Rose in Bloom

by Louisa May Alcott

  CHAPTER XII.

  _AT KITTY'S BALL._

  Rose had no new gown to wear on this festive occasion, and gave onelittle sigh of regret as she put on the pale blue silk, refreshed withclouds of _gaze de Chambrey_. But a smile followed, very bright andsweet, as she added the clusters of forget-me-not which Charlie hadconjured up through the agency of an old German florist: for one partof her plan _had_ been carried out, and Prince was invited to be herescort, much to his delight; though he wisely made no protestations ofany sort, and showed his gratitude by being a model gentleman. Thispleased Rose; for the late humiliation and a very sincere desire toatone for it, gave him an air of pensive dignity which was veryeffective.

  Aunt Clara could not go; for a certain new cosmetic, privately used toimprove the once fine complexion, which had been her pride till latehours impaired it, had brought out an unsightly eruption, reducing herto the depths of woe, and leaving her no solace for her disappointmentbut the sight of the elegant velvet dress spread forth upon her bed inmelancholy state.

  So Aunt Jessie was chaperon, to Rose's great satisfaction, and lookedas "pretty as a pink," Archie thought, in her matronly pearl-coloredgown, with a dainty trifle of rich lace on her still abundant hair. Hewas very proud of his little mamma, and as devoted as a lover, "tokeep his hand in against Phebe's return," she said laughingly, when hebrought her a nosegay of blush-roses to light up her quiet costume.

  A happier mother did not live than Mrs. Jessie, as she sat contentedlybeside Sister Jane (who graced the frivolous scene in a serious blackgown with a diadem of purple asters nodding above her severe brow),both watching their boys with the maternal conviction that no otherparent could show such remarkable specimens as these. Each had doneher best according to her light; and years of faithful care were nowbeginning to bear fruit in the promise of goodly men, so dear to thehearts of true mothers.

  Mrs. Jessie watched her three tall sons with something like wonder;for Archie was a fine fellow, grave and rather stately, but full ofthe cordial courtesy and respect we see so little of now-a-days, andwhich is the sure sign of good home-training. "The cadets," as Willand Geordie called themselves, were there as gorgeous as you please;and the agonies they suffered that night with tight boots and stiffcollars no pen can fitly tell. But only to one another did theyconfide these sufferings, in the rare moments of repose when theycould stand on one aching foot with heads comfortably sunken insidethe excruciating collars, which rasped their ears and made the lobesthereof a pleasing scarlet. Brief were these moments, however; andthe Spartan boys danced on with smiling faces, undaunted by the hiddenanguish which preyed upon them "fore and aft," as Will expressed it.

  Mrs. Jane's pair were an odd contrast, and even the sterndisciplinarian herself could not help smiling as she watched them.Steve was superb, and might have been married on the spot, sosuperfine was his broadcloth, glossy his linen, and perfect the fit ofhis gloves; while pride and happiness so fermented in his youthfulbosom, that there would have been danger of spontaneous combustion ifdancing had not proved a safety-valve; for his strong sense of theproprieties would not permit him to vent his emotions in any otherway.

  Kitty felt no such restraint, and looked like a blissful little gypsy,with her brunette prettiness set off by a dashing costume of cardinaland cream color, and every hair on her head curled in a MerryPecksniffian crop; for youth was her strong point, and she muchenjoyed the fact that she had been engaged three times before she wasnineteen.

  To see her and Steve spin round the room was a sight to bring a smileto the lips of the crustiest bachelor or saddest spinster; for happylovers are always a pleasing spectacle, and two such merry littlegrigs as these are seldom seen.

  Mac, meantime, with glasses astride of his nose, surveyed hisbrother's performances "on the light fantastic" very much as abenevolent Newfoundland would the gambols of a toy terrier, receivingwith thanks the hasty hints for his guidance which Steve breathed intohis ear as he passed, and forgetting all about them the next minute.When not thus engaged, Mac stood about with his thumbs in his vestpockets, regarding the lively crowd like a meditative philosopher of acheerful aspect, often smiling to himself at some whimsical fancy ofhis own, knitting his brows as some bit of ill-natured gossip met hisear, or staring with undisguised admiration as a beautiful face orfigure caught his eye.

