第7章

So,aftermuchdiscussion,itwasdecidedthatsheshouldhaveherwayinallthingsandthefamilycontentthemselveswithapplaudingfromthefront。

"We"llblisterourhandseverymanofus,andcarryyouhomeinachariotandfour­seeifwedon"t,youperverseprimadonna！"threatenedSteve,notatallsatisfiedwiththesimplicityoftheaffair。

"AchariotandtwowillbeveryacceptableassoonasI"mdone。Ishallbequitesteadytillmypartisallover,andthenImayfeelalittleupset,soI"dliketogetawaybeforetheconfusionbegins。Indeed,Idon"tmeantobeperverse,butyouareallsokindtome,myheartisfullwheneverIthinkofit,andthatwouldn"tdoifI"mtosing,"saidPhebe,droppingoneofthetearsonthelittlefrillshewasmaking。

"Nodiamondcouldhaveadorneditbetter,"Archiethoughtashewatcheditshinethereforamoment,andfeltlikeshakingStevefordaringtopatthedarkheadwithanencouraging"Allright。I"llbeonhandandwhiskyouawaywhiletherestaresplittingtheirgloves。Nofearofyourbreakingdown。Ifyoufeeltheleastbitlikeit,though,justlookatmeandI"llglareatyouandshakemyfist,sincekindnessupsetsyou。"

"Iwishyouwould,becauseoneofmyballadsisrathertouchingandIalwayswanttocrywhenIsingit。Thesightofyoutryingtoglarewillmakemewanttolaughandthatwillsteadymenicely,sositinfront,please,readytoslipoutwhenIcomeoffthelasttime。"

"Dependuponme！"Andthelittlemandeparted,takinggreatcredittohimselfforhisinfluenceovertall,handsomePhebe。

Ifhehadknownwhatwasgoingoninthemindofthesilentyounggentlemanbehindthenewspaper,Stevewouldhavebeenmuchastonished,forArchie,thoughapparentlyengrossedbybusiness,wasfathomsdeepinlovebythistime。NoonesuspectedthisbutRose,forhedidhiswooingwithhiseyes,andonlyPhebeknewhoweloquenttheycouldbe。Hehaddiscoveredwhatthematterwaslongago­hadmademanyattemptstoreasonhimselfoutofit,but,findingitahopelesstask,hadgivenuptryingandlethimselfdriftdeliciously。Theknowledgethatthefamilywouldnotapproveonlyseemedtoaddardortohisloveandstrengthtohispurpose,forthesameenergyandpersistencewhichhebroughttobusinesswentintoeverythinghedid,andhavingoncemadeuphismindtomarryPhebe,nothingcouldchangethisplanexceptawordfromher。

Hewatchedandwaitedforthreemonths,sothathemightnotbeaccusedofprecipitation,thoughitdidnottakehimonetodecidethatthiswasthewomantomakehimhappy。Hersteadfastnature,quiet,busyways,andthereservedpowerandpassionbetrayedsometimesbyaflashoftheblackeyes,aquiverofthefirmlips,suitedArchie,whopossessedmanyofthesameattributeshimself。Theobscurityofherbirthandisolationofherlot,whichwouldhavedeterredsomelovers,notonlyappealedtohiskindlyheart,buttouchedthehiddenromancewhichranlikeaveinofgoldthroughhisstrongcommonsenseandmadepractical,steady—goingArchieapoetwhenhefellinlove。IfUncleMachadguessedwhatdreamsandfancieswentonintheheadbentoverhisledgers,andwhatemotionswerefermentinginthebosomofhisstaid"right—handman,"hewouldhavetappedhisforeheadandsuggestedalunaticasylum。TheboysthoughtArchiehadsobereddowntoosoon。Hismotherbegantofearthattheairofthecountingroomdidnotsuithim,andDr。Alecwasdeludedintothebeliefthatthefellowreallybeganto"thinkofRose,"hecamesooftenintheevening,seemingquitecontenttositbesideherworktableandsniptapeordrawpatternswhiletheychatted。

