ThreeyoungmenstoodtogetheronawharfonebrightOctoberdayawaitingthearrivalofanoceansteamerwithanimpatiencewhichfoundaventinlivelyskirmisheswithasmalllad,whopervadedthepremiseslikeawill—o\'—the—wispandaffordedmuchamusementtotheothergroupsassembledthere。
\"TheyaretheCampbells,waitingfortheircousin,whohasbeenabroadseveralyearswithheruncle,thedoctor,\"whisperedoneladytoanotherasthehandsomestoftheyoungmentouchedhishattoherashepassed,luggingtheboy,whomhehadjustrescuedfromalittleexpeditiondownamongthepiles。
\"Whichisthat？\"askedthestranger。
\"PrinceCharlie,ashe\'scalledafinefellow,themostpromisingoftheseven,butalittlefast,peoplesay,\"answeredthefirstspeakerwithashakeofthehead。
\"Aretheothershisbrothers？\"
\"No,cousins。TheelderisArchie,amostexemplaryyoungman。Hehasjustgoneintobusinesswiththemerchantuncleandbidsfairtobeanhonortohisfamily。Theother,withtheeyeglassesandnogloves,isMac,theoddone,justoutofcollege。\"
\"Andtheboy？\"
\"Oh,heisJamie,theyoungestbrotherofArchibald,andthepetofthewholefamily。Mercyonushe\'llbeiniftheydon\'tholdontohim！\"
Theladies\'chatcametoasuddenendjustthere,forbythetimeJamiehadbeenfishedoutofahogshead,thesteamerhoveinsightandeverythingelsewasforgotten。Asitswungslowlyaroundtoenterthedock,aboyishvoiceshouted,\"Theresheis！IseeherandUncleandPhebe！HoorayforCousinRose！\"AndthreesmallcheersweregivenwithawillbyJamieashestoodonapostwavinghisarmslikeawindmillwhilehisbrotherheldontothetailofhisjacket。
Yes,theretheywereUncleAlecswinginghishatlikeaboy,withPhebesmilingandnoddingononesideandRosekissingbothhandsdelightedlyontheotherassherecognizedfamiliarfacesandheardfamiliarvoiceswelcomingherhome。
\"Blessherdearheart,she\'sbonnierthanever！LookslikeaMadonnadoesn\'tshe？withthatbluecloakroundher,andherbrighthairflyinginthewind！\"saidCharlieexcitedlyastheywatchedthegroupuponthedeckwitheagereyes。
\"Madonnasdon\'twearhatslikethat。Rosehasn\'tchangedmuch,butPhebehas。Why,she\'saregularbeauty！\"answeredArchie,staringwithallhismightatthedark—eyedyoungwomanwiththebrilliantcolorandglossyblackbraidsshininginthesun。
\"DearoldUncle！Doesn\'titseemgoodtohavehimback？\"wasallMacsaid,buthewasnotlookingat\"dearolduncle\"ashemadetheferventremark,forhesawonlytheslenderblondgirlnearbyandstretchedouthishandstomeethers,forgetfulofthegreenwatertumblingbetweenthem。
Duringtheconfusionthatreignedforamomentasthesteamersettledtohermoorings,Roselookeddownintothefourfacesupturnedtohersandseemedtoreadinthemsomethingthatbothpleasedandpainedher。
Itwasonlyaglance,andherowneyeswerefull,butthroughthemistofhappytearsshereceivedtheimpressionthatArchiewasaboutthesame,thatMachaddecidedlyimproved,andthatsomethingwasamisswithCharlie。
Therewasnotimeforobservation,however,forinamomenttheshorewardrushbegan,andbeforeshecouldgrasphertravelingbag,Jamiewasclingingtoherlikeanecstaticyoungbear。Shewaswithdifficultyreleasedfromhisembracetofallintothegentleronesoftheeldercousins,whotookadvantageofthegeneralexcitementtowelcomebothbloominggirlswithaffectionateimpartiality。Thenthewandererswereborneashoreinatriumphalprocession,whileJamiedancedrapturousjigsbeforethemevenonthegangway。
