第2章

Asifhesuspecteddiscordsomewhere,Dr。Alecproposedmusicatthiscrisis,andtheyoungpeoplefeltthatitwasahappythought。

"Iwantyoutohearbothmybirds,fortheyhaveimprovedimmensely,andIamveryproudofthem,"saidthedoctor,twirlingupthestoolandpullingouttheoldmusicbooks。

"Ihadbettercomefirst,forafteryouhaveheardthenightingaleyouwon"tcareforthecanary,"addedRose,wishingtoputPhebeatherease,forshesatamongthemlookinglikeapicture,butrathershyandsilent,rememberingthedayswhenherplacewasinthekitchen。

"I"llgiveyousomeofthedearoldsongsyouusedtolikesomuch。

Thiswasafavorite,Ithink,"andsittingdownshesangthefirstfamiliarairthatcame,andsangitwellinapleasant,butbynomeansfinished,manner。

Itchancedtobe"TheBirksofAberfeldie,"andvividlyrecalledthetimewhenMacwasillandshetookcareofhim。Thememorywassweettoher,andinvoluntarilyhereyewanderedinsearchofhim。Hewasnotfaraway,sittingjustasheusedtositwhenshesoothedhismostdespondentmoods­astrideofachairwithhisheaddownonhisarms,asifthesongsuggestedtheattitude。Herheartquitesoftenedtohimasshelooked,andshedecidedtoforgivehimifnooneelse,forshewassurethathehadnomercenaryplansabouthertiresomemoney。

Charliehadassumedapensiveairandfixedhisfineeyesuponherwithanexpressionoftenderadmiration,whichmadeherlaughinspiteofallhereffortstoseemunconsciousofit。Shewasbothamusedandannoyedathisveryevidentdesiretoremindherofcertainsentimentalpassagesinthelastyearoftheirgirl—andboy—hood,andtochangewhatshehadconsideredachildishjokeintoromanticearnest。Rosehadveryseriousideasofloveandhadnointentionofbeingbeguiledintoevenaflirtationwithherhandsomecousin。

SoCharlieattitudinizedunnoticedandwasgettingratheroutoftemperwhenPhebebegantosing,andheforgotallabouthimselfinadmirationofher。Ittookeveryonebysurprise,fortwoyearsofforeigntrainingaddedtoseveralathomehadworkedwonders,andthebeautifulvoicethatusedtowarblecheerilyoverpotsandkettlesnowrangoutmelodiouslyormeltedtoamellowmusicthatwokeasympatheticthrillinthosewholistened。Roseglowedwithprideassheaccompaniedherfriend,forPhebewasinherownworldnow­alovelyworldwherenodepressingmemoryofpoorhouseorkitchen,ignoranceorloneliness,cametotroubleher,ahappyworldwhereshecouldbeherselfandruleothersbythemagicofhersweetgift。

Yes,Phebewasherselfnow,andshoweditinthechangethatcameoverheratthefirstnoteofmusic。Nolongershyandsilent,nolongertheimageofahandsomegirlbutabloomingwoman,aliveandfulloftheeloquenceherartgaveher,asshelaidherhandssoftlytogether,fixedhereyeonthelight,andjustpouredouthersongassimplyandjoyfullyasthelarkdoessoaringtowardthesun。

"Myfaith,Alec­that"sthesortofvoicethatwinsaman"sheartoutofhisbreast！"exclaimedUncleMac,wipinghiseyesafteroneoftheplaintiveballadsthatnevergrowold。

"Soitwould！"answeredDr。Alecdelightedly。

"Soithas,"addedArchietohimself;andhewasright,forjustatthatmomenthefellinlovewithPhebe。Heactuallydid,andcouldfixthetimealmosttoasecond,forataquarterpastnine,hemerelythoughtheraverycharmingyoungperson;attwentyminutespast,heconsideredhertheloveliestwomanheeverbeheld;atfiveandtwentyminutespast,shewasanangelsinginghissoulaway;andathalfafterninehewasalostman,floatingoveradeliciousseatothattemporaryheavenonearthwhereloversusuallylandafterthefirstrapturousplunge。

Ifanyonehadmentionedthisastonishingfact,nobodywouldhavebelievedit;nevertheless,itwasquitetrue,andsober,businesslikeArchiesuddenlydiscoveredafundofromanceatthebottomofhishithertowell—conductedheartthatamazedhim。Hewasnotquiteclearwhathadhappenedtohimatfirst,andsataboutinadazedsortofway,seeing,hearing,knowingnothingbutPhebe,whiletheunconsciousidolfoundsomethingwantinginthecordialpraisesomodestlyreceivedbecauseMr。Archieneversaidaword。

