\"IknowonesortofpeoplewhoaregratefulandI\'mgoingtodevotemymindtothem。Theythankmeinmanyways,andhelpingthemisallpleasureandnoworry。Comeintothehospitalandseethedearbabies,ortheAsylum,andcarryorangestoPhebe\'sorphanstheydon\'tcomplainandfidgetone\'slifeout,blesstheirhearts！\"criedRose,cheeringupsuddenly。
AfterthatsheleftBuffumtomanagethe\"Retreat,\"anddevotedherenergiestothelittlefolks,alwayssoreadytoreceivethesmallestgiftandrepaythegiverwiththeirartlessthanks。Hereshefoundplentytodo,anddiditwithsuchsweetgoodwillthatshewonherwaylikesunshine,makingmanyalittleheartdanceoversplendiddolls,gaypicturebooks,andpotsofflowers,aswellasfood,fire,andclothesforthesmallbodiespinchedwithwantandpain。
Asspringcamenewplanssprangupasnaturallyasdandelions。Thepoorchildrenlongedforthecountry;and,asthegreenfieldscouldnotcometothem,Rosecarriedthemtothegreenfields。DownonthePointstoodanoldfarmhouse,oftenusedbytheCampbelltribeforsummerholidays。
Thatspringitwassettorightsunusuallyearly,severalwomeninstalledashousekeeper,cook,andnurses,andwhentheMaydaysgrewbrightandwarm,squadsofpalechildrencametotoddleinthegrass,runovertherocks,andplayuponthesmoothsandsofthebeach。Aprettysight,andonethatwellrepaidthosewhobroughtittopass。
Everyonetookaninterestinthe\"RoseGarden,\"asMacnamedit,andthewomenfolkwerecontinuallydrivingovertothePointforsomethingforthe\"poordears。\"AuntPlentysowedgingerbreadbroadcast;AuntJessiemadepinaforesbythedozenwhileAuntJane\"kepthereye\"onthenurses,andAuntMyrasuppliedmedicinessoliberallythatthemortalitywouldhavebeenawfulifDr。Alechadnottakenthemincharge。Tohimthiswasthemostdelightfulspotintheworldandwellitmightbe,forhesuggestedtheideaandgaveRoseallthecreditofit。Hewasoftenthere,andhisappearancewasalwaysgreetedwithshrieksofrapture,asthechildrengatheredfromallquarterscreeping,running,hoppingoncrutches,orcarriedinarmswhichtheygladlylefttositon\"UncleDoctor\'s\"knee,forthatwasthetitlebywhichhewentamongthem。
Heseemedasyoungasanyofhiscomrades,thoughthecurlyheadwasgettinggray,andthefrolicsthatwentonwhenhearrivedwerebetterthananymedicinetochildrenwhohadneverlearnedtoplay。Itwasastandingjokeamongthefriendsthatthebachelorbrotherhadthelargestfamilyandwasthemostdomesticmanoftheremainingfour,thoughUncleMacdidhispartmanfullyandkeptAuntJaneinaconstantfidgetbyhisrashpropositionstoadopttheheartiestboysandprettiestgirlstoamusehimandemployher。
OnoneoccasionAuntJanehadaverynarrowescape,andtheculpritbeingherson,notherhusband,shefeltfreetorepayherselfformanyscaresofthissortbyagoodscolding,which,unlikemany,producedexcellentresults。
OnebrightJuneday,asRosecamecanteringhomefromthePointonherprettybaypony,shesawamansittingonafallentreebesidetheroadandsomethinginhisdespondentattitudearrestedherattention。Asshedrewnearerheturnedhishead,andshestoppedshort,exclaimingingreatsurprise:\"Why,Mac！Whatareyoudoinghere？\"
\"Tryingtosolveaproblem,\"heanswered,lookingupwithawhimsicalexpressionofperplexityandamusementinhisfacewhichmadeRosesmiletillhisnextwordsturnedhersoberinatwinkling:\"I\'veelopedwithayounglady,anddon\'tknowwhattodowithher。Itookherhome,ofcourse,butmotherturnedheroutofthehouse,andI\'minaquandary。\"
