第17章

Itwasalittlesingularthatwithoutawordofinquiryoneitherside,thelettersofthegirlswereprincipallyfilledwithtidingsoftheirrespectivelovers。PhebewroteaboutMac;RoseansweredwithminuteparticularsaboutArchie;andbothaddedhastyitemsconcerningtheirownaffairs,asifthesewereoflittleconsequence。

Phebegotthemostsatisfactionoutofthecorrespondence,forsoonafterthebookappearedRosebegantowantMachomeagainandtoberatherjealousofthenewdutiesanddelightsthatkepthim。Shewasimmenselyproudofherpoet,andhadlittlejubileesoverthebeautifulfulfillmentofherprophecies,forevenAuntPlentyownednowwithcontritionthat"theboywasnotafool。"Everywordofpraisewasreadaloudonthehousetops,sotospeak,byhappyRose;everyadversecriticismwashotlydisputed;

andthewholefamilywasinagreatstateofpleasantexcitementoverthisunexpectedlysuccessfulfirstflightoftheUglyDuckling,nowgenerallyconsideredbyhisrelativesasthemostpromisingyoungswanoftheflock。

AuntJanewasparticularlyfunnyinhernewpositionofmothertoacallowpoetandconductedherselflikeaproudbutbewilderedhenwhenoneofherbroodtakestothewater。Sheporedoverthepoems,tryingtoappreciatethembutquitefailingtodoso,forlifewasallprosetoher,andshevainlytriedtodiscoverwhereMacgothistalentfrom。Itwasprettytoseethenewrespectwithwhichshetreatedhispossessionsnow;

theoldbooksweredustedwithasortofreverence;scrapsofpaperwerelaidcarefullybylestsomeimmortalversebelost;andacertainshabbyvelvetjacketfondlysmoothedwhennoonewasbytosmileatthematernalpridewithfilledherheartandcausedheronceseverecountenancetoshinewithunwontedbenignity。

UncleMactalkedabout"myson"withill—concealedsatisfaction,andevidentlybegantofeelasifhisboywasgoingtoconferdistinctionuponthewholeraceofCampbell,whichhadalreadypossessedonepoet。SteveexultedwithirrepressibledelightandwentaboutquotingSongsandSonnetstillheboredhisfriendsdreadfullybyhisfraternalraptures。

Archietookitmorequietly,andevensuggestedthatitwastoosoontocrowyet,forthedearoldfellow"sfirstburstmightbehislast,sinceitwasimpossibletopredictwhathewoulddonext。Havingprovedthathecouldwritepoetry,hemightdropitforsomenewworldtoconquer,quotinghisfavoriteThoreau,who,havingmadeaperfectpencil,gaveupthebusinessandtooktowritingbookswiththesortofindelibleinkwhichgrowsclearerwithtime。

Theauntsofcoursehadtheir"views,"andenjoyedmuchpropheticgossipastheywaggedtheircapsovermanysocialcupsoftea。Theyoungerboysthoughtit"veryjolly,"andhopedtheDonwould"goaheadandcometogloryassoonaspossible,"whichwasallthatcouldbyexpectedof"YoungAmerica,"withwhompoetryisnotusuallyapassion。

ButDr。Alecwasasightfor"saireen,"sofullofconcentratedcontentmentwashe。NoonebutRose,perhaps,knewhowproudandpleasedthegoodmanfeltatthisfirstsmallsuccessofhisgodson,forhehadalwayshadhighhopesoftheboy,becauseinspiteofhisodditieshehadsuchanuprightnature,andpromisinglittle,didmuch,withthequietpersistencewhichforetellsamanlycharacter。Alltheromanceofthedoctor"sheartwasstirredbythispoeticbudofpromiseandthelovethatmadeitbloomsoearly,forMachadconfidedhishopestoUncle,findinggreatconsolationandsupportinhissympathyandadvice。Likeawiseman,Dr。Aleclefttheyoungpeopletolearnthegreatlessonintheirownway,counselingMactoworkandRosetowaittillbothwerequitecertainthattheirlovewasbuiltonasurerfoundationthanadmirationoryouthfulromance。

Meantimehewentaboutwithawell—wornlittlebookinhispocket,hummingbitsfromanewsetofsongsandrepeatingwithgreatfervorcertainsonnetswhichseemedtohimquiteequal,ifnotsuperior,toanythatShakespeareeverwrote。AsRosewasdoingthesamething,theyoftenmetforaprivate"readandwarble,"astheycalledit,andwhilediscussingthesafesubjectofMac"spoetry,botharrivedataprettyclearideaofwhatMac"srewardwastobewhenhecamehome。

Heseemedinnohurrytodothis,however,andcontinuedtoastonishhisfamilybygoingintosocietyandcomingoutbrilliantlyinthatline。

Ittakesverylittletomakealion,aseveryoneknowswhohasseenwhatpoorspecimensarepattedandpettedeveryyear,inspiteoftheirbadmanners,foolishvagaries,andveryfeebleroaring。Macdidnotwanttobelionizedandtookitratherscornfully,whichonlyaddedtothecharmthatpeoplesuddenlydiscoveredaboutthenineteenthcousinofThomasCampbell,thepoet。Hedesiredtobedistinguishedinthebestsenseoftheword,aswellastolookso,andthoughtalittleofthepolishsocietygiveswouldnotbeamiss,rememberingRose"seffortsinthatline。Forhersakehecameoutofhisshellandwentaboutseeingandtestingallsortsofpeoplewiththoseobservingeyesofhis,whichsawsomuchinspiteoftheirnearsightedness。Whatusehemeanttomakeofthesenewexperiencesnooneknew,forhewroteshortlettersand,whenquestioned,answeredwithimperturbablepatience:"WaittillIgetthrough;thenI"llcomehomeandtalkaboutit。"

