第8章

"Hesenttheflowers,hecameforme,and,onthewayhome,showedmehowwrongIhadbeentodoubthimforanhour。Don"taskmetotellthatpart,butbesureIwasthehappiestcreatureintheworldthen。"

AndPhebehidherfaceagain,allwetwithtendertearsthatfellsoftandsuddenasasummershower。

Roseletthemflowundisturbedwhileshesilentlycaressedthebenthead,wondering,withawistfullookinherownweteyes,whatthismysteriouspassionwaswhichcouldsomove,ennoble,andbeautifythebeingswhomitblessed。

AnimpertinentlittleclockuponthechimneypiecestrikingelevenbrokethesilenceandremindedPhebethatshecouldnotindulgeinlovedreamsthere。Shestartedup,brushedoffhertears,andsaidresolutely:"Thatisenoughfortonight。Gohappilytobed,andleavethetroublesfortomorrow。"

"But,Phebe,Imustknowwhatyousaid,"criedRose,likeachilddefraudedofhalfitsbedtimestory。

"Isaid,"No。""

"Ah！Butitwillchangeto"yes"byandby,I"msureofthat­soI"llletyougotodreamofhim。TheCampbellsareratherproudofbeingdescendantsofRoberttheBruce,buttheyhavecommonsenseandloveyoudearly,asyou"llseetomorrow。"

"Perhaps,"Andwithagoodnightkiss,poorPhebewentaway,tolieawaketilldawn。Chapter8。Chapter8。8BREAKERSAHEADAnxioustosmooththewayforPhebe,RosewasupbetimesandslippedintoAuntPlenty"sroombeforetheoldladyhadgottenhercapon。

"Aunty,I"vesomethingpleasanttotellyou,andwhileyoulisten,I"llbrushyourhair,asyouliketohaveme,"shebegan,wellawarethattheproposedprocesswasaverysoothingone。

"Yes,dear­onlydon"tbetooparticular,becauseI"mlateandmusthurrydownorJanewon"tgetthingsstraight,anditdoesfidgetmetohavethesaltcellarsuneven,theteastrainerforgotten,andyouruncle"spapernotaired,"returnedMissPlenty,brisklyunrollingthetwograycurlssheworeathertemples。

ThenRose,brushingawayatthescantybackhair,ledskillfullyuptothecrisisofhertalebydescribingPhebe"spanicandbraveeffortstoconquerit;allabouttheflowersArchiesenther;andhowSteveforgot,anddear,thoughtfulArchietookhisplace。SofaritwentwellandAuntPlentywasfullofinterest,sympathy,andapprobation,butwhenRoseadded,asifitwasquiteamatterofcourse,"So,onthewayhome,hetoldherhelovedher,"agreatstarttwitchedthegraylocksoutofherhandsastheoldladyturnedaround,withthelittlecurlsstandingerect,exclaiming,inundisguiseddismay:"Notseriously,Rose？"

"Yes,Aunty,veryseriously。Heneverjokesaboutsuchthings。"

"Mercyonus！Whatshallwedoaboutit？"

"Nothing,ma"am,butbeasgladasweoughtandcongratulatehimassoonasshesays"yes。""

"Doyoumeantosayshedidn"tacceptatonce？"

"Sheneverwillifwedon"twelcomeheraskindlyasifshebelongedtooneofourbestfamilies,andIdon"tblameher。"

"I"mgladthegirlhassomuchsense。Ofcoursewecan"tdoanythingofthesort,andI"msurprisedatArchie"sforgettingwhatheowestothefamilyinthisrashmanner。Givememycap,child­ImustspeaktoAlecatonce。"AndAuntPlentytwistedherhairintoabuttonatthebackofherheadwithoneenergetictwirl。

"Dospeakkindly,Aunty,andrememberthatitwasnotPhebe"sfault。

Sheneverthoughtofthistillverylatelyandbeganatoncetoprepareforgoingaway,"saidRosepleadingly。