\"Isthatherbaggage？\"askedRose,pointingwithherwhiptothelargebundlewhichheheldwhilethewildideaflashedthroughherheadthatperhapshereallyhaddonesomerashdeedofthissort。
\"No,thisistheyoungladyherself。\"And,openingacornerofthebrownshawl,hedisplayedachildofthreesopale,sothinandtinythatshelookedlikeasmallscaredbirdjustfallenfromthenestassheshrankawayfromthelightwithgreatfrightenedeyesandahandlikealittleclawtightlyclutchedabuttonofMac\'scoat。
\"Poorbaby！Wherediditcomefrom？\"criedRose,leaningdowntolook。
\"I\'lltellyouthestory,andthenyoushalladvisemewhattodo。Atourhospitalwe\'vehadapoorwomanwhogothurtanddiedtwodaysago。
Ihadnothingtodowithher,onlytookherabitoffruitonceortwice,forshehadbig,wistfulsortofeyesthathauntedme。ThedayshediedIstoppedaminute,andthenursesaidshe\'dbeenwantingtospeaktomebutdidn\'tdare。SoIaskedifIcoulddoanythingforherand,thoughshecouldhardlybreatheforpainbeingalmostgonesheimploredmetotakecareofbaby。Ifoundoutwherethechildwas,andpromisedI\'dseeafterherforthepoorsoulcouldn\'tseemtodietillI\'dgivenherthatcomfort。InevercanforgetthelookinhereyesasIheldherhandandsaid,\'Babyshallbetakencareof。\'Shetriedtothankme,anddiedsoonafterquitepeacefully。Well,Iwenttodayandhuntedupthepoorlittlewretch。Foundherinamiserableplace,leftinthecareofanoldhagwhohadshutherupalonetokeepheroutoftheway,andtherethismitewas,huddledinacorner,crying\'Marmar,marmar！\'fittotouchaheartofstone。Iblewupatthewomanandtookthebabystraightaway,forshehadbeenabused。Itwashightime。Lookthere,willyou？\"
MacturnedthelittleskinnyarmandshowedabluemarkwhichmadeRosedropherreinsandstretchoutbothhands,cryingwithatendersortofindignation:\"Howdaredtheydoit？Givehertome,poorlittlemotherlessthing！\"
Maclaidthebundleinherarms,andRosebegantocuddleitinthefond,foolishwaywomenhaveamostcomfortableandeffectiveway,neverthelessandbabyevidentlyfeltthatthingswerechangingforthebetterwhenwarmlipstouchedhercheeks,asofthandsmoothedhertumbledhair,andawomanlyfacebentoverherwiththeinarticulatecooingsandpurringsmothersmake。Thefrightenedeyeswentuptothisgentlecountenanceandrestedthereasifreassured;thelittleclawcrepttothegirl\'sneck,andpoorbabynestledtoherwithalongsighandaplaintivemurmurof\"Marmar,marmar\"thatcertainlywouldhavetouchedastonyheart。
\"Now,goon。No,Rosa,notyou,\"saidthenewnurseastheintelligentanimallookedaroundtoseeifthingswereallrightbeforesheproceeded。
\"Itookthechildhometomother,notknowingwhatelsetodo,butshewouldn\'thaveitatanyprice,evenforanight。Shedoesn\'tlikechildren,youknow,andFatherhasjokedsomuchabout\'thePointers\'thatsheisquiterampantatthemereideaofachildinthehouse。ShetoldmetotakeittotheRoseGarden。Isaiditwasrunningovernow,andnoroomevenforamitelikethis。\'GototheHospital,\'saysshe。\'Babyisn\'till,ma\'am,\'saysI。\'OrphanAsylum,\'saysshe。\'Notanorphangotafatherwhocan\'ttakecareofher,\'saysI。\'TakehertotheFoundlingplace,orMrs。Gardener,orsomeonewhosebusinessitis。Iwillnothavethecreaturehere,sickanddirtyandnoisy。Carryitback,andaskRosetotellyouwhattodowithit。\'SomycruelparentcastmeforthbutrelentedasIshoulderedbaby,gavemeashawltoputherin,ajumbletofeedherwith,andmoneytopayherboardinsomegoodplace。Mother\'sbarkisalwaysworsethanherbite,youknow。\"
