Chapter 6--Uncle Alec's Room
Soon after dinner, and before she had got acquainted with half hernew possessions, Dr. Alec proposed a drive, to carry round the firstinstalment of gifts to the aunts and cousins. Rose was quite ready togo, being anxious to try a certain soft burnous from the box, whichnot only possessed a most engaging little hood, but had funny tasselsbobbing in all directions.
The big carriage was full of parcels, and even Ben's seat was loadedwith Indian war clubs, a Chinese kite of immense size, and a pair ofpolished ox-horns from Africa. Uncle Alec, very blue as to his clothes,and very brown as to his face, sat bolt upright, surveying wellknown places with interest, while Rose, feeling unusually elegant andcomfortable, leaned back folded in her soft mantle, and played she wasan Eastern princess making a royal progress among her subjects.
At three of the places their calls were brief, for Aunt Myra's catarrhwas unusually bad; Aunt Clara had a room full of company; and AuntJane showed such a tendency to discuss the population, productions, andpolitics of Europe, Asia and Africa, that even Dr. Alec was dismayed,and got away as soon as possible.
"Now we will have a good time! I do hope the boys will be at home," saidRose, with a sigh of relief, as they wound yet higher up the hill toAunt Jessie's.
"I left this for the last call, so that we might find the lads just infrom school. Yes, there is Jamie on the gate watching for us; now you'llsee the Clan gather; they are always swarming about together."
The instant Jamie saw the approaching guests he gave a shrill whistle,which was answered by echoes from meadow, house and barn, as the cousinscame running from all directions, shouting, "Hooray for Uncle Alec!"They went at the carriage like highwaymen, robbed it of every parcel,took the occupants prisoners, and marched them into the house with greatexultation.
"Little Mum! little Mum! here they are with lots of goodies! Come downand see the fun right away! Quick!" bawled Will and Geordie amidst ageneral ripping off of papers and a reckless cutting of strings thatsoon turned the tidy room into a chaos.
Down came Aunt Jessie with her pretty cap half on, but such a beamingface below it that one rather thought the fly-away head-gear animprovement than otherwise. She had hardly time to greet Rose and thedoctor before the boys were about her, each clamouring for her to seehis gift and rejoice over it with him, for "little Mum" went halves ineverything. The great horns skirmished about her as if to toss her tothe ceiling; the war clubs hurtled over her head as if to annihilateher; an amazing medley from the four quarters of the globe filled herlap, and seven excited boys all talked to her at once.
But she liked it; oh dear, yes! and sat smiling, admiring, andexplaining, quite untroubled by the din, which made Rose cover up herears and Dr. Alec threaten instant flight if the riot was not quelled.That threat produced a lull, and while the uncle received thanks in onecorner, the aunt had some little confidences made to her in the other.
"Well, dear, and how are things going with you now? Better, I hope, thanthey were a week ago."
"Aunt Jessie, I think I'm going to be very happy, now uncle has come.He does the queerest things, but he is so good to me I can't helploving him"; and, nestling closer to little Mum, Rose told all that hadhappened, ending with a rapturous account of the splendid box.
"I am very glad, dear. But, Rose, I must warn you of one thing; don'tlet uncle spoil you."
"But I like to be spoilt, auntie."
"I don't doubt it; but if you turn out badly when the year is over hewill be blamed, and his experiment prove a failure. That would be apity, wouldn't it? when he wants to do so much for you, and can do it ifhis kind heart does not get in the way of his good judgment."
"I never thought of that, and I'll try not to be spoilt. But how can Ihelp it?" asked Rose anxiously.
"By not complaining of the wholesome things he wants you to do; bygiving him cheerful obedience as well as love; and even making somesmall sacrifices for his sake."
"I will, I truly will! and when I get in a worry about things may I cometo you? Uncle told me to, and I feel as if I shouldn't be afraid."
"You may, darling; this is the place where little troubles are bestcured, and this is what mothers are for, I fancy"; and Aunt Jessie drewthe curly head to her shoulder with a tender look that proved how wellshe knew what medicine the child most needed.
It was so sweet and comfortable that Rose sat still enjoying it till alittle voice said,
"Mamma, don't you think Pokey would like some of my shells? Rose gavePhebe some of her nice things, and it was very good of her. Can I?"
"Who is Pokey?" asked Rose, popping up her head, attracted by the oddname.
"My dolly; do you want to see her?" asked Jamie, who had been muchimpressed by the tale of adoption he had overheard.
"Yes; I'm fond of dollies, only don't tell the boys, or they will laughat me."
"They don't laugh at me, and they play with my dolly a great deal; butshe likes me best"; and Jamie ran away to produce his pet.