Soeveryonewaitedforthepoet,tillsomethinghappenedwhichproducedagreatersensationinthefamilythanifalltheboyshadsimultaneouslytakentorhyming。

Dr。AlecgotveryimpatientandsuddenlyannouncedthathewasgoingtoL？toseeafterthoseyoungpeople,forPhebewasrapidlysingingherselfintopublicfavorwiththesweetoldballadswhichsherenderedsobeautifullythathearersweretouchedaswellasearsdelighted,andherprospectsbrightenedeverymonth。

"Willyoucomewithme,Rose,andsurprisethisambitiouspairwhoaregettingfamoussofastthey"llforgettheirhomekeepingfriendsifwedon"tremindthemofusnowandthen？"hesaidwhenheproposedthetriponewildMarchmorning。

"No,thankyou,sir­I"llstaywithAunty;thatisallI"mfitfor­andIshouldonlybeinthewayamongthosefinepeople,"answeredRose,snippingawayattheplantsbloominginthestudywindow。

Therewasaslightbitternessinhervoiceandacloudonherface,whichheruncleheardandsawatonce,halfguessedthemeaningof,andcouldnotresttillhehadfoundout。

"DoyouthinkPhebeandMacwouldnotcaretoseeyou？"heasked,puttingdownaletterinwhichMacgaveaglowingaccountofaconcertatwhichPhebesurpassedherself。

"No,buttheymustbeverybusy,"beganRose,wishingshehadheldhertongue。

"Thenwhatisthematter？"persistedDr。Alec。

Rosedidnotspeakforamoment,anddecapitatedtwofinegeraniumswitharecklessslashofherscissors,asifpent—upvexationofsomekindmustfindavent。Itdidinwordsalso,for,asifquiteagainstherwill,sheexclaimedimpetuously:"Thetruthis,I"mjealousofthemboth！"

"Blessmysoul！Whatnow？"ejaculatedthedoctoringreatsurprise。

Roseputdownherwaterpotandshears,cameandstoodbeforehimwithherhandsnervouslytwistedtogether,andsaid,justassheusedtodowhenshewasalittlegirlconfessingsomemisdeed:"Uncle,Imusttellyou,forI"vebeengettingveryenvious,discontented,andbadlately。

No,don"tbegoodtomeyet,foryoudon"tknowhowlittleIdeserveit。

Scoldmewell,andmakemeseehowwickedIam。"

"IwillassoonasIknowwhatIamtoscoldabout。Unburdenyourself,child,andletmeseeallyouriniquity,forifyoubeginbybeingjealousofMacandPhebe,I"mpreparedforanything,"saidDr。Alec,leaningbackasifnothingcouldsurprisehimnow。

"ButIamnotjealousinthatway,sir。ImeanIwanttobeordosomethingsplendidaswellasthey。Ican"twritepoetryorsinglikeabird,butIshouldthinkImighthavemyshareofgloryinsomeway。IthoughtperhapsIcouldpaint,andI"vetried,butIcanonlycopy­I"venopowertoinventlovelythings,andI"msodiscouraged,forthatismyoneaccomplishment。DoyouthinkIhaveanygiftthatcouldbecultivatedanddomecreditliketheirs？"sheaskedsowistfullythatherunclefeltforamomentasifhenevercouldforgivethefairieswhoendowbabiesintheircradlesforbeingsoniggardlytohisgirl。Butonelookintothesweet,openfacebeforehimremindedhimthatthegoodelveshadbeenverygenerousandheansweredcheerfully:"Yes,Ido,foryouhaveoneofthebestandnoblestgiftsawomancanpossess。Musicandpoetryarefinethings,andIdon"twonderyouwantthem,orthatyouenvythepleasantfametheybring。I"vefeltjustso,andbeenreadytoaskwhyitdidn"tpleaseheaventobemoregeneroustosomepeople,soyouneedn"tbeashamedtotellmeallaboutit。"

"IknowIoughttobecontented,butI"mnot。Mylifeisverycomfortable,butsoquietanduneventful,Igettiredofitandwanttolaunchoutastheothershave,anddosomething,oratleasttry。I"mgladyouthinkitisn"tverybadofme,andI"dliketoknowwhatmygiftis,"saidRose,lookinglessdespondentalready。

"Theartoflivingforotherssopatientlyandsweetlythatweenjoyitaswedothesunshine,andarenothalfgratefulenoughforthegreatblessing。"

"Itisverykindofyoutosayso,butIthinkI"dlikealittlefunandfamenevertheless。"AndRosedidnotlookasthankfulassheought。

"Verynatural,dear,butthefunandthefamedonotlast,whilethememoryofarealhelperiskeptgreenlongafterpoetryisforgottenandmusicsilent。Can"tyoubelievethat,andbehappy？"

"ButIdosolittle,nobodyseesorcares,andIdon"tfeelasifI

wasreallyofanyuse,"sighedRose,thinkingofthelong,dullwinter,fullofeffortsthatseemedfruitless。

"Sithere,andletusseeifyoureallydoverylittleandifnoonecares。"And,drawinghertohisknee,Dr。Alecwenton,tellingoffeachitemononeofthefingersofthesofthandheheld。

"First,aninfirmoldauntiskeptveryhappybythepatient,cheerfulcareofthisgood—for—nothingniece。Secondly,acrotchetyuncle,forwhomshereads,runs,writes,andsewssowillinglythathecannotgetonwithouther。Thirdly,variousrelationswhoarehelpedinvariousways。Fourthly,onedearfriendneverforgotten,andacertaincousincheeredbypraisewhichismoretohimthantheloudestblastFamecouldblow。Fifthly,severalyounggirlsfindheranexampleofmanygoodworksandways。Sixthly,amotherlessbabyiscaredforastenderlyasifshewerealittlesister。