  "I hope that girl knows what a treasure she has got. But I doubt ifshe ever fully appreciates it," said Mrs. Jane, bringing herspectacles to bear upon Kitty, as she whisked by, causing quite a galewith her flying skirts.

  "I think she will: for Steve has been so well brought up, she cannotbut see and feel the worth of what she has never had; and being soyoung she will profit by it," answered Mrs. Jessie, softly; thinkingof the days when she and her Jem danced together, just betrothed.

  "I've done my duty by both the boys, and done it _thoroughly_: ortheir father would have spoilt them; for he's no more idea ofdiscipline than a child," and Aunt Jane gave her own palm a smart rapwith her closed fan, emphasizing the word "thoroughly" in a mostsuggestive manner.

  "I've often wished I had your firmness, Jane: but, after all, I'm notsure that I don't like my own way best, at least with my boys; forplenty of love, and plenty of patience, seem to have succeeded prettywell;" and Aunt Jessie lifted the nosegay from her lap, feeling as ifthat unfailing love and patience were already blooming into her life,as beautifully as the sweet-breathed roses given by her boy refreshedand brightened these long hours of patient waiting in a corner.

  "I don't deny that you've done well, Jessie; but you've been letalone, and had no one to hold your hand or interfere. If my Mac hadgone to sea as your Jem did, I never should have been as severe as Iam. Men are so perverse and short-sighted, they don't trouble aboutthe future as long as things are quiet and comfortable in thepresent," continued Mrs. Jane, quite forgetting that the short-sightedpartner of the firm, physically speaking at least, was herself.

  "Ah, yes! we mothers love to foresee and foretell our children's liveseven before they are born, and are very apt to be disappointed if theydo not turn out as we planned. I know I am: yet I really have no causeto complain, and am learning to see that all we can do is to give thedear boys good principles, and the best training we may, then leavethem to finish what we have begun;" and Mrs. Jessie's eye wanderedaway to Archie, dancing with Rose, quite unconscious what a prettylittle castle in the air tumbled down when he fell in love withPhebe.

  "Right, quite right: on that point we agree exactly. I have sparednothing to give my boys good principles and good habits, and I amwilling to trust them anywhere. Nine times did I whip my Steve to curehim of fibbing, and over and over again did Mac go without his dinnerrather than wash his hands. But I whipped and starved them both intoobedience, and _now_ I have my reward," concluded the "stern parent,"with a proud wave of the fan, which looked very like a ferule, beingas big, hard, and uncompromising as such an article could be.

  Mrs. Jessie gave a mild murmur of assent, but could not help thinking,with a smile, that, in spite of their early tribulations, the sins forwhich the boys suffered had got a little mixed in their results; forfibbing Steve was now the tidy one, and careless Mac the truth-teller.But such small contradictions will happen in the best-regulatedfamilies, and all perplexed parents can do is to keep up a steadfastpreaching and practising, in the hope that it will bear fruitsometime; for according to the old proverb,--

  "'Children pick up words as pigeons pease, To utter them again as God shall please.'"

  "I hope they won't dance the child to death among them; for each oneseems bound to have his turn, even your sober Mac," said Mrs. Jessie,a few minutes later, as she saw Archie hand Rose over to his cousin,who carried her off with an air of triumph from several otherclaimants.

  "She's very good to him, and her influence is excellent; for he is ofan age now when a young woman's opinion has more weight than an oldone's. Though he is always good to his mother, and I feel as if Ishould take great comfort in him. He's one of
the sort who will notmarry till late, if ever, being fond of books and a quiet life,"responded Mrs. Jane, remembering how often her son had expressed hisbelief that philosophers should not marry, and brought up Plato as anexample of the serene wisdom only to be attained by a single man,while her husband sided with Socrates, for whom he felt a profoundsympathy, though he didn't dare to own it.