"I brought my old doll, but I keep her hidden because I am too big toplay with her, and yet I can't bear to throw her away, I'm so fond ofher," said Rose, continuing her confidences in a whisper.
"You can come and play with Jamie's whenever you like, for we believe indollies up here," began Aunt Jessie, smiling to herself as if somethingamused her.
Just then Jamie came back, and Rose understood the smile, for his dollyproved to be a pretty four-year-old little girl, who trotted in as fastas her fat legs would carry her, and making straight for the shells,scrambled up an armful, saying, with a laugh that showed her littlewhite teeth,
"All for Dimmy and me, for Dimmy and me!"
"That's my dolly; isn't she a nice one?" asked Jamie, proudly surveyinghis pet with his hands behind him and his short legs rather far apart amanly attitude copied from his brothers.
"She is a dear dolly. But why call her Pokey?" asked Rose, charmed withthe new plaything.
"She is such an inquisitive little body she is always poking that miteof a nose into everything; and as Paul Pry did not suit, the boys fellto calling her Pokey. Not a pretty name, but very expressive."
It certainly was, for, having examined the shells, the busy tot laidhold of everything she could find, and continued her researches tillArchie caught her sucking his carved ivory chessmen to see if they werenot barley sugar. Rice paper pictures were also discovered crumpled upin her tiny pocket, and she nearly smashed Will's ostrich egg by tryingto sit upon it.
"Here, Jim, take her away; she's worse than the puppies, and we can'thave her round," commanded the elder brother, picking her up and handingher over to the little fellow, who received her with open arms and thewarning remark,
"You'd better mind what you do, for I'm going to 'dopt Pokey likeRose did Phebe, and then you'll have to be very good to her, you bigfellows."
"'Dopt away, baby, and I'll give you a cage to keep her in, or you won'thave her long, for she is getting worse than a monkey"; and Archie wentback to his mates, while Aunt Jessie, foreseeing a crisis, proposed thatJamie should take his dolly home, as she was borrowed, and it was timeher visit ended.
"My dolly is better than yours, isn't she? 'cause she can walk and talkand sing and dance, and yours can't do anything, can she?" asked Jamiewith pride, as he regarded his Pokey, who just then had been moved toexecute a funny little jig and warble the well-known couplet,
"'Puss-tat, puss-tat, where you been?' 'I been Lunnin, to saw a Tween."'
After which superb display she retired, escorted by Jamie, both making afearful din blowing on conch shells.
"We must tear ourselves away, Rose, because I want to get you homebefore sunset. Will you come for a drive, Jessie?" said Dr. Alec, as themusic died away in the distance.
"No, thank you; but I see the boys want a scamper, so, if you don'tmind, they may escort you home, but not go in. That is only allowed onholidays."
The words were hardly out of Aunt Jessie's mouth when Archie said, in atone of command,<
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"Pass the word, lads. Boot and saddle, and be quick about it."
"All right!" And in a moment not a vestige of boy remained but thelitter on the floor.
The cavalcade went down the hill at a pace that made Rose cling to heruncle's arm, for the fat old horses got excited by the antics of theponies careering all about them, and went as fast as they could pelt,with the gay dog-cart rattling in front, for Archie and Charlie scornedshelties since this magnificent equipage had been set up. Ben enjoyedthe fun, and the lads cut up capers till Rose declared that "circus" wasthe proper name for them after all.
When they reached the house they dismounted, and stood, three on eachside the steps, in martial attitudes, while her ladyship was handed outwith great elegance by Uncle Alec. Then the Clan saluted, mounted atword of command, and with a wild whoop tore down the avenue in what theyconsidered the true Arab style.
"That was splendid, now it is safely ended," said Rose, skipping upthe steps with her head over her shoulder to watch the dear tassels bobabout.
"I shall get you a pony as soon as you are a little stronger," said Dr.Alec, watching her with a smile.
"Oh, I couldn't ride one of those horrid, frisky little beasts! Theyroll their eyes and bounce about so, I should die of fright," criedRose, clasping her hands tragically.
"Are you a coward?"
"About horses I am."
"Never mind, then; come and see my new room"; and he led the wayupstairs without another word.
As Rose followed she remembered her promise to Aunt Jessie, and wassorry she had objected so decidedly. She was a great deal more sorryfive minutes later, and well she might be.
"Now, take a good look, and tell me what you think of it," said Dr.Alec, opening the door and letting her enter before him, while Phebe wasseen whisking down the backstairs with a dust-pan.
Rose walked to the middle of the room, stood still, and gazed about herwith eyes that brightened as they looked, for all was changed.
