riOHT COUSINS, 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 Phehe's neck, and patted the smooth dark head with the kind little hand that so loved to give. "It would be just heavenly!" and Phebe's face shone at the mere idea; but fell again as she added wistfully, " Only I 'm afraid I ought not to let you do it. Miss Rose. It will take time, and maybe the Doctor wouldn't like it." " He did n't want me to study mnoh, but he never said a worci about teaching, and I don't believe he will mind a bit. Any way, we can try it till he comes, so pack up or things and go right to my room and we '11 begin this very day ; I 'd truly like to do it, and we '11 have nice times, see if we don't 1 " 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 gayly on before, smiling like a good fairy as she beckoned to the other, singing as she went, — ** The way into my parlor is up a winding stair. And many are the curious things I '11 show you when you 're there. Will you, will yoa walk in, Phebe dear t" " Oh, won't I ! " answered Phebe fervently, adding, as they entered the Bower, **You are the dearest spider that ever was, and I'm the happiest fly." ** I'm going to be very strict, so sit down in that SOMETJiINO TO DO. 267 ohair and don't say a word till school is ready to open," ordered Rose, delighted with the prospect of Buoh 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 wlien all was ready gave a prance of satisfaction that set the pupil laughing. > " Now the school is open, and I shall hear you read, so that I may know in which class to put you, Miss Moore," began Rose with great dignity, as she laid a book before her scholar, and sat down in the easy chair with a long rule in her hand. Phebe did pretty well, only tripping now and then over a hard word, and pronouncing identical " iden- tickle," in a sober way that tickled Rose, though never a smile betrayed her. The spelling lesson which fol- lowed was rather discouraging ; Phebe's ideas of geog- raphy were very vague, and granunar was nowhere, though the pupil protested that she tried so hard to " talk nice like educated folks " that Dolly called her " a stuck-up piece who did n't know her place." " Dolly 's an old goose, so don't you mind her, for she will say * nater,' * vittles,' and ' doos ' as long as she lives, and insist that they are right. You do talk very nicely, Phebe, I 've observed it, and grammar will help you, and show why some things are right and others ain't, — are not, I mean," added Rose, correcting herself, and feeling that she must mind her own parts of speech if she was to serve as an example for Phebe. When the arithmetic came the little teacher was 268 EIGHT COUSINS. surprised to find her scholar quicker in some things than herself, for Fhebe had worked away at the col- umns 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 tirae flew unheeded till Aunt Plenty appeared, exclaiming, as she f tared &t the two heads bent over one slate, — " Bless my heart, what is going on now ? '*^ " School, aunty. I *m teaching Phebe, and it 's great face. fun I " cried Rose, looking up with a bright But Phebe's was brighter, though she added, with a wistful look, — " Maybe I ought to have asked leave first ; only when Miss Rose proposed this, I was so happy I for- got to. Shall I stop, ma'am ? " " 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 A^ nt Plenty spoke, with her kind old face beam- ing approvingly upon the girls, Phebe glanced at the clock, saw that it pointed to five, knew that Dolly would soon be down, expecting to find preparations for supper under way, and, hastily dropping her pencil, Hhe jumped up, saying, — SOMETHING TO DO. 250 " Please, can I go ? I '11 clear up after I Ve done my chores." " School is dismissed," answered Rose, and with a grateful " Thank you, heaps and heaps I " Phebe ran a^^ay singing the multiplication table as she set the tea ditto. That was the way it began, and for a week the class of one went on with great pleasure and profit to all con- cerned ; 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 every thing in the way of learning. 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 ^ihe Phebe-bird such a capital boost." 