  "Well, I don't know about that. Since my Archie surprised me by losinghis heart as he did, I'm prepared for any thing, and advise you to dolikewise. I really shouldn't wonder if Mac did something remarkable inthat line, though he shows no signs of it yet, I confess," answeredMrs. Jessie, laughing.

  "It won't be in that direction, you may be sure; for _her_ fate issealed. Dear me, how sad it is to see a superior girl, like that,about to throw herself away on a handsome scapegrace. I won't mentionnames, but you understand me;" and Mrs. Jane shook her head, as if she_could_ mention the name of one superior girl who had thrown herselfaway, and now saw the folly of it.

  "I'm very anxious, of course, and so is Alec: but it may be the savingof one party, and the happiness of the other; for some women love togive more than they receive," said Mrs. Jessie, privately wondering,for the thousandth time, why brother Mac ever married the learned MissHumphries.

  "You'll see that it won't prosper; and I shall always maintain that awife cannot entirely undo a mother's work. Rose will have her handsfull if she tries to set all Clara's mistakes right," answered AuntJane, grimly; then began to fan violently as their hostess approachedto have a dish of chat about "our dear young people."

  Rose was in a merry mood that night, and found Mac quite ready forfun, which was fortunate, since her first remark set them off on adroll subject.

  "O Mac! Annabel has just confided to me that she is engaged to FunSee! Think of her going to housekeeping in Canton some day, and havingto order rats, puppies, and birds'-nest soup for dinner," whisperedRose, too much amused to keep the news to herself.

  "By Confucius! isn't that a sweet prospect?" and Mac burst outlaughing, to the great surprise of his neighbors, who wondered whatthere was amusing about the Chinese sage. "It is rather alarming,though, to have these infants going on at this rate. Seems to becatching; a new sort of scarlet-fever, to judge by Annabel's cheeksand Kitty's gown," he added, regarding the aforesaid ladies with eyesstill twinkling with merriment.

  "Don't be ungallant, but go and do likewise; for it is all thefashion. I heard Mrs. Van tell old Mrs. Joy that it was going to be amarrying year; so you'll be sure to catch it," answered Rose, reefingher skirts; for, with all his training, Mac still found it difficultto keep his long legs out of the man-traps.

  "It doesn't look like a painful disease; but I must be careful, forI've no time to be ill now. What are the symptoms?" asked Mac, tryingto combine business with pleasure, and improve his mind while doinghis duty.

  "If you ever come back I'll tell you," laughed Rose, as he danced awayinto the wrong corner, bumped smartly against another gentleman, andreturned as soberly as if that was the proper figure.

  "Well, tell me 'how not to do it,'" he said, subsiding for a moment'stalk when Rose had floated to and fro in her turn.

  "Oh! you see some young girl who strikes you as particularlycharming,--whether she really is or not doesn't matter a bit,--and youbegin to think about her a great deal, to want to see her, and to getgenerally sentimental and absurd," began Rose, finding it difficult togive a diagnosis of the most mysterious disease under the sun.

  "Don't think it sounds enticing. Can't I find an antidote somewhere;for if it is in the air this year I'm sure to get it, and it may befatal," said Mac, who felt pretty lively and liked to make Rose merry;for he suspected that she had a little trouble from a hint Dr. Alechad given him.

  "I hope you will catch it, because you'll be so funny."

  "Will you take care of me as you did before, or have you got yourhands full?"

  "I'll help; but really with Archie and Steve and--Charlie, I shallhave enough to do. You'd better take it lightly the first time, and sowon't need much care."

  "Very well, how shall I begin? Enlighten my ignorance and start meright, I beg."

  "Go about and see people; make yourself agreeable, and not sit incorners observing other people as if they were puppets dancing foryour amusement. I heard Mrs. Van once say that propinquity workswonders; and she ought to know, having married off two daughters, andjust engaged a third to 'a most charming young man.'"