Thiswasoneoftheremarkablethingswhichoccurredthatevening。AnotherwasthatMacpaidRoseacompliment,whichwassuchanunprecedentedfact,itproducedagreatsensation,thoughonlyonepersonheardit。

EverybodyhadgonebutMacandhisfather,whowasbusywiththedoctor。

AuntPlentywascountingtheteaspoonsinthediningroom,andPhebewashelpingherasofold。MacandRosewerealone­heapparentlyinabrownstudy,leaninghiselbowsonthechimneypiece,andshelyingbackinalowchairlookingthoughtfullyatthefire。Shewastired,andthequietwasgratefultoher,soshekeptsilenceandMacrespectfullyheldhistongue。Presently,however,shebecameconsciousthathewaslookingatherasintentlyaseyesandglassescoulddoit,andwithoutstirringfromhercomfortableattitude,shesaid,smilingupathim,"Helooksaswiseasanowl­Iwonderwhathe"sthinkingabout？"

"You,Cousin。"

"Somethinggood,Ihope？"

"IwasthinkingLeighHuntwasaboutrightwhenhesaid,"AgirlisthesweetestthingGodevermade。""

"Why,Mac！"andRosesatboltuprightwithanastonishedface­thiswassuchanentirelyunexpectedsortofremarkforthephilosophertomake。

Evidentlyinterestedinthenewdiscovery,Macplacidlycontinued,"Doyouknow,itseemsasifIneverreallysawagirlbefore,orhadanyideawhatagreeablecreaturestheycouldbe。Ifancyyouarearemarkablygoodspecimen,Rose。"

"No,indeed！I"monlyheartyandhappy,andbeingsafeathomeagainmaymakemelookbetterthanusualperhaps,butI"mnobeautyexcepttoUncle。"

""Heartyandhappy"­thatmustbeit,"echoedMac,soberlyinvestigatingtheproblem。"Mostgirlsaresicklyorsilly,IthinkIhaveobserved,andthatisprobablywhyIamsostruckwithyou。"

"Ofallthequeerboysyouarethequeerest！Doyoureallymeanthatyoudon"tlikeornoticegirls？"askedRose,muchamusedatthisnewpeculiarityofherstudiouscousin。

"Well,no,Iamonlyconsciousoftwosorts­noisyandquietones。

Ipreferthelatter,but,asageneralthing,Idon"tnoticeanyofthemmuchmorethanIdoflies,unlesstheybotherme,thenI"dliketoflapthemaway,butasthatwon"tdo,Ihide。"

Roseleanedbackandlaugheduntilhereyeswerefull。ItwassocomicaltohearMacsinkhisvoicetoaconfidentialwhisperatthelastwordsandseehimsmilewithsinfulsatisfactionatthememoryofthetormentorshehadeluded。

"Youneedn"tlaugh­it"safact,Iassureyou。Charlielikesthecreatures,andtheyspoilhim。Stevefollowssuit,ofcourse。Archieisarespectfulslavewhenhecan"thelphimself。Asforme,Idon"toftengivethemachance,andwhenIgetcaughtItalkscienceanddeadlanguagestilltheyrunfortheirlives。NowandthenIfindasensibleone,andthenwegetonexcellently。"

"AsadprospectforPhebeandme,"sighedRose,tryingtokeepsober。

"Phebeisevidentlyaquietone。Iknowsheissensible,oryouwouldn"tcareforher。Icanseethatsheispleasanttolookat,soIfancyIshalllikeher。Asforyou,Ihelpedbringyouup,thereforeIamalittleanxioustoseehowyouturnout。Iwasafraidyourforeignpolishmightspoilyou,butIthinkithasnot。Infact,Ifindyouquitesatisfactorysofar,ifyoudon"tmindmysayingit。Idon"tquiteknowwhatthecharmis,though。

Mustbethepowerofinwardgraces,sinceyouinsistthatyouhavenoouterones。"

Macwaspeeringatherwithashrewdsmileonhislips,butsuchakindlylookbehindtheglassesthatshefoundbothwordsandglanceverypleasantandansweredmerrily,"Iamgladyouapproveofme,andmuchobligedforyourcareofmyearlyyouth。Ihopetobeacredittoyouanddependonyourkeepingmestraight,forI"mafraidIshallbespoiltamongyouall。"

