BeforeRosecouldspeakagain,acheeryvoicecalledfromthehall,\"Littlemistress,whereareyou？\"
\"Inmyroom,Phebe,dear,\"andupcamethegirlRosewasgoingto\"makealadyof,\"lookingsolikeonethatAnnabelopenedherchina—blueeyesandsmiledinvoluntarilyasPhebedroppedalittlecurtseyinplayfulimitationofheroldmannerandsaidquietly:\"Howdoyoudo,MissBliss？\"
\"Gladtoseeyouback,MissMoore,\"answeredAnnabel,shakinghandsinawaythatsettledthequestionofPhebe\'splaceinhermindforever,forthestoutdamselhadakindheartinspiteofaweakheadandwasreallyfondofRose。Itwasevidently\"Loveme,lovemyPhebe,\"
soshemadeuphermindonthespotthatPhebewassomebody,andthatgaveanairofromanceeventothepoorhouse。
Shecouldnothelpstaringalittleasshewatchedthetwofriendsworktogetherandlistenedtotheirhappytalkovereachnewtreasureasitcametolight,foreverylookandwordplainlyshowedthatyearsofclosecompanionshiphadmadethemverydeartooneanother。ItwasprettytoseeRosetrytodothehardestpartofanylittlejobherselfstillprettiertoseePhebecircumventheranduntiethehardknots,foldthestiffpapers,orlifttheheavytrayswithherownstronghands,andprettiestofalltohearhersayinamotherlytone,assheputRoseintoaneasychair:\"Now,mydeary,sitandrest,foryouwillhavetoseecompanyallday,andIcan\'tletyougettiredoutsoearly。\"
\"ThatisnoreasonwhyIshouldletyoueither。CallJanetohelporI\'llbobupagaindirectly,\"answeredRose,withaverybadassumptionofauthority。
\"Janemaytakemyplacedownstairs,butnooneshallwaitonyouhereexceptme,aslongasI\'mwithyou,\"saidstatelyPhebe,stoopingtoputahassockunderthefeetofherlittlemistress。
\"Itisveryniceandprettytosee,butIdon\'tknowwhatpeoplewillsaywhenshegoesintosocietywiththerestofus。IdohopeRosewon\'tbeveryodd,\"saidAnnabeltoherselfasshewentawaytocirculatethedepressingnewsthattherewastobenograndballand,saddestdisappointmentofall,thatRosehadnotasinglePariscostumewithwhichtorefreshtheeyesandrousetheenvyofheramiablefriends。
\"NowI\'veseenorheardfromalltheboysbutCharlie,andIsupposeheistoobusy。Iwonderwhatheisabout,\"thoughtRose,turningfromthehalldoor,whithershehadcourteouslyaccompaniedherguest。
Thewishwasgrantedamomentafter,for,goingintotheparlortodecidewheresomeofherpicturesshouldhang,shesawapairofbrownbootsatoneendofthesofa,atawny—brownheadattheother,anddiscoveredthatCharliewasbusilyoccupiedindoingnothing。
\"ThevoiceoftheBlisswasheardintheland,soIdodgedtillshewentupstairs,andthentookabriefsiestawhilewaitingtopaymyrespectstothedistinguishedtraveler,LadyHesterStanhope,\"hesaid,leapinguptomakehisbestbow。
\"Thevoiceofthesluggardwouldbeamoreappropriatequotation,I
think。DoesAnnabelstillpineforyou？\"askedRose,recallingcertainyouthfuljokesuponthesubjectofunrequitedaffections。
\"Notabitofit。Funhascutmeout,andthefairAnnabellawillbeMrs。TokiobeforethewinterisoverifI\'mnotmuchmistaken。\"
\"What,littleFunSee？HowdrollitseemstothinkofhimgrownupandmarriedtoAnnabelofallpeople！Sheneversaidawordabouthim,butthisaccountsforheradmiringmyprettyChinesethingsandbeingsointerestedinCanton。\"
\"LittleFunisagreatswellnow,andmuchenamoredofourfatfriend,whowilltaketochopstickswheneverhesaystheword。Ineedn\'taskhowyoudo,Cousin,foryoubeatthatAuroraallhollowinthewayofcolor。