\"Andyouweretryingtothinkofthe\'goodplace\'asyousathere？\"
askedRose,lookingdownathimwithgreatapprovalashestoodpattingRosa\'sglossyneck。
\"Exactly。Ididn\'twanttotroubleyou,foryouhaveyourhousefullalready,andIreallycouldn\'tlaymyhandonanygoodsoulwhowouldbebotheredwiththislittleforlornity。Shehasnothingtorecommendher,youseenotpretty;feeble;shyasamouse;noendofcare,Idaresayyetsheneedseverybitshecangettokeepsoulandbodytogether,ifI\'manyjudge。\"
Roseopenedherlipsimpulsively,butclosedthemwithoutspeakingandsataminutelookingstraightbetweenRosa\'sears,asifforcingherselftothinktwicebeforeshespoke。Macwatchedheroutofthecornerofhiseyesashesaid,inamusingtone,tuckingtheshawlaroundapairofshabbylittlefeetthewhile,\"Thisseemstobeoneofthecharitiesthatnoonewantstoundertake,yetIcan\'thelpfeelingthatmypromisetothemotherbindsmetosomethingmorethanmerelyhandingbabyovertosomebusymatronorcarelessnurseinanyofourovercrowdedinstitutions。Sheissuchafrailcreatureshewon\'ttroubleanyonelong,perhaps,andIshouldliketogiveherjustatasteofcomfort,ifnotlove,beforeshefindsher\'Marmar\'again。\"
\"LeadRosaI\'mgoingtotakethischildhome,andifUncleiswilling,I\'lladopther,andsheshallbehappy！\"criedRose,withthesuddenglowoffeelingthatalwaysmadeherlovely。Andgatheringpoorbabyclose,shewentonherwaylikeamodernBritomart,readytoredressthewrongsofanywhohadneedofher。
Asheledtheslowlysteppinghorsealongthequietroad,MaccouldnothelpthinkingthattheylookedalittleliketheFlightintoEgypt,buthedidnotsayso,beingareverentyouthonlyglancedbacknowandthenatthefigureabovehim,forRosehadtakenoffherhattokeepthelightfrombaby\'seyesandsatwiththesunshineturningheruncoveredhairtogoldasshelookeddownatthelittlecreaturerestingonthesaddlebeforeherwiththesweetthoughtfulnessoneseesinsomeofCorreggio\'syoungMadonnas。
Nooneelsesawthepicture,butMaclongrememberedit,andeveraftertherewasatouchofreverenceaddedtothewarmaffectionhehadalwaysbornehiscousinRose。
\"Whatisthechild\'sname？\"wasthesuddenquestionwhichdisturbedabriefsilence,brokenonlybythesoundofpacinghoofs,therustleofgreenboughsoverhead,andtheblithecarolingofbirds。
\"I\'msureIdon\'tknow,\"answeredMac,suddenlyawarethathehadfallenoutofonequandaryintoanother。
\"Didn\'tyouask？\"
\"No,themothercalledher\'Baby,\'andtheoldwoman,\'Brat。\'AndthatisallIknowofthefirstnamethelastisKennedy。Youmaychristenherwhatyoulike。\"
\"ThenIshallnameherDulcinea,asyouareherknight,andcallherDulceforshort。Thatisasweetdiminutive,I\'msure,\"laughedRose,muchamusedattheidea。
DonQuixotelookedpleasedandvowedtodefendhislittleladystoutly,beginninghisservicesonthespotbyfillingthesmallhandswithbuttercups,therebywinningforhimselfthefirstsmilebaby\'sfacehadknownforweeks。
WhentheygothomeAuntPlentyreceivedhernewguestwithheraccustomedhospitalityand,onlearningthestory,wasaswarmlyinterestedasevenenthusiasticRosecoulddesire,bustlingabouttomakethechildcomfortablewithanenergypleasanttosee,forthegrandmotherlyinstinctswerestrongintheoldladyandoflatehadbeenbeautifullydeveloped。