ArchieremainedtohelphisunclegettheluggagethroughtheCustomHouse,andtheothersescortedthedamselshome。Nosoonerweretheyshutupinacarriage,however,thananewandcuriousconstraintseemedtofallupontheyoungpeople,fortheyrealized,allatonce,thattheirformerplaymatesweremenandwomennow。Fortunately,Jamiewasquitefreefromthisfeelingofrestraintand,sittingbodkinwisebetweentheladies,tookallsortsoflibertieswiththemandtheirbelongings。
\"Well,mymannikin,whatdoyouthinkofus？\"askedRose,tobreakanawkwardpause。
\"You\'vebothgrownsopretty,Ican\'tdecidewhichIlikebest。Phebeisthebiggestandbrightest—looking,andIwasalwaysfondofPhebe,butsomehowyouaresokindofsweetandprecious,IreallythinkImusthugyouagain,\"andthesmallyouthdidittempestuously。
\"Ifyoulovemebest,IshallnotmindabitaboutyourthinkingPhebethehandsomest,becausesheis。Isn\'tshe,boys？\"askedRose,withamischievouslookatthegentlemenopposite,whosefacesexpressedarespectfuladmirationwhichmuchamusedher。
\"I\'msodazzledbythebrilliancyandbeautythathassuddenlyburstuponme,Ihavenowordstoexpressmyemotions,\"answeredCharlie,gallantlydodgingthedangerousquestion。
\"Ican\'tsayyet,forIhavenothadtimetolookatanyone。Iwillnow,ifyoudon\'tmind。\"And,tothegreatamusementoftherest,Macgravelyadjustedhiseyeglassesandtookanobservation。
\"Well？\"saidPhebe,smilingandblushingunderhishoneststare,yetseemingnottoresentitasshedidthelordlysortofapprovalwhichmadeheranswertheglanceofCharlie\'saudaciousblueeyeswithaflashofherblackones。
\"Ithinkifyouweremysister,Ishouldbeveryproudofyou,becauseyourfaceshowswhatIadmiremorethanitsbeautytruthandcourage,Phebe,\"answeredMacwithalittlebowfullofsuchgenuinerespectthatsurpriseandpleasurebroughtasuddendewtoquenchthefireofthegirl\'seyesandsoothethesensitiveprideofthegirl\'sheart。
Roseclappedherhandsjustassheusedtodowhenanythingdelightedher,andbeamedatMacapprovinglyasshesaid:\"Nowthat\'sacriticismworthhaving,andwearemuchobliged。Iwassureyou\'dadmiremyPhebewhenyouknewher,butIdidn\'tbelieveyouwouldbewiseenoughtoseeitatonce,andyouhavegoneupmanypegsinmyestimation,Iassureyou。\"
\"Iwasalwaysfondofmineralogyyouremember,andI\'vebeentappingroundagooddeallately,soI\'velearnedtoknowpreciousmetalswhenIseethem,\"Macsaidwithhisshrewdsmile。
\"Thatisthelatesthobby,then？Yourlettershaveamusedusimmensely,foreachonehadanewtheoryorexperiment,andthelatestwasalwaysthebest。IthoughtUnclewouldhavediedoflaughteroverthevegetarianmaniaitwassofunnytoimagineyoulivingonbreadandmilk,bakedapples,andpotatoesroastedinyourownfire,\"continuedRose,changingthesubjectagain。
\"Thisoldchapwasthelaughingstockofhisclass。TheycalledhimDonQuixote,andthewayhewentatwindmillsofallsortswasasighttosee,\"
putinCharlie,evidentlyfeelingthatMachadbeenpattedontheheadquiteasmuchaswasgoodforhim。
\"ButinspiteofthattheDongotthroughcollegewithallthehonors。