Ishouldhavebeenupbefore,butIthoughtyou\'dlikeagoodrestafteryourvoyage。\"
\"IwasrunningaracewithJamiebeforenineo\'clock。Whatwereyoudoing,youngman？\"
\"\'SleepingIdreamed,love,dreamed,love,ofthee,\'\"beganCharlie,butRosecuthimshortbysayingasreproachfullyasshecould,whiletheculpritstoodregardingherwithplacidsatisfaction:\"Yououghttohavebeenupandatworkliketherestoftheboys。IfeltlikeadroneinahiveofverybusybeeswhenIsawthemallhurryingofftotheirbusiness。\"
\"But,mydeargirl,I\'vegotnobusiness。I\'mmakingupmymind,yousee,anddotheornamentalwhileI\'mdeciding。Therealwaysoughttobeonegentlemaninafamily,andthatseemstoberathermyline,\"answeredCharlie,posingforthecharacterwithanassumptionoflanguidelegancewhichwouldhavebeenveryeffectiveifhistwinklingeyeshadnotspoiltit。
\"Therearenonebutgentlemeninourfamily,Ihope,\"answeredRose,withtheproudairshealwaysworewhenanythingwassaidderogatorytothenameofCampbell。
\"Ofcourse,ofcourse。Ishouldhavesaidgentlemanofleisure。YouseeitisagainstmyprinciplestoslaveasArchiedoes。What\'stheuse？
Don\'tneedthemoney,gotplenty,sowhynotenjoyitandkeepjollyaslongaspossible？I\'msurecheerfulpeoplearepublicbenefactorsinthisworldofwoe。\"
Itwasnoteasytoobjecttothisproposition,especiallywhenmadebyacomelyyoungmanwholookedthepictureofhealthandhappinessashesatonthearmofthesofasmilingathiscousininthemostengagingmanner。RoseknewverywellthattheEpicureanphilosophywasnotthetrueonetobeginlifeupon,butitwasdifficulttoreasonwithCharliebecausehealwaysdodgedsobersubjectsandwassofullofcheeryspirits,onehatedtolessenthesortofsunshinewhichcertainlyisapublicbenefactor。
\"YouhavesuchacleverwayofputtingthingsthatIdon\'tknowhowtocontradictyou,thoughIstillthinkI\'mright,\"shesaidgravely。\"Maclikestoidleaswellasyou,butheisnotgoingtodoitbecauseheknowsit\'sbadforhimtofritterawayhistime。Heisgoingtostudyaprofessionlikeawiseboy,thoughhewouldmuchprefertoliveamonghisbelovedbooksorridehishobbiesinpeace。\"
\"That\'sallverywellforhim,becausehedoesn\'tcareforsocietyandmayaswellbestudyingmedicineasphilanderingaboutthewoodswithhispocketsfullofmustyphilosophersandold—fashionedpoets,\"answeredCharliewithashrugwhichplainlyexpressedhisopinionofMac。
\"Iwonderifmustyphilosophers,likeSocratesandAristotle,andold—fashionedpoets,likeShakespeareandMilton,arenotsafercompanyforhimtokeepthansomeofthemoremodernfriendsyouhave？\"saidRose,rememberingJamie\'shintsaboutwildoats,forshecouldbealittlesharpsometimesandhadnotlectured\"theboys\"forsolongitseemedunusuallypleasant。
ButCharliechangedthesubjectskillfullybyexclaimingwithananxiousexpression:\"IdobelieveyouaregoingtobelikeAuntJane,forthat\'sjustthewayshecomesdownonmewhenevershegetsthechance！Don\'ttakeherforamodel,Ibegsheisagoodwomanbutamightydisagreeableoneinmyhumbleopinion。\"
Thefearofbeingdisagreeableisagreatbugbeartoagirl,asthisartfulyoungmanwellknew,andRosefellintothetrapatonce,forAuntJanewasfarfrombeinghermodel,thoughshecouldnothelprespectingherworth。
\"Haveyougivenupyourpainting？\"sheaskedratherabruptly,turningtoagildedFraAngelicoangelwhichleanedinthesofacorner。