"I"llkeepmyeyeonyouupononecondition,"repliedtheyouthfulmentor。

"Nameit。"

"Ifyouaregoingtohavealotofloversaround,Iwashmyhandsofyou。Ifnot,I"myourman。"

"Youmustbesheepdogandhelpkeepthemaway,forIdon"twantanyyetawhileand,betweenourselves,Idon"tbelieveIshallhaveanyifitisknownthatIamstrong—minded。Thatfactwillscaremostmenawaylikeayellowflag,"saidRose,for,thankstoDr。Alec"sguardianship,shehadwastedneitherheartnortimeinthefoolishflirtationssomanygirlsfritterawaytheiryouthupon。

"Hum！Iratherdoubtthat,"mutteredMacashesurveyedthedamselbeforehim。

Shecertainlydidnotlookunpleasantlystrong—minded,andshewasbeautifulinspiteofhermodestdenials。Beautifulwiththetruestsortofbeauty,fornobilityofcharacterlentitssubtlecharmtothebloomofyouth,thefreshnessofhealth,theinnocenceofanaturewhosesweetmaidenlinessMacfeltbutcouldnotdescribe。Gentleyetfullofspirit,andallaglowwiththeearnestnessthatsuggestslovelypossibilitiesandmakesonehopethatsuchhumanflowersmayhaveheaven"spurestairandwarmestsunshinetoblossomin。

"Waitandsee,"answeredRose;then,asheruncle"svoicewasheardinthehall,sheheldoutherhand,addingpleasantly,"Theoldtimesaretobeginagain,socomesoonandtellmeallyourdoingsandhelpmewithminejustasyouusedtodo。"

"Youreallymeanit？"AndMaclookedmuchpleased。

"Ireallydo。Youaresolittlealtered,excepttogrowbig,thatI

don"tfeelatallstrangewithyouandwanttobeginwhereweleftoff。"

"Thatwillbecapital。Goodnight,Cousin,"andtohergreatamazement,hegaveheraheartykiss。

"Oh,butthatisnottheoldwayatall！"criedRose,steppingbackinmerryconfusionwhiletheaudaciousyouthassumedanairofmildsurpriseasheinnocentlyasked:"Didn"twealwayssaygoodnightinthatway？I

hadanimpressionthatwedidandweretobeginjustasweleftoff。"

"Ofcoursenot。Nopoweronearthwouldhavebribedyoutodoit,asyouknowwellenough。Idon"tmindthefirstnight,butwearetoooldforthatsortofthingnow。"

"I"llremember。Itwastheforceofhabit,Isuppose,forI"msureI

musthavedoneitinformertimes,itseemedsonatural。Coming,Father！"

andMacretired,evidentlyconvincedhewasright。

"Dearoldthing！Heisasmuchaboyasever,andthatissuchacomfort,forsomeoftheothershavegrownupveryfast,"saidRosetoherself,recallingCharlie"ssentimentalairsandArchie"sbeatifiedexpressionwhilePhebesang。Chapter2。Chapter2。2OLDFRIENDSWITHNEWFACES"Itissogoodtobehomeagain！Iwonderhowweevermadeupourmindstogoaway！"exclaimedRoseasshewentroamingabouttheoldhousenextmorning,fullofthesatisfactiononefeelsatrevisitingfamiliarnooksandcornersandfindingthemunchanged。

"Thatwemighthavethepleasureofcomingbackagain,"answeredPhebe,walkingdownthehallbesideherlittlemistress,ashappyasshe。

"Everythingseemsjustasweleftit,eventotheroseleavesweusedtotuckinhere,"continuedtheyoungergirl,peepingintooneofthetallIndiajarsthatstoodaboutthehall。

"Don"tyourememberhowJamieandPokeyusedtoplayFortyThieveswiththem,andhowyoutriedtogetintothatblueoneandgotstuck,andtheotherboysfoundusbeforeIcouldpullyouout？"askedPhebe,laughing。

"Yes,indeed,andspeakingofangels,oneisapttoheartherustlingoftheirwings,"addedRose,asashrillwhistlecameuptheavenueaccompaniedbytheclatterofhoofs。

"Itisthecircus！"criedPhebegailyastheybothrecalledtheredcartandthechargeoftheclan。