"Sheoughttohavegonelongago。ItoldMyraweshouldhavetroublesomewhereassoonasIsawwhatagood—lookingcreatureshewas,andhereitisasbadascanbe。Dear,dear！Whycan"tyoungpeoplehavealittleprudence？"

"Idon"tseethatanyoneneedobjectifUncleJemandAuntJessieapprove,andIdothinkitwillbevery,veryunkindtoscoldpoorPhebeforbeingwell—bred,pretty,andgood,afterdoingallwecouldtomakeherso。"

"Child,youdon"tunderstandthesethingsyet,butyououghttofeelyourdutytowardyourfamilyanddoallyoucantokeepthenameashonorableasitalwayshasbeen。WhatdoyousupposeourblessedancestressLadyMargetwouldsaytoouroldestboytakingawifefromthepoorhouse？"

Asshespoke,MissPlentylookedup,almostapprehensively,atoneofthewooden—facedoldportraitswithwhichherroomwashung,asifaskingpardonofthesevere—nosedmatronwhostaredbackatherfromunderthesortofbluedishcoverwhichformedherheadgear。

"AsLadyMargetdiedabouttwohundredyearsago,Idon"tcareapinwhatshewouldsay,especiallyasshelookslikeaverynarrow—minded,haughtywoman。ButIdocareverymuchwhatMissPlentyCampbellsays,forsheisaverysensible,generous,discreet,anddearoldladywhowouldn"thurtafly,muchlessagoodandfaithfulgirlwhohasbeenasistertome。Wouldshe？"entreatedRose,knowingwellthattheelderauntledalltherestmoreorless。

ButMissPlentyhadhercaponnowandconsequentlyfeltherselftwicethewomanshewaswithoutit,soshenotonlygaveitasomewhatbelligerentairbysettingitwellup,butsheshookherheaddecidedly,smootheddownherstiffwhiteapron,andstoodupasifreadyforbattle。

"Ishalldomyduty,Rose,andexpectthesameofothers。Don"tsayanymorenow­Imustturnthematteroverinmymind,forithascomeuponmesuddenlyandneedsseriousconsideration。"

Withwhichunusuallysolemnaddressshetookupherkeysandtrottedaway,leavingherniecetofollowwithananxiouscountenance,uncertainwhetherherchampionshiphaddonegoodorilltothecauseshehadatheart。

ShewasmuchcheeredbythesoundofPhebe"svoiceinthestudy,forRosewassurethatifUncleAlecwasontheirsideallwouldbewell。Butthecloudsloweredagainwhentheycameintobreakfast,forPhebe"sheavyeyesandpalecheeksdidnotlookencouraging,whileDr。AlecwasassoberasajudgeandsentaninquiringglancetowardRosenowandthenasifcurioustodiscoverhowsheborethenews。

Anuncomfortablemeal,thoughalltriedtoseemasusualandtalkedoverlastnight"seventswithalltheinteresttheycould。Buttheoldpeacewasdisturbedbyaword,asapebblethrownintoaquietpoolsendstelltalecirclesripplingitssurfacefarandwide。AuntPlenty,while"turningthesubjectoverinhermind,"alsoseemedintentonupsettingeverythingshetouchedandmadesadhavocinherteatray;Dr。Alecunsociablyreadhispaper;Rose,havingsaltedinsteadofsugaredheroatmeal,absentlyateit,feelingthatthesweetnesshadgoneoutofeverything;andPhebe,afterchokingdownacupofteaandcrumblingaroll,excusedherselfandwentaway,sternlyresolvingnottobeaboneofcontentiontothisbelovedfamily。

AssoonasthedoorwasshutRosepushedawayherplateand,goingtoDr。Alec,shepeepedoverthepaperwithsuchananxiousfacethatheputitdownatonce。

"Uncle,thisisaseriousmatter,andwemusttakeourstandatonce,foryouarePhebe"sguardianandIamhersister,"beganRosewithprettysolemnity。"Youhaveoftenbeendisappointedinme,"shecontinued,"butIknowInevershallbeinyoubecauseyouaretoowiseandgoodtoletanyworldlyprideorprudencespoilyoursympathywithArchieandourPhebe。Youwon"tdesertthem,willyou？"