\"SweetestfaceIeversaw,andverylikeyouabouttheeyes,isn\'tit？\"
saidCharlie,whoseemedtohaveaYankeetrickofreplyingtoonequestionwithanother。
\"Iwantananswer,notacompliment,\"andRosetriedtolooksevereassheputawaythepicturemorequicklythanshehadtakenitup。
\"HaveIgivenuppainting？Oh,no！Idaubalittleinoils,slopalittleinwatercolors,sketchnowandthen,andpokeaboutthestudioswhentheartisticfitcomeson。\"
\"Howisthemusic？\"
\"Moreflourishing。Idon\'tpracticemuch,butsingagooddealincompany。
Setupaguitarlastsummerandwenttroubadouringroundingreatstyle。
Thegirlslikeit,andit\'sjollyamongthefellows。\"
\"Areyoustudyinganything？\"
\"Well,Ihavesomelawbooksonmytablegood,big,wise—lookingchapsandItakeaturnatthemsemioccasionallywhenpleasurepallsorparentschide。ButIdoubtifIdomorethanlearnwhat\'aallybi\'isthisyear,\"andaslylaughinCharlie\'seyesuggestedthathesometimesavailedhimselfofthisbitoflegalknowledge。
\"Whatdoyoudothen？\"
\"Faircatechist,Ienjoymyself。Privatetheatricalshavebeentherageoflate,andIhavewonsuchlaurelsthatIseriouslythinkofadoptingthestageasmyprofession。\"
\"Really！\"criedRose,alarmed。
\"Whynot？IfImustgotowork,isn\'tthatasgoodasanything？\"
\"NotwithoutmoretalentthanIthinkyoupossess。Withgeniusonecandoanythingwithoutitonehadbetterletthestagealone。\"
\"There\'saquencherforthe\'starofthegoodliecompanie\'towhichIbelong。Machasn\'tarayofgeniusforanything,yetyouadmirehimfortryingtobeanM。D。,\"criedCharlie,rathernettledatherwords。
\"Itisrespectable,atallevents,andI\'dratherbeasecond—ratedoctorthanasecond—rateactor。ButIknowyoudon\'tmeanit,andonlysaysotofrightenme。\"
\"Exactly。Ialwaysbringitupwhenanyonebeginstolectureanditworkswonders。UncleMacturnspale,theauntsholduptheirhandsinholyhorror,andageneralpanicensues。ThenImagnanimouslypromisenottodisgracethefamilyandinthefirstburstofgratitudethedearsoulsagreetoeverythingIask,sopeaceisrestoredandIgoonmywayrejoicing。\"
\"Justthewayyouusedtothreatentorunofftoseaifyourmotherobjectedtoanyofyourwhims。Youarenotchangedinthatrespect,thoughyouareinothers。Youhadgreatplansandprojectsonce,Charlie,andnowyouseemtobecontentedwithbeinga\'jackofalltradesandmasterofnone\'\"。
\"Boyishnonsense！Timehasbroughtwisdom,andIdon\'tseethesenseoftyingmyselfdowntooneparticularthingandgrindingawayatityearafteryear。Peopleofoneideagetsodeucedlynarrowandtame,I\'venopatiencewiththem。Cultureisthething,andthesortonegetsbyrangingoverawidefieldistheeasiesttoacquire,thehandiesttohave,andthemostsuccessfulintheend。Atanyrate,itisthekindIlikeandtheonlykindIintendtobothermyselfabout。\"
Withthisdeclaration,Charliesmoothedhisbrow,claspedhishandsoverhishead,and,leaningback,gentlywarbledthechorusofacollegesongasifitexpressedhisviewsoflifebetterthanhecould:\"WhileourrosyfilletsshedBlusheso\'ereachfervidhead,WithmanyacupandmanyasmileThefestalmomentswebeguile。\"\"Someofmysaintsherewerepeopleofoneidea,andthoughtheywerenotverysuccessfulfromaworldlypointofviewwhilealive,theywerelovedandcanonizedwhendead,\"saidRose,whohadbeenturningoverapileofphotographsonthetableandjustthenfoundherfavorite,St。Francis,amongthem。