Nooneobservedthat,thoughhetalkedtoRoseontheseoccasions,helookedatPhebe,inherlowchaircloseby,busybutsilent,forshealwaystriedtoeffaceherselfwhenRosewasnearandoftenmournedthatshewastoobigtokeepoutofsight。Nomatterwhathetalkedabout,Archiealwayssawtheglossyblackbraidsontheothersideofthetable,thedamaskcheekcurvingdownintothefirmwhitethroat,andthedarklashes,liftednowandthen,showingeyessodeepandsofthedarednotlookintothemlong。Eventheswiftneedlecharmedhim,thelittlebroochwhichroseandfellwithherquietbreath,theplainworkshedid,andthetidywayshegatheredherbitsofthreadintoatinybag。Heseldomspoketoher;nevertouchedherbasket,thoughheravagedRose"sifhewantedstringorscissors;

veryrarelyventuredtobringhersomecuriousorprettythingwhenshipscameinfromChina­onlysatandthoughtofher,imaginedthatthiswashisparlor,thisherworktable,andtheytwosittingtherealoneahappymanandwife。

Atthisstageofthelittleeveningdramahewouldbeconsciousofsuchastrongdesiretodosomethingrashthathetookrefugeinanewformofintoxicationandproposedmusic,sometimessoabruptlythatRosewouldpauseinthemiddleofasentenceandlookathim,surprisedtomeetacuriouslyexcitedlookintheusuallycoolgrayeyes。

ThenPhebe,foldingupherwork,wouldgotothepiano,asifgladtofindaventfortheinnerlifewhichsheseemedtohavenopowerofexpressingexceptinsong。Rosewouldfollowtoaccompanyher,andArchie,movingtoacertainshadycornerwhencehecouldseePhebe"sfaceasshesang,wouldgivehimselfuptounmitigatedraptureforhalfanhour。Phebeneversangsowellasatsuchtimes,forthekindlyatmospherewaslikesunshinetoabird,criticismswerefewandgentle,praisesheartyandabundant,andshepouredouthersoulasfreelyasaspringgushesupwhenitshiddensourceisfull。

InmomentssuchasthesePhebewasbeautifulwiththebeautythatmakesaman"seyebrightenwithhonestadmirationandfillshisheartwithasenseofwomanlynobilityandsweetness。Littlewonder,then,thatthechiefspectatorofthisagreeabletableaugrewnightlymoreenamored,andwhiletheeldersweredeepinwhist,theyoungpeoplewereplayingthatstillmoreabsorbinggameinwhichheartsarealwaystrumps。

Rose,havingDummyforapartner,soondiscoveredthefactandlatelyhadbeguntofeelasshefanciedWallmusthavedonewhenPyramuswooedThisbethroughitschinks。Shewasalittlestartledatfirst,thenamused,thenanxious,thenheartilyinterested,aseverywomanisinsuchaffairs,andwillinglycontinuedtobeamedium,thoughsometimesshequitetingledwiththeelectricitywhichseemedtopervadetheair。Shesaidnothing,waitingforPhebetospeak,butPhebewassilent,seemingtodoubtthetruthtilldoubtbecameimpossible,thentoshrinkasifsuddenlyconsciousofwrongdoingandseizeeverypossiblepretextforabsentingherselffromthe"girls"corner,"astheprettyrecesswascalled。

Theconcertplanaffordedexcellentopportunitiesfordoingthis,andeveningaftereveningsheslippedawaytopracticehersongsupstairswhileArchiesatstaringdisconsolatelyattheneglectedworkbasketandmutepiano。Rosepitiedhimandlongedtosayawordofcomfort,butfeltshy­hewassuchareservedfellow­solefthimtoconducthisquietwooinginhisownway,feelingthatthecrisiswouldsoonarrive。

Shewassureofthisasshesatbesidehimontheeveningoftheconcert,forwhiletherestofthefamilynoddedandsmiled,chattedandlaughedingreatspirits,Archiewasasmuteasafishandsatwithhisarmstightlyfolded,asiftokeepinanyunrulyemotionswhichmightattempttoescape。

Heneverlookedattheprogram,butRoseknewwhenPhebe"sturncamebythequickbreathhedrewandtheintentlook,soabsentbefore,thatcameintohiseyes。

Butherownexcitementpreventedmuchnoticeofhis,forRosewasinaflutterofhopeandfear,sympathyanddelight,aboutPhebeandhersuccess。