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 de- vised. But she got no chance to deliver her address, for Dr. Alec came upon her so unexpectedly that it went out of her head entirely. She was sitting on the floor in the library, poring over a big book laid open in her lap, and knew nothing of the long-desired arrival till two large, warm hands met under her chin and gently turned her head back, so that some one could kiss her heartily on either cheek, while a fatherly voioe 260 EIGHT COUSINS. said, half reproachfully, "Why is my girl brooding over a dusty Encyclopedia when she ought to be running to meet the old gentleman who could n't get on another minute without her ? " " O uncle t I 'm so glad ! and so sorry ! Why did n't you let us know what time you 'd be here, or call out the minute you came ? Have n't I been home- sick for you ? and now I *m so happy to have you back I could hug your dear old curly head off," cried Rose, as the Encyclopedia went down with a bang, and she up with a spring that carried her into Dr. Alec's arms, to be kept there in the sort of embrace a man gives to the dearest creature the world holds for him. Presently he was in his easy chair with Rose upon his knee smiling up in his face and talking as fast as her tongue could go, while he watched her with an expression of supreme content, as he stroked the smooth round cheek, or held the little hand in his, rejoicing to see how rosy was the one, how plump and strong the other. " Have you had a good time ? I^d you save the poor lady ? Are nH you glad to be home again with your girl to torment you ? " "Yes, to all those questions. Now tell me what you've been at, little sinner? Aunty Plen says you want to consult tdc about some new and remarkable project which you have dared to start in my absence." « She did n't tell you, I hope ? " "Not a word more except that you were rather doubtful how I'd take it, and so wanted to *fe8s' yourself and get round me as you always try to do, though ;^ou don't often succeed. Now, then, own up and take the consequences." SOMETHING TO DO. 261 »» So Rose told about her school in her pretty, earnest way, dwelling on Phebe's hunger for knowledge, and the delight it was to help her, adding, with a wise nod, — '^ And it helps me too, uncle, for she is so quick and eager I have to do my best or she will get ahead of me in some things. To-day, now, she had the word '• cotton ' in a lesson and asked all about it, and I was ashamed to find I really knew so little that I could only say that it was a plant that grew down South in a kind of a pod, and was made into cloth. That *s what I was reading up when you came, and to-morrow I shall tell her all about it, and indigo too. So you see it teaches me also, and is as good as a general review of what I Ve learned, in a pleasanter way than going over it alone." "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 all by myself. Besides, you know, I adopted Phebe and promised to be a sister to her, so I am bound to keep my word, am I not ? " answered Rose, looking both anxious and resolute as she waited for her sentence. Dr. Alec was evidently already won, for Rose had described the old slate and brown paper copy-book with pathetic effect, and the excellent man had not only decided to send Phebe to school long before the story was done, but reproached himself for forgetting his duty to one little girl in his love for another. So when Rose tried to look meek amd failed utterly, he 'I 2(S2 EIGHT COUSINS. laughed and pinched her cheek, and answered in that genial way which adds such warmth and grace to any favor, — " I have n't the slightest objection in the world. In fact, I was beginning to think I might let you go at your books again, moderately, since you are so well ; and this is an excellent way to try your powers. Phebe is a brave, bright lass, and shall have a fair chance in the world, if we can give it to her, so that if she ever finds her friends they need not be ashamed of her." " I think she has found some already," began Rose eagerly. "Hey? what? has any one turned up since I've been gone?" asked Dr. Alec quickly, for it was a firm belief in the family that Phebe would prove to be " somebody " sooner or later. "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 make a woman to be proud of, she 's so strong and true, and loving." " Bless your dear heart, I have n't begun to do any thing yet, more shame to me I 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 to 7 happy when I tell her. May I, please ? — it will be so lovely to see the dear thing open her big eyes and clap her hands at the splendid news." SOMETHING TO DO. 26a ** No one shall have a finger in this nice little pie ; you shall do it all yourself, only don't go too fast, or make too many castles in the air, my dear ; for time and patience must go into this pie of ours if it is to turn out well." " 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 soberly, — " If Phebe goes to school who will do her work ? I 'm willing, if I can." "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 xnd chamber- girl if any can be found to suit our honored relatives." " Oh, me ! how can I ever get on without Phebe ? Could n't she stay, just so I could see her ? I 'd pay her board rather than have her go, I 'm so fond of her." How Dr. Alec laughed at that proposal, and how satisfied