Eight Cousins; Or, The Aunt-Hill

by Louisa May Alcott

  CHAPTER XXIII.

  _PEACE-MAKING._

  "STEVE, I want you to tell me something," said Rose to Dandy, who wasmaking faces at himself in the glass, while he waited for an answer tothe 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 dobelieve a sty is coming on my starboard eye," and Steve affected to beabsorbed in a survey of his yellow lashes.

  "No, that won't do; I want to know all about it; for I'm sure somethingmore 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?" growledSteve, pulling his top-knot, as he always did when perplexed.

  "Yes, I do," was Rose's decided answer,--for she saw from his mannerthat she was right, and determined to have the secret out of him ifcoaxing would do it. "I don't wish you to tell things to every one, ofcourse, 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, forgirls are nice peace-makers, and know how to manage people. Uncle saidso, and he is never wrong."

  Steve was about to indulge in a derisive hoot at the idea of her lookingafter them, but a sudden thought restrained him, and suggested a way inwhich 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 hewas 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, onlyMac never has a cent since he's set up his old chemical shop, wherehe'll blow himself to bits some day, and you and uncle will have the funof putting him together again," and Steve tried to look as if the ideaamused him.

  "I'll lend it to you with pleasure, so tell away," said Rose, bound toget at the secret.

  Evidently much relieved by the promise, Steve set his top-knotcheerfully erect again, and briefly stated the case.

  "As you say, it's all right to tell _you_, but don't let the boys know Iblabbed, or Prince will take my head off. You see, Archie don't likesome of the fellows Charlie goes with, and cuts 'em. That makes Princemad, and he holds on just to plague Arch, so they don't speak to oneanother, if they can help it, and that's the row."

  "Are those boys bad?" asked Rose, anxiously.

  "Guess not, only rather wild. They are older than our fellows, but theylike Prince, he's such a jolly boy; sings so well, dances jigs andbreakdowns, you know, and plays any game that's going. He beat Morse atbilliards, and that's something to brag of, for Morse thinks he knowsevery thing. I saw the match, and it was great fun!"

  Steve got quite excited over the prowess of Charlie, whom he admiredimmensely, and tried to imitate. Rose did not know half the danger ofsuch gifts and tastes as Charlie's, but felt instinctively thatsomething must be wrong if Archie disapproved.

  "If Prince likes any billiard-playing boy better than Archie, I don'tthink much of his sense," she said severely.

  "Of course he doesn't; but, you see, Charlie and Arch are both as proudas they can be, and won't give in. I suppose Arch _is_ right, but Idon't blame Charlie a bit for liking to be with the others sometimes,they are such a jolly set," and Steve shook his head morally, even whilehis eye twinkled over the memory of some of the exploits of the "jollyset."

  "Oh, dear me!" sighed Rose, "I don't see what I can do about it, but Iwish the boys would make up, for Prince can't come to any harm withArchie, he's so good and sensible."

  "That's the trouble; Arch preaches, and Prince won't stand it. He toldArch he was a prig and a parson, and Arch told him he wasn't agentleman. My boots! weren't they both mad though! I thought for aminute they'd pitch into one another and have it out. Wish they had, andnot gone stalking round stiff and glum ever since. Mac and I settle ourrows with a bat or so over the head, and then we are all right."

  Rose couldn't help laughing as Steve sparred away at a fat sofa-pillow,to illustrate his meaning; and, having given it several scientificwhacks, he pulled down his cuffs and smiled upon her with benign pityfor her feminine ignorance of this summary way of settling a quarrel.

  "What droll things boys are!" she said, with a mixture of admiration andperplexity in her face, which Steve accepted as a compliment to his sex.

  "We are a pretty clever invention, miss, and you can't get on withoutus," he answered, with his nose in the air. Then, taking a sudden plungeinto business, he added, "How about that bit of money you were going toland me? I've told, now you pay up."

  "Of course I will! How much do you want?" and Rose pulled out her purse.

  "_Could_ you spare five dollars? I want to pay a little debt of honorthat is rather pressing," and Steve put on a mannish air that wascomical to see.

