Part 36 (1/2)
”No one shall have a finger in this nice little pie; you shall do it all yourself, only don't go too fast, or make too many castles in the air, my dear; for time and patience must go into this pie of ours if it is to turn out well.”
”Yes, uncle, only when it _is_ opened won't 'the birds begin to sing?'”
laughed Rose, taking a turn about the room as a vent for the joyful emotions that made her eyes s.h.i.+ne. All of a sudden she stopped and asked soberly,--
”If Phebe goes to school who will do her work? I'm willing, if I can.”
”Come here and I'll tell you a secret. Dolly's 'bones' are getting so troublesome, and her dear old temper so bad, that the aunts have decided to pension her off and let her go and live with her daughter, who has married very well. I saw her this week, and she'd like to have her mother come, so in the spring we shall have a grand change, and get a new cook and chamber-girl if any can be found to suit our honored relatives.”
”Oh, me! how can I ever get on without Phebe? Couldn't she stay, just so I could see her? I'd pay her board rather than have her go, I'm _so_ fond of her.”
How Dr. Alec laughed at that proposal, and how satisfied Rose was when he explained that Phebe was still to be her maid, with no duties except such as she could easily perform between school-hours.
”She is a proud creature, for all her humble ways, and even from us would not take a favor if she did not earn it somehow. So this arrangement makes it all square and comfortable, you see, and she will pay for the schooling by curling these goldilocks a dozen times a day if you let her.”
”Your plans are always _so_ wise and kind! That's why they work so well, I suppose, and why people let you do what you like with them. I really don't see how other girls get along without an Uncle Alec!” answered Rose, with a sigh of pity for those who had missed so great a blessing.
When Phebe was told the splendid news, she did not ”stand on her head with rapture,” as Charlie prophesied she would, but took it quietly, because it was such a happy thing she had no words ”big and beautiful enough to thank them in,” she said; but every hour of her day was brightened by this granted wish, and dedicated to the service of those who gave it.
Her heart was so full of content that it overflowed in music, and the sweet voice singing all about the house gave thanks so blithely that no other words were needed. Her willing feet were never tired of taking steps for those who had smoothed her way; her skilful hands were always busy in some labor of love for them, and on the face fast growing in comeliness there was an almost womanly expression of devotion, which proved how well Phebe had already learned one of life's great lessons,--grat.i.tude.
CHAPTER XXIII.
_PEACE-MAKING._
”STEVE, I want you to tell me something,” said Rose to Dandy, who was making faces at himself in the gla.s.s, while he waited for an answer to the note he brought from his mother to Aunt Plenty.
”P'raps I will, and p'raps I won't. What is it?”
”Haven't Arch and Charlie quarrelled?”
”Dare say; we fellows are always having little rows, you know. I do believe a sty is coming on my starboard eye,” and Steve affected to be absorbed in a survey of his yellow lashes.
”No, that won't do; I want to know all about it; for I'm sure something more serious than a 'little row' is the matter. Come, please tell me, Stenie, there's a dear.”
”Botheration! you don't want me to turn telltale, do you?” growled Steve, pulling his top-knot, as he always did when perplexed.
”Yes, I do,” was Rose's decided answer,--for she saw from his manner that she was right, and determined to have the secret out of him if coaxing would do it. ”I don't wish you to tell things to every one, of course, but to me you may, and you must, because I have a right to know.
You boys need somebody to look after you, and I'm going to do it, for girls are nice peace-makers, and know how to manage people. Uncle said so, and he is never wrong.”
Steve was about to indulge in a derisive hoot at the idea of her looking after them, but a sudden thought restrained him, and suggested a way in which he could satisfy Rose, and better himself at the same time.
”What will you give me if I'll tell you every bit about it?” he asked, with a sudden red in his cheeks, and an uneasy look in his eyes, for he was half ashamed of the proposition.
”What do you want?” and Rose looked up rather surprised at his question.
”I'd like to borrow some money. I shouldn't think of asking you, only Mac never has a cent since he's set up his old chemical shop, where he'll blow himself to bits some day, and you and uncle will have the fun of putting him together again,” and Steve tried to look as if the idea amused him.
”I'll lend it to you with pleasure, so tell away,” said Rose, bound to get at the secret.