Rose waa when he explained that Phebe was still to be her maid, with no duties except such as she could easily perform between school-hours. " She is a proud creature, for all her humble ways, and even from us would not take a favor if she did not earn it somehow. So this arrangement makes it all square and comfortable, you see, and she will pay for 2t54 EIGHT COUSINS. the schooling by curling these goldilocks a dozen times a day if you let her." " 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, with a sigh of pity for those who had missed so great a blessing. When Phebe was told the splendid news, she did not "stand on her head with rapture," as Charlie prophesied she would, but took it quietly, because it was such a happy thing she had no words " big and beautiful enough to thank them in," she said ; but every hour of her day was brightened by this granted wish, and dedicated to the service of those who gave it. Her heart was so full of content that it overflowed sweet V ^^'*e singing all about the m music, and the house gave thanks so blitu^^/ that no other words were needed. Her willing feet were never tired of taking steps for those who had nmoothed her way ; her skilful hands were always busy in some labor of love for them, and on the face fast growing in comeliness there was an almost womanly expression of devotion, which proved how well Phebe had already learned ope of life's great lessons^ — gratitude. les CHAPTER XXIII. PEACE-MAKING. « OTEVE, I want you to tell me something," said >^ Rose to Dandy, who was making faces at him- self in the glass, while he waited for an answer to the note he brought from his mother to Aunt Plenty. " P'raps I will, and p'raps I won't. What is it ? " "Haven't Arch and Charlie quarrelled?" " Dare spy ; we fellows are always having little rows, you know . I do believe a sty is coming on my star- board eye," and Steve affected to be absorbed in a survey of his yellow lashes. " No, that won't do ; I want to know all about it ; for I 'm sure something more serious than a * little row ' is the matter. Come, please tell me, Stenie, there 'a a >» aear. " Botheration I you don't want me to turn telltale, do you?" growled Steve, pulling his top-knot, as he always did when perplexed. "Yes, I do," Wiis Rose's decided answer, — for she saw from hi** manner that she was right, and deter- mined to have the secret out of him if coaxing would do it. " I don't wish you to tell things to every oae, of course, but to mcj 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 12 '3 ; , 266 EIGHT COUSINS, nioe peaoe-makers, and kjow how to manage people. Uncle said so, and he is never wrong." 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 '11 tell you every bit about it?" he asked, with a sudden red in his cheeks, and an uneasy look in his eyes, for he was half ashamed of the proposition. " What do you want ? " and Rose looked up rather surprised at his question. "I'd like to borrow some money. I shouldn't think of arking you, only Mac never has a cent since he 's set up his old chemical shop, where he '11 blow himself to bits Pome day, and you and uncle will have the fun of putting him together again," and Steve tried to look as if the idea amused him. " 1 11 lend it to you with pleasure, so tell away," said Rose, bound to get at tae secret. Evidently much relieved by the promise, Steve set his top-knot cheerfully erect again, and briefly stated the case. " 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 goos 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." "Are those boys bad?" asked Rose, anxiously. "Guess not, only rather wild. They are older than PEACE-MAKING. 267 our fellows, but they like Prince, he's such a jolly boy ; sings so well, dances jigs and breakdowns, you know, and plays any game that's going. He beat Morse at billiards, and that's something to brag of, for Morse thinks he knows every thing. I saw the match, and it was great fun I " Steve got quite excited over the prowess of Charlie, whom he admired immensely, and tried to imitate. Rose did not know half the danger of such gifts and tastes as Charlie's, but felt instinctively that something must be wrong if Archie disapproved. " If Prince likes any billiard-playing boy better than Archie, I don't think much of his sense," she said se- verely. "Of course he doesn't; hut, 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 exploits of the " jolly set." " Oh, dear me I " sighed Rose, " I don't see what I can do about it, but I wish the boys would rr;ake up, for Prince can't come to any harm with Archie, he's so good and sensible." " 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. M; boots I were n't they both mad though ! I thought foi' 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 li 268 EIGHT COUSINS. with a bat or so over the head, and then we are all right." RTEVB SHOWS HOW IT'P DONB. Rose could n't help laughing as Steve sparred away at a fat sofa-pillow, to illustrate his meaning ; and, hav- ing gi^en it several scientific whacks, he pulled down PEACE'MAKING. 