Oh,wasn\'tIproudwhenAuntJanewrotetousaboutitanddidn\'tsherejoicethatherboykeptattheheadofhisclassandwonthemedal！\"
criedRose,shakingMacbybothhandsinawaythatcausedCharlietowish\"theoldchap\"hadbeenleftbehindwithDr。Alec。
\"Oh,come,that\'sallMother\'snonsense。Ibeganearlierthantheotherfellowsandlikeditbetter,soIdon\'tdeserveanypraise。Princeisright,though。Ididmakearegularjackofmyself,butonthewholeI\'mnotsurethatmywildoatsweren\'tbetterthansomeI\'veseensowed。Anyway,theydidn\'tcostmuch,andI\'mnonetheworseforthem,\"saidMacplacidly。
\"Iknowwhat\'wildoats\'means。IheardUncleMacsayCharliewassowing\'emtoofast,andIaskedMama,soshetoldme。AndIknowthathewassuspelledorexpended,Idon\'trememberwhich,butitwassomethingbad,andAuntClaracried,\"addedJamieallinonebreath,forhepossessedafatalgiftofmakingmalaproposremarks,whichcausedhimtobeaterrortohisfamily。
\"Doyouwanttogoontheboxagain？\"demandedPrincewithawarningfrown。
\"No,Idon\'t。\"
\"Thenholdyourtongue。\"
\"Well,Macneedn\'tkickme,forIwasonly……\"begantheculprit,innocentlytryingtomakeabadmatterworse。
\"Thatwilldo,\"interruptedCharliesternly,andJamessubsided,acrushedboy,consolinghimselfwithRose\'snewwatchfortheindignitieshesufferedatthehandsofthe\"oldfellows\"ashevengefullycalledhiselders。
MacandCharlieimmediatelybegantotalkashardastheirtonguescouldwag,bringingupallsortsofpleasantsubjectssosuccessfullythatpealsoflaughtermadepassersbylookafterthemerryloadwithsympatheticsmiles。
AnavalancheofauntsfelluponRoseassoonasshereachedhome,andfortherestofthedaytheoldhousebuzzedlikeabeehive。Eveningfoundthewholetribecollectedinthedrawingrooms,withtheexceptionofAuntPeace,whoseplacewasemptynow。
Naturallyenough,theelderssettledintoonegroupafterawhile,andtheyoungfellowsclusteredaboutthegirlslikebutterfliesaroundtwoattractiveflowers。Dr。AlecwasthecentralfigureinoneroomandRoseintheother,forthelittlegirl,whomtheyhadalllovedandpetted,hadbloomedintoawoman,andtwoyearsofabsencehadwroughtacuriouschangeintherelativepositionsofthecousins,especiallythethreeelderones,whoeyedherwithamixtureofboyishaffectionandmanlyadmirationthatwasbothnewandpleasant。
Somethingsweetyetspiritedabouthercharmedthemandpiquedtheircuriosity,forshewasnotquitelikeothergirls,andratherstartledthemnowandthenbysomeindependentlittlespeechoractwhichmadethemlookatoneanotherwithaslysmile,asifremindedthatRosewas\"Uncle\'sgirl。\"
Letuslisten,asindutybound,towhattheeldersaresayingfirst,fortheyarealreadybuildingcastlesinairfortheboysandgirlstoinhabit。
\"Dearchildhowniceitistoseehersafelyback,sowellandhappyandlikehersweetlittleself！\"saidAuntPlenty,foldingherhandsasifgivingthanksforagreathappiness。
\"Ishouldn\'twonderifyoufoundthatyou\'dbroughtafirebrandintothefamily,Alec。Two,infact,forPhebeisafinegirl,andtheladshavefounditoutalreadyifI\'mnotmistaken,\"addedUncleMac,withanodtowardtheotherroom。
Alleyesfollowedhis,andahighlysuggestivetableaupresenteditselftothepaternalandmaternalaudienceinthebackparlor。