Seventhly,halfadozenpoorladiesmadecomfortable;and,lastly,somestrugglingboysandgirlswithartisticlongingsareputintoapleasantroomfurnishedwithcasts,studies,easels,andallmannerofhelpfulthings,nottomentionfreelessonsgivenbythissameidlegirl,whonowsitsuponmykneeowningtoherselfthathergiftisworthhavingafterall。"

"Indeed,Iam！Uncle,I"dnoideaIhaddonesomanythingstopleaseyou,orthatanyoneguessedhowhardItrytofillmyplaceusefully。I"velearnedtodowithoutgratitude­nowI"lllearnnottocareforpraise,buttobecontentedtodomybest,andhaveonlyGodknow。"

"Heknows,andHerewardsinHisowngoodtime。Ithinkaquietlifelikethisoftenmakesitselffeltinbetterwaysthanonethattheworldseesandapplauds,andsomeofthenoblestareneverknowntilltheyend,leavingavoidinmanyhearts。Yoursmaybeoneoftheseifyouchoosetomakeitso,andnoonewillbeprouderofthissuccessthanI,unlessitbe­Mac。"

Thecloudswerequitegonenow,andRosewaslookingstraightintoheruncle"sfacewithamuchhappierexpressionwhenthatlastwordmadeitcolorbrightlyandtheeyesglanceawayforasecond。Thentheycamebackfullofatendersortofresolutionasshesaid:"ThatwillbetherewardIworkfor,"androse,asifreadytobeupanddoingwithrenewedcourage。

Butheruncleheldherlongenoughtoaskquitesoberly,thoughhiseyeslaughed:"ShallItellhimthat？"

"No,sir,pleasedon"t！Whenheistiredofotherpeople"spraise,hewillcomehome,andthen­I"llseewhatIcandoforhim,"answeredRose,slippingawaytoherworkwiththeshy,happylookthatsometimescametogivetoherfacethecharmitneeded。

"Heissuchathoroughfellow,heneverisinahurrytogofromonethingtoanother。Anexcellenthabit,butatrifletryingtoimpatientpeoplelikeme,"saidthedoctorand,pickingupDulce,whosatupontherugwithherdolly,hecomposedhisfeelingsbytossinghertillshecrowedwithdelight。

Roseheartilyechoedthatlastremark,butsaidnothingaloud,onlyhelpedheruncleoffwithdutifulalacrityand,whenhewasgone,begantocountthedaystillhisreturn,wishingshehaddecidedtogotoo。

Hewroteoften,givingexcellentaccountsofthe"greatcreatures,"

asStevecalledPhebeandMac,andseemedtofindsomuchtodoinvariouswaysthatthesecondweekofabsencewasnearlyoverbeforehesetadayforhisreturn,promisingtoastonishthemwiththeaccountofhisadventures。

Rosefeltasifsomethingsplendidwasgoingtohappenandsetheraffairsinordersothattheapproachingcrisismightfindherfullyprepared。

Shehad"foundout"now,wasquitesure,andputawayalldoubtsandfearstobereadytowelcomehomethecousinwhomshewassureUnclewouldbringasherreward。ShewasthinkingofthisonedayasshegotoutherpapertowritealonglettertopoorAuntClara,whopinedfornewsfarawaythereinCalcutta。

Somethinginthetaskremindedherofthatotherloverwhosewooingendedsotragically,andopeningalittledrawerofkeepsakes,shetookoutthebluebracelet,feelingthatsheowedCharlieatenderthoughtinthemidstofhernewhappiness,foroflateshehadforgottenhim。

Shehadwornthetrinkethiddenunderherblacksleeveforalongtimeafterhisdeath,withtheregretfulconstancyonesometimesshowsindoingsomelittlekindnessalltoolate。Butherarmhadgrowntooroundtohidetheornament,theforget—me—notshadfallenonebyone,theclasphadbroken,andthatautumnshelaidthebraceletaway,acknowledgingthatshehadoutgrownthesouveniraswellasthesentimentthatgaveit。

Shelookedatitinsilenceforamoment,thenputitsoftlybackand,shuttingthedrawer,tookupthelittlegraybookwhichwasherpride,thinkingasshecontrastedthetwomenandtheirinfluenceonherlife­theonesadanddisturbing,theothersweetandinspiring­"Charlie"swaspassion­Mac"sislove。"

"Rose！Rose！"calledashrillvoice,rudelybreakingthepensivereverie,andwithastart,sheshutthedesk,exclaimingassherantothedoor:

"Theyhavecome！Theyhavecome！"Chapter21。Chapter21。21HOWPHEBEEARNEDHERWELCOMEDr。Alechadnotarrived,butbadtidingshad,asRoseguessedtheinstanthereyesfelluponAuntPlenty,hobblingdownstairswithhercapawry,herfacepale,andaletterflappingwildlyinherhandasshecrieddistractedly:

"Oh,myboy！Myboy！Sick,andInottheretonursehim！Malignantfever,sofaraway。Whatcanthosechildrendo？WhydidIletAlecgo？"