Thehousewascrowded;theaudiencesufficientlymixedtomakethegeneralopinionimpartial;andthestagefulloflittleorphanswithshiningfaces,amosteffectivereminderoftheobjectinview。

"Littledears,hownicetheylook！""Poorthings,soyoungtobefatherlessandmotherless。""Itwillbeadisgracetothecityifthosegirlsarenottakenpropercareof。""Subscriptionsarealwaysinorder,youknow,andprettyMissCampbellwillgiveyouhersweetestsmileifyouhandherahandsomecheck。""I"veheardthisPhebeMoore,andshereallyhasadeliciousvoice­suchapityshewon"tfitherselfforopera！""Onlysingsthreetimestonight;that"smodest,I"msure,whenshe"sthechiefattraction,sowemustgiveheranencoreaftertheItalianpiece。""Theorphansleadoff,Isee。Stopyourearsifyoulike,butdon"tfailtoapplaudortheladieswillneverforgiveyou。"

Chatofthissortwentonbrisklywhilefanswaved,programsrustled,andushersflewaboutdistractedly,tillanimportantgentlemanappeared,madehisbow,skippedupontheleader"sstand,andwithawaveofhisbatoncausedageneraluprisingofwhitepinaforesastheorphansledoffwiththatmuch—enduringmelody"America"inshrillsmallvoices,butwithcreditableattentiontotimeandtune。Pityandpatriotismproducedagenerousroundofapplause,andthelittlegirlssatdown,beamingwithinnocentsatisfaction。

Aninstrumentalpiecefollowed,andthenayouthfulgentleman,withhishairinpicturesqueconfusion,andwhathisfriendscalleda"musicalbrow,"boundedupthestepsand,clutchingarollofmusicwithapairoftightlyglovedhands,proceedtoinformtheaudience,inahuskytenorvoice,that"Itwasalovelyviolet。"

Whatelsethesongcontainedinthewayofsenseorsentimentitwasimpossibletodiscoverasthethreepagesofmusicappearedtoconsistofvariationsuponthatoneline,endingwithaprolongedquaverwhichflushedthemusicalbrowandlefttheyouthquitebreathlesswhenhemadehisbow。

"Nowshe"scoming！Oh,Uncle,myheartbeatsasifitweremyself！"

whisperedRose,clutchingDr。Alec"sarmwithalittlegaspasthepianowasrolledforward,theleader"sstandpushedback,andalleyesturnedtowardtheanteroomdoor。

SheforgottoglanceatArchie,anditwasaswellperhaps,forhisheartwasthumpingalmostaudiblyashewaitedforhisPhebe。Notfromtheanteroom,butoutamongthechildren,whereshehadsatunseenintheshadowoftheorgan,camestatelyPhebeinherwine—coloreddress,withnoornamentbutherfinehairandawhitefloweratherthroat。Verypale,butquitecomposed,apparently,forshesteppedslowlythroughthenarrowlaneofupturnedfaces,holdingbackherskirtslesttheyshouldrudelybrushagainstsomelittlehead。Straighttothefrontshewent,bowedhastily,and,withagesturetotheaccompanist,stoodwaitingtobegin,hereyesfixedonthegreatgiltclockattheoppositeendofthehall。

Theyneverwanderedfromthatpointwhileshesang,butassheendedtheydroppedforaninstantonaneager,girlishcountenancebendingfromafrontseat;then,withherhastylittlebow,shewentquicklybackamongthechildren,whoclappedandnoddedasshepassed,wellpleasedwiththeballadshehadsung。

Everyonecourteouslyfollowedtheirexample,buttherewasnoenthusiasm,anditwasevidentthatPhebehadnotproducedaparticularlyfavorableimpression。

"Neversangsobadlyinherlife,"mutteredCharlieirefully。

"Shewasfrightened,poorthing。Givehertime,givehertime,"saidUncleMackindly。

"Iknowshewas,andIglaredlikeagorgon,butsheneverlookedatme,"addedSteve,smoothinghisglovesandhisbrowsatthesametime。

"Thatfirstsongwasthehardest,andshegotthroughmuchbetterthanIexpected,"putinDr。Alec,boundnottoshowthedisappointmenthefelt。