\"Thisismoretomytaste。Thoseworn—out,cadaverousfellowsgivemetheblues,buthere\'sagentlemanlysaintwhotakesthingseasyanddoesgoodashegoesalongwithouthowlingoverhisownsinsormakingotherpeoplemiserablebytellingthemoftheirs。\"AndCharlielaidahandsomeSt。Martinbesidethebrown—frockedmonk。
Roselookedatbothandunderstoodwhyhercousinpreferredthesoldierlyfigurewiththeswordtotheasceticwithhiscrucifix。Onewasridingbravelythroughtheworldinpurpleandfinelinen,withhorseandhoundandsquiresathisback;andtheotherwasinalazar—house,prayingoverthedeadanddying。Thecontrastwasastrongone,andthegirl\'seyeslingeredlongestontheknight,thoughshesaidthoughtfully,\"YoursiscertainlythepleasantestandyetIneverheardofanygooddeedhedid,exceptdividehiscloakwithabeggar,whileSt。FrancisgavehimselftocharityjustwhenlifewasmosttemptingandspentyearsworkingforGodwithoutreward。He\'soldandpoor,andinadreadfulplace,butIwon\'tgivehimup,andyoumayhaveyourgaySt。Martinifyouwanthim。\"
\"No,thankyou,saintsarenotinmylinebutI\'dlikethegolden—hairedangelinthebluegownifyou\'llletmehaveher。SheshallbemylittleMadonna,andI\'llpraytoherlikeagoodCatholic,\"answeredCharlie,turningtothedelicate,deep—eyedfigurewiththeliliesinitshand。
\"Withallmyheart,andanyothersthatyoulike。Choosesomeforyourmotherandgivethemtoherwithmylove。\"
SoCharliesatdownbesideRosetoturnandtalkoverthepicturesforalongandpleasanthour。Butwhentheywentawaytolunch,iftherehadbeenanyonetoobservesosmallbutsignificantatrifle,goodSt。Francislayfacedownwardbehindthesofa,whilegallantSt。Martinstooderectuponthechimneypiece。Chapter3。Chapter3。3MISSCAMPBELLWhilethetravelersunpacktheirtrunks,wewillpickup,asbrieflyaspossible,thedroppedstitchesinthelittleromanceweareweaving。
Rose\'slifehadbeenaverybusyandquietoneforthefouryearsfollowingtheMaydaywhenshemadeherchoice。Study,exercise,housework,andmanywholesomepleasureskeptherahappy,heartycreature,yearlygrowinginwomanlygraces,yetalwayspreservingtheinnocentfreshnessgirlslosesosoonwhentooearlysetupontheworld\'sstageandgivenaparttoplay。
Notaremarkablygiftedgirlinanyway,andfarfromperfect;fullofallmannerofyouthfulwhimsandfancies;alittlespoiledbymuchlove;
ratherapttothinkalllivesassafeandsweetasherown;and,whenwantorpainappealedtoher,thetenderheartoverflowedwitharemorsefulcharitywhichgaveofitsabundancerecklessly。Yet,withallherhumanimperfections,theuprightnatureofthechildkeptherdesiresclimbingtowardthejustandpureandtrue,asflowersstruggletothelight;andthewoman\'ssoulwasbuddingbeautifullyunderthegreenleavesbehindthelittlethorns。
Atseventeen,Dr。Alecpronouncedherreadyforthevoyagearoundtheworld,whichheconsideredabetterfinishingoffthananyschoolcouldgiveher。ButjustthenAuntPeacebegantofailandsoonslippedquietlyawaytorejointhelovershehadwaitedforsolong。Youthseemedtocomebackinamysteriouswaytotouchthedeadfacewithlostloveliness,andalltheromanceofherpasttogatheraroundhermemory。Unlikemostagedwomen,herfriendswereamongtheyoung,andatherfuneralthegrayheadsgaveplacetothebandoflovinggirlswhomadethesweetoldmaidenreadyforherrest,boreherpall,andcoveredhergravewiththewhiteflowersshehadneverworn。