  "Good lack! the cure sounds worse than the disease. Propinquity, hey?Why, I may be in danger this identical moment, and can't flee for mylife," said Mac, gently catching her round the waist for a generalwaltz.

  "Don't be alarmed, but mind your steps; for Charlie is looking at us,and I want you to do your best. That's perfect: take me quite round;for I love to waltz, and seldom get a good turn except with you boys,"said Rose, smiling up at him approvingly, as his strong arm guided heramong the revolving couples, and his feet kept time without a fault.

  "This certainly is a great improvement on the chair business, towhich I have devoted myself with such energy that I've broken thebacks of two partners and dislocated the arm of the old rocker. I tookan occasional turn with that heavy party, thinking it good practice incase I ever happen to dance with stout ladies," and Mac nodded towardAnnabel, pounding gaily away with Mr. Tokio, whose yellow countenancebeamed as his beady eyes rested on his plump _fiancee_.

  Pausing in the midst of her merriment at the image of Mac and the oldrocking-chair, Rose said reprovingly,--

  "Though a heathen Chinee, Fun puts you to shame; for _he_ did not askfoolish questions, but went a wooing like a sensible little man; andI've no doubt Annabel will be very happy."

  "Choose me a suitable divinity, and I will try to adore. Can I do morethan that to retrieve my character?" answered Mac, safely landing hispartner, and plying the fan according to instructions.

  "How would Emma do?" inquired Rose, whose sense of the ludicrous wasstrong, and who could not resist the temptation of horrifying Mac bythe suggestion.

  "Never! It sets my teeth on edge to look at her to-night. I supposethat dress is 'a sweet thing just out;' but, upon my word, she remindsme of nothing but a harlequin ice," and Mac turned his back on herwith a shudder; for he was sensitive to discords of all kinds.

  "She certainly does; and that mixture of chocolate, pea green, andpink is simply detestable, though many people would consider itdecidedly 'chic,' to use her favorite word. I suppose you will dressyour wife like a Spartan matron of the time of Lycurgus," added Rose,much tickled by his new conceit.

  "I'll wait till I get her before I decide. But one thing I'm sureof,--she shall _not_ dress like a Greek dancer of the time ofPericles," answered Mac, regarding with great disfavor a young ladywho, having a statuesque figure, affected drapery of the scanty andclinging description.

  "Then it is of no use to suggest that classic creature; so, as youreject my first attempts, I won't go on, but look about me quietly,and you had better do the same. Seriously, Mac, more gayety and lessstudy would do you good; for you will grow old before your time, ifyou shut yourself up and pore over books so much."

  "I don't believe there is a younger or a jollier feeling fellow in theroom than I am, though I may not conduct myself like a dancingdervish. But I own you may be right about the books; for there aremany sorts of intemperance, and a library is as irresistible to me asa bar-room to a toper. I shall have to sign a pledge, and cork up theonly bottle that tempts me,--my inkstand."

  "I'll tell you how to make it easier to abstain. Stop studying, andwrite a novel into which you can put all your wise things, and soclear your brains for a new start by and by. Do: I should _so_ liketo read it," cried Rose, delighted with the project; for she was sureMac could do any thing he liked in that line.

  "First live, then write. How can I go to romancing till I know whatromance means?" he asked soberly, feeling that so far he had had verylittle in his life.

  "Then you must find out, and nothing will help
you more than to lovesome one very much. Do as I've advised, and be a modern Diogenes goingabout with spectacles, instead of a lantern, in search, not of anhonest man, but a perfect woman. I do hope you will be successful,"and Rose made her courtesy as the dance ended.

  "I don't expect perfection, but I _should_ like one as good as theyever make them now-a-days. If you are looking for the honest man, Iwish you success in return," said Mac, relinquishing her fan with aglance of such sympathetic significance that a quick flush of feelingrose to the girl's face, as she answered very low,--

  "If honesty was all I wanted, I certainly have found it in you."