"Don"tbetroubled。Phebehascourageenoughforanything,andshe"llastonishyoubeforetheevening"sover,"prophesiedMacwithunabatedconfidence,forheknewsomethingtherestdidnot。

Rosesaidnothing,butundercoverofherburnousgaveArchie"shandasympatheticsqueeze,forhisarmswereunfoldednow,asifthestrainwasover,andonelayonhiskneewhilewiththeotherhewipedhishotforeheadwithanairofrelief。

FriendsaboutthemmurmuredcomplimentaryfibsandaffectedgreatdelightandsurpriseatMissMoore"s"charmingstyle,""exquisitesimplicity,"

and"undoubtedtalent。"Butstrangersfreelycriticized,andRosewassoindignantatsomeoftheirremarks,shecouldnotlistentoanythingonthestage,thoughafineoverturewasplayed,amanwitharemarkablebassvoicegrowledandroaredmelodiously,andtheorphanssangalivelyairwithachorusof"Tra,la,la,"whichwasagreatrelieftolittletonguesunusedtolongsilence。

"I"veoftenheardthatwomen"stongueswerehunginthemiddleandwentatbothends­nowI"msureofit,"whisperedCharlie,tryingtocheerherupbypointingoutthecomicaleffectofsomeseventy—fiveopenmouthsineachofwhichtheunrulymemberwaswaggingbriskly。

Roselaughedandlethimfanher,leaningfromhisseatbehindwiththedevotedairhealwaysassumedinpublic,butherwoundedfeelingswerenotsoothedandshecontinuedtofrownatthestoutmanontheleftwhohaddaredtosaywithashrugandaglanceatPhebe"snextpiece,"ThatyoungwomancannomoresingthisItalianthingthanshecanfly,andtheyoughtnottoletherattemptit。"

Phebedid,however,andsuddenlychangedthestoutman"sopinionbysingingitgrandly,fortheconsciousnessofherfirstfailureprickedherprideandspurredhertodoherbestwiththecalmsortofdeterminationwhichconquersfear,firesambition,andchangesdefeattosuccess。ShelookedsteadilyatRosenow,ortheflushed,intentfacebesideher,andthrowingallhersoulintothetask,lethervoiceringoutlikeasilverclarion,fillingthegreathallandsettingthehearers"blooda—tinglewiththeexultingstrain。

ThatsettledPhebe"sfateasacantatrice。Theapplausewasgenuineandspontaneousthistimeandbrokeoutagainandagainwiththegenerousdesiretoatoneforformercoldness。Butshewouldnotreturn,andtheshadowofthegreatorganseemedtohaveswallowedherup,fornoeyecouldfindher,nopleasantclamorwinherback。

"NowIcandiecontent,"saidRose,beamingwithheartfeltsatisfactionwhileArchielookedsteadfastlyathisprogram,tryingtokeephisfaceinorder,andtherestofthefamilyassumedatriumphantair,asiftheyhadneverdoubtedfromthefirst。

"Verywell,indeed,"saidthestoutmanwithanapprovingnod。"Quitepromisingforabeginner。Shouldn"twonderifintimetheymadeasecondCaryorKelloggofher。"

"Nowyou"llforgivehim,won"tyou？"murmuredCharlieinhiscousin"sear。

"Yes,andI"dliketopathimonthehead。Buttakewarningandneverjudgebyfirstappearancesagain,"whisperedRose,atpeacenowwithallmankind。

Phebe"slastsongwasanotherballad;shemeanttodevotehertalenttothatmuchneglectedbutalwaysattractivebranchofherart。Itwasagreatsurprise,therefore,toallbutonepersoninthehallwhen,insteadofsinging"AuldRobinGrey,"sheplacedherselfatthepiano,and,withasmilingglanceoverhershoulderatthechildren,brokeoutintheoldbirdsongwhichfirstwonRose。Butthechirping,twittering,andcooingwerenowtheburdentothreeversesofacharminglittlesong,fullofspringtimeandtheawakeninglifethatmakesitlovely。Aripplingaccompanimentflowedthroughitall,andaburstofdelightedlaughterfromthechildrenfilledupthefirstpausewithafittinganswertothevoicesthatseemedcallingtothemfromthevernalwoods。