  "Aren't all debts honorable?" asked innocent Rose.

  "Yes, of course; but this is a bet I made, and it ought to be settled upat once," began Steve, finding it awkward to explain.

  "Oh, don't bet, it's not right, and I know your father wouldn't like it.Promise you won't do so again, please promise!" and Rose held fast thehand into which she had just put the money.

  "Well, I won't. It's worried me a good deal, but I was joked into it.Much obliged, cousin, I'm all right now," and Steve departed hastily.

  Having decided to be a peace-maker, Rose waited for an opportunity, andvery soon it came.

  She was spending the day with Aunt Clara, who had been entertaining someyoung guests, and invited Rose to meet them, for she thought it hightime her niece conquered her bashfulness, and saw a little of society.Dinner was over, and every one had gone. Aunt Clara was resting beforegoing out to an evening party, and Rose was waiting for Charlie to comeand take her home.

  She sat alone in the elegant drawing-room, feeling particularly nice andpretty, for she had her best frock on, a pair of gold bands her aunt hadjust given her, and a tea-rose bud in her sash, like the beautiful MissVan Tassel, whom every one admired. She had spread out her little skirtsto the best advantage, and, leaning back in a luxurious chair, satadmiring her own feet in new slippers with rosettes almost as big asdahlias. Presently Charlie came lounging in, looking rather sleepy andqueer, Rose thought. On seeing her, however, he roused up and said witha smile that ended in a gape,--

  "I thought you were with mother, so I took forty winks after I got thosegirls off. Now, I'm at your service, Rosamunda, whenever you like."

  "You look as if your head ached. If it does, don't mind me. I'm notafraid to run home alone, it's so early," answered Rose, observing theflushed cheeks and heavy eyes of her cousin.

  "I think I see myself letting you do it. Champagne always makes my headache, but the air will set me up."

  "Why do you drink it, then?" asked Rose, anxiously.

  "Can't help it, when I'm host. Now, don't _you_ begin to lecture; I'vehad enough of Archie's old-fashioned notions, and I don't want anymore."

  Charlie's tone was decidedly cross, and his whole manner so unlike hisusual merry good-nature, that Rose felt crushed, and answered meekly,--

  "I wasn't going to lecture, only when people like other people, theycan't bear to see them suffer pain."

  That brought Charlie round at once, for Rose's lips trembled a little,though she tried to hide it by smelling the flower she pulled from hersash.

  "I'm a regular bear, and I beg your pardon for being so cross, Rosy," hesaid in the old frank way that was so winning.

  "I wish you'd beg Archie's too, and be good friends again. You neverwere cross when _he_ was your chum," Rose said, looking up at him as hebent toward her from the low chimney-piece, where he had been leaninghis elbows.

  In an instant he stood as stiff and straight as a ramrod, and the heavyeyes kindled with an angry spark as he said, in his high and mightyman
ner,--

  "You'd better not meddle with what you don't understand, cousin."

  "But I do understand, and it troubles me very much to see you so coldand stiff to one another. You always used to be together, and now youhardly speak. You are so ready to beg my pardon I don't see why youcan't beg Archie's, if you are in the wrong."

  "I'm not!" this was so short and sharp that Rose started, and Charlieadded in a calmer but still very haughty tone: "A gentleman always begspardon when he has been rude to a lady, but one man doesn't apologize toanother man who has insulted him."

  "Oh, my heart, what a pepperpot!" thought Rose, and, hoping to make himlaugh, she added slyly: "I was not talking about men, but boys, and oneof them a Prince, who ought to set a good example to his subjects."

  But Charlie would not relent, and tried to turn the subject by sayinggravely, as he unfastened the little gold ring from his watch-guard,--

  "I've broken my word, so I want to give this back and free you from thebargain. I'm sorry, but I think it a foolish promise, and don't intendto keep it. Choose a pair of ear-rings to suit yourself, as my forfeit.You have a right to wear them now."