WhenthiswasoverpoorAuntPlentyseemedsolostwithoutherlifelongchargethatDr。Alecwouldnotleaveher,andRosegladlypaidthedebtsheowedbythetenderservicewhichcomfortswithoutwords。ButAuntPlenty,havinglivedforothersallherdays,soonrebelledagainstthiswillingsacrifice,soonfoundstrengthinherownsincerepiety,solaceincheerfuloccupation,andamusementinnursingAuntMyra,whowasacapitalpatient,assheneverdiedandnevergotwell。
Soatlastthemomentcamewhen,withfreeminds,thetravelerscouldsetout,andonRose\'seighteenthbirthday,withUncleAlecandthefaithfulPhebe,shesailedawaytoseeandstudythebig,beautifulworldwhichliesreadyforusallifweonlyknowhowtouseandenjoyit。
Phebewassettostudyingmusicinthebestschools,andwhileshetrainedherlovelyvoicewithhappyindustry,Roseandheruncleroamedaboutinthemostdelightfulwaytilltwoyearsweregonelikeadreamandthoseathomeclamoredfortheirreturn。
Backtheycame,andnowtheheiressmustmakereadytotakeherplace,forattwenty—oneshecameintopossessionofthefortuneshehadbeentryingtolearnhowtousewell。Greatplansfermentedinherbrain,for,thoughtheheartwasasgenerousasever,timehadtaughtherprudenceandobservationshownherthatthewisestcharityisthatwhichhelpsthepoortohelpthemselves。
Dr。Alecfounditalittledifficulttorestraintheardorofthisyoungphilanthropistwhowantedtobeginatoncetoendowhospitals,buildhomes,adoptchildren,andbefriendallmankind。
\"Takealittletimetolookaboutyouandgetyourbearings,child。
Theworldyouhavebeenlivinginisamuchsimpler,honesteronethanthatyouarenowtoenter。Testyourselfabitandseeiftheoldwaysseembestafterall,foryouareoldenoughtodecide,andwiseenoughtodiscover,whatisforyourtruestgood,Ihope,\"hesaid,tryingtofeelreadytoletthebirdescapefromunderhiswingandmakelittleflightsalone。
\"Now,Uncle,I\'mverymuchafraidyouaregoingtobedisappointedinme,\"answeredRosewithunusualhesitationyetaverystrongdesirevisibleinhereyes。\"Youliketohavemequitehonest,andI\'velearnedtotellyouallmyfoolishthoughtssoI\'llspeakout,andifyoufindmywishverywrongandsilly,pleasesayso,forIdon\'twantyoutocastmeoffentirely,thoughIamgrownup。Yousay,waitalittle,testmyself,andtryiftheoldwaysarebest。Ishouldliketodothat,andcanIinabetterwaythanleadingthelifeothergirlslead？Justforalittlewhile,\"
sheadded,asheruncle\'sfacegrewgrave。
Hewasdisappointed,yetacknowledgedthatthedesirewasnaturalandinamomentsawthatatrialofthissortmighthaveitsadvantages。
Nevertheless,hedreadedit,forhehadintendedtochoosehersocietycarefullyandtrytokeepherunspoiledbytheworldaslongaspossible,likemanyanotherfondparentandguardian。ButthespiritofEveisstronginallherdaughtersforbiddenfruitwilllookrosiertothemthananyintheirownorchards,andthetemptationtotakejustonelittlebiteprovesirresistibletothewisest。SoRose,lookingoutfromthesafeseclusionofhergirlhoodintothewoman\'skingdomwhichshewasabouttotakepossessionof,feltasuddenwishtotryitspleasuresbeforeassumingitsresponsibilities,andwastoosinceretohidethelonging。
\"Verywell,mydear,tryitifyoulike,onlytakecareofyourhealthbetemperateinyourgaietyanddon\'tlosemorethanyougain,ifthatispossible,\"headdedunderhisbreath,endeavoringtospeakcheerfullyandnotlookanxious。