Therewasonlyoneboynow,alas,buthemadenoiseenoughforhalfadozen,andbeforeRosecouldruntothedoor,Jamiecamebouncinginwitha"shiningmorningface,"abatoverhisshoulder,aredandwhitejockeycaponhishead,onepocketbulgingwithabigball,theotheroverflowingwithcookies,andhismouthfulloftheapplehewasjustfinishingoffinhothaste。

"Morning！Ijustlookedintomakesureyou"dreallycomeandseethatyouwereallright,"heobserved,salutingwithbatanddoffingthegaycapwithoneeffectivetwitch。

"Goodmorning,dear。Yes,wereallyarehere,andgettingtorightsasfastaspossible。Butitseemstomeyouarerathergorgeous,Jamie。

Whatdoyoubelongto­afirecompanyorajockeyclub？"askedRose,turninguptheoncechubbyface,whichnowwasgettingbrownandsquareaboutthechin。

"No,ma"am！Why,don"tyouknow？I"mcaptainoftheBaseBallStarClub。Lookatthat,willyou？"And,asifthefactwereoneofnationalimportance,Jamieflungopenhisjackettodisplayuponhisproudlyswellingchestanheart—shapedredflannelshielddecoratedwithawhitecottonstarthesizeofateaplate。

"Superb！I"vebeenawaysolongIforgottherewassuchagame。Andyouthecaptain？"criedRose,deeplyimpressedbythehighhonortowhichherkinsmanhadarrived。

"Ijustam,andit"snojokeyou"dbetterbelieve,forweknockourteethout,blackoureyes,andsplitourfingersalmostaswellasthebigfellows。YoucomedowntotheCommonbetweenoneandtwoandseeusplayamatch,thenyou"llunderstandwhathardworkitis。I"llteachyoutobatnowifyou"llcomeoutonthelawn,"addedJamie,firedwithawishtoexhibithisprowess。

"No,thankyou,captain。Thegrassiswet,andyou"llbelateatschoolifyoustayforus。"

"I"mnotafraid。Girlsarenotgoodformuchgenerally,butyouneverusedtomindalittlewetandplayedcricketlikeagoodone。Can"tyoueverdothatsortofthingnow？"askedtheboy,withapityinglookatthesehaplesscreaturesdebarredfromthejoysandperilsofmanlysports。

"Icanrunstill­andI"llgettothegatebeforeyou,seeifIdon"t。"

And,yieldingtotheimpulseofthemoment,RosedarteddownthestepsbeforeastonishedJamiecouldmountandfollow。

Hewasoffinamoment,butRosehadthestart,andthougholdSheltiedidhisbest,shereachedthegoaljustahead,andstoodtherelaughingandpanting,allrosywithfreshOctoberair,aprettypictureforseveralgentlemenwhoweredrivingby。

"Goodforyou,Rose！"saidArchie,jumpingouttoshakehandswhileWillandGeordiesalutedandUncleMaclaughedatJamie,wholookedasifgirlshadrisenslightlyinhisopinion。

"I"mgladitisyou,becauseyouwon"tbeshocked。ButI"msohappytobebackIforgotIwasnotlittleRosestill,"saidAtalanta,smoothingdownherflyinghair。

"Youlookverylikeher,withthecurlsonyourshouldersintheoldway。Imissedthemlastnightandwonderedwhatitwas。HowareUncleandPhebe？"askedArchie,whoseeyeshadbeenlookingoverRose"sheadwhilehespoketowardthepiazza,whereafemalefigurewasvisibleamongthereddeningwoodbines。

"Allwell,thanks。Won"tyoucomeupandseeforyourselves？"

"Can"t,mydear,can"tpossibly。Business,youknow,business。Thisfellowismyright—handman,andIcan"tsparehimaminute。Come,Arch,wemustbeoff,ortheseboyswillmisstheirtrain,"answeredUncleMac,pullingouthiswatch。

Withalastlookfromthelight—hairedfigureatthegatetothedark—hairedoneamongthevines,ArchiedroveawayandJamiecanteredafter,consolinghimselfforhisdefeatwithapplenumbertwo。

Roselingeredamoment,feelingmuchinclinedtocontinueherrunandpopinuponalltheauntsinsuccession,but,rememberingheruncoveredhead,wasabouttoturnbackwhenacheerful"Ahoy！ahoy！"madeherlookuptoseeMacapproachingatagreatpace,wavinghishatashecame。