Itwasverybeautiful,andnoveltylentitscharmtothesurprise,forartandnatureworkedaprettymiracleandthecleverimitation,firstheardfromakitchenhearth,nowbecamethefavoriteinacrowdedconcertroom。Phebewasquiteherselfagain;colorinthecheeksnow;eyesthatwanderedsmilingtoandfro;andlipsthatsangasgailyandfarmoresweetlythanwhenshekepttimetoherblithemusicwithascrubbingbrush。

Thissongwasevidentlyintendedforthechildren,andtheyappreciatedthekindlythought,forasPhebewentbackamongthem,theyclappedecstatically,flappedtheirpinafores,andsomecaughtherbytheskirtswithaudiblerequeststo"Doitagain,please;doitagain。"

ButPhebeshookherheadandvanished,foritwasgettinglateforsuchsmallpeople,severalofwhom"laysweetlyslumberingthere"tillrousedbytheclamorroundthem。Theelders,however,werenottobedeniedandapplaudedpersistently,especiallyAuntPlenty,whoseizedUncleMac"scaneandpoundedwithitasvigorouslyas"Mrs。Nubbles"attheplay。

"Nevermindyourgloves,Steve;keepituptillshecomes,"criedCharlie,enjoyingthefunlikeaboywhileJamielosthisheadwithexcitementand,standingup,called"Phebe！Phebe！"inspiteofhismother"sattemptstosilencehim。

Eventhestoutmanclapped,andRosecouldonlylaughdelightedlyassheturnedtolookatArchie,whoseemedtohavelethimselflooseatlastandwasstampingwithadoggedenergyfunnytosee。

SoPhebehadtocome,andstoodtheremeeklybowing,withamovedlookonherfacethatshowedhowgladandgratefulshewas,tillasuddenhushcame;then,asifinspiredbythememoryofthecausethatbroughtherthere,shelookeddownintotheseaoffriendlyfacesbeforeher,withnotraceoffearinherown,andsangthesongthatneverwillgrowold。

Thatwentstraighttotheheartsofthosewhoheardher,fortherewassomethinginexpressiblytouchinginthesightofthissweet—voicedwomansingingofhomeforthelittlecreatureswhowerehomeless,andPhebemadehertunefulpleairresistiblebyanalmostinvoluntarygestureofthehandswhichhadhunglooselyclaspedbeforehertill,withthelastechoofthebelovedword,theyfellapartandwerehalfoutstretched,asifpleadingtobefilled。

Itwasthetouchofnaturethatworkswonders,foritmadefullpursessuddenlyweighheavilyinpocketsslowtoopen,broughttearstoeyesunusedtoweep,andcausedthatgroupofred—gownedgirlstogrowverypatheticinthesightoffathersandmotherswhohadleftlittledaughterssafeasleepathome。ThiswasevidentfromthestillnessthatremainedunbrokenforaninstantafterPhebeended;andbeforepeoplecouldgetridoftheirhandkerchiefsshewouldhavebeengoneifthesuddenappearanceofamiteinapinafore,climbingupthestairsfromtheanteroomwithagreatbouquetgraspedinbothhands,hadnotarrestedher。

Upcamethelittlecreature,intentonperformingthemissionforwhichrichbribesofsugarplumshadbeenpromised,andtrottingbravelyacrossthestage,sheheldupthelovelynosegay,sayinginherbabyvoice,"Disforyou,ma"am。"Then,startledbythesuddenoutburstofapplause,shehidherfaceinPhebe"sgownandbegantosobwithfright。

AnawkwardminuteforpoorPhebe,butsheshowedunexpectedpresenceofmindandleftbehindheraprettypictureoftheoldestandyoungestorphanasshewentquicklydownthestep,smilingoverthegreatbouquetwiththebabyonherarm。

Nobodymindedtheclosingpiece,forpeoplebegantogo,sleepychildrentobecarriedoff,andwhispersgrewintoabuzzofconversation。InthegeneralconfusionRoselookedtoseeifStevehadrememberedhispromisetohelpPhebeslipawaybeforetherushbegan。No,therehewasputtingonKitty"scloak,quiteoblivioustoanyotherduty。TurningtoaskArchietohurryout,Rosefoundthathehadalreadyvanished,leavinghisglovesbehindhim。