  Then she went away with Charlie, who was waiting for his turn, and Macroamed about, wondering if anywhere in all that crowd his future wifewas hidden, saying to himself, as he glanced from face to face, quiteunresponsive to the various allurements displayed,--

  "What care I how fair she be, If she be not fair for me?"

  Just before supper, several young ladies met in the dressing-room torepair damages; and, being friends, they fell into discourse, as theysmoothed their locks, and had their tattered furbelows sewed or pinnedup by the neat-handed Phillis in waiting.

  When each had asked the other, "How do I look to-night, dear?" andbeen answered with reciprocal enthusiasm, "Perfectly lovely, darling!"Kitty said to Rose, who was helping her to restore order out of thechaos to which much exercise had reduced her curls,--

  "By the way, young Randal is dying to be presented to you. May I aftersupper?"

  "No, thank you," answered Rose, very decidedly.

  "Well, I'm sure I don't see why not," began Kitty, looking displeased,but not surprised.

  "I think you do, else why didn't you present him when he asked? Youseldom stop to think of etiquette: why did you now?"

  "I didn't like to do it till I had--you are so particular--I thoughtyou'd say 'No;' but I couldn't tell him so," stammered Kitty, feelingthat she had better have settled the matter herself; for Rose _was_very particular, and had especial reason to dislike this person,because he was not only a dissipated young reprobate himself, butseemed possessed of Satan to lead others astray likewise.

  "I don't wish to be rude, dear: but I really must decline; for Icannot know such people, even though I meet them here," said Rose,remembering Charlie's revelations on New-Year's night, and hardeningher heart against the man who had been his undoing on that as well ason other occasions, she had reason to believe.

  "I couldn't help it! Old Mr. Randal and papa are friends; and, thoughI spoke of it, brother Alf wouldn't hear of passing that bad boyover," explained Kitty, eagerly.

  "Yet Alf forbade your driving or skating with him; for he knows betterthan we how unfit he is to come among us."

  "I'd drop him to-morrow if I could; but I must be civil in my ownhouse. His mother brought him, and he won't dare to behave here as hedoes at their bachelor parties."

  "She ought not to have brought him till he had shown some desire tomend his ways. It is none of my business, I know; but I do wish peoplewouldn't be so inconsistent, letting boys go to destruction, and thenexpecting us girls to receive them like decent people." Rose spoke inan energetic whisper, but Annabel heard her, and exclaimed, as sheturned round with a powder-puff in her hand,--

  "My goodness, Rose! what is all that about going to destruction?"

  "She is being strong-minded; and I don't very much blame her in thiscase. But it leaves me in a dreadful scrape," said Kitty, supportingher spirits with a sniff of aromatic vinegar.

  "I appeal to you, since you heard me, and there's no one here butourselves: do you consider young Randal a nice person to know?" andRose turned to Annabel and Emma with an anxious eye; for she did notfind it easy to abide by her principles when so doing annoyed friends.

  "No, indeed: he's perfectly horrid! Papa says he and Gorham are thewildest young men he knows, and enough to spoil the whole set. I'm soglad I've got no brothers," responded Annabel, placidly powdering herpink arms, quite undeterred by the memory of sundry white streaks lefton sundry coat-sleeves.

  "_I_ think that sort of scrupulousness is very ill-bred, if you'llexcuse my saying so, Rose. _We_ are not supposed to know any thingabout fastness, and wildness, and so on; but to treat every man alike,and not be fussy and prudish," said Emma, settling her many-coloredstreamers with the superior air of a woman of the world, aged twenty.

  "Ah! but we do know; and, if our silence and civility have no effect,we ought to try something else, and not encourage wickedness of anykind. We needn't scold and preach, but we _can_ refuse to know suchpeople; and that will do some good, for they don't like to be shunnedand shut out from respectable society. Uncle Alec told me not to knowthat man, and I won't." Rose spoke with unusual warmth, forgettingthat she could not tell the real reason for her strong prejudiceagainst "that man."