"Never！"answeredDr。Alecwithgratifyingenergy。

"Thankyou！Thankyou！"criedRose。"Now,ifIhaveyouandAuntyonmyside,I"mnotafraidofanybody。"

"Gently,gently,child。Idon"tintendtodesertthelovers,butIcertainlyshalladvisethemtoconsiderwellwhattheyareabout。I"llownIamratherdisappointed,becauseArchieisyoungtodecidehislifeinthiswayandPhebe"scareerseemedsettledinanotherfashion。Oldpeopledon"tliketohavetheirplansupset,youknow,"headdedmorelightly,forRose"sfacefellashewenton。

"Oldpeopleshouldn"tplantoomuchfortheyoungones,then。Weareverygrateful,I"msure,butwecannotalwaysbedisposedofinthemostprudentandsensibleway,sodon"tsetyourheartsonlittlearrangementsofthatsort,Ibeg,"AndRoselookedwondrouswise,forshecouldnothelpsuspectingevenherbestuncleof"plans"inherbehalf。

"Youarequiteright—weshouldn"t,yetitisveryhardtohelpit,"

confessedDr。Alecwithaconsciousair,and,returninghastilytothelovers,headdedkindly:"IwasmuchpleasedwiththestraightforwardwayinwhichPhebecametomethismorningandtoldmeallaboutit,asifIreallywasherguardian。Shedidnotownitinwords,butitwasperfectlyevidentthatshelovesArchiewithallherheart,yet,knowingtheobjectionswhichwillbemade,verysensiblyandbravelyproposestogoawayatonceandendthematter­asifthatwerepossible,poorchild。"AndthetenderheartedmangaveasighofsympathythatdidRosegoodtohearandmollifiedherrisingindignationatthebareideaofendingPhebe"sloveaffairsinsuchasummaryway。

"Youdon"tthinksheoughttogo,Ihope？"

"Ithinkshewillgo。"

"Wemustnotlether。"

"Wehavenorighttokeepher。"

"Oh,Uncle,surelywehave！OurPhebe,whomwealllovesomuch。"

"Youforgetthatsheisawomannow,andwehavenoclaimonher。Becausewe"vebefriendedherforyearsistheveryreasonweshouldnotmakeourbenefitsaburden,butleaveherfree,andifshechoosestodothisinspiteofArchie,wemustletherwithaGodspeed。"

BeforeRosecouldanswer,AuntPlentyspokeoutlikeonehavingauthority,forold—fashionedwaysweredeartohersoulandshethoughtevenloveaffairsshouldbeconductedwithaproperregardtothepowersthatbe。

"Thefamilymusttalkthematteroveranddecidewhatisbestforthechildren,whoofcoursewilllistentoreasonanddonothingilladvised。

Formypart,Iamquiteupsetbythenews,butshallnotcommitmyselftillI"veseenJessieandtheboy。Jane,clearaway,andbringmethehotwater。"

Thatendedthemorningconference。And,leavingtheoldladytosoothehermindbypolishingspoonsandwashingcups,RosewentawaytofindPhebewhilethedoctorretiredtolaughoverthedownfallofbrotherMac"smatchmakingschemes。

TheCampbellsdidnotgossipabouttheirconcernsinpublic,butbeingaveryunitedfamily,ithadlongbeenthecustomto"talkover"anyinterestingeventwhichoccurredtoanymemberthereof,andeveryonegavehisorheropinion,advice,orcensurewiththeutmostcandor。Thereforethefirstengagement,ifsuchitcouldbecalled,createdagreatsensation,amongtheauntsespecially,andtheywereinasmuchofaflutterasaflockofmaternalbirdswhentheiryoungbegintohopoutofthenest。Soatallhourstheexcellentladieswereseenexcitedlynoddingtheircapstogetherastheydiscussedtheaffairinallitsbearings,withouteverarrivingatanyunanimousdecision。