  "No, I can only wear one, and that is no use, for Archie will keep _his_word I'm sure!" Rose was so mortified and grieved at this downfall ofher hopes that she spoke sharply, and would not take the ring thedeserter offered her.

  He shrugged his shoulders, and threw it into her lap, trying to lookcool and careless, but failing entirely, for he was ashamed of himself,and out of sorts generally. Rose wanted to cry, but pride would not lether, and, being very angry, she relieved herself by talk instead oftears. Looking pale and excited, she rose out of her chair, cast awaythe ring, and said in a voice that she vainly tried to keep steady,--

  "You are not at all the boy I thought you were, and I don't respect youone bit. I've tried to help you be good, but you won't let me, and Ishall not try any more. You talk a great deal about being a gentleman,but you are not, for you've broken your word, and I can never trust youagain. I don't wish you to go home with me. I'd rather have Mary.Good-night."

  And with that last dreadful blow, Rose walked out of the room, leavingCharlie as much astonished as if one of his pet pigeons had flown in hisface and pecked at him. She was so seldom angry, that when her temperdid get the better of her it made a deep impression on the lads, for itwas generally a righteous sort of indignation at some injustice orwrong-doing, not childish passion.

  Her little thunder-storm cleared off in a sob or two as she put on herthings in the entry-closet, and when she emerged she looked the brighterfor the shower. A hasty good-night to Aunt Clara,--now under the handsof the hair-dresser,--and then she crept down to find Mary the maid. ButMary was out, so was the man, and Rose slipped away by the back-door,flattering herself that she had escaped the awkwardness of havingCharlie for escort.

  There she was mistaken, however, for the gate had hardly closed behindher when a well-known tramp was heard, and the Prince was beside her,saying in a tone of penitent politeness that banished Rose's wrath likemagic,--

  "You needn't speak to me if you don't choose, but I must see you safelyhome, cousin."

  She turned at once, put out her hand, and answered heartily,--

  "_I_ was the cross one. Please forgive me, and let's be friends again."

  Now that was better than a dozen sermons on the beauty of forgiveness,and did Charlie more good, for it showed him how sweet humility was, andproved that Rose practised as she preached.

  He shook the hand warmly, then drew it through his arm and said, as ifanxious to recover the good opinion with the loss of which he had beenthreatened,--

  "Look here, Rosy, I've put the ring back, and I'm going to try again.But you don't know how hard it is to stand being laughed at."

  "Yes, I do! Ariadne plagues me every time I see her, because I don'twear ear-rings after all the trouble I had getting ready for them."

  "Ah, but her twaddle isn't half as bad as the chaffing _I_ get. It takesa deal of pluck to hold out when you are told you are tied to anapron-string, and all that sort of thing," sighed Charlie.

  "I thought you had a 'deal of pluck,' as you call it. The boys all sayyou are the bravest of the seven," said Rose.

  "So I am about some things, but I _cannot_ bear to be laughed at."

  "It is hard, but if one is right won't that make it easier?"

  "Not to me; it might to a pious parson like Arch."

  "Please don't call him names! I guess _he_ has what is called moralcourage, and _you_ physical courage. Uncle explained the difference tome, and moral is the best, though often it doesn't look so," said Rosethoughtfully.

  Charlie didn't like that, and answered quickly, "I don't believe he'dstand it any better than I do, if he had those fellows at him."

  "Perhaps that's why he keeps out of their way, and wants you to."

  Rose had him there, and Charlie felt it, but would not give in just yet,though he was going fast, for, somehow, in the dark he seemed to seethings clearer than in the light, and found it very easy to beconfidential when it was "only Rose."

  "If he was my brother, now, he'd have some right to interfere," beganCharlie, in an injured tone.

  "I wish he was!" cried Rose.

  "So do I," answered Charlie, and then they both laughed at hisinconsistency.

  The laugh did them good, and when Prince spoke again, it was in adifferent tone,--pensive, not proud nor perverse.

  "You see, it's hard upon me that I have no brothers and sisters. Theothers are better off and needn't go abroad for chums if they don'tlike. _I_ am all alone, and I'd be thankful even for a little sister."