  "Well, _I_ know him: _I_ think him very jolly, and I'm engaged todance the German with him after supper. He leads quite as well as yourcousin Charlie, and is quite as fascinating, some people think,"returned Emma, tossing her head disdainfully; for Prince Charming didnot worship at her shrine, and it piqued her vanity.

  In spite of her quandary, Rose could not help smiling as she recalledMac's comparison; for Emma turned so red with spiteful chagrin, sheseemed to have added strawberry-ice to the other varieties composingthe Harlequin.

  "Each must judge for herself. I shall follow Aunt Jessie's advice, andtry to keep my atmosphere as pure as I can; for she says every womanhas her own little circle, and in it can use her influence for good,if she will. I do will heartily; and I'll prove that I'm neither proudnor fussy by receiving, here or at home, any respectable man you liketo present to me, no matter how poor or plain or insignificant he maybe."

  With which declaration Rose ended her protest, and the four damselsstreamed downstairs together like a wandering rainbow. But Kitty laidto heart what she had said; Annabel took credit to herself for sidingwith her; and Emma owned that _she_ was not trying to keep heratmosphere pure when she came to dance with the objectionable Randal.So Rose's "little circle" was the better for the influence she triedto exert, although she never knew it.

  All supper-time, Charlie kept near her, and she was quite content withhim; for he drank only coffee, and she saw him shake his head with afrown when young Van beckoned him toward an anteroom, from whence thesound of popping corks had issued with increasing frequency as theevening wore on.

  "Dear fellow, he does try," thought Rose, longing to show how sheadmired his self-denial; but she could only say, as they left thesupper-room with the aunts, who were going early,--

  "If I had not promised uncle to get home as soon after midnight aspossible, I'd stay and dance the German with you; for you deserve areward to-night."

  "A thousand thanks! but I am going when you do," answered Charlie,understanding both her look and words, and very grateful for them.

  "Really?" cried Rose, delighted.

  "Really. I'll be in the hall when you come down." And Charlie thoughtthe Fra Angelico angel was not half so bright and beautiful as the onewho looked back at him out of a pale-blue cloud, as Rose went upstairsas if on wings.

  When she came down again, Charlie was not in the hall, however; and,after waiting a few minutes, Mac offered to go and find him, for AuntJane was still hunting a lost rubber above.

  "Please say I'm ready, but he needn't come if he doesn't want to,"said Rose, not wishing to demand too much of her promising penitent.

  "If he has gone into that bar-room, I'll have him out, no matter whois there!" growled Mac to himself, as he made his way to the smallapartment whither the gentlemen retired for a little privaterefreshment when the spirit moved, as it often did.

  The door was ajar, and Charlie seemed to have just entered; for Macheard a familiar voice call out, in a jovial tone,--

  "Come, Prince! you're just in time to help us drink Steve's healthwith all the honors."

  "Can't stop; only ran in to say good-night, Van. Had a capital time;but I'm on d
uty, and must go."

  "That's a new dodge. Take a stirrup-cup anyway, and come back in timefor a merry-go-rounder when you've disposed of the ladies," answeredthe young host, diving into the wine-cooler for another bottle.

  "Charlie's going in for sanctity, and it doesn't seem to agree withhim," laughed one of the two other young men, who occupied severalchairs apiece, resting their soles in every sense of the word.

  "Apron-strings are coming into fashion,--the bluer the better: hey,Prince?" added the other, trying to be witty, with the usual success.

  "You'd better go home early yourself, Barrow, or that tongue of yourswill get you into trouble," retorted Charlie, conscious that he oughtto take his own advice, yet lingering, nervously putting on hisgloves, while the glasses were being filled.

  "Now, brother-in-law, fire away! Here you are, Prince." And Stevehanded a glass across the table to his cousin, feeling too much elatedwith various pleasurable emotions to think what he was doing; for theboys all knew Charlie's weakness, and usually tried to defend him fromit.