"TheCampbellsarecoming,thickandfastthismorning,andthemorethemerrier,"shesaid,runningtomeethim。"Youlooklikeagoodboygoingtoschool,andvirtuouslyconningyourlessonbytheway,"sheadded,smilingtoseehimtakehisfingeroutofthebookhehadevidentlybeenreading,andtuckitunderhisarm,justasheusedtodoyearsago。

"Iamaschoolboy,goingtotheschoolIlikebest,"heanswered,wavingaplumysprayofastersasifpointingoutthelovelyautumnworldaboutthem,fullofgayhues,freshairs,andmellowsunshine。

"ThatremindsmethatIdidn"tgetachancetohearmuchaboutyourplanslastnight­theotherboysalltalkedatonce,andyouonlygotawordnowandthen。Whathaveyoudecidedtobe,Mac？"askedRoseastheywentuptheavenuesidebyside。

"Amanfirst,andagoodoneifpossible。Afterthat,whatGodpleases。"

Somethinginthetone,aswellasthewords,madeRoselookupquicklyintoMac"sfacetoseeanewexpressionthere。Itwasindescribable,butshefeltasshehadoftendonewhenwatchingthemistspartsuddenly,givingglimpsesofsomemountaintop,shiningsereneandhighagainsttheblue。

"Ithinkyouwillbesomethingsplendid,foryoureallylookquiteglorified,walkingunderthisarchofyellowleaveswiththesunshineonyourface,"sheexclaimed,consciousofasuddenadmirationneverfeltbefore,forMacwastheplainestofallthecousins。

"Idon"tknowaboutthat,butIhavemydreamsandaspirations,andsomeofthemareprettyhighones。Aimatthebest,youknow,andkeepclimbingifyouwanttogeton,"hesaid,lookingattheasterswithaninwardsortofsmile,asifheandtheyhadsomesweetsecretbetweenthem。

"Youarequeererthanever。ButIlikeyourambition,andhopeyouwillgeton。Onlymustn"tyoubeginatsomethingsoon？IfanciedyouwouldstudymedicinewithUncle­thatusedtobeourplan,youknow。"

"Ishall,forthepresentatleast,becauseIquiteagreewithyouthatitisnecessarytohaveananchorsomewhereandnotgofloatingoffintotheworldofimaginationwithoutballastoftherightsort。UncleandI

hadsometalkaboutitlastnightandI"mgoingtobeginassoonaspossible,forI"vemoonedlongenough,"andgivinghimselfashake,Macthrewdowntheprettyspray,addinghalfaloud:"Chidemenot,laboriousband,FortheidleflowersIbrought:

EveryasterinmyhandGoeshomeladenwithathought。"Rosecaughtthewordsandsmiled,thinkingtoherself,"Oh,that"sit­heisgettingintothesentimentalageandAuntJanehasbeenlecturinghim。

Dearme,howwearegrowingup！"

"Youlookasifyoudidn"tliketheprospectverywell,"shesaidaloud,forMachadrammedthevolumeofShelleyintohispocketandtheglorifiedexpressionwassoentirelygone,Rosefanciedshehadbeenmistakenaboutthemountaintopbehindthemists。

"Yes,wellenough­Ialwaysthoughttheprofessionagrandone,andwherecouldIfindabetterteacherthanUncle？I"vegotintolazywayslately,anditishightimeIwentatsomethinguseful,sohereIgo,"

andMacabruptlyvanishedintothestudywhileRosejoinedPhebeinAuntPlenty"sroom。

Thedearoldladyhadjustdecided,afterlongandearnestdiscussion,whichofsixfavoritepuddingsshouldbeservedfordinner,andthushadafewmomentstodevotetosentiment,sowhenRosecameinsheheldoutherarms,sayingfondly:"IshallnotfeelasifI"dgotmychildbackagainuntilIhaveherinmylapaminute。No,you"renotabittooheavy,myrheumatismdoesn"tbeginmuchbeforeNovember,sosithere,darling,andputyourtwoarmsroundmyneck。"

Roseobeyed,andneitherspokeforamomentastheoldwomanheldtheyoungonecloseandappeasedthetwoyears"longingofamotherlyheartbythecaresseswomengivethecreaturesdearesttothem。Rightinthemiddleofakiss,however,shestoppedsuddenlyand,holdingoutonearm,caughtPhebe,whowastryingtostealawayunobserved。