\"Iknowitisfoolish,butIdowanttobearegularbutterflyforalittlewhileandseewhatitislike。YouknowIcouldn\'thelpseeingagooddealoffashionablelifeabroad,thoughwewerenotinit,andhereathomethegirlstellmeaboutallsortsofpleasantthingsthataretohappenthiswinter,soifyouwon\'tdespisemeverymuch,Ishouldliketotryit。\"
\"Forhowlong？\"
\"Wouldthreemonthsbetoolong？NewYearisagoodtimetotakeafreshstart。Everyoneisgoingtowelcomeme,soImustbegayinspiteofmyself,unlessI\'mwillingtoseemveryungratefulandmorose,\"saidRose,gladtohavesogoodareasontoofferforhernewexperiment。
\"Youmaylikeitsowellthatthethreemonthsmaybecomeyears。Pleasureisverysweetwhenweareyoung。\"
\"Doyouthinkitwillintoxicateme？\"
\"Weshallsee,mydear。\"
\"Weshall！\"AndRosemarchedaway,lookingasifshehadtakenapledgeofsomesort,andmeanttokeepit。
ItwasagreatrelieftothepublicmindwhenitbecameknownthatMissCampbellwasreallycomingoutatlast,andinvitationstoAuntPlenty\'spartywerepromptlyaccepted。AuntClarawasmuchdisappointedaboutthegrandballshehadplanned,butRosestoodfirm,andthedearoldladyhadherwayabouteverything。
Theconsequencewasadelightfullyinformalgatheringoffriendstowelcomethetravelershome。Justagood,old—fashioned,hospitablehousewarming,sosimple,cordial,andgenuinethatthosewhocametocriticizeremainedtoenjoy,andmanyownedthecharmtheycouldneitherdescribenorimitate。
MuchcuriositywasfeltaboutPhebe,andmuchgossipwentonbehindfansthatevening,forthosewhohadknownheryearsagofoundithardtorecognizethelittlehousemaidinthehandsomeyoungwomanwhoboreherselfwithsuchquietdignityandcharmedthemallwithherfinevoice。
\"Cinderellahasturnedoutaprincess,\"wasthegeneralverdict,andRoseenjoyedthelittlesensationimmensely,forshehadhadmanybattlestofightforherPhebesinceshecameamongthem,andnowherfaithwasvindicated。
MissCampbellherselfwasingreatdemandanddidthehonorssoprettilythatevenMissBlissforgaveherforhersadneglectofWorth,thoughsheshookherheadoverthewhitegowns,justalikeexceptthatPhebeworecrimsonandRose,bluetrimmings。
Thegirlsswarmedeagerlyaroundtheirrecoveredfriend,forRosehadbeenafavoritebeforeshewentawayandfoundherthronewaitingforhernow。TheyoungmenprivatelypronouncedPhebethehandsomest\"Butthenyouknowthere\'sneitherfamilynormoney,soit\'snouse。\"Phebe,therefore,wasadmiredasoneoftheornamentalpropertiesbelongingtothehouseandleftrespectfullyalone。
ButbonnyRosewas\"allright,\"astheseamiableyouthsexpressedit,andmanyawistfuleyefollowedthebrightheadasitflittedabouttheroomsasifitwereasecondGoldenFleecetobewonwithdifficulty,forstalwartkinsmenhedgeditround,andwatchfulauntskeptguard。
Littlewonderthatthegirlfoundhernewworldanenchantingoneandthatherfirstsipofpleasureratherwenttoherhead,foreverybodywelcomedandsmiledonher,flatteredandpraised,whisperedagreeablepropheciesinherear,andlookedthecomplimentsandcongratulationstheydarednotuttertillshefeltasifshemusthaveleftheroldselfsomewhereabroadandsuddenlybecomeanewandwonderfullygiftedbeing。
\"Itisverynice,Uncle,andI\'mnotsureImayn\'twantanotherthreemonthsofitwhenthefirstaregone,\"shewhisperedtoDr。AlecashestoodwatchingthedanceshewasleadingwithCharlieinthelonghallaftersupper。