Theboystookitmuchmorecalmly。MacwastheonlyonewhocameoutstronglyinArchie"sfavor。CharliethoughttheChiefoughttodobetterandcalledPhebe"asirenwhohadbewitchedthesageyouth。"Stevewasscandalizedanddeliveredlongorationsuponone"sdutytosociety,keepingtheoldnameup,andthedangerofmésalliances,whileallthetimehesecretlysympathizedwithArchie,beingmuchsmittenwithKittyVanhimself。WillandGeordie,unfortunatelyhomefortheholidays,consideredit"ajollylark,"andlittleJamienearlydrovehiselderbrotherdistractedbycuriousinquiriesasto"howfolksfeltwhentheywereinlove。"

UncleMac"sdismaywassocomicalthatitkeptDr。Alecingoodspirits,forhealoneknewhowdeepwasthedeludedman"schagrinatthefailureofthelittleplotwhichhefanciedwasprosperingfinely。

"I"llneversetmyheartonanythingofthesortagain,andtheyoungrascalsmaymarrywhomtheylike。I"mpreparedforanythingnow—soifStevebringshomethewasherwoman"sdaughter,andMacrunsawaywithourprettychambermaid,Ishallsay,"Blessyoumychildren,"withmournfulresignation,for,uponmysoul,thatisallthat"sleftforamodernparenttodo。"

Withwhichtragicburst,poorUncleMacwashedhishandsofthewholeaffairandburiedhimselfinthecountinghousewhilethestormraged。

AboutthistimeArchiemighthaveechoedRose"schildishwish,thatshehadnotquitesomanyaunts,forthetonguesofthoseinterestedrelativesmadesadhavocwithhislittleromanceandcausedhimtolongferventlyforadesertislandwherehecouldwooandwinhisloveindeliciouspeace。Thatnothingofthesortwaspossiblesoonbecameevident,sinceeverywordutteredonlyconfirmedPhebe"sresolutiontogoawayandprovedtoRosehowmistakenshehadbeeninbelievingthatshecouldbringeveryonetoherwayofthinking。

Prejudicesareunmanageablethings,andthegoodaunts,likemostwomen,possessedaplentifulsupply,soRosefounditlikebeatingherheadagainstawalltotryandconvincethemthatArchiewaswiseinlovingpoorPhebe。

Hismother,whohadhopedtohaveRoseforherdaughter­notbecauseofherfortune,butthetenderaffectionshefeltforher­putawayherdisappointmentwithoutawordandwelcomedPhebeaskindlyasshecouldforherboy"ssake。Butthegirlfeltthetruthwiththequicknessofanaturemadesensitivebyloveandclungtoherresolveallthemoretenaciously,thoughgratefulforthemotherlywordsthatwouldhavebeensosweetifgenuinehappinesshadpromptedthem。

AuntJanecalleditromanticnonsenseandadvisedstrongmeasures­"kind,butfirm,Jessie。"AuntClarawassadlydistressedabout"whatpeoplewouldsay"ifoneof"ourboys"marriedanobody"sdaughter。AndAuntMyranotonlysecondedherviewsbypaintingportraitsofPhebe"sunknownrelationsinthedarkestcolorsbututtereddirefulpropheciesregardingthedisreputablebeingswhowouldstartupinswarmsthemomentthegirlmadeagoodmatch。

ThesesuggestionssowroughtuponAuntPlentythatsheturnedadeafeartothebenevolentemotionsnativetoherbreastand,takingrefugebehind"ourblessedancestress,LadyMarget,"refusedtosanctionanyengagementwhichcouldbringdiscredituponthestainlessnamewhichwasherpride。

Soitallendedwhereitbegan,forArchiesteadilyrefusedtolistentoanyonebutPhebe,andsheassteadilyreiteratedherbitter"No！"fortifyingherselfhalfunconsciouslywiththehopethat,byandby,whenshehadwonaname,fatemightbekinder。