"Don"tgo­there"sroomforbothinmylove,thoughthereisn"tinmylap。I"msogratefultogetmydeargirlssafelyhomeagainthatIhardlyknowwhatI"mabout,"saidAuntPlenty,embracingPhebesoheartilythatshecouldnotfeelleftoutinthecoldandstoodtherewithherblackeyesshiningthroughthehappiesttears。

"There,nowI"vehadagoodhug,andfeelasifIwasallrightagain。

Iwishyou"dsetthatcapinorder,Rose­Iwenttobedinsuchahurry,Ipulledthestringsoffitandleftitallinaheap。Phebe,dear,youshalldustroundamite,justasyouusedto,forIhaven"thadanyonetodoitasIlikesinceyou"vebeengone,anditwilldomegoodtoseeallmyknickknacksstraightenedoutinyourtidyway,"saidtheelderlady,gettingupwitharefreshedexpressiononherrosyoldface。

"ShallIdustinheretoo？"askedPhebe,glancingtowardaninnerroomwhichusedtobehercare。

"No,dear,I"dratherdothatmyself。Goinifyoulike,nothingischanged。Imustgoandseetomypudding。"AndAuntPlentytrottedabruptlyawaywithaquiverofemotioninhervoicewhichmadeevenherlastwordspathetic。

Pausingonthethresholdasifitwasasacredplace,thegirlslookedinwitheyessoondimmedbytendertears,foritseemedasifthegentleoccupantwasstillthere。Sunshineshoneontheoldgeraniumsbythewindow;

thecushionedchairstoodinitsaccustomedplace,withthewhitewrapperhungacrossitandthefadedslipperslyingready。Booksandbasket,knittingandspectacles,werealljustasshehadleftthem,andthebeautifultranquilitythatalwaysfilledtheroomseemedsonatural,bothlookersturnedinvoluntarilytowardthebed,whereAuntPeaceusedtogreetthemwithasmile。Therewasnosweetoldfaceuponthepillownow,yetthetearsthatwetthebloomingcheekswerenotforherwhohadgone,butforherwhowasleft,becausetheysawsomethingwhichspokeeloquentlyofthelovewhichoutlivesdeathandmakesthehumblestthingsbeautifulandsacred。

Awell—wornfootstoolstoodbesidethebed,andinthehigh—piledwhitenessoftheemptycouchtherewasalittlehollowwhereagrayheadnightlyrestedwhileAuntPlentysaidtheprayershermothertaughtherseventyyearsago。

Withoutaword,thegirlssoftlyshutthedoor。AndwhilePhebeputtheroominthemostexquisiteorder,Roseretrimmedtheplainwhitecap,wherepinkandyellowribbonsneverrustlednow,bothfeelinghonoredbytheirtasksandbetterfortheirknowledgeofthefaithfulloveandpietywhichsanctifiedagoodoldwoman"slife。

"Youdarlingcreature,I"msogladtogetyouback！Iknowit"sshamefullyearly,butIreallycouldn"tkeepawayanotherminute。Letmehelpyou­I"mdyingtoseeallyoursplendidthings。IsawthetrunkspassandIknowyou"vequantitiesoftreasures,"criedAnnabelBlissallinonebreathassheembracedRoseanhourlaterandglancedabouttheroombestrewnwithavarietyofagreeableobjects。

"Howwellyouarelooking！SitdownandI"llshowyoumylovelyphotographs。

Unclechoseallthebestforme,andit"satreattoseethem,"answeredRose,puttingarollonthetableandlookingaboutformore。

"Oh,thanks！Ihaven"ttimenow­oneneedshourstostudysuchthings。

ShowmeyourParisdresses,there"sadear­I"mperfectlyachingtoseethelaststyles,"andAnnabelcastahungryeyetowardcertainlargeboxesdelightfullysuggestiveofFrenchfinery。

"Ihaven"tgotany,"saidRose,fondlysurveyingthefinephotographsasshelaidthemaway。

"RoseCampbell！Youdon"tmeantosaythatyoudidn"tgetoneParisdressatleast？"criedAnnabel,scandalizedatthebareideaofsuchneglect。

"Notoneformyself。AuntClaraorderedseveral,andwillbecharmedtoshowthemwhenherboxcomes。"

"Suchachance！Rightthereandplentyofmoney！Howcouldyouloveyouruncleaftersuchcruelty？"sighedAnnabel,withafacefullofsympathy。