\"Steady,mylass,steady,andrememberthatyouarenotreallyabutterflybutamortalgirlwithaheadthatwillachetomorrow,\"heanswered,watchingtheflushedandsmilingfacebeforehim。
\"Ialmostwishtherewasn\'tanytomorrow,butthattonightwouldlastforeveritissopleasant,andeveryonesokind,\"shesaidwithalittlesighofhappinessasshegatheredupherfleecyskirtslikeawhitebirdplumingitselfforflight。
\"I\'llaskyouropinionaboutthatattwoA。M。,\"beganherunclewithawarningnod。
\"I\'llgiveithonestly,\"wasallRosehadtimetosaybeforeCharliesweptherawayintotheparticoloredcloudbeforethem。
\"It\'snouse,Alectrainagirlaswiselyasyouchoose,shewillbreakloosewhenthetimecomesandgoinforpleasureaseagerlyasthemostfrivolous,for\'\'tistheirnatureto,\'\"saidUncleMac,keepingtimetothemusicasifhewouldnotmind\"goingin\"forabitofpleasurehimself。
\"Mygirlshalltasteandtry,butunlessI\'mmuchmistaken,alittlebitofitwillsatisfyher。Iwanttoseeifshewillstandthetest,becauseifnot,allmyworkisafailureandI\'dliketoknowit,\"answeredthedoctorwithahopefulsmileonhislipsbutananxiouslookinhiseyes。
\"Shewillcomeoutallrightblessherheart！solethersowherinnocentwildoatsandenjoyherselftillsheisreadytosettledown。
Iwishallouryoungfolkswerelikelytohaveassmallacropandgetthroughassafelyasshewill,\"addedUncleMacwithashakeoftheheadasheglancedatsomeoftheyoungmenrevolvingbeforehim。
\"Nothingamisswithyourlads,Ihope？\"
\"No,thankheaven！SofarI\'vehadlittletroublewitheither,thoughMacisanoddstickandSteveapuppy。Idon\'tcomplain,forbothwilloutgrowthatsortofthingandaregoodfellowsatheart,thankstotheirmother。ButClara\'sboyisinabadway,andshewillspoilhimasamanasshehasasaboyifhisfatherdoesn\'tinterfere。\"
\"ItoldbrotherStephenallabouthimwhenIwasinCalcuttalastyear,andhewrotetotheboy,butClarahasgotnoendofplansinherheadandsosheinsistedonkeepingCharlieayearlongerwhenhisfatherorderedhimofftoIndia,\"repliedthedoctorastheywalkedaway。
\"Itistoolateto\'order\'Charlieisamannow,andStephenwillfindhehasbeentooeasywithhimalltheseyears。Poorfellow,ithasbeenhardlinesforhim,andislikelytobeharder,Ifancy,unlesshecomeshomeandstraightensthingsout。\"
\"Hewon\'tdothatifhecanhelpit。Hehaslostallhisenergylivinginthatclimateandhatesworrymorethanever,soyoucanimaginewhataneffortitwouldbetomanageafoolishwomanandaheadstrongboy。Wemustlendahand,Mac,anddoourbestforpooroldSteve。\"
\"Thebestwecandofortheladistomarryandsettlehimassoonaspossible。\"
\"Mydearfellow,heisonlythreeandtwenty,\"beganthedoctor,asiftheideawaspreposterous。Thenasuddenchangecameoverhimasheaddedwithamelancholysmile,\"Iforgethowmuchonecanhopeandsuffer,evenattwenty—three。\"
\"Andbeallthebetterfor,ifbravelyoutlived,\"saidUncleMac,withhishandonhisbrother\'sshoulderandthesincerestapprovalinhisvoice。
Then,kindlyreturningtotheyoungerpeople,hewentoninquiringly,\"Youdon\'tinclinetoClara\'sviewofacertainmatter,Ifancy？\"
\"Decidedlynot。Mygirlmusthavethebest,andClara\'strainingwouldspoilanangel,\"answeredDr。Alecquickly。
\"ButweshallfindithardtoletourlittleRosegooutofthefamily。
HowwouldArchiedo？Hehasbeenwellbroughtupandisathoroughlyexcellentlad。\"