Rosegotherintotheparlor,andwhilethepooroldladylamented,shereadtheletterwhichPhebehadsenttoherthatshemight"breakthenewscarefullytoRose。"DEARMISSPLENTY,Pleasereadthistoyourselffirst,andtellmylittlemistressasyouthinkbest。Thedeardoctorisveryill,butIamwithhim,andshallnotleavehimdayornighttillheissafe。Sotrustme,anddonotbeanxious,foreverythingshallbedonethatcareandskillandentiredevotioncando。Hewouldnotletustellyoubefore,fearingyouwouldtrytocomeattheriskofyourhealth。Indeeditwouldbeuseless,foronlyonenurseisneeded,andIcamefirst,sodonotletRoseoranybodyelserobmeofmyrighttothedangerandtheduty。Machaswrittentohisfather,forDr。Alecisnowtooilltoknowwhatwedo,andwebothfeltthatyououghttobetoldwithoutfurtherdelay。Hehasabadmalignantfever,caughtnoonecantellhow,unlessamongsomepooremigrantswhomhemetwanderingaboutquiteforlorninastrangecity。

HeunderstoodPortugueseandsentthemtoaproperplacewhentheyhadtoldtheirstory。ButIfearhehassufferedforhiskindness,forthisfevercameonrapidly,andbeforeheknewwhatitwasIwasthere,anditwastoolatetosendmeaway。

NowIcanshowyouhowgratefulIam,andifneedbegivemylifesogladlyforthisfriendwhohasbeenafathertome。TellRosehislastconsciouswordandthoughtwereforher。"Don"tlethercome;keepmydarlingsafe。"Oh,doobeyhim！Staysafelyathomeand,Godhelpingme,I"llbringUncleAlecbackintime。MacdoesallIwilllethim。Wehavethebestphysicians,andeverythingisgoingaswellascanbehopedtillthefeverturns。

DearMissPlenty,prayforhimandforme,thatImaydothisonehappythingforthosewhohavedonesomuchforYoureverdutifulandlovingPHEBEAsRoselookedupfromtheletter,halfstunnedbythesuddennewsandthegreatdanger,shefoundthattheoldladyhadalreadystoppeduselessbewailingandwasprayingheartily,likeonewhoknewwellwherehelpwastobefound。Rosewentandkneltdownatherknee,layingherfaceontheclaspedhandsinherlap,andforafewminutesneitherweptnorspoke。

Thenastifledsobbrokefromthegirl,andAuntPlentygatheredtheyoungheadinherarms,saying,withtheslowtearsofagetricklingdownherownwitheredcheeks:"Bearup,mylamb,bearup。ThegoodLordwon"ttakehimfromusIamsure­andthatbravechildwillbeallowedtopayherdebttohim。Ifeelshewill。"

"ButIwanttohelp。Imustgo,Aunty,Imust­nomatterwhatthedangeris,"criedRose,fullofatenderjealousyofPhebeforbeingfirsttobraveperilforthesakeofhimwhohadbeenafathertothemboth。

"Youcan"tgo,dear,it"snousenow,andsheisrighttosay,"Keepaway。"Iknowthosefevers,andtheoneswhonurseoftentakeit,andfareworseforthestrainthey"vebeenthrough。Goodgirltostandbysobravely,tobesosensible,andnotletMacgotoonear！She"sagrandnurse­Aleccouldn"thaveabetter,andshe"llneverleavehimtillhe"ssafe,"saidMissPlentyexcitedly。

"Ah,youbegintoknowhernow,andvalueherasyouought。Ithinkfewwouldhavedoneasshehas,andifshedoesgetillanddie,itwillbeourfaultpartly,becauseshe"dgothroughfireandwatertomakeusdoherjusticeandreceiveherasweought,"criedRose,proudofanexamplewhichshelongedtofollow。

"Ifshebringsmyboyhome,I"llneversayanotherword。ShemaymarryeverynephewI"vegot,ifshelikes,andI"llgivehermyblessing,"exclaimedAuntPlenty,feelingthatnopricewouldbetoomuchtopayforsuchadeed。

Rosewasgoingtoclapherhands,butwrungtheminstead,rememberingwithasuddenpangthatthebattlewasnotoveryet,anditwasmuchtoosoontoawardthehonors。

BeforeshecouldspeakUncleMacandAuntJanehurriedin,forMac"sletterhadcomewiththeother,anddismayfelluponthefamilyatthethoughtofdangertothewell—belovedUncleAlec。Hisbrotherdecidedtogoatonce,andAuntJaneinsistedonaccompanyinghim,thoughallagreedthatnothingcouldbedonebutwait,andleavePhebeatherpostaslongassheheldout,sinceitwastoolatetosaveherfromdangernowandMacreportedherquiteequaltothetask。

Greatwasthehurryandconfusiontillthereliefpartywasoff。AuntPlentywasheartbrokenthatshecouldnotgowiththem,butfeltthatshewastooinfirmtobeusefuland,likeasensibleoldsoul,triedtocontentherselfwithpreparingallsortsofcomfortsfortheinvalid。Rosewaslesspatient,andatfirsthadwildideasofsettingoffaloneandforcingherwaytothespotwhereallherthoughtsnowcentered。Butbeforeshecouldcarryoutanyrashproject,AuntMyra"spalpitationssetinsoalarminglythattheydidgoodserviceforonceandkeptRosebusytakingherlastdirectionsandtryingtosootheherdyingbed,foreachattackwasdeclaredfataltillthepatientdemandedtoastandtea,whenhopewasagainallowableandtherallybegan。