This chamber had been built out over the library to suit some fancy, andhad been unused for years, except at Christmas times, when the old houseoverflowed. It had three windows one to the east, that overlooked thebay; one to the south, where the horse-chestnuts waved their greenfans; and one to the west, towards the hill and the evening sky. A ruddysunset burned there now, filling the room with an enchanted glow; thesoft murmur of the sea was heard, and a robin chirped "Good-night!"among the budding trees.
Rose saw and heard these things first, and felt their beauty with achild's quick instinct; then her eye took in the altered aspect of theroom, once so shrouded, still and solitary, now so full of light andwarmth and simple luxury.
India matting covered the floor, with a gay rug here and there;the antique andirons shone on the wide hearth, where a cheery blazedispelled the dampness of the long-closed room. Bamboo lounges andchairs stood about, and quaint little tables in cosy corners; onebearing a pretty basket, one a desk, and on a third lay severalfamiliar-looking books. In a recess stood a narrow white bed, with alovely Madonna hanging over it. The Japanese screen half-folded backshowed a delicate toilet service of blue and white set forth on a marbleslab, and near by was the great bath-pan, with Turkish towels and asponge as big as Rose's head.
"Uncle must love cold water like a duck," she thought, with a shiver.
Then her eye went on to the tall cabinet, where a half-open doorrevealed a tempting array of the drawers, shelves and "cubby holes,"which so delight the hearts of children.
"What a grand place for my new things," she thought, wondering what heruncle kept in that cedar retreat.
"Oh me, what a sweet toilet table!" was her next mental exclamation, asshe approached this inviting spot.
A round old-fashioned mirror hung over it, with a gilt eagle a-top,holding in his beak the knot of blue ribbon that tied up a curtainof muslin falling on either side of the table, where appeared littleivory-handled brushes, two slender silver candle-sticks, a porcelainmatch-box, several pretty trays for small matters, and, most imposing ofall, a plump blue silk cushion, coquettishly trimmed with lace, and pinkrose-buds at the corners.
That cushion rather astonished Rose; in fact, the whole table did, andshe was just thinking, with a sly smile,
"Uncle is a dandy, but I never should have guessed it," when he openedthe door of a large closet, saying, with a careless wave of the hand,
"Men like plenty of room for their rattle-traps; don't you think thatought to satisfy me?"
Rose peeped in and gave a start, though all she saw was what one usuallyfinds in closets clothes and boots, boxes and bags. Ah! but you seethese clothes were small black and white frocks; the row of little bootsthat stood below had never been on Dr. Alec's feet; the green bandboxhad a gray veil straying out of it, and yes! the bag hanging on the doorwas certainly her own piece-bag, with a hole in one corner. She gavea quick look round the room and understood now why it had seemed toodainty for a man, why her Testament and Prayer Book were on the tableby the bed, and what those rose-buds meant on the blue cushion. It cameupon her in one delicious burst that this little paradise was all forher, and, not knowing how else to express her gratitude, she caught Dr.Alec round the neck, saying impetuously,
"O uncle, you are too good to me! I'll do anything you ask me; ride wildhorses and take freezing baths and eat bad-tasting messes, and let myclothes hang on me, to show how much I thank you for this dear, sweet,lovely room!"
"You like it, then? But why do you think it is yours, my lass?" askedDr. Alec, as he sat down looking well pleased, and drew his excitedlittle niece to his knee.
"I don't think, I know it is for me; I see it in your face, and I feelas if I didn't half deserve it. Aunt Jessie said you would spoil me, andI must not let you. I'm afraid this looks like it, and perhaps oh me!perhaps I ought not to have this beautiful room after all!" and Rosetried to look as if she could be heroic enough to give it up if it wasbest.
"I owe Mrs. Jessie one for that," said Dr. Alec, trying to frown, thoughin his secret soul he felt that she was quite right. Then he smiled thatcordial smile, which was like sunshine on his brown face, as he said,
"This is part of the cure, Rose, and I put you here that you might takemy three great remedies in the best and easiest way. Plenty of sun,fresh air, and cold water; also cheerful surroundings, and some work;for Phebe is to show you how to take care of this room, and be yourlittle maid as well as friend and teacher. Does that sound hard anddisagreeable to you, dear?"
"No, sir; very, very pleasant, and I'll do my best to be a good patient.But I really don't think anyone could be sick in this delightfulroom," she said, with a long sigh of happiness as her eye went from onepleasant object to another.
"Then you like my sort of medicine better than Aunt Myra's, and don'twant to throw it out of the window, hey?"
Eight Cousins Page 6