Whiletheresttalked,shehadbeenworking,foreveryhourshowedherthatherinstincthadbeenatrueoneandpridewouldnotletherstay,thoughlovepleadedeloquently。So,afteraChristmasanythingbutmerry,Phebepackedhertrunks,richingiftsfromthosewhogenerouslygaveherallbuttheonethingshedesired,and,withapocketfulofletterstopeoplewhocouldfurtherherplans,shewentawaytoseekherfortune,withabravefaceandaveryheavyheart。

"Writeoften,andletmeknowallyoudo,myPhebe,andrememberIshallneverbecontentedtillyoucomebackagain,"whisperedRose,clingingtohertillthelast。

"Shewillcomeback,forinayearI"mgoingtobringherhome,pleaseGod,"saidArchie,palewiththepainofpartingbutasresoluteasshe。

"I"llearnmywelcome­thenperhapsitwillbeeasierforthemtogiveandmetoreceiveit,"answeredPhebe,withabackwardglanceatthegroupofcapsinthehallasshewentdownthestepsonDr。Alec"sarm。

"Youearneditlongago,anditisalwayswaitingforyouwhileIamhere。Rememberthat,andGodblessyou,mygoodgirl,"hesaid,withapaternalkissthatwarmedherheart。

"Inevershallforgetit！"AndPhebeneverdid。Chapter9。Chapter9。9NEWYEAR"SCALLS"NowI"mgoingtoturnoveranewleaf,asIpromised。IwonderwhatI

shallfindonthenextpage？"saidRose,comingdownonNewYear"smorningwithaseriousfaceandathickletterinherhand。

"Tiredoffrivolity,mydear？"askedheruncle,pausinginhiswalkupanddownthehalltoglanceatherwithaquick,brightlookshelikedtobringintohiseyes。

"No,sir,andthat"sthesadpartofit,butI"vemadeupmymindtostopwhileIcanbecauseI"msureitisnotgoodforme。I"vehadsomeverysoberthoughtslately,forsincemyPhebewentawayI"vehadnoheartforgaiety,soitisagoodplacetostopandmakeafreshstart,"answeredRose,takinghisarmandwalkingonwithhim。

"Anexcellenttime！Now,howareyougoingtofilltheachingvoid？"

heasked,wellpleased。

"Bytryingtobeasunselfish,brave,andgoodassheis。"AndRoseheldtheletteragainstherbosomwithatendertouch,forPhebe"sstrengthhadinspiredherwithadesiretobeasself—reliant。"I"mgoingtosetaboutlivinginearnest,asshehas;thoughIthinkitwillbeharderformethanforher,becauseshestandsaloneandhasacareermarkedoutforher。I"mnothingbutacommonplacesortofgirl,withnoendofrelationstobeconsultedeverytimeIwinkandadreadfulfortunehanginglikeamillstoneroundmynecktoweighmedownifItrytofly。Itisahardcase,Uncle,andIgetlowinmymindwhenIthinkaboutit,"sighedRose,oppressedwithherblessings。

"Afflictedchild！HowcanIrelieveyou？"AndtherewasamusementaswellassympathyinDr。Alec"sfaceashepattedthehanduponhisarm。

"Pleasedon"tlaugh,forIreallyamtryingtobegood。Inthefirstplace,helpmetoweanmyselffromfoolishpleasuresandshowmehowtooccupymythoughtsandtimesothatImaynotidleaboutanddreaminsteadofdoinggreatthings。"

"Good！We"llbeginatonce。Cometotownwithmethismorningandseeyourhouses。Theyareallready,andMrs。Gardnerhashalfadozenpoorsoulswaitingtogoinassoonasyougivetheword,"answeredthedoctorpromptly,gladtogethisgirlbackagain,thoughnotsurprisedthatshestilllookedwithregretfuleyesattheVanityFair,alwayssoenticingwhenweareyoung。

"I"llgiveittoday,andmakethenewyearahappyonetothosepoorsoulsatleast。I"msosorrythatit"simpossibleformetogowithyou,butyouknowImusthelpAuntyPlenreceive。Wehaven"tbeenhereforsolongthatshehadsetherheartonhavingagrandtimetoday,andIparticularlywanttopleaseherbecauseIhavenotbeenasamiableasIoughtlately。