Inlessthanhalfanhourfromthetimebabywentupstairs,shecamedownagainonRose\'sarm,freshlywashedandbrushed,inapinkgownmuchtoolargeandawhiteaprondecidedlytoosmall;animmaculatepairofsocks,butnoshoes;aneatbandageonthebruisedarm,andastringofspoolsforaplaythinghangingontheother。Aresignedexpressionsatuponherlittleface,butthefrightenedeyeswereonlyshynow,andtheforlornheartevidentlymuchcomforted。
\"There！HowdoyoulikeyourDulcenow？\"saidRose,proudlydisplayingtheworkofherhandsasshecameinwithherhabitpinnedupandcarryingasilverporringerofbreadandmilk。
Mackneltdown,tookthesmall,reluctanthand,andkisseditasdevoutlyasevergoodAlonzoQuixadadidthatoftheDuchesswhilehesaid,merrilyquotingfromtheimmortalstory:\"\'HighandSovereignLady,thinetilldeath,theKnightoftheRuefulCountenance。\'\"
Butbabyhadnoheartforplayand,withdrawingherhand,pointedtotheporringerwiththesuggestiveremark:\"Din—din,now。\"
SoRosesatdownandfedtheDuchesswhiletheDonstoodbyandwatchedthefeastwithmuchsatisfaction。
\"Howniceshelooks！Doyouconsidershoesunhealthy？\"heasked,surveyingthesockswithrespectfulinterest。
\"No,hershoesaredrying。Youmusthavelethergointhemud。\"
\"Ionlyputherdownforaminutewhenshehowled,andshemadeforapuddle,likeaduck。I\'llbuyhersomenewonesclothestoo。WheredoIgo,whatdoIaskfor,andhowmuchdoIget？\"hesaid,divingforhispocketbook,amiablyanxiousbutpitiablyignorant。
\"I\'llseetothat。WealwayshavethingsonhandforthePointersastheycomealongandcansoonfitDulceout。Youmaymakesomeinquiriesaboutthefatherifyouwill,forIdon\'twanttohavehertakenawayjustasIgetfondofher。Doyouknowanythingabouthim？\"
\"OnlythatheisinStatePrisonfortwenty—oneyears,andnotlikelytotroubleyou。\"
\"Howdreadful！IreallythinkPhebewasbetterofftohavenoneatall。
I\'llgotoworkatonce,then,andtrytobringuptheconvict\'slittledaughtertobeagoodwomansothatshewillhaveanhonestnameofherown,sincehehasnothingbutdisgracetogiveher。\"
\"Unclecanshowyouhowtodothatifyouneedanyhelp。Hehasbeensosuccessfulinhisfirstattempt,Ifancyyouwon\'trequiremuch,\"saidMac,pickingupthespoolsforthesixthtime。
\"Yes,Ishall,foritisagreatresponsibility,andIdonotundertakeitlightly,\"answeredRosesoberly,thoughthedouble—barreledcomplimentpleasedherverymuch。
\"I\'msurePhebehasturnedoutsplendidly,andyoubeganveryearlywithher。\"
\"SoIdid！That\'sencouraging。Dearthing,howbewilderedshelookedwhenIproposedadoptingher。Irememberallaboutit,forUnclehadjustcomeandIwasquitecrazyoveraboxofpresentsandrushedatPhebeasshewascleaningbrasses。HowlittleIthoughtmychildishofferwouldendsowell！\"AndRosefella—musingwithahappysmileonherfacewhilebabypickedthelastmorselsoutoftheporringerwithherownbusyfingers。
Itcertainlyhadendedwell,forPhebeattheendofsixmonthsnotonlyhadagoodplaceaschoirsingerbutseveralyoungpupilsandexcellentprospectsforthenextwinter。\"Accepttheblessingofapooryoungman,Whoseluckystepshaveledhimtoyourdoor,andletmehelpasmuchasIcan。Good—bye,myDulcinea。\"And,withafarewellstrokeofthesmoothhead,Macwentawaytoreporthissuccesstohismother,who,inspiteofherseemingharshness,wasalreadyplanninghowshecouldbestbefriendthisinconvenientbaby。Chapter17。Chapter17。17AMONGTHEHAYCOCKSUncleAlecdidnotobjectand,findingthatnoonehadanyclaimuponthechild,permittedRosetokeepitforatimeatleast。SolittleDulce,newlyequippedeventoaname,tookherplaceamongthemandslowlybegantothrive。Butshedidnotgrowprettyandneverwasagay,attractivechild,forsheseemedtohavebeenborninsorrowandbroughtupinmisery。