"Haveyoulostanything？"askedDr。Alec,catchingaglimpseofherface。

"No,sir,I"vefoundsomething,"shewhisperedback,givinghimtheglovestopocketalongwithherfanandglass,addinghastilyastheconcertended,"Please,Uncle,tellthemallnottocomewithus。Phebehashadenoughexcitementandoughttorest。"

Rose"swordwaslawtothefamilyinallthingsconcerningPhebe。Sowordwaspassedthatthereweretobenocongratulationsuntiltomorrow,andDr。Alecgothispartyoffassoonaspossible。Butallthewayhome,whileheandAuntPlentywereprophesyingabrilliantfutureforthesinger,Rosesatrejoicingoverthehappypresentofthewoman。ShewassurethatArchiehadspokenandimaginedthewholescenewithfemininedelight­howtenderlyhehadaskedthemomentousquestion,howgratefullyPhebehadgiventhedesiredreply,andnowhowbothwereenjoyingthatdelicioushourwhichRosehadbeengiventounderstandnevercamebutonce。Suchapitytoshortenit,shethought,andbeggedheruncletogohomethelongestway­thenightwassomild,themoonlightsoclear,andherselfsoinneedoffreshairaftertheexcitementoftheevening。

"IthoughtyouwouldwanttorushintoPhebe"sarmstheinstantshegotdone,"saidAuntPlenty,innocentlywonderingatthewhimsgirlstookintotheirheads。

"SoIshouldifIconsultedmyownwishes,butasPhebeaskedtobeletaloneIwanttogratifyher,"answeredRose,makingthebestexcuseshecould。

"Alittlepiqued,"thoughtthedoctor,fancyingheunderstoodthecase。

Astheoldlady"srheumatismforbadetheirdrivingabouttillmidnight,homewasreachedmuchtoosoon,Rosethought,andtrippedawaytowarntheloverstheinstantsheenteredthehouse。Butstudy,parlor,andboudoirwereempty;and,whenJaneappearedwithcakeandwine,shereportedthat"MissPhebewentrightupstairsandwishedtobeexcused,please,beingverytired。"

"Thatisn"tatalllikePhebe­Ihopesheisn"till,"beganAuntPlenty,sittingdowntotoastherfeet。

"Shemaybealittlehysterical,forsheisaproudthingandrepressesheremotionsaslongasshecan。I"llstepupandseeifshedoesn"tneedasoothingdraftofsomesort。"AndDr。Alecthrewoffhiscoatashespoke。

"No,no,she"sonlytired。I"llrunuptoher­shewon"tmindme­andI"llreportifanythingisamiss。"

AwaywentRose,quitetremblingwithsuspense,butPhebe"sdoorwasshut,nolightshoneunderneath,andnosoundcamefromtheroomwithin。

Shetappedandreceivingnoanswer,wentontoherownchamber,thinkingtoherself:"Lovealwaysmakespeoplequeer,I"veheard,soIsupposetheysettleditallinthecarriageandthedearthingranawaytothinkaboutherhappinessalone。I"llnotdisturbher。Why,Phebe！"saidRose,surprised,for,enteringherroom,therewasthecantatrice,busyaboutthenightlyservicesshealwaysrenderedherlittlemistress。

"I"mwaitingforyou,dear。Wherehaveyoubeensolong？"askedPhebe,pokingthefireasifanxioustogetsomecolorintocheeksthatwereunnaturallypale。

TheinstantshespokeRoseknewthatsomethingwaswrong,andaglanceatherfaceconfirmedthefear。Itwaslikeadashofcoldwaterandquenchedherhappyfanciesinamoment;butbeingadelicate—mindedgirl,sherespectedPhebe"smoodandaskednoquestions,madenocomments,andleftherfriendtospeakorbesilentasshechose。

"IwassoexcitedIwouldtakeaturninthemoonlighttocalmmynerves。

Oh,dearestPhebe,Iamsoglad,soproud,sofullofwonderatyourcourageandskillandsweetwaysaltogetherthatIcannothalftellyouhowIloveandhonoryou！"shecried,kissingthewhitecheekswithsuchtenderwarmththeycouldnothelpglowingfaintlyasPhebeheldherlittlemistressclose,surethatnothingcoulddisturbthisinnocentaffection。