Ireallycouldn"tforgiveherforsidingagainstPhebe。"

"Shedidwhatshethoughtwasright,sowemustnotblameher。IamgoingtomakemyNewYear"scallstodayand,asmyfriendslivedownthatway,I"llgetthelistofnamesfromMrs。G。andtellthepoorladies,withMissCampbell"scompliments,thattheirnewhomeisready。ShallI？"

"Yes,Uncle,buttakeallthecredittoyourself,forInevershouldhavethoughtofitifyouhadnotproposedtheplan。"

"Blessyourheart！I"monlyyouragent,andsuggestnowandthen。I"venothingtoofferbutadvice,soIlavishthatonalloccasions。"

"Youhavenothingbecauseyou"vegivenyoursubstanceallawayasgenerouslyasyoudoyouradvice。Nevermind­youshallnevercometowantwhileIlive。I"llsaveenoughforustwo,thoughIdomake"ducksanddrakesofmyfortune。""

Dr。AleclaughedatthetossoftheheadwithwhichshequotedCharlie"soffensivewords,thenofferedtotaketheletter,saying,ashelookedathiswatch:"I"llpostthatforyouintimefortheearlymail。Ilikearunbeforebreakfast。"

ButRoseheldherletterfast,dimplingwithsuddensmiles,halfmerryandhalfshy。

"Nothankyou,sir。Archielikestodothat,andneverfailstocallforallIwrite。HegetsapeepatPhebe"sinreturnandIcheerhimupabit,for,thoughhesaysnothing,hehasahardtimeofit,poorfellow。"

"Howmanylettersinfivedays？"

"Four,sir,tome。Shedoesn"twritetohim,Uncle。"

"Asyet。Well,youshowhers,soit"sallrightandyouareasetofsentimentalyoungsters。"Andthedoctorwalkedaway,lookingasifheenjoyedthesentimentasmuchasanyofthem。

OldMissCampbellwasnearlyasgreatafavoriteasyoungMissCampbell,soasuccessionofblackcoatsandwhiteglovesflowedinandoutofthehospitablemansionprettysteadilyallday。Theclanwasoutingreatforce,andcamebyininstallmentstopaytheirdutytoAuntPlentyandwishthecomplimentsoftheseasonto"ourcousin。"Archieappearedfirst,lookingsadbutsteadfast,andwentawaywithPhebe"sletterinhisleftbreastpocketfeelingthatlifewasstillendurable,thoughhislovewastornfromhim,forRosehadmanycomfortablethingstosayandreadhimdeliciousbitsfromthevoluminouscorrespondencelatelybegun。

HardlywashegonewhenWillandGeordiecamemarchingin,lookingasfineasgrayuniformswithmuchscarletpipingcouldmakethemandfeelingpeculiarlyimportant,asthiswastheirfirstessayinNewYear"scall—making。

Briefwastheirstay,fortheyplannedtovisiteveryfriendtheyhad,andRosecouldnothelplaughingatthedrollmixtureofmanlydignityandboyishdelightwithwhichtheydroveoffintheirowncarriage,bothaserectasramrods,armsfolded,andcapsstuckatexactlythesameangleoneachblondhead。

"Herecomestheothercouple­Steve,infullfeather,withabigbouquetforKitty,andpoorMac,lookinglikeagentlemanandfeelinglikeamartyr,I"msure,"saidRose,watchingonecarriageturninastheotherturnedoutofthegreatgate,withitsarchofholly,ivy,andevergreen。

"Hereheis。I"vegothimintowforthedayandwantyoutocheerhimupwithawordofpraise,forhecamewithoutastrugglethoughplanningtoboltsomewherewithUncle,"criedSteve,fallingbacktodisplayhisbrother,whocameinlookingremarkablywellinhisstateandfestivalarray,forpolishinghadbeguntotell。