Apale,pensivelittlecreature,alwayscreepingintocornersandlookingtimidlyout,asifaskingleavetolive,and,whenofferedplaythings,takingthemwithameeksurprisethatwasverytouching。
Rosesoonwonherheart,andthenalmostwishedshehadnot,forbabyclungtoherwithinconvenientfondness,changingherformerwailof\"Marmar\"
intoalamentfor\"AuntyWose\"ifseparatedlong。Nevertheless,therewasgreatsatisfactionincherishingthelittlewaif,forshelearnedmorethanshecouldteachandfeltasenseofresponsibilitywhichwasexcellentballastforherenthusiasticnature。
KittyVan,whomadeRosehermodelinallthings,wasimmediatelyinspiredtogoanddolikewise,tothegreatamusementaswellasannoyanceofherfamily。Selectingtheprettiest,liveliestchildintheAsylum,shetookithomeontrialforaweek。\"Aperfectcherub\"shepronounceditthefirstday,butan\"enfantterrible\"beforetheweekwasover,fortheyoungheroriotedbyday,howledbynight,ravagedthehousefromtoptobottom,andkepthisguardiansinaseriesofpanicsbyhishairbreadthescapes。SoearlyonSaturday,poorexhaustedKittyrestoredthe\"cherub\"
withmanythanks,anddecidedtowaituntilherviewsofeducationwererathermoreadvanced。
Asthewarmweathercameon,RoseannouncedthatDulceneededmountainair,forshedutifullyrepeatedasmanyofDr。Alec\'sprescriptionsaspossibleand,rememberinghowmuchgoodCozyCornerdidherlongago,resolvedtotryitonherbaby。AuntJessieandJamiewentwithher,andMotherAtkinsonreceivedthemascordiallyasever。Theprettydaughterswereallmarriedandgone,butastoutdamseltooktheirplace,andnothingseemedchangedexceptthattheoldheadsweregrayerandtheyoungonesagooddealtallerthansixyearsago。
Jamieimmediatelyfraternizedwithneighboringboysanddevotedhimselftofishingwithanardorwhichdeservedgreatersuccess。AuntJessiereveledinreading,forwhichshehadnotimeathome,andlayinherhammockahappywoman,withnosockstodarn,buttonstosew,orhousekeepingcarestovexhersoul。
RosewentaboutwithDulcelikeaverydevotedhenwithoneratherfeeblechicken,forshewasanxioustohavethistreatmentworkwellandtendedherlittlepatientwithdailyincreasingsatisfaction。Dr。Aleccameuptopassafewdaysandpronouncedthechildinamostpromisingcondition。
ButthegrandeventoftheseasonwastheunexpectedarrivalofPhebe。
Twoofherpupilshadinvitedhertojointheminatriptothemountains,andsheranawayfromthegreathoteltosurpriseherlittlemistresswithasightofher,sowellandhappythatRosehadnoanxietyleftonheraccount。
Threedelightfuldaystheyspent,roamingabouttogether,talkingasonlygirlscantalkafteralongseparation,andenjoyingoneanotherlikeapairoflovers。Asiftomakeitquiteperfect,byoneofthoseremarkablecoincidenceswhichsometimesoccur,ArchiehappenedtorunupfortheSunday,soPhebehadhersurprise,andAuntJessieandthetelegraphkepttheirsecretsowell,nooneeverknewwhatmaternalmachinationsbroughtthehappyaccidenttopass。