"Itisallyourwork,dear,becausebutforyouImightstillbescrubbingfloorsandhardlydaretodreamofanythinglikethis,"shesaidinheroldgratefulway,butinhervoicetherewasathrillofsomethingdeeperthangratitude,andatthelasttwowordsherheadwentupwithagestureofsoftprideasifithadbeennewlycrowned。

Roseheardandsawandguessedatthemeaningofbothtoneandgesture,feelingthatherPhebedeservedboththesinger"slaurelandthebride"smyrtlewreath。Butsheonlylookedup,sayingverywistfully:"Thenithasbeenahappynightforyouaswellasforus。"

"Thehappiestofmylife,andthehardest,"answeredPhebebrieflyasshelookedawayfromthequestioningeyes。

"Youshouldhaveletuscomenearerandhelpyouthrough。I"mafraidyouareveryproud,myJennyLind。"

"Ihavetobe,forsometimesIfeelasifIhadnothingelsetokeepmeup。"Shestoppedshortthere,fearingthathervoicewouldprovetraitorousifshewenton。Inamomentsheaskedinatonethatwasalmosthard:"YouthinkIdidwelltonight？"

"Theyallthinkso,andweresodelightedtheywantedtocomeinabodyandtellyouso,butIsentthemhomebecauseIknewyou"dbetiredout。

PerhapsIoughtnottohavedoneitandyou"dratherhavehadacrowdaboutyouthanjustme？"

"Itwasthekindestthingyoueverdid,andwhatcouldIlikebetterthan"justyou,"mydarling？"

Phebeseldomcalledherthat,andwhenshedidherheartwasinthelittleword,makingitsotenderthatRosethoughtitthesweetestintheworld,nexttoUncleAlec"s"mylittlegirl。"Nowitwasalmostpassionate,andPhebe"sfacegrewrathertragicalasshelookeddownatRose。Itwasimpossibletoseemunconsciousanylonger,andRosesaid,caressingPhebe"scheek,whichburnedwithafeverishcolornow:"Thendon"tshutmeoutifyouhaveatrouble,butletmeshareitasIletyoushareallmine。"

"Iwill！Littlemistress,I"vegottogoaway,soonereventhanweplanned。"

"Why,Phebe？"

"Because­Archielovesme。"

"That"stheveryreasonyoushouldstayandmakehimhappy。"

"Notifitcauseddissensioninthefamily,andyouknowitwould。"

Roseopenedherlipstodenythisimpetuously,butcheckedherselfandansweredhonestly:"UncleandIwouldbeheartilyglad,andI"msureAuntJessienevercouldobjectifyoulovedArchieashedoesyou。"

"Shehasotherhopes,Ithink,andkindassheis,itwouldbeadisappointmentifhebroughtmehome。Sheisright,theyallare,andIaloneamtoblame。Ishouldhavegonelongago­IknewIshould,butitwassopleasant,Icouldn"tbeartogoawayalone。"

"Ikeptyou,andIamtoblameifanyone,butindeed,dearPhebe,I

cannotseewhyyoushouldcareevenifAuntMyracroaksandAuntClaraexclaimsorAuntJanemakesdisagreeableremarks。Behappy,andnevermindthem,"criedRose,somuchexcitedbyallthisthatshefeltthespiritofrevoltriseupwithinherandwasreadytodefyeventhatawe—inspiringinstitution"thefamily"forherfriend"ssake。

ButPhebeshookherheadwithasadsmileandanswered,stillwiththehardtoneinhervoiceasifforcingbackallemotionthatshemightseeherdutyclearly:"Youcoulddothat,butInevercan。Answermethis,Rose,andanswertrulyasyouloveme。Ifyouhadbeentakenintoahouse,afriendless,penniless,forlorngirl,andforyearsbeenheapedwithbenefits,trusted,taught,loved,andmade,oh,sohappy！couldyouthinkitrighttostealawaysomethingthatthesegoodpeoplevaluedverymuch？Tohavethemfeelthatyouhadbeenungrateful,haddeceivedthem,andmeanttothrustyourselfintoahighplacenotfitforyouwhentheyhadbeengenerouslyhelpingyouinotherways,farmorethanyoudeserved。

Couldyouthensayasyoudonow,"Behappy,andnevermindthem"？"