RoseandPhebe,sittingsidebysideonthesofa,hadevidentlyassumedatoncetheplaceswhichtheyweredestinedtofillbyrightofyouth,sex,andbeauty,forPhebehadlongsinceceasedtobethemaidandbecomethefriend,andRosemeanttohavethatfactestablishedatonce。
Jamieoccupiedtherug,onwhichWillandGeordiestoodatease,showingtheiruniformstothebestadvantage,fortheywerenowinagreatschool,wheremilitarydrillwasthedelightoftheirsouls。Steveposedgracefullyinanarmchair,withMacloungingoverthebackofit,whileArchieleanedononecornerofthelowchimneypiece,lookingdownatPhebeasshelistenedtohischatwithsmilinglipsandcheeksalmostasrichincolorasthecarnationsinherbelt。
ButCharliewasparticularlyeffective,althoughhesatuponamusicstool,thatmosttryingpositionforanymannotgiftedwithgraceinthemanagementofhislegs。FortunatelyPrincewas,andhadfallenintoaneasyattitude,withonearmoverthebackofthesofa,hishandsomeheadbentalittle,ashemonopolizedRose,withadevotedairandaverybecomingexpressionofcontentmentonhisface。
AuntClarasmiledasifwellpleased;AuntJessielookedthoughtful;
AuntJane\'skeeneyeswentfromdapperStevetobroad—shoulderedMacwithananxiousglance;Mrs。Myramurmuredsomethingabouther\"blessedCaroline\";
andAuntPlentysaidwarmly,\"Blessthedears！Anyonemightbeproudofsuchabonnyflockofbairnsasthat。\"
\"Iamallreadytoplaychaperonassoonasyouplease,Alec,forI
supposethedeargirlwillcomeoutatonce,asshedidnotbeforeyouwentaway。Myserviceswon\'tbewantedlong,Ifancy,forwithhermanyadvantagesshewillbecarriedoffinherfirstseasonorI\'mmuchmistaken,\"
saidMrs。Clara,withsignificantnodsandsmiles。
\"YoumustsettleallthosematterswithRose。Iamnolongercaptain,onlyfirstmatenow,youknow,\"answeredDr。Alec,addingsoberly,halftohimself,halftohisbrother,\"Iwonderpeopleareinsuchhasteto\'bringout\'theirdaughters,asit\'scalled。Tomethereissomethingalmostpatheticinthesightofayounggirlstandingonthethresholdoftheworld,soinnocentandhopeful,soignorantofallthatliesbeforeher,andusuallysoillpreparedtomeettheupsanddownsoflife。Wedoourdutybetterbytheboys,butthepoorlittlewomenareseldomprovidedwithanyarmorworthhaving,andsoonerorlatertheyaresuretoneedit,foreveryonemustfightherownbattle,andonlythebraveandstrongcanwin。\"
\"Youcan\'treproachyourselfwithneglectofthatsort,Alec,foryouhavedoneyourdutyfaithfullybyGeorge\'sgirl,andIenvyyoutheprideandhappinessofhavingsuchadaughter,forsheisthattoyou,\"answeredoldMac,unexpectedlybetrayingthepaternalsortoftendernessmenseldomfeelfortheirsons。
\"I\'vetried,Mac,andIambothproudandhappy,butwitheveryyearmyanxietyseemstoincrease。I\'vedonemybesttofitRoseforwhatmaycome,asfarasIcanforeseeit,butnowshemuststandalone,andallmycareispowerlesstokeepherheartfromaching,herlifefrombeingsaddenedbymistakes,orthwartedbytheactsofothers。Icanonlystandreadytoshareherjoyandsorrowandwatchhershapeherlife。\"
\"Why,Alec,whatisthechildgoingtodothatyouneedlooksosolemn？\"
exclaimedMrs。Clara,whoseemedtohaveassumedasortofrighttoRosealready。
\"Hark！Andlethertellyouherself,\"answeredDr。Alec,asRose\'svoicewasheardsayingveryearnestly,\"Now,youhavealltoldyourplansforthefuture,whydon\'tyouaskusours？\"