  Rose thought that very pathetic, and, overlooking the uncomplimentaryword "even" in that last sentence, she said, with a timid sort ofearnestness that conquered her cousin at once,--

  "Play I was a little sister. I know I'm silly, but perhaps I'm betterthan nothing, and I'd dearly love to do it."

  "So should I! and we will, for you are not silly, my dear, but a verysensible girl, we all think, and I'm proud to have you for a sister.There, now!" and Charlie looked down at the curly head bobbing alongbeside him, with real affection in his face.

  Rose gave a skip of pleasure, and laid one seal-skin mitten over theother on his arm, as she said happily.--

  "That's so nice of you! Now, you needn't be lonely any more, and I'lltry to fill Archie's place till he comes back, for I know he will, assoon as you let him."

  "Well, I don't mind telling _you_ that while he was my mate I nevermissed brothers and sisters, or wanted any one else; but since he castme off, I'll be hanged if I don't feel as forlorn as old Crusoe beforeFriday turned up."

  This burst of confidence confirmed Rose in her purpose of winningCharlie's Mentor back to him, but she said no more, contented to havedone so well. They parted excellent friends, and Prince went home,wondering why "a fellow didn't mind saying things to a girl or womanwhich they would die before they'd own to another fellow."

  Rose also had some sage reflections upon the subject, and fell asleepthinking that there were a great many curious things in this world, andfeeling that she was beginning to find out some of them.

  Next day she trudged up the hill to see Archie, and having told him asmuch as she thought best about her talk with Charlie, begged him toforget and forgive.

  "I've been thinking that perhaps I ought to, though I _am_ in the right.I'm no end fond of Charlie, and he's the best-hearted lad alive; but hecan't say No, and that will play the mischief with him, if he does nottake care," said Archie in his grave, kind way. "While father was home,I was very busy with him, so Prince got into a set I don't like. Theytry to be fast, and think it's manly, and they flatter him, and leadhim on to do all sorts of things,--play for money, and bet, and loafabout. I hate to have him do so, and tried to stop it, but went to workthe wrong way, so we got into a mess."

  "He is all ready to make up if you don't say much, for he owned to me he_was_ wrong; but I don't think he will own it to you, in
words," beganRose.

  "I don't care for that; if he'll just drop those rowdies and come back,I'll hold my tongue and not preach. I wonder if he owes those fellowsmoney, and so doesn't like to break off till he can pay it. I hope not,but don't dare to ask; though, perhaps, Steve knows, he's always afterPrince, more's the pity," and Archie looked anxious.

  "I think Steve does know, for he talked about debts of honor the day Igave him--" There Rose stopped short and turned scarlet.

  But Archie ordered her to "fess," and had the whole story in fiveminutes, for none dared disobey the Chief. He completed her afflictionby putting a five-dollar bill into her pocket by main force, lookingboth indignant and resolute as he said,--

  "Never do so, again; but send Steve to me, if he is afraid to go to hisfather. Charlie had nothing to do with that; _he_ wouldn't borrow apenny of a girl, don't think it. But that's the harm he does Steve, whoadores him, and tries to be like him in all things. Don't say a word;I'll make it all right, and no one shall blame you."

  "Oh, me! I always make trouble by trying to help, and then letting outthe wrong thing," sighed Rose, much depressed by her slip of thetongue.

  Archie comforted her with the novel remark that it was always best totell the truth, and made her quite cheerful by promising to heal thebreach with Charlie, as soon as possible.

  He kept his word so well that the very next afternoon, as Rose lookedout of the window, she beheld the joyful spectacle of Archie and Princecoming up the avenue, arm-in-arm, as of old, talking away as if to makeup for the unhappy silence of the past weeks.

  Rose dropped her work, hurried to the door, and, opening it wide, stoodthere smiling down upon them so happily, that the faces of the ladsbrightened as they ran up the steps eager to show that all was well withthem.

  "Here's our little peace-maker!" said Archie, shaking hands with vigor.

  But Charlie added, with a look that made Rose very proud and happy, "And_my_ little sister."