ThenRosesawaverypretty,pastoralbitoflovemaking,andlongafteritwasover,andPhebegoneoneway,Archieanother,theechoofsweetwordsseemedtolingerintheair,tenderghoststohauntthepinegrove,andeventhebigcoffeepothadahaloofromanceaboutit,foritsburnishedsidesreflectedthesoftglancestheloversinterchangedasonefilledtheother\'scupatthatlastbreakfast。
Rosefoundthesereminiscencesmoreinterestingthananynovelshehadread,andoftenbeguiledherlongleisurebyplanningasplendidfutureforherPhebeasshetrottedaboutafterherbabyinthelovelyJulyweather。
Ononeofthemostperfectdaysshesatunderanoldappletreeontheslopebehindthehousewheretheyusedtoplay。Beforeheropenedthewideintervale,dottedwithhaymakersattheirpicturesquework。Ontheleftflowedtheswiftriverfringedwithgracefulelmsintheirbravestgreenery;
ontherightrosethepurplehillssereneandgrand;andoverheadglowedthemidsummersky,whichglorifieditall。
LittleDulce,tiredofplay,layfastasleepinthenestshehadmadeinoneofthehaycockscloseby,andRoseleanedagainstthegnarledoldtree,dreamingdaydreamswithherworkatherfeet。Happyandabsorbingfanciestheyseemedtobe,forherfacewasbeautifullytranquil,andshetooknoheedofthetrainwhichsuddenlywentspeedingdownthevalley,leavingawhitecloudbehind。Itsrumbleconcealedthesoundofapproachingsteps,andhereyesneverturnedfromthedistanthillstilltheabruptappearanceofaverysunburnedbutsmilingyoungmanmadeherjumpup,exclaimingjoyfully:\"Why,Mac！Wheredidyoudropfrom？\"
\"ThetopofMountWashington。Howdoyoudo？\"
\"Neverbetter。Won\'tyougoin？Youmustbetiredaftersuchafall。\"
\"No,thankyou。I\'veseentheoldlady。ShetoldmeAuntJessieandtheboyhadgonetotownandthatyouwere\'settin\'round\'intheoldplace。
Icameonatonceandwilltakealoungehereifyoudon\'tmind,\"answeredMac,unstrappinghisknapsackandtakingahaycockasifitwereachair。
Rosesubsidedintoherformerseat,surveyinghercousinwithmuchsatisfactionasshesaid:\"ThisisthethirdsurpriseI\'vehadsinceIcame。Unclepoppedinuponusfirst,thenPhebe,andnowyou。Haveyouhadapleasanttramp？
Unclesaidyouwereoff。\"
\"Delightful！IfeelasifI\'dbeeninheaven,ornearit,foraboutthreeweeks,andthoughtI\'dbreaktheshockofcomingdowntotheearthbycallinghereonmywayhome。\"
\"Youlookasifheavensuitedyou。Brownasaberry,butsofreshandhappyIshouldneverguessyouhadbeenscramblingdownamountain,\"saidRose,tryingtodiscoverwhyhelookedsowellinspiteoftheblueflannelsuitanddustyshoes,fortherewasacertainsylvanfreshnessabouthimashesattherefullofreposefulstrengththehillsseemedtohavegiven,thewholesomecheerfuldaysofairandsunshineputintoaman,andtheclear,brightlookofonewhohadcaughtglimpsesofanewworldfromthemountaintop。
\"Trampingagreeswithme。ItookadipintheriverasIcamealongandmademytoiletinaplacewhereMilton\'sSabrinamighthavelived,\"
hesaid,shakingbackhisdamphairandsettlingtheknotofscarletbunchberriesstuckinhisbuttonhole。
\"Youlookasifyoufoundthenymphathome,\"saidRose,knowinghowmuchhelikedthe\"Comus。\"
\"Ifoundherhere,\"andhemadealittlebow。
\"That\'sverypretty,andI\'llgiveyouoneinreturn。YougrowmorelikeUncleAleceveryday,andIthinkI\'llcallyouAlec,Jr。\"
\"AlexandertheGreatwouldn\'tthankyouforthat,\"andMacdidnotlookasgratefulasshehadexpected。