Roselookedpuzzledforaminute,thenseemedtounderstand,andassumedasuperiorairwhichbecameherverywellasshesaid,good—naturedlyopeningaboxoflaces,"Uncledidnotforbidmydoingit,andIhadmoneyenough,butIchosenottospenditonthingsofthatsort。"

"Couldanddidn"t！Ican"tbelieveit！"AndAnnabelsankintoachair,asifthethoughtwastoomuchforher。

"Ididratherwanttoatfirst,justforthefunofthething。Infact,Iwentandlookedatsomeamazinggowns。Buttheywereveryexpensive,verymuchtrimmed,andnotmystyleatall,soIgavethemupandkeptwhatIvaluedmorethanallthegownsWortheverymade。"

"Whatintheworldwasit？"criedAnnabel,hopingshewouldsaydiamonds。

"Uncle"sgoodopinion,"answeredRose,lookingthoughtfullyintothedepthsofapackingcase,wherelaythelovelypicturethatwouldalwaysremindherofthelittletriumphovergirlishvanity,whichnotonlykeptbutincreased"Uncle"sgoodopinion。"

"Oh,indeed！"saidAnnabelblankly,andfelltoexaminingAuntPlenty"slacewhileRosewentonwithahappysmileinhereyesasshedivedintoanothertrunk。

"Unclethinksonehasnorighttowastemoneyonsuchthings,butheisverygenerousandlovestogiveuseful,beautiful,orcuriousgifts。

See,alltheseprettyornamentsareforpresents,andyoushallchoosefirstwhateveryoulike。"

"He"saperfectdear！"criedAnnabel,revelinginthecrystal,filigree,coral,andmosaictrinketsspreadbeforeherwhileRosecompletedherrapturebyaddingsundrytastefultriflesfreshfromParis。

"Nowtellme,whendoyoumeantohaveyourcoming—outparty？IaskbecauseI"venothingreadyandwantplentyoftime,forIsupposeitwillbetheeventoftheseason,"askedAnnabelafewminuteslaterasshewaveredbetweenapinkcoralandabluelavaset。

"IcameoutwhenIwenttoEurope,butIsupposeAuntyPlenwillwanttohavesomesortofmerry—makingtocelebrateourreturn。IshallbeginasImeantogoon,andhaveasimple,sociablesortofpartyandinviteeveryonewhomIlike,nomatterinwhat"set"theyhappentobelong。NooneshalleversayIamaristocraticandexclusive­soprepareyourselftobeshocked,foroldfriendsandyoung,richandpoor,willbeaskedtoallmyparties。"

"Oh,myheart！Youaregoingtobeodd,justasMamapredicted！"

sighedAnnabel,claspingherhandsindespairandstudyingtheeffectofthreebraceletsonherchubbyarminthemidstofherwoe。

"InmyownhouseI"mgoingtodoasIthinkbest,andifpeoplecallmeodd,Ican"thelpit。Ishallendeavornottodoanythingverydreadful,butIseemtoinheritUncle"sloveforexperimentsandmeantotrysome。

IdaresaytheywillfailandIshallgetlaughedat。Iintendtodoitnevertheless,soyouhadbetterdropmenowbeforeIbegin,"saidRosewithanairofresolutionthatwasratheralarming。

"Whatshallyouwearatthisnewsortofpartyofyours？"askedAnnabel,wiselyturningadeafeartoalldelicateordangeroustopicsandkeepingtomatterssheunderstood。

"Thatwhitethingoverthere。Itisfreshandpretty,andPhebehasonelikeit。Ineverwanttodressmorethanshedoes,andgownsofthatsortarealwaysmostbecomingandappropriatetogirlsofourage。"

"Phebe！Youdon"tmeantosayyouaregoingtomakealadyofher！"gaspedAnnabel,upsettinghertreasuresasshefellbackwithagesturethatmadethelittlechaircreakagain,forMissBlisswasasplumpasapartridge。

"Sheisonealready,andanybodywhoslightsherslightsme,forsheisthebestgirlIknowandthedearest,"criedRosewarmly。

"Yes,ofcourse­Iwasonlysurprised­youarequiteright,forshemayturnouttobesomebody,andthenhowgladyou"llfeelthatyouweresogoodtoher！"saidAnnabel,veeringaroundatonce,seeingwhichwaythewindblew。