Thebrothershadretiredtothestudybythistimeandwerealone,yetDr。Alecloweredhisvoiceashesaidwithatendersortofanxietypleasanttosee:\"YouknowIdonotapproveofcousinsmarrying,soI\'minaquandary,Mac,forIlovethechildasifsheweremyownandfeelasifIcouldnotgiveheruptoanymanwhomIdidnotknowandtrustentirely。Itisofnouseforustoplan,forshemustchooseforherselfyetIdowishwecouldkeepheramongusandgiveoneofourboysawifeworthhaving。\"
\"Wemust,sonevermindyourtheoriesbutdevoteyourselftotestingourelderladsandmakingoneofthemahappyfellow。Allareheart—whole,Ibelieve,and,thoughyoungstillforthissortofthing,wecanbegentlyshapingmattersforthem,sincenooneknowshowsoonthemomentmaycome。
Myfaithitislikelivinginapowdermilltobeamongalotofyoungfolksnowadays！Alllooksascalmaspossibletillasuddensparkproducesanexplosion,andheavenonlyknowswherewefindourselvesafteritisover。\"
AndUncleMacsathimselfcomfortablydowntosettleRose\'sfatewhilethedoctorpacedtheroom,pluckingathisbeardandknittinghisbrowsasifhefoundithardtoseehisway。
\"Yes,Archieisagoodfellow,\"hesaid,answeringthequestionhehadignoredbefore。\"Anupright,steady,intelligentladwhowillmakeanexcellenthusbandifheeverfindsoutthathehasaheart。IsupposeI\'manoldfool,butIdolikealittlemoreromanceinayoungmanthanheseemstohavemorewarmthandenthusiasm,youknow。Blesstheboy！Hemightbefortyinsteadofthreeorfourandtwenty,he\'ssosober,calm,andcool。I\'myoungerthanheis,andcouldgoa—wooinglikeaRomeoifIhadanyhearttoofferawoman。\"
Thedoctorlookedrathershamefacedashespoke,andhisbrotherburstoutlaughing。\"Seehere,Alec,it\'sapitysomuchromanceandexcellenceasyoursshouldbelost,sowhydon\'tyousettheseyoungfellowsanexampleandgoa—wooingyourself？JessiehasbeenwonderinghowyouhavemanagedtokeepfromfallinginlovewithPhebeallthistime,andClaraisquitesurethatyouwaitedonlytillshewassafeunderAuntPlenty\'swingtoofferyourselfinthegoodold—fashionedstyle。\"
\"I！\"Andthedoctorstoodaghastatthemereidea,thenhegavearesignedsortofsighandaddedlikeamartyr,\"Ifthosedearwomenwouldletmealone,I\'dthankthemforever。Puttheideaoutoftheirmindsforheaven\'ssake,Mac,orIshallbehavingthatpoorgirlflungatmyheadandhercomfortdestroyed。SheisafinecreatureandI\'mproudofher,butshedeservesabetterlotthantobetiedtoanoldfellowlikemewhoseonlymeritishisfidelity。\"
\"Asyouplease,Iwasonlyjoking,\"andUncleMacdroppedthesubjectwithsecretrelief。Theexcellentmanthoughtagooddealoffamilyandhadbeenratherworriedatthehintsoftheladies。Afteramoment\'ssilencehereturnedtoaformertopic,whichwasratherapetplanofhis。\"Idon\'tthinkyoudoArchiejustice,Alec。Youdon\'tknowhimaswellasIdo,butyou\'llfindthathehasheartenoughunderhiscool,quietmanner。
I\'vegrownveryfondofhim,thinkhighlyofhim,anddon\'tseehowyoucoulddobetterforRosethantogivehertohim。\"
\"Ifshewillgo,\"saidthedoctor,smilingathisbrother\'sbusinesslikewayofdisposingoftheyoungpeople。
\"She\'lldoanythingtopleaseyou,\"beganUncleMacinperfectgoodfaith,fortwenty—fiveyearsinthesocietyofaveryprosaicwifehadtakennearlyalltheromanceoutofhim。
\"Itisofnouseforustoplan,andIshallneverinterfereexcepttoadvise,andifIweretochooseoneoftheboys,Ishouldinclinetomygodson,\"answeredthedoctorgravely。
\"What,myUglyDuckling！\"exclaimedUncleMacingreatsurprise。