\"Becauseweknowthatthereisonlyonethingforaprettygirltodobreakadozenorsoheartsbeforeshefindsonetosuit,thenmarryandsettle,\"
answeredCharlie,asifnootherreplywaspossible。
\"Thatmaybethecasewithmany,butnotwithus,forPhebeandIbelievethatitisasmucharightandadutyforwomentodosomethingwiththeirlivesasformen,andwearenotgoingtobesatisfiedwithsuchfrivolouspartsasyougiveus,\"criedRosewithkindlingeyes。\"ImeanwhatIsay,andyoucannotlaughmedown。Wouldyoubecontentedtobetoldtoenjoyyourselfforalittlewhile,thenmarryanddonothingmoretillyoudie？\"sheadded,turningtoArchie。
\"Ofcoursenotthatisonlyapartofaman\'slife,\"heanswereddecidedly。
\"Averypreciousandlovelypart,butnotall,\"continuedRose。
\"Neithershoulditbeforawoman,forwe\'vegotmindsandsoulsaswellashearts;ambitionandtalentsaswellasbeautyandaccomplishments;
andwewanttoliveandlearnaswellasloveandbeloved。I\'msickofbeingtoldthatisallawomanisfitfor！Iwon\'thaveanythingtodowithlovetillIprovethatIamsomethingbesidesahousekeeperandbaby—tender！\"
\"Heavenpreserveus！Here\'swoman\'srightswithavengeance！\"criedCharlie,startingupwithmockhorror,whiletheothersregardedRosewithmingledsurpriseandamusement,evidentlyfancyingitallagirlishoutbreak。
\"Ah,youneedn\'tpretendtobeshockedyouwillbeinearnestpresently,forthisisonlythebeginningofmystrong—mindedness,\"continuedRose,nothingdauntedbythesmilesofgood—naturedincredulityorderisiononthefacesofhercousins。\"Ihavemadeupmymindnottobecheatedoutoftherealthingsthatmakeonegoodandhappyand,justbecauseI\'marichgirl,foldmyhandsanddriftassomanydo。Ihaven\'tlivedwithPhebealltheseyearsinvain。Iknowwhatcourageandself—reliancecandoforone,andIsometimeswishIhadn\'tapennyintheworldsothatIcouldgoandearnmybreadwithher,andbeasbraveandindependentasshewillbeprettysoon。\"
ItwasevidentthatRosewasinearnestnow,forasshespokesheturnedtoherfriendwithsuchrespectaswellasloveinherfacethatthelooktoldbetterthananywordshowheartilytherichgirlappreciatedthevirtueshardexperiencehadgiventhepoorgirl,andhoweagerlyshedesiredtoearnwhatallherfortunecouldnotbuyforher。
Somethingintheglanceexchangedbetweenthefriendsimpressedtheyoungmeninspiteoftheirprejudices,anditwasinaperfectlyserioustonethatArchiesaid,\"Ifancyyou\'llfindyourhandsfull,Cousin,ifyouwantwork,forI\'veheardpeoplesaythatwealthhasitstroublesandtrialsaswellaspoverty。\"
\"Iknowit,andI\'mgoingtotryandfillmyplacewell。I\'vegotsomecapitallittleplansallmade,andhavebeguntostudymyprofessionalready,\"
answeredRosewithanenergeticnod。
\"CouldIaskwhatitistobe？\"inquiredCharlieinatoneofawe。
\"Guess！\"andRoselookedupathimwithanexpressionhalf—earnest,half—merry。
\"Well,Ishouldsaythatyouwerefittedforabeautyandabelle,butasthatisevidentlynottoyourtaste,Iamafraidyouaregoingtostudymedicineandbeadoctor。Won\'tyourpatientshaveaheavenlytimethough？
Itwillbeeasydyingwithanangeltopoisonthem。\"