\"Verylike,indeed,excepttheforehead。Hisisbroadandbenevolent,yourshighandarched。Doyouknowifyouhadnobeard,andworeyourhairlong,Ireallythinkyou\'dlooklikeMilton,\"addedRose,surethatwouldpleasehim。
Itcertainlydidamusehim,forhelaybackonthehayandlaughedsoheartilythathismerrimentscaredthesquirrelonthewallandwokeDulce。
\"Youungratefulboy！Willnothingsuityou？WhenIsayyoulooklikethebestmanIknow,yougaveashrug,andwhenIlikenyoutoagreatpoet,youshout。I\'mafraidyouareveryconceited,Mac。\"AndRoselaughed,too,gladtoseehimsogay。
\"IfIam,itisyourfault。NothingIcandowillevermakeaMiltonofme,unlessIgoblindsomeday,\"hesaid,soberingatthethought。
\"Youoncesaidamancouldbewhathelikedifhetriedhardenough,sowhyshouldn\'tyoubeapoet？\"askedRose,likingtotriphimupwithhisownwords,asheoftendidher。
\"IthoughtIwastobeanM。D。\"
\"Youmightbeboth。Therehavebeenpoeticaldoctors,youknow。\"
\"Wouldyoulikemetobesuchaone？\"askedMac,lookingatherasseriouslyasifhereallythoughtoftryingit。
\"No。I\'dratherhaveyouoneortheother。Idon\'tcarewhich,onlyyoumustbefamousineitheryouchoose。I\'mveryambitiousforyou,because,Iinsistuponit,youareageniusofsomesort。Ithinkitisbeginningtosimmeralready,andI\'vegotagreatcuriositytoknowwhatitwillturnouttobe。\"
Mac\'seyesshoneasshesaidthat,butbeforehecouldspeakalittlevoicesaid,\"AuntyWose！\"andheturnedtofindDulcesittingupinherneststaringatthebroadbluebackbeforeherwithroundeyes。
\"DoyouknowyourDon？\"heasked,offeringhishandwithrespectfulgentleness,forsheseemedalittledoubtfulwhetherhewasafriendorstranger。
\"Itis\'Mat,\'\"saidRose,andthatfamiliarwordseemedtoreassurethechildatonce,for,leaningforward,shekissedhimasifquiteusedtodoingit。
\"Ipickedupsometoysforher,bytheway,andsheshallhavethematoncetopayforthat。Ididn\'texpecttobesograciouslyreceivedbythisshymouse,\"saidMac,muchgratified,forDulcewasverycharyofherfavors。
\"Sheknewyou,forIalwayscarrymyhomealbumwithme,andwhenshecomestoyourpictureshealwayskissesit,becauseIneverwanthertoforgetherfirstfriend,\"explainedRose,pleasedwithherpupil。
\"First,butnotbest,\"answeredMac,rummaginginhisknapsackforthepromisedtoys,whichhesetforthuponthehaybeforedelightedDulce。
Neitherpicturebooksnorsweeties,butberriesstrungonlongstemsofgrass,acorns,andprettycones,bitsofrockshiningwithmica,severalbluebirds\'feathers,andanestofmosswithwhitepebblesforeggs。
\"DearestNature,strongandkind\"knowswhatchildrenlove,andhasplentyofsuchplaythingsreadyforthemall,ifoneonlyknowshowtofindthem。Thesewerereceivedwithrapture。Andleavingthelittlecreaturetoenjoytheminherownquietway,Macbegantotumblethethingsbackintohisknapsackagain。TwoorthreebookslaynearRose,andshetookuponewhichopenedataplacemarkedbyascribbledpaper。
\"Keats？Ididn\'tknowyoucondescendedtoreadanythingsomodern,\"
shesaid,movingthepapertoseethepagebeneath。
Maclookedup,snatchedthebookoutofherhand,andshookdownseveralmorescraps,thenreturneditwithacuriouslyshamefacedexpression,saying,ashecrammedthepapersintohispocket,\"Ibegpardon,butitwasfullofrubbish。Oh,yes！I\'mfondofKeats。Don\'tyouknowhim？\"
\"Iusedtoreadhimagooddeal,butUnclefoundmecryingoverthe\'PotofBasil\'andadvisedmetoreadlesspoetryforawhileorIshouldgettoosentimental,\"answeredRose,turningthepageswithoutseeingthem,foranewideahadjustpoppedintoherhead。
