Mac,meantime,withglassesastridehisnose,surveyedhisbrother\'sperformances\"onthelightfantastic\"verymuchasabenevolentNewfoundlandwouldthegambolsofatoyterrier,receivingwiththanksthehastyhintsforhisguidancewhichStevebreathedintohisearashepassedandforgettingallaboutthemthenextminute。WhennotthusengagedMacstoodaboutwithhisthumbsinhisvestpockets,regardingthelivelycrowdlikeameditativephilosopherofacheerfulaspect,oftensmilingtohimselfatsomewhimsicalfancyofhisown,knittinghisbrowsassomebitofill—naturedgossipmethisear,orstaringwithundisguisedadmirationasabeautifulfaceorfigurecaughthiseye。
\"Ihopethatgirlknowswhatatreasureshehasgot。ButIdoubtifsheeverfullyappreciatesit,\"saidMrs。Jane,bringingherspectaclestobearuponKittyasshewhiskedby,causingquiteagalewithherflyingskirts。
\"Ithinkshewill,forStevehasbeensowellbroughtup,shecannotbutseeandfeeltheworthofwhatshehasneverhad,andbeingsoyoungshewillprofitbyit,\"answeredMrs。Jessiesoftly,thinkingofthedayswhensheandherJemdancedtogether,justbetrothed。
\"I\'vedonemydutybyboththeboys,anddoneitthoroughly,ortheirfatherwouldhavespoiltthem,forhe\'snomoreideaofdisciplinethanachild。\"AndAuntJanegaveherownpalmasmartrapwithherclosedfan,emphasizingtheword\"thoroughly\"inamostsuggestivemanner。
\"I\'veoftenwishedIhadyourfirmness,Janebutafterall,I\'mnotsurethatIdon\'tlikemyownwaybest,atleastwithmyboys,forplentyoflove,andplentyofpatience,seemtohavesucceededprettywell。\"