\"Now,Charlie,that\'sbaseofyou,whenyouknowhowwellwomenhavesucceededinthisprofessionandwhatacomfortDr。MaryKirkwastodearAuntPeace。Ididwanttostudymedicine,butUnclethoughtitwouldn\'tdotohavesomanyM。D。\'sinonefamily,sinceMacthinksoftryingit。
Besides,IseemtohaveotherworkputintomyhandsthatIambetterfittedfor。\"
\"Youarefittedforanythingthatisgenerousandgood,andI\'llstandbyyou,nomatterwhatyou\'vechosen,\"criedMacheartily,forthiswasanewstyleoftalkfromagirl\'slips,andhelikeditimmensely。
\"Philanthropyisagenerous,good,andbeautifulprofession,andI\'vechosenitforminebecauseIhavemuchtogive。I\'monlythestewardofthefortunePapaleftme,andIthink,ifIuseitwiselyforthehappinessofothers,itwillbemoreblestthanifIkeepitallformyself。\"
Verysweetlyandsimplywasthissaid,butitwascurioustoseehowdifferentlythevarioushearersreceivedit。
Charlieshotaquicklookathismother,whoexclaimed,asifinspiteofherself,\"Now,Alec,areyougoingtoletthatgirlsquanderafinefortuneonallsortsofcharitablenonsenseandwildschemesforthepreventionofpauperismandcrime？\"
\"\'TheywhogivetothepoorlendtotheLord,\'andpracticalChristianityisthekindHelovesthebest,\"wasallDr。Alecanswered,butitsilencedtheauntsandcausedevenprudentUncleMactothinkwithsuddensatisfactionofcertainsecretinvestmentshehadmadewhichpaidhimnointerestbutthethanksofthepoor。
ArchieandMaclookedwellpleasedandpromisedtheiradviceandassistancewiththeenthusiasmofgenerousyounghearts。Steveshookhishead,butsaidnothing,andtheladsontherugatonceproposedfoundingahospitalforinvaliddogsandhorses,whitemice,andwoundedheroes。
\"Don\'tyouthinkthatwillbeabetterwayforawomantospendherlifethanindancing,dressing,andhusband—hunting,Charlie？\"askedRose,observinghissilenceandanxiousforhisapproval。
\"Veryprettyforalittlewhile,andveryeffectivetoo,forIdon\'tknowanythingmorecaptivatingthanasweetgirlinameeklittlebonnetgoingoncharitableerrandsandglorifyingpoorpeople\'shouseswithadelightfulmixtureofbeautyandbenevolence。Fortunately,thedearsoulssoontireofit,butit\'sheavenlywhileitlasts。\"
Charliespokeinatoneofmingledadmirationandcontempt,andsmiledasuperiorsortofsmile,asifheunderstoodalltheinnocentdelusionsaswellastheartfuldevicesofthesexandexpectednothingmorefromthem。ItbothsurprisedandgrievedRose,foritdidnotsoundliketheCharlieshehadlefttwoyearsago。Butsheonlysaid,withareproachfullookandaproudlittlegestureofheadandhand,asifsheputthesubjectasidesinceitwasnottreatedwithrespect:\"Iamsorryyouhavesolowanopinionofwomen。Therewasatimewhenyoubelievedinthemsincerely。\"
\"Idostill,uponmywordIdo！Theyhaven\'tamoredevotedadmirerandslaveintheworldthanIam。Justtrymeandsee,\"criedCharlie,gallantlykissinghishandtothesexingeneral。
ButRosewasnotappeased,andgaveadisdainfulshrugassheansweredwithalookinhereyesthathislordshipdidnotlike,\"Thankyou。Idon\'twantadmirersorslaves,butfriendsandhelpers。I\'velivedsolongwithawise,goodmanthatIamratherhardtosuit,perhaps,butIdon\'tintendtolowermystandard,andanyonewhocaresformyregardmustatleasttrytoliveuptoit。\"