Thenewsflewfast,assuchtidingsalwaysdo,andAuntPlentywasconstantlyemployedinansweringinquiries,forherknockerkeptupasteadytattooforseveraldays。Allsortsofpeoplecame:gentlefolkandpaupers,childrenwithanxiouslittlefaces,oldpeoplefullofsympathy,prettygirlssobbingastheywentaway,andyoungmenwhorelievedtheirfeelingsbyswearingatallemigrantsingeneralandPortugueseinparticular。Itwastouchingandcomfortingtoseehowmanylovedthegoodmanwhowasknownonlybyhisbenefactionsandnowlaysufferingfaraway,quiteunconscioushowmanyunsuspectedcharitieswerebroughttolightbythisgratefulsolicitudeashiddenflowersspringupwhenwarmrainsfall。

IfRosehadeverfeltthatthegiftoflivingforotherswasapoorone,shesawnowhowbeautifulandblesseditwas­howrichthereturns,howwidetheinfluence,howmuchmorepreciousthetendertiewhichknitsomanyheartstogetherthananybreathoffameorbrillianttalentthatdazzledbutdidnotwinandwarm。Inafteryearsshefoundhowtrueheruncle"swordshadbeenand,listeningtoeulogiesofgreatmen,feltlessmovedandinspiredbypraisesoftheirsplendidgiftsthanbythesightofsomegoodman"spatientlaborforthepoorestofhiskind。Herheroesceasedtobetheworld"sfavoritesandbecamesuchasGarrisonfightingforhischosenpeople;Howerestoringlostsensestothedeaf,thedumb,andblind;Sumnerunbribable,whenothermenwereboughtandsold­andmanyalarge—heartedwomanworkingasquietlyasAbbyGibbons,whoforthirtyyearshadmadeChristmasmerryfortwohundredlittlepaupersinacityalmshouse,besidessavingMagdalensandteachingconvicts。

ThelessoncametoRosewhenshewasreadyforit,andshowedherwhatanobleprofessionphilanthropyis,madehergladofherchoice,andhelpedfitherforalonglifefullofthelovinglaborandsweetsatisfactionunostentatiouscharitybringstothosewhoasknorewardandarecontentif"onlyGodknows。"

Severalanxiousweekswentbywithwearingfluctuationsofhopeandfear,forLifeandDeathfoughtovertheprizeeachwanted,andmorethanonceDeathseemedtohavewon。ButPhebestoodatherpost,defyingbothdangerandDeathwiththecourageanddevotionwomenoftenshow。Allhersoulandstrengthwereinherwork,andwhenitseemedmosthopeless,shecriedoutwiththepassionateenergywhichseemstosendsuchappealsstraightuptoheaven:"Grantmethisoneboon,dearLord,andIwillneveraskanotherformyself！"

Suchprayersavailmuch,andsuchentiredevotionoftenseemstoworkmiracleswhenotheraidsareinvain。Phebe"scrywasanswered,herself—forgetfultaskaccomplished,andherlongvigilrewardedwithahappydawn。Dr。Alecalwayssaidthatshekepthimalivebytheforceofherwill,andthat,duringthehourswhenheseemedtolieunconscious,hefeltastrong,warmhandholdinghis,asifkeepinghimawayfromtheswiftcurrenttryingtosweephimaway。Thehappiesthourofallherlifewasthatinwhichheknewher,lookedupwiththeshadowofasmileinhisholloweyes,andtriedtosayinhisoldcheeryway:"TellRoseI"veturnedthecorner,thankstoyou,mychild。"

Sheansweredveryquietly,smoothedthepillow,andsawhimdropasleepagainbeforeshestoleawayintotheotherroom,meaningtowritethegoodnews,butcouldonlythrowherselfdownandfindreliefforafullheartinthefirsttearsshehadshedforweeks。Macfoundherthere,andtooksuchcareofherthatshewasreadytogobacktoherplace­nowindeedapostofhonor­whileheranofftosendhomeatelegramwhichmademanyheartssingforjoyandcausedJamie,inhisfirstburstofdelight,toproposetoringallthecitybellsandorderoutthecannon:"Saved­thankstoGodandPhebe。"

Thatwasall,buteveryonewassatisfied,andeveryonefella—crying,asifhopeneededmuchsaltywatertostrengthenit。Thatwassoonover,however,andthenpeoplewentaboutsmilingandsayingtooneanother,withhandshakesorembraces,"Heisbetter­nodoubtofitnow！"Ageneraldesiretorushawayandassurethemselvesofthetruthpervadedthefamilyforsomedays,andnothingbutawfulthreatsfromMac,sternmandatesfromthedoctor,andentreatiesfromPhebenottoundoherworkkeptMissPlenty,Rose,andAuntJessieathome。

Astheonlywayinwhichtheycouldeasetheirmindsandbearthedelay,theysetaboutspringcleaningwithanenergywhichscaredthespidersanddrovecharwomendistracted。Iftheoldhousehadbeeninfectedwithsmallpox,itcouldnothavebeenmorevigorouslyscrubbed,aired,andrefreshed。

Earlyasitwas,everycarpetwasroutedup,curtainspulleddown,cushionsbanged,andgloryholesturnedouttillnotaspeckofdust,alastyear"sfly,orstraystrawcouldbefound。Thentheyallsatdownandrestedinsuchanimmaculatemansionthatonehardlydaredtomoveforfearofdestroyingtheshiningordereverywherevisible。

ItwaslateinAprilbeforethiswasaccomplished,andthenecessaryquarantineoftheabsenteeswellover。Thefirstmilddaysseemedtocomeearly,sothatDr。Alecmightreturnwithsafetyfromthejourneywhichhadsonearlybeenhislast。Itwasperfectlyimpossibletokeepanymemberofthefamilyawayonthatgreatoccasion。Theycamefromallquartersinspiteofexpressdirectionstothecontrary,fortheinvalidwasstillveryfeebleandnoexcitementmustbeallowed。Asifthewindcarriedthegladnews,UncleJemcameintoportthenightbefore;WillandGeordiegotaleaveontheirownresponsibility;Stevewouldhavedefiedtheentirefaculty,haditbeennecessary;andUncleMacandArchiesaidsimultaneously,"Businessbehangedtoday。"