"AhappyNewYear,Aunty,sametoyou,Cousin,andbestwishesforasmanymoreasyoudeserve,"saidMac,heedingStevenomorethanifhehadbeenaflyashegavetheoldladyaheartykissandofferedRoseaquaintlittlenosegayofpansies。

"Heart"s—ease­doyouthinkIneedit？"sheasked,lookingupwithsuddensobriety。

"Wealldo。CouldIgiveyouanythingbetteronadaylikethis？"

"No­thankyouverymuch。"AndasuddendewcametoRose"seyes,for,thoughoftenbluntinspeech,whenMacdiddoatenderthing,italwaystouchedherbecauseheseemedtounderstandhermoodssowell。

"HasArchiebeenhere？Hesaidheshouldn"tgoanywhereelse,butI

hopeyoutalkedthatnonsenseoutofhishead,"saidSteve,settlinghistiebeforethemirror。

"Yes,dear,hecamebutlookedsooutofspiritsIreallyfeltreproached。

Rosecheeredhimupalittle,butIdon"tbelievehewillfeelequaltomakingcallsandIhopehewon"t,forhisfacetellsthewholestorymuchtooplainly,"answeredAuntyPlenty,rustlingaboutherbountifultableinherrichestblacksilkwithallheroldlaceon。

"Oh,he"llgetoveritinamonthortwo,andPhebewillsoonfindanotherlover,sodon"tbeworriedabouthim,Aunty,"saidSteve,withtheairofamanwhoknewallaboutthatsortofthing。

"IfArchiedoesforget,Ishalldespisehim,andIknowPhebewon"ttrytofindanotherlover,thoughshe"llprobablyhavethem­sheissosweetandgood！"criedRoseindignantly,for,havingtakenthepairunderherprotection,shedefendedthemvaliantly。

"Thenyou"dhaveArchhopeagainsthopeandnevergiveup,wouldyou？"

askedMac,puttingonhisglassestosurveythethinbootswhichwerehisespecialabomination。

"Yes,Iwould,foraloverisnotworthhavingifhe"snotinearnest！"

"Exactly。Soyou"dlikethemtowaitandworkandkeeponlovingtilltheymadeyourelentorplainlyprovedthatitwasnouse。"

"Iftheyweregoodaswellasconstant,IthinkIshouldrelentintime。"

"I"llmentionthattoPemberton,forheseemedtobehitthehardest,andarayofhopewilldohimgood,whetherheisequaltothetenyears"

waitornot,"putinSteve,wholikedtorallyRoseaboutherlovers。

"I"llneverforgiveyouifyousayawordtoanyone。ItisonlyMac"soddwayofaskingquestions,andIoughtnottoanswerthem。YouwilltalkaboutsuchthingsandIcan"tstopyou,butIdon"tlikeit,"saidRose,muchannoyed。

"PoorlittlePenelope！SheshallnotbeteasedabouthersuitorsbutleftinpeacetillherUlyssescomeshome,"saidMac,sittingdowntoreadthemottoesstickingoutofcertainfancifulbonbonsonthetable。

"ItisthisfussaboutArchiewhichhasdemoralizedusall。Eventheowlwakedupandhasn"tgotovertheexcitementyet,yousee。He"shadnoexperience,poorfellow,sohedoesn"tknowhowtobehave,"observedSteve,regardinghisbouquetwithtenderinterest。

"That"strue,andIaskedforinformationbecauseImaybeinlovemyselfsomedayandallthiswillbeuseful,don"tyousee？"

"Youinlove！"AndStevecouldnotrestrainalaughattheideaofthebookwormaslavetothetenderpassion。

Quiteunruffled,Macleanedhischininbothhands,regardingthemwithameditativeeyeasheansweredinhiswhimsicalway:"Whynot？Iintendtostudyloveaswellasmedicine,foritisoneofthemostmysteriousandremarkablediseasesthatafflictmankind,andthebestwaytounderstanditistohaveit。Imaycatchitsomeday,andthenIshouldliketoknowhowtotreatandcureit。"