\"\'TheEveofSt。Agnes\'isthemostperfectlovestoryintheworld,Ithink,\"
saidMac,enthusiastically。
\"Readittome。Ifeeljustlikehearingpoetry,andyouwilldoitjusticeifyouarefondofit,\"saidRose,handinghimthebookwithaninnocentair。
\"NothingI\'dlikebetter,butitisratherlong。\"
\"I\'lltellyoutostopifIgettired。Babywon\'tinterrupt;shewillbecontentedforanhourwiththoseprettythings。\"
Asifwellpleasedwithhistask,Maclaidhimselfcomfortablyonthegrassand,leaninghisheadonhishand,readthelovelystoryasonlyonecouldwhoenteredfullyintothespiritofit。Rosewatchedhimcloselyandsawhowhisfacebrightenedoversomequaintfancy,delicatedescription,ordeliciousword;heardhowsmoothlythemelodiousmeasuresfellfromhislips,andreadsomethingmorethanadmirationinhiseyesashelookedupnowandthentomarkifsheenjoyeditasmuchashe。
Shecouldnothelpenjoyingit,forthepoet\'spenpaintedaswellaswrote,andthelittleromancelivedbeforeher,butshewasnotthinkingofJohnKeatsasshelistened;shewaswonderingifthiscousinwasakindredspirit,borntomakesuchmusicandleaveassweetanechobehindhim。
Itseemedasifitmightbe;and,aftergoingthroughtheroughcaterpillarandthepent—upchrysalischanges,thebeautifulbutterflywouldappeartoastonishanddelightthemall。Sofullofthisfancywasshethatsheneverthankedhimwhenthestoryendedbut,leaningforward,askedinatonethatmadehimstartandlookasifhehadfallenfromtheclouds:
\"Mac,doyoueverwritepoetry？\"
\"Never。\"
\"WhatdoyoucallthesongPhebesangwithherbirdchorus？\"
\"Thatwasnothingtillsheputthemusictoit。Butshepromisednottotell。\"
\"Shedidn\'t。Isuspected,andnowIknow,\"laughedRose,delightedtohavecaughthim。
Muchdiscomfited,MacgavepoorKeatsaflingand,leaningonbothelbows,triedtohidehisfaceforithadreddenedlikethatofamodestgirlwhenteasedaboutherlover。
\"Youneedn\'tlooksoguilty;itisnosintowritepoetry,\"saidRose,amusedathisconfession。
\"It\'sasintocallthatrubbishpoetry,\"mutteredMacwithgreatscorn。
\"Itisagreatersintotellafibandsayyouneverwriteit。\"
\"Readingsomuchsetsonethinkingaboutsuchthings,andeveryfellowscribblesalittlejinglewhenheislazyorinlove,youknow,\"explainedMac,lookingveryguilty。
Rosecouldnotquiteunderstandthechangeshesawinhimtillhislastwordssuggestedacausewhichsheknewbyexperiencewasapttoinspireyoungmen。Leaningforwardagain,sheaskedsolemnly,thoughhereyesdancedwithfun,\"Mac,areyouinlove？\"
\"DoIlooklikeit？\"Andhesatupwithsuchaninjuredandindignantfacethatsheapologizedatonce,forhecertainlydidnotlookloverlikewithhayseedinhishair,severallivelycricketsplayingleapfrogoverhisback,andapairoflonglegsstretchingfromtreetohaycock。
\"No,youdon\'t,andIhumblybegyourpardonformakingsuchanunwarrantableinsinuation。ItmerelyoccurredtomethatthegeneralupliftednessIobserveinyoumightbeowingtothat,sinceitwasn\'tpoetry。\"
\"ItisthegoodcompanyI\'vebeenkeeping,ifanything。Afellowcan\'tspend\'AWeek\'withThoreauandnotbethebetterforit。I\'mgladIshowit,becauseinthescramblelifeistomostofus,evenanhourwithsuchasane,simple,andsagacioussoulashismusthelpone,\"saidMac,takingamuchwornbookoutofhispocketwiththeairofintroducingadearandhonoredfriend。