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。