  Before the glass could be taken, however, Mac entered in a greathurry, delivering his message in an abbreviated and rather peremptoryform,--

  "Rose is waiting for you. Hurry up!"

  "All right. Good-night, old fellows!" And Charlie was off, as if thename had power to stop him in the very act of breaking the promisemade to himself.

  "Come, Solon, take a social drop, and give us an epithalamium in yourbest Greek. Here's to you!" And Steve was lifting the wine to his ownlips, when Mac knocked the glass out of his hand, with a flash of theeye that caused his brother to stare at him, with his mouth open, inan imbecile sort of way, which seemed to excite Mac still more; for,turning to his young host, he said, in a low voice, and with a lookthat made the gentlemen on the chairs sit up suddenly,--

  "I beg pardon, Van, for making a mess; but I can't stand by and see myown brother tempt another man beyond his strength, or make a brute ofhimself. That's plain English: but I can't help speaking out; for Iknow not one of you would willingly hurt Charlie, and you will if youdon't let him alone."

  "What do you pitch into me for? I've done nothing. A fellow must becivil in his own house, mustn't he?" asked Van, good-humoredly, as hefaced about, corkscrew in hand.

  "Yes, but it is not civil to urge or joke a guest into doing what youknow and he knows is bad for him. That's only a glass of wine to you,but it is perdition to Charlie; and, if Steve knew what he was about,he'd cut his right hand off before he'd offer it."

  "Do you mean to say I'm tipsy?" demanded Steve, ruffling up like alittle game-cock; for, though he saw now what he had done and wasashamed of it, he hated to have Mac air his peculiar notions beforeother people.

  "With excitement, not champagne, I hope; for I wouldn't own you if youwere," answered Mac, in whom indignation was effervescing like thewine in the forgotten bottle; for the men were all young, friends ofSteve's and admirers of Charlie's. "Look here, boys," he went on morequietly: "I know I ought not to explode in this violent sort of way,but upon my life I couldn't help it, when I heard what you were sayingand saw what Steve was doing. Since I _have_ begun I may as wellfinish, and tell you straight out that Prince can't stand this sort ofthing. He is trying to flee temptation, and whoever leads him into itdoes a cowardly and sinful act; for the loss of one's own self-respectis bad enough, without losing the more precious things that make lifeworth having. Don't tell him I've said this, but lend a hand if youcan, and never have to reproach yourselves with the knowledge that youhelped to ruin a fellow-creature, soul and body."

  It was well for the success of Mac's first crusade, that his hearerswere gentlemen and sober: so his outburst was not received with jeersor laughter, but listened to in silence, while the expression of thefaces changed from one of surprise to regret and respect; forearnestness is always effective, and championship of this sort seldomfails to touch hearts as yet unspoiled. As he paused with an eloquentlittle quiver in his eager voice, Van corked the bottle at a blow,threw down the corkscrew, and offered Mac his hand, saying heartily,in spite of his slang,--

  "You are a first-class old brick! I'll lend a hand for one, and do mybest to back up Charlie; for he's the finest fellow I know, and shan'tgo to the devil like poor Randal if _I_ can help it."

  Murmurs of applause from the others seemed to express a general assentto this vigorous statement; and, giving the hand a grateful shake, Macretreated to the door, anxious to be off now that he had freed hismind with such unusual impetuosity.

  "Count on me for any thing I can do in return for this, Van. I'm sorryto be such a marplot, but you can take it out in quizzing me after I'mgone. I'm fair game, and Steve can set you going."

  With that, Mac departed as abruptly as he came, feeling that he _had_"made a mess" of it; but comforting himself with the thought thatperhaps he had secured help for Charlie at his own expense, andthinking with a droll smile as he went back to his mother,--

  "My romance begins by looking after other girls' lovers instead offinding a sweetheart for myself; but I can't tell Rose, so _she_ won'tlaugh at me."