269 his cuffs and smiled upon her with benign pity for her feminin ) ignorance of this summary way of settling a quarrtjl. " What droll things boys are ! " she said, with a mixture of admiration and perplexity in her face, which Steve accepted as a compliment to his sex. " We are a pretty clever invention, miss, and you can't get on without us," he ansvered, 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 me ? I Ve told, now you pay up." " Of course I will ! How much do you want ? " and Rose pulled out her purse. " Codd you spare five oollars? I want to pay a little debt of honor that is rather pressing," and Steve put on a mannish air that was comical to see. " Are n't all debts honorable ? " asked innocent Rose. " Yes, of course ; but this is a bet I made, and it ought to be settled up at once," began Steve, finding it awkward to explain. " Oh, don't bet, it 's not right, and I know your father would n't like it. Promise you won't do so again, please promise ! " and Rose held fast the hand into which she had just put the money. . " Well, I won't. It 's worried me a good deal, but I was joked into it. Much obliged, cousin, I'm all right now," and Steve departed hastily. Having decided to be a peace-maker. Rose waited for an opportunity, and very soon it came. She was spending the day with Aunt Clara, who had been enteitaiining some young guests, and invited Rose to meet them, for she thought it high time her 270 EIGHT COUSINS. nieoe conqaered her bashfulness, and saw a little of society. Dinner was over, and every one had gone. Aunt Clara was resting before going out to an evening party, and Rose was waiting for Charlie to come and take her home. She sat alone in the elegant drawing-room, feeling particularly nice and pretty, for she had her best frock on, a pair of gold bands her aunt had just given her, and a tea-rose bud in her sash, like the beautiful Miss Van Tassel, whom every one admired. She had spread out her little skirts to the best advantage, and, leaning back in a luxurious chair, sat admiring her own feet in new slippers with rosettes almost as big as dahlias. Presently Charlie came lounging in, looking rather sleepy and queer. Rose thought. On seeing her, how- ever, he roused up and said with a smile that ended in a gape, — " I thought you were with mother, so I took forty winks after I got Ihose girls off. Now, I *m at your service, Rosamunda, whenever you like." " You look as if your head ached. If it does, don't mind me. I 'm not afraid to run home alone, it 's so early," answered Rose, observing the flushed cheeks and heavy eyes of her cousin. " I think I see myself letting you do it. Champagne always makes my head ache, but the air will set me up." "Why do you drink it, then?" asked Rose, anx- iously. " Can't help it, when I 'm host. Now, don't you begin to lecture ; I 've had enough of Archie's old- fashioned notions, and I don't want any more." PEACE-^MAKING. 271 Charlie's tone was decidedly rross, and his whole manner so unlike his usual merry good-nature, that Rose felt crushe'l, and answered meekly, — " I was n't going to lecture, only whe? people like other people, they can't ber.r to see them sufEer pain." That brought Charlie round at once, for Rose's lips trembled a little, thougb she tried to hide it by smelling the flower she pulled from her sash. "I'm a regular bear, and I beg your pardon for being so cross, Uoh} ,'' he said in the old frank way that was so winning. " I wish you 'd beg Archie's too, and be good friends again. You never wero cross when he was your chum," Rose said, looking up at him as he bent toward her from the low chimney-piece, where he had been leaning his elbows. In an instant he stood as stiff and straight as a ram- rod, and the heavy eyes kindled with an angry spark as he said, in his high and mighty manner, — " You 'd bettor not meddle with what you don't understand, cousi^i." " But I do understand, and it troubles me very much to see you so cold and stiff to one another. You always used to be together, and now you hardly speak. You are so ready to beg my pardon I don't see why you can't beg Archie's, if you are in the wrong." " I 'm not I " 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 does n't apologize to another man who has insulted him." " Oh, my heart, what a pepperpot I " thought Rose, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) ^ s? ^ % deceitful, and she had no constitution to build upon," croaked Aunt Myra. " I am willing to allow that, as far as mere health goes, the experiment is a success," graciously ob- served Aunt Jane, unable to forget Rose's kindness to her Mac. " So am I ; and I '11 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 caused Jamie's little red stocking to wave like a triumphal banner in the air. 