PhebeheldRosebytheshouldersnowandsearchedherfacesokeenlythattheothershrankalittle,fortheblackeyeswerefulloffireandtherewassomethingalmostgrandaboutthisgirlwhoseemedsuddenlytohavebecomeawoman。Therewasnoneedforwordstoanswerthequestionsoswiftlyasked,forRoseputherselfinPhebe"splaceinthedrawingofabreath,andherownpridemadehertruthfullyreply:"No­Icouldnot！"

"Iknewyou"dsaythat,andhelpmedomyduty。"AndallthecoldnessmeltedoutofPhebe"smannerasshehuggedherlittlemistressclose,feelingthecomfortofsympathyeventhroughthebluntsincerityofRose"swords。

"IwillifIknowhow。Now,comeandtellmeallaboutit。"And,seatingherselfinthegreatchairwhichhadoftenheldthemboth,Rosestretchedoutherhandsasifgladandreadytogivehelpofanysort。

ButPhebewouldnottakeheraccustomedplace,for,asifcomingtoconfession,shekneltdownupontherugand,leaningonthearmofthechair,toldherlovestoryinthesimplestwords。

"Ineverthoughthecaredformeuntilalittlewhileago。Ifancieditwasyou,andevenwhenIknewhelikedtohearmesingIsupposeditwasbecauseyouhelped,andsoIdidmybestandwasgladyouweretobeahappygirl。Buthiseyestoldthetruth。ThenIsawwhatIhadbeendoingandwasfrightened。Hedidnotspeak,soIbelieved,whatisquitetrue,thathefeltIwasnotafitwifeforhimandwouldneveraskme。Itwasright­Iwasgladofit,yetIwasproudand,thoughIdidnotaskorhopeforanything,IdidwanthimtoseethatIrespectedmyself,rememberedmyduty,andcoulddorightaswellashe。Ikeptaway。IplannedtogoassoonaspossibleandresolvedthatatthisconcertIwoulddosowell,heshouldnotbeashamedofpoorPhebeandheronegift。"

"Itwasthisthatmadeyousostrange,then,preferringtogoaloneandrefusingeverylittlefavoratourhands？"askedRose,feelingverysurenowaboutthestateofPhebe"sheart。

"Yes,Iwantedtodoeverythingmyselfandnotoweonejotofmysuccess,ifIhadany,toeventhedearestfriendI"vegot。Itwasbadandfoolishofme,andIwaspunishedbythefirstdreadfulfailure。Iwassofrightened,Rose！Mybreathwasallgone,myeyessodizzyIcouldhardlysee,andthatgreatcrowdoffacesseemedsonear,Idarednotlook。IfithadnotbeenfortheclockInevershouldhavegottenthrough,andwhenIdid,notknowingintheleasthowI"dsung,onelookatyourdistressedfacetoldmeI"dfailed。"

"ButIsmiled,Phebe­indeedIdid­assweetlyasIcould,forIwassureitwasonlyfright,"protestedRoseeagerly。

"Soyoudid,butthesmilewasfullofpity,notofpride,asIwantedittobe,andIrushedintoadarkplacebehindtheorgan,feelingreadytokillmyself。HowangryandmiserableIwas！Isetmyteeth,clenchedmyhands,andvowedthatIwoulddowellnexttimeorneversinganothernote。Iwasquitedesperatewhenmyturncame,andfeltasifIcoulddoalmostanything,forIrememberedthathewasthere。I"mnotsurehowitwas,butitseemedasifIwasallvoice,forIletmyselfgo,tryingtoforgeteverythingexceptthattwopeoplemustnotbedisappointed,thoughIdiedwhenthesongwasdone。"

"Oh,Phebe,itwassplendid！Inearlycried,Iwassoproudandgladtoseeyoudoyourselfjusticeatlast。"

"Andhe？"whisperedPhebe,withherfacehalfhiddenonthearmofthechair。

"Saidnotaword,butIsawhislipstrembleandhiseyesshineandIknewhewasthehappiestcreaturethere,becauseIwassurehedidthinkyoufittobehiswifeanddidmeantospeakverysoon。"

Phebemadenoanswerforamoment,seemingtoforgetthesmallsuccessinthegreateronewhichfollowedandtocomforthersoreheartwiththeknowledgethatRosewasright。