Ofcoursetheauntsarrivedinalltheirbest,allcautioningeverybodyelsetokeepquietandallgabblingexcitedlyattheleastprovocation。

Jamiesufferedthemostduringthatday,sodividedwashebetweenthedesiretobehavewellandthefranticimpulsetoshoutatthetopofhisvoice,turnsomersaults,andracealloverthehouse。Occasionalboltsintothebarn,whereheletoffsteambyroaringanddancingjigs,tothegreatdismayofthefatoldhorsesandtwosedatecows,helpedhimtogetthroughthattryingperiod。

ButtheheartthatwasfullestbeatandflutteredinRose"sbosomasshewentaboutputtingspringflowerseverywhere;verysilent,butsoradiantwithhappinessthattheauntswatchedher,sayingsoftlytooneanother,"Couldanangellooksweeter？"

Ifangelseverworepalegreengownsandsnowdropsintheirhair,hadcountenancesfullofserenestjoy,andlargeeyesshiningwithaninwardlightthatmadethemverylovely,thenRosedidlooklikeone。Butshefeltlikeawoman­andwellshemight,forwasnotlifeveryrichthatday,whenUncle,friend,andloverwerecomingbacktohertogether？Couldsheaskanythingmore,exceptthepowertobetoallofthemthecreaturetheybelievedher,andtoreturnthelovetheygaveherwithoneasfaithful,pure,anddeep？

AmongtheportraitsinthehallhungoneofDr。Alec,donesoonafterhisreturnbyCharlieinoneofhisbrieffitsofinspiration。Onlyacrayon,butwonderfullylifelikeandcarefullyfinished,asfewoftheotherswere。

Thishadbeenhandsomelyframedandnowheldtheplaceofhonor,garlandedwithgreenwreaths,whilethegreatIndianjarbelowblazedwithapyramidofhothouseflowerssentbyKitty。Rosewasgivingthesealasttouch,withDulcecloseby,cooingoverahandfulofsweet"daffydowndillies,"

whenthesoundofwheelssentherflyingtothedoor。Shemeanttohavespokenthefirstwelcomeandhadthefirstembrace,butwhenshesawthealteredfaceinthecarriage,thefeeblefigurebeingborneupthestepsbyalltheboys,shestoodmotionlesstillPhebecaughtherinherarms,whisperingwithalaughandacrystrugglinginhervoice:"Ididitforyou,mydarling,allforyou！"

"Oh,Phebe,neversayagainyouowemeanything！Inevercanrepayyouforthis,"wasallRosehadtimetoanswerastheystoodoneinstantcheektocheek,hearttoheart,bothtoofullofhappinessformanywords。

AuntPlentyhadheardthewheelsalsoand,aseverybodyroseenmasse,hadsaidasimpressivelyasextremeagitationwouldallow,whilesheputherglassesonupsidedownandseizedalacetidyinsteadofherhandkerchief:

"Stop！Allstayhere,andletmereceiveAlec。Rememberhisweakstate,andbecalm,quitecalm,asIam。"

"Yes,Aunt,certainly,"wasthegeneralmurmurofassent,butitwasasimpossibletoobeyasitwouldhavebeentokeepfeathersstillinagale,andoneirresistibleimpulsecarriedthewholeroomfulintothehalltobeholdAuntPlentybeautifullyillustratingherowntheoryofcomposurebywavingthetidywildly,rushingintoDr。Alec"sarms,andlaughingandcryingwithahystericalabandonmentwhichevenAuntMyracouldnothavesurpassed。

Thetearfuljubileewassoonover,however,andnooneseemedtheworseforit,fortheinstanthisarmswereatliberty,Dr。Alecforgothimselfandbegantomakeotherpeoplehappybysayingseriously,thoughhisthinfacebeamedpaternally,ashedrewPhebeforward:"AuntPlenty,butforthisgooddaughterInevershouldhavecomebacktobesowelcomed。Loveherformysake。"

Thentheoldladycameoutsplendidlyandshowedhermettle,for,turningtoPhebe,shebowedhergrayheadasifsalutinganequaland,offeringherhand,answeredwithrepentance,admiration,andtendernesstremblinginhervoice:"I"mproudtodoitforherownsake。Iaskpardonformysillyprejudices,andI"llprovethatI"msincereby­where"sthatboy？"

Thereweresixboyspresent,buttherightonewasinexactlytherightplaceattherightmoment,and,seizingArchie"shand,AuntPlentyputPhebe"sintoit,tryingtosaysomethingappropriatelysolemn,butcouldnot,sohuggedthembothandsobbedout:"IfIhadadozennephews,I"dgivethemalltoyou,mydear,anddanceatthewedding,thoughIhadrheumatismineverylimb。"

Thatwasbetterthananyoration,foritsetthemalltolaughing,andDr。Alecwasfloatedtothesofaonagentlewaveofmerriment。Oncethere,everyonebutRoseandAuntPlentywasorderedoffbyMac,whowasincommandnowandseemedtohavesunkthepoetinthephysician。

"Thehousemustbeperfectlyquiet,andhemustgotosleepassoonaspossibleafterthejourney,soallsay"good—bye"nowandcallagaintomorrow,"hesaid,watchinghisuncleanxiouslyasheleanedinthesofacorner,withfourwomentakingoffhiswraps,threeboyscontendingforhisovershoes,twobrothersshakinghandsatshortintervals,andAuntMyraholdingabottleofstrongsaltsunderhisdevotednoseeverytimetherewasanopeninganywhere。