\"Whew！Here\'sawrathfuldove！Comeandsmoothherruffledplumage,Mac。I\'lldodgebeforeIdofurthermischief,\"andCharliestrolledawayintotheotherroom,privatelylamentingthatUncleAlechadspoiledafinegirlbymakingherstrong—minded。
Hewishedhimselfbackagaininfiveminutes,forMacsaidsomethingthatproducedagaleoflaughter,andwhenhetookalookoverhisshoulderthe\"wrathfuldove\"wascooingsopeacefullyandpleasantlyhewassorelytemptedtoreturnandsharethefun。ButCharliehadbeenspoiledbytoomuchindulgence,anditwashardforhimtoownhimselfinthewrongevenwhenheknewit。Healwaysgotwhathewantedsoonerorlater,andhavinglongagomadeuphismindthatRoseandherfortuneweretobehis,hewassecretlydispleasedatthenewplansandbeliefsoftheyounglady,butflatteredhimselfthattheywouldsoonbechangedwhenshesawhowunfashionableandinconvenienttheywere。
Musingoverthedelightfulfuturehehadlaidout,hemadehimselfcomfortableinthesofacornernearhismothertilltheappearanceofaslightrefectioncausedbothgroupstomeltintoone。AuntPlentybelievedineatinganddrinking,sotheslightestexcuseforfestivitydelightedherhospitablesoul,andonthisjoyfuloccasionshesurpassedherself。
ItwasduringthisinformalbanquetthatRose,roamingaboutfromoneadmiringrelativetoanother,cameuponthethreeyoungerlads,whowerehavingaquietlittlescuffleinasecludedcorner。
\"Comeouthereandletmehavealookatyou,\"shesaidenticingly,forshepredictedanexplosionandpublicdisgraceifpeacewasnotspeedilyrestored。
Hastilysmoothingthemselvesdown,theyounggentlemenpresentedthreeflushedandmerrycountenancesforinspection,feelinghighlyhonoredbythecommand。
\"Dearme,howyoutwohavegrown！Youbigthingshowdareyougetheadofmeinthisway！\"shesaid,standingontiptoetopatthecurlypatesbeforeher,forWillandGeordiehadshotuplikeweeds,andnowgrinnedcheerfullydownuponherasshesurveyedthemincomicamazement。
\"TheCampbellsareallfine,tallfellows,andwemeantobethebestofthelot。Shouldn\'twonderifweweresix—footerslikeGrandpa,\"observedWillproudly,lookingsolikeayoungShanghairooster,alllegsandaninsignificanthead,thatRosekepthercountenancewithdifficulty。
\"Weshallbroadenoutwhenwegetourgrowth。WearetallerthanStevenow,ahalfahead,bothofus,\"addedGeordie,withhisnoseintheair。
RoseturnedtolookatSteveand,withasuddensmile,beckonedtohim。
Hedroppedhisnapkinandflewtoobeythesummons,forshewasqueenofthehour,andhehadopenlyannouncedhisdeathlessloyalty。
\"Telltheotherboystocomehere。I\'veafancytostandyouallinarowandlookyouover,asyoudidmethatdreadfuldaywhenyounearlyfrightenedmeoutofmywits,\"shesaid,laughingatthememoryofitasshespoke。
Theycameinabodyand,standingshouldertoshoulder,madesuchanimposingarraythattheyoungcommanderwasratherdauntedforamoment。
Butshehadseentoomuchoftheworldlatelytobeabashedbyatrifle,andthedesiretoseeagirlishtestgavehercouragetofacethelineofsmilingcousinswithdignityandspirit。
\"Now,I\'mgoingtostareatyouasyoustaredatme。Itismyrevengeonyousevenbadboysforentrappingonepoorlittlegirlandenjoyingheralarm。I\'mnotabitafraidofyounow,sotrembleandbeware！\"
Asshespoke,RoselookedupintoArchie\'sfaceandnoddedapprovingly,forthesteadygrayeyesmethersfairlyandsoftenedastheydidsoabecomingchange,fornaturallytheywereratherkeenthankind。