"Ifyoutakeitasbadlyasyoudidmeaslesandwhoopingcough,itwillgohardwithyou,oldfellow,"saidSteve,muchamusedwiththefancy。

"Iwantitto。Nogreatexperiencecomesorgoeseasily,andthisisthegreatestwecanknow,Ibelieve,exceptdeath。"

SomethinginMac"squiettoneandthoughtfuleyesmadeRoselookathiminsurprise,forshehadneverheardhimspeakinthatwaybefore。

Stevealsostaredforaninstant,equallyamazed,thensaidbelowhisbreath,withanairofmockanxiety:"He"sbeencatchingsomethingatthehospital,typhoidprobably,andisbeginningtowander。I"lltakehimquietlyawaybeforehegetsanywilder。Come,oldlunatic,wemustbeoff。"

"Don"tbealarmed。I"mallrightandmuchobligedforyouradvice,forIfancyIshallbeadesperateloverwhenmytimecomes,ifiteverdoes。

Youdon"tthinkitimpossible,doyou？"AndMacputthequestionsosoberlythattherewasageneralsmile。

"Certainlynot­you"llbearegularDouglas,tenderandtrue,"answeredRose,wonderingwhatqueerquestionwouldcomenext。

"Thankyou。Thefactis,I"vebeenwithArchiesomuchinhistroublelatelythatI"vegotteninterestedinthismatterandverynaturallywanttoinvestigatethesubjectaseveryrationalmanmust,soonerorlater,that"sall。Now,Steve,I"mready。"AndMacgotupasifthelessonwasover。

"Mydear,thatboyiseitherafooloragenius,andI"msureIshouldbegladtoknowwhich,"saidAuntPlenty,puttingherbonbonstorightswithapuzzledshakeofherbestcap。

"Timewillshow,butIinclinetothinkthatheisnotafoolbyanymeans,"answeredthegirl,pullingaclusterofwhiterosesoutofherbosomtomakeroomforthepansies,thoughtheydidnotsuitthebluegownhalfsowell。

JustthenAuntJessiecameintohelpthemreceive,withJamietomakehimselfgenerallyuseful,whichheproceededtodobyhoveringaroundthetablelikeaflyaboutahoneypotwhennotflatteninghisnoseagainstthewindowpanestoannounceexcitedly,"Here"sanothermancomingupthedrive！"

Charliearrivednextinhismostsunshinyhumor,foranythingsocialandfestivewashisdelight,andwheninthismoodthePrincewasquiteirresistible。HebroughtaprettybraceletforRoseandwasgraciouslyallowedtoputitonwhileshechidhimgentlyforhisextravagance。

"Iamonlyfollowingyourexample,foryouknow"nothingistoogoodforthosewelove,andgivingawayisthebestthingonecando,""heretorted,quotingwordsofherown。

"Iwishyouwouldfollowmyexampleinsomeotherthingsaswellasyoudointhis,"saidRosesoberlyasAuntPlentycalledhimtocomeandseeifthepunchwasright。

"Mustconformtothecustomsofsociety。Aunty"sheartwouldbebrokenifwedidnotdrinkherhealthinthegoodoldfashion。Butdon"tbealarmed­I"veastrongheadofmyown,andthat"slucky,forIshallneeditbeforeI

getthrough,"laughedCharlie,showingalonglistasheturnedawaytogratifytheoldladywithallsortsofmerryandaffectionatecomplimentsastheglassestouched。

Rosedidfeelratheralarmed,forifhedrankthehealthofalltheownersofthosenames,shefeltsurethatCharliewouldneedaverystrongheadindeed。ItwashardtosayanythingthenandtherewithoutseemingdisrespecttoAuntPlenty,yetshelongedtoremindhercousinoftheexampleshetriedtosethiminthisrespect,forRosenevertouchedwine,andtheboysknewit。Shewasthoughtfullyturningthebracelet,withitsprettydeviceofturquoiseforget—me—nots,whenthegivercamebacktoher,stillbubblingoverwithgoodspirits。