Withdifficultythehousewaspartiallycleared,andthen,whileAuntPlentymountedguardoverherboy,RosestoleawaytoseeifMachadgonewiththerest,forasyettheyhadhardlyspokeninthejoyfulflurry,thougheyesandhandshadmet。Chapter22。Chapter22。22SHORTANDSWEETInthehallshefoundSteveandKitty,forhehadhiddenhislittlesweetheartbehindthebigcouch,feelingthatshehadarightthere,havingsupportedhisspiritsduringthelateanxietywithgreatconstancyandcourage。Theyseemedsocozy,billingandcooingintheshadowofthegayvase,thatRosewouldhaveslippedsilentlyawayiftheyhadnotseenandcalledtoher。

"He"snotgone­Iguessyou"llfindhimintheparlor,"saidSteve,diviningwithalover"sinstinctthemeaningofthequicklookshehadcastatthehatrackassheshutthestudydoorbehindher。

"Mercy,no！ArchieandPhebearethere,sohe"dhavethesensetopopintothesanctumandwait,unlessyou"dlikemetogoandbringhimout？"

addedKitty,smoothingRose"sruffledhairandsettlingtheflowersonthebosomwhereUncleAlec"sheadhadlainuntilhefellasleep。

"No,thankyou,I"llgotohimwhenI"veseenmyPhebe。Shewon"tmindme,"answeredRose,movingontotheparlor。

"Lookhere,"calledSteve,"doadvisethemtohurryupandallbemarriedatonce。WewerejustreadywhenUnclefellill,andnowwecannotwaitadaylaterthanthefirstofMay。"

"Rathershortnotice,"laughedRose,lookingbackwiththedoorknobinherhand。

"We"llgiveupalloursplendor,anddoitassimplyasyoulike,ifyouwillonlycometoo。Thinkhowlovely！Threeweddingsatonce！

Doflyroundandsettlethings­there"sadear,"imploredKitty,whoseimaginationwasfiredwiththisromanticidea。

"HowcanI,whenIhavenobridegroomyet？"beganRose,withconsciouscolorinhertelltaleface。

"Slycreature！Youknowyou"veonlygottosayawordandhaveafamousone。Unaandherlionwillbenothingtoit,"criedSteve,bentonhasteninghisbrother"saffair,whichwasmuchtoodilatoryandpeculiarforhistaste。

"Hehasbeeninnohastetocomehome,andIaminnohastetoleaveit。Don"twaitforme,"Mr。andMrs。HarryWalmers,Jr。,"Ishallbeayearatleastmakingupmymind,soyoumayleadoffassplendidlyasyoulikeandI"llprofitbyyourexperience。"AndRosevanishedintotheparlor,leavingStevetogroanovertheperversityofsuperiorwomenandKittytocomforthimbypromisingtomarryhimonMayDay"allalone。"

Averydifferentcoupleoccupiedthedrawingroom,butahappierone,fortheyhadknownthepainofseparationandwerenowenjoyingtheblissofareunionwhichwastolastunbrokenfortheirlives。Phebesatinaneasychair,restingfromherlabors,paleandthinandworn,butlovelierinArchie"seyesthaneverbefore。Itwasveryevidentthathewasadoringhisdivinity,for,afterplacingafootstoolatherfeet,hehadforgottentogetupandknelttherewithhiselbowonthearmofherchair,lookinglikeathirstymandrinkinglongdraftsofthepurestwater。

"ShallIdisturbyouifIpassthrough？"askedRose,loathtospoiltheprettytableau。

"Notifyoustopaminuteonthewayandcongratulateme,Cousin,forshesays"yes"atlast！"criedArchie,springinguptogoandbringhertothearmsPhebeopenedassheappeared。

"Iknewshewouldrewardyourpatienceandputawayherpridewhenbothhadbeendulytried,"saidRose,layingthetiredheadonherbosomwithsuchtenderadmirationinhereyesthatPhebehadtoshakesomebrightdropsfromherownbeforeshecouldreplyinatoneofgratefulhumilitythatshowedhowmuchherheartwastouched:"HowcanIhelpit,whentheyareallsokindtome？AnypridewouldmeltawayundersuchpraiseandthanksandlovingwishesasI"vehadtoday,foreverymemberofthefamilyhastakenpainstowelcomeme,toexpressfartoomuchgratitude,andtobegmetobeoneofyou。Ineededverylittleurging,butwhenArchie"sfatherandmothercameandcalledme"daughter,"Iwouldhavepromisedanythingtoshowmyloveforthem。"

"Andhim,"addedRose,butArchieseemedquitesatisfiedandkissedthehandheheldasifithadbeenthatofabelovedprincesswhilehesaidwithallthepridePhebeseemedtohavelost:"Thinkwhatshegivesupforme­fameandfortuneandtheadmirationofmanyabetterman。

Youdon"tknowwhatasplendidprospectshehasofbecomingoneofthesweetsingerswhoarelovedandhonoredeverywhere,andallthissheputsawayformysake,contenttosingformealone,withnorewardbutlove。"

"Iamsogladtomakealittlesacrificeforagreathappiness­I

nevershallregretitorthinkmymusiclostifitmakeshomecheerfulformymate。Birdssingsweetestintheirownnests,youknow。"AndPhebebenttowardhimwithalookandgesturewhichplainlyshowedhowwillinglysheofferedupallambitioushopesuponthealtarofawoman"shappylove。