\"AtrueCampbell,blessyou！\"shesaid,andshookhishandheartilyasshepassedon。
Charliecamenext,andhereshefeltlesssatisfied,thoughscarcelyconsciouswhy,for,asshelooked,therecameadefiantsortofflash,changingsuddenlytosomethingwarmerthananger,strongerthanpride,makinghershrinkalittleandsay,hastily,\"Idon\'tfindtheCharlieIleft,butthePrinceistherestill,Isee。\"
TurningtoMacwithasenseofrelief,shegentlytookoffhis\"winkers,\"
asJamiecalledthem,andlookedstraightintothehonestblueeyesthatlookedstraightbackather,fullofafrankandfriendlyaffectionthatwarmedherheartandmadeherowneyesbrightenasshegavebacktheglasses,saying,withalookandtoneofcordialsatisfaction,\"Youarenotchanged,mydearoldMac,andI\'msogladofthat！\"
\"Nowsaysomethingextrasweettome,becauseI\'mtheflowerofthefamily,\"saidSteve,twirlingtheblondmoustache,whichwasevidentlytheprideofhislife。
RosesawataglancethatDandydeservedhisnamemorethanever,andpromptlyquenchedhisvanitiesbyanswering,withaprovokinglaugh,\"ThenthenameoftheflowerofthefamilyisCockscomb。\"
\"Ah,ha！who\'sgotitnow？\"jeeredWill。
\"Letusoffeasy,please,\"whisperedGeordie,mindfulthattheirturncamenext。
\"Youblessedbeanstalks！I\'mproudofyouonlydon\'tgrowquiteoutofsight,orevenbeashamedtolookawomanintheface,\"answeredRose,withagentlepatonthecheekofeitherbashfulyounggiant,forbothwereredaspeonies,thoughtheirboyisheyeswereasclearandcalmassummerlakes。
\"Nowme！\"andJamieassumedhismanliestair,feelingthathedidnotappeartoadvantageamonghistallkinsmen。Buthewenttotheheadoftheclassineveryone\'sopinionwhenRoseputherarmsaroundhim,saying,withakiss,\"Youmustbemyboynow,foralltheothersaretooold,andIwantafaithfullittlepagetodomyerrandsforme。\"
\"Iwill,IwillI\'llmarryyoutoo,ifyou\'lljustholdontillIgrowup！\"criedJamie,ratherlosinghisheadatthissuddenpromotion。
\"Blessthebaby,whatishetalkingabout？\"laughedRose,lookingdownatherlittleknightasheclungaboutherwithgratefulardor。
\"Oh,Iheardtheauntssaythatyou\'dbettermarryoneofus,andkeepthepropertyinthefamily,soIspeakfirst,becauseyouareveryfondofme,andIdolovecurls。\"
AlasforJamie！ThisawfulspeechhadhardlylefthisinnocentlipswhenWillandGeordieswepthimoutoftheroomlikeawhirlwind,andthehowlsofthathaplessboywereheardfromthetorturehall,wherebeingshutintotheskeletoncasewasoneofthemildestpunishmentsinflicteduponhim。
Dismayfellupontheunfortunateswhoremained,buttheirconfusionwassoonended,forRose,withalookwhichtheyhadneverseenuponherfacebefore,dismissedthemwiththebriefcommand,\"Breakranksthereviewisover,\"andwalkedawaytoPhebe。
\"Confoundthatboy！Yououghttoshuthimuporgaghim！\"fumedCharlieirritably。
\"Heshallbeattendedto,\"answeredpoorArchie,whowastryingtobringupthelittlemarplotwiththesuccessofmostparentsandguardians。
\"Thewholethingwasdeuceddisagreeable,\"growledSteve,whofeltthathehadnotdistinguishedhimselfinthelateengagement。
\"Truthgenerallyis,\"observedMacdrylyashestrolledawaywithhisoddsmile。