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 hinderances I've had, the mistakes I've made, the study I 've given the case, and the anxiety I've often felt. Sister Myra is right in one thing, — Rose 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 organized little body. I think I have found the right treatment, and, with you to help me, I l^e- lieve we may build up a lovely and a noble woman, who will be a pride and comfort to us all." f.v ' 286 EIGHT COUSINS. 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, be- cause 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 year. " Good I she will be here directly, and then we will settle the question for another year. A most impor- tan4^i year, mind you, for she has got a good start, and will blossom rapidly now if all goes well with her. So I beg of you don't undo my work, but deal very wisely and gently with my little girl, for if any harm come to her, I think it would break my heart." 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 soli- tary 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 WHICH? 287 and sighed, and telegraphed to one another that none of them would complain if not chosen, or ever try to **THB COUSINS HAD BEEN A-MAYINO." rob Brother Alec of his " Heart's Delight," as the boys called Rose. Just then a pleasant sound of happy voices came up 288 EIGHT COUSms. 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 ! " The cousins had been a-Maying, and soon came flock- ing in laden with the spoils. " 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 ftill of early flowers, fresh leaves, and curious lichens. " Leave your clutter in the hall, boys, and sit quietly .down if you choose to stop here, for we are busy," said Aunt Plenty, shaking her finger at the turbulent clan, who were bubbling over with the jollity born of spring sunshine and healthy exercise. " Of course, we choose to stay I Would n't miss our Saturday high tea for any thing," said the Chief, as he restored order among his men with a nod, a word, and an occasional shake. " What is up ? a court-martial ? " asked Charlie, look- ing at the assembled ladies with affected awe and real curiosity, for their faces betrayed that some interesting business was afloat. Dr. Alec explained in a few words, which he made as brief and calm as he could ; but the efiect was excit- ing, nevertheless, for each of the lads began at once to bribe, entice, and wheedle " our cousin " to choose his home. ** 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 argu ment he could think of at the moment. WHICH'i 289 « Ah 1 yea,'* she thought, « he wants me most I I ve often longed to give him something that he wished for very much, and now I can." So, when, at a sudden gesture from Aunt Peace, silence fell, Rose said slowly, with a pretty color in her cheeks, and a beseeching look about the room, as if asking pardon of the boys, — " It 's very hard to choose when everybody is so fond of me : therefore I think I 'd better go to the one who seems to need me most." ^^:^^^^^^^^^^^ x^^^^ " No, dear, the one you love the best and will be nappiest with," said Dr. Alec quickly, as a doleful sniff from Aunt Myra, and a murmur of " My sainted Caro- line," 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 Charlie, hopeful still. ? 1 ii n " 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 sym- pathetic thrill among the hearers, it was so full of ten- der confidence and love. If she really had any doubt, the look in Dr. Alec's face banished it without a word, as he opened wide his arms, and she ran into them, feeling that home was there. No one spoke for a minute, but there were signs of emotion among the aunts, which warned the boys to bestir themselves before the water-works began to play. So they took hands and began to prance about uncle and niece, singing, with sudden inspiration, the nursery rhyme, — " Ring around a Rosy ! " ip 290 EIGHT COUSINS. Of course that put an end to all sentiment, and Ros6 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 meiTy 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." That tickled the boys, and they set up a shout of " Uncle had a little lamb ! " But Rose hushed the noise by slipping into the cir- cle, and making them dance prettily, — like lads and lasses round a May-pole ; while Phebe, coming in with fresh water for the flowers, began to twitter, chirp, and coo, as if all the birds of the air had come to join in the spring revel of the eight cousins. END OF PART FIRST. ,-Ji---