Bothseemedtoforgetthattheywerenotalone,andinamomenttheywere,forasuddenimpulsecarriedRosetothedoorofhersanctum,asifthesouthwindwhichseemedtohavesetinwaswaftingthislittleshipalsotowardtheIslandsoftheBlessed,wheretheothersweresafelyanchorednow。

Theroomwasablazeofsunshineandabowerofspringfreshnessandfragrance,forhereRosehadletherfancyhavefreeplay,andeachgarland,fern,andflowerhaditsmeaning。Macseemedtohavebeenreadingthissweetlanguageofsymbols,tohaveguessedwhyCharlie"slittlepicturewasframedinwhiteroses,whypansieshungabouthisown,whyPsychewashalfhiddenamongfeatheryspraysofmaidenhair,andapurplepassionflowerlayatCupid"sfeet。Thelastfancyevidentlypleasedhim,forhewassmilingoverit,andhummingtohimselfasiftobeguilehispatientwaiting,theburdenoftheairRosehadsooftensungtohim:"Bonnylassie,willyegang,willyegangTothebirksofAberfeldie？""Yes,Mac,anywhere！"

Hehadnotheardherenter,andwheelingaround,lookedatherwitharadiantfaceashesaid,drawingalongbreath,"Atlast！Youweresobusyoverthedearman,Igotnoword。ButIcanwait­I"musedtoit。"

Rosestoodquitestill,surveyinghimwithanewsortofreverenceinhereyes,assheansweredwithasweetsolemnitythatmadehimlaughandreddenwiththesensitivejoyofonetowhompraisefromherlipswasveryprecious:"YouforgetthatyouarenottheMacwhowentaway。Ishouldhaveruntomeetmycousin,butIdidnotdaretobefamiliarwiththepoetwhomallbegintohonor。"

"Youlikethemixture,then？YouknowIsaidI"dtrytogiveyouloveandpoetrytogether。"

"Likeit！I"msoglad,soproud,Ihaven"tanywordsstrongandbeautifulenoughtohalfexpressmywonderandmyadmiration。Howcouldyoudoit,Mac？"AndawholefacefullofsmilesbrokelooseasRoseclappedherhands,lookingasifshecoulddancewithsheerdelight。

"Itdiditself,upthereamongthehills,andherewithyou,oroutaloneuponthesea。Icouldwriteaheavenlypoemthisveryminute,andputyouinasSpring­youlooklikeherinthatgreengownwithsnowdropsinyourbonnyhair。Rose,amIgettingonalittle？DoesahintoffamehelpmenearertotheprizeI"mworkingfor？Isyourheartmorewillingtobewon？"

Hedidnotstirastep,butlookedatherwithsuchintenselongingthathisglanceseemedtodrawhernearerlikeanirresistibleappeal,forshewentandstoodbeforehim,holdingoutbothhands,asifsheofferedallherlittlestore,asshesaidwithsimplestsincerity:"Itisnotworthsomuchbeautifulendeavor,butifyoustillwantsopoorathing,itisyours。"

Hecaughtherhandsinhisandseemedabouttotaketherestofher,buthesitatedforaninstant,unabletobelievethatsomuchhappinesswastrue。

"Areyousure,Rose­verysure？Don"tletamomentaryadmirationblindyou­I"mnotapoetyet,andthebestarebutmortalmen,youknow。"

"Itisnotadmiration,Mac。"

"NorgratitudeforthesmallshareI"vetakeninsavingUncle？Ihadmydebttopay,aswellasPhebe,andwasasgladtoriskmylife。"

"No­itisnotgratitude。"

"Norpityformypatience？I"veonlydonealittleyet,andIamasfaraseverfrombeinglikeyourhero。Icanworkandwaitstilllongerifyouarenotsure,forImusthaveallornothing。"

"Oh,Mac！Whywillyoubesodoubtful？Yousaidyou"dmakemeloveyou,andyou"vedoneit。Willyoubelievemenow？"And,withasortofdesperation,shethrewherselfintohisarms,clingingthereineloquentsilencewhileheheldherclose;feeling,withathrilloftendertriumph,thatthiswasnolongerlittleRose,butalovingwoman,readytoliveanddieforhim。

"NowI"msatisfied！"hesaidpresently,whensheliftedupherface,fullofmaidenlyshameatthesuddenpassionwhichhadcarriedheroutofherselfforamoment。"No­don"tslipawaysosoon。LetmekeepyouforoneblessedminuteandfeelthatIhavereallyfoundmyPsyche。"

"AndImyCupid,"answeredRose,laughing,inspiteofheremotion,attheideaofMacinthatsentimentalcharacter。

Helaughed,too,asonlyahappylovercould,thensaid,withsuddenseriousness:"Sweetsoul！Liftupyourlampandlookwellbeforeitistoolate,forI"mnogod,onlyaveryfaultyman。"

"Dearlove！Iwill。ButIhavenofear,exceptthatyouwillflytoohighformetofollow,becauseIhavenowings。"

"Youshalllivethepoetry,andIwillwriteit,somylittlegiftwillcelebrateyourgreaterone。"

"No­youshallhaveallthefame,andI"llbecontenttobeknownonlyasthepoet"swife。"

"AndI"llbeproudtoownthatmybestinspirationcomesfromthebeneficentlifeofasweetandnoblewoman。"

"Oh,Mac！We"llworktogetherandtrytomaketheworldbetterbythemusicandtheloveweleavebehinduswhenwego。"

"PleaseGod,wewill！"heansweredferventlyand,lookingatherasshestoodthereinthespringsunshine,glowingwiththetenderhappiness,highhopes,andearnestpurposesthatmakelifebeautifulandsacred,hefeltthatnowthelastleafhadfoldedback,thegoldenheartlayopentothelight,andhisRosehadbloomed。