第14章

"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。