Eight Cousins; Or, The Aunt-Hill Read online

  CHAPTER III.

  _UNCLES._

  WHEN Rose woke next morning, she was not sure whether she had dreamedwhat occurred the night before, or it had actually happened. So shehopped up and dressed, although it was an hour earlier than she usuallyrose, for she could not sleep any more, being possessed with a strongdesire to slip down and see if the big portmanteau and packing-caseswere really in the hall. She seemed to remember tumbling over them whenshe went to bed, for the aunts had sent her off very punctually, becausethey wanted their pet nephew all to themselves.

  The sun was shining, and Rose opened her window to let in the soft Mayair fresh from the sea. As she leaned over her little balcony, watchingan early bird get the worm, and wondering how she should like UncleAlec, she saw a man leap the garden wall and come whistling up the path.At first she thought it was some trespasser, but a second look showedher that it was her uncle returning from an early dip into the sea. Shehad hardly dared to look at him the night before, because whenever shetried to do so she always found a pair of keen blue eyes looking at her.Now she could take a good stare at him as he lingered along, lookingabout him as if glad to see the old place again.

  A brown, breezy man, in a blue jacket, with no hat on the curly headwhich he shook now and then like a water-dog; broad-shouldered, alert inhis motions, and with a general air of strength and stability about himwhich pleased Rose, though she could not explain the feeling of comfortit gave her. She had just said to herself, with a sense of relief, "Iguess I _shall_ like him, though he looks as if he made people mind,"when he lifted his eyes to examine the budding horse-chestnut overhead,and saw the eager face peering down at him. He waved his hand to her,nodded, and called out in a bluff, cheery voice,--

  "You are on deck early, little niece."

  "I got up to see if you had really come, uncle."

  "Did you? Well, come down here and make sure of it."

  "I'm not allowed to go out before breakfast, sir."

  "Oh, indeed!" with a shrug. "Then I'll come aboard and salute," headded; and, to Rose's great amazement, Uncle Alec went up one of thepillars of the back piazza hand over hand, stepped across the roof, andswung himself into her balcony, saying, as he landed on the widebalustrade: "Have you any doubts about me now, ma'am?"

  Rose was so taken aback, she could only answer with a smile as she wentto meet him.

  "How does my girl do this morning?" he asked, taking the little coldhand she gave him in both his big warm ones.

  "Pretty well, thank you, sir."

  "Ah, but it should be _very well_. Why isn't it?"

  "I always wake up with a headache, and feel tired."

  "Don't you sleep well?"

  "I lie awake a long time, and then I dream, and my sleep does not seemto rest me much."

  "What do you do all day?"

  "Oh, I read, and sew a little, and take naps, and sit with auntie."

  "No running about out of doors, or house-work, or riding, hey?"

  "Aunt Plenty says I'm not strong enough for much exercise. I drive outwith her sometimes, but I don't care for it."

  "I'm not surprised at that," said Uncle Alec, half to himself, adding,in his quick way: "Who have you had to play with?"

  "No one but Annabel Bliss, and she was _such_ a goose I couldn't bearher. The boys came yesterday, and seemed rather nice; but, of course, Icouldn't play with them."

  "Why not?"

  "I'm too old to play with boys."

  "Not a bit of it: that's just what you need, for you've beenmolly-coddled too much. They are good lads, and you'll be mixed up withthem more or less for years to come, so you may as well be friends andplaymates at once. I will look you up some girls also, if I can find asensible one who is not spoilt by her nonsensical education."

  "Phebe is sensible, I'm sure, and I like her, though I only saw heryesterday," cried Rose, waking up suddenly.

  "And who is Phebe, if you please?"

  Rose eagerly told all she knew, and Uncle Alec listened, with an oddsmile lurking about his mouth, though his eyes were quite sober as hewatched the face before him.

  "I'm glad to see that you are not aristocratic in your tastes, but Idon't quite make out why you like this young lady from the poor-house."

  "You may laugh at me, but I do. I can't tell why, only she seems sohappy and busy, and sings so beautifully, and is strong enough to scruband sweep, and hasn't any troubles to plague her," said Rose, making afunny jumble of reasons in her efforts to explain.

  "How do you know that?"

  "Oh, I was telling her about mine, and asked if she had any, and shesaid, 'No, only I'd like to go to school, and I mean to some day.'"

  "So she doesn't call desertion, poverty, and hard work, troubles? She'sa brave little girl, and I shall be proud to know her." And Uncle Alecgave an approving nod, that made Rose wish she had been the one to earnit.

  "But what are these troubles of yours, child?" he asked, after a minuteof silence.

  "Please don't ask me, uncle."

  "Can't you tell them to me as well as to Phebe?"

  Something in his tone made Rose feel that it would be better to speakout and be done with it, so she answered, with sudden color and avertedeyes,--

  "The greatest one was losing dear papa."

  As she said that, Uncle Alec's arm came gently round her, and he drewher to him, saying, in the voice so like papa's,--

  "That _is_ a trouble which I cannot cure, my child; but I shall try tomake you feel it less. What else, dear?"

  "I am so tired and poorly all the time, I can't do any thing I want to,and it makes me cross," sighed Rose, rubbing the aching head like afretful child.

  "That we _can_ cure and we _will_," said her uncle, with a decided nodthat made the curls bob on his head, so that Rose saw the gray onesunderneath the brown.

  "Aunt Myra says I have no constitution, and never shall be strong,"observed Rose, in a pensive tone, as if it was rather a nice thing to bean invalid.

  "Aunt Myra is a--ahem!--an excellent woman, but it is her hobby tobelieve that every one is tottering on the brink of the grave; and, uponmy life, I believe she is offended if people don't fall into it! We willshow her how to make constitutions and turn pale-faced little ghostsinto rosy, hearty girls. That's my business, you know," he added, morequietly, for his sudden outburst had rather startled Rose.

  "I had forgotten you were a doctor. I'm glad of it, for I do want to bewell, only I hope you won't give me much medicine, for I've taken quartsalready, and it does me no good."

  As she spoke, Rose pointed to a little table just inside the window, onwhich appeared a regiment of bottles.

  "Ah, ha! Now we'll see what mischief these blessed women have been at."And, making a long arm, Dr. Alec set the bottles on the wide railingbefore him, examined each carefully, smiled over some, frowned overothers, and said, as he put down the last: "Now I'll show you the bestway to take these messes." And, as quick as a flash, he sent one afteranother smashing down into the posy-beds below.

  "But Aunt Plenty won't like it; and Aunt Myra will be angry, for shesent most of them!" cried Rose, half frightened and half pleased at suchenergetic measures.

  "You are my patient now, and I'll take the responsibility. My way ofgiving physic is evidently the best, for you look better already," hesaid, laughing so infectiously that Rose followed suit, sayingsaucily,--

  "If I don't like your medicines any better than those, I shall throwthem into the garden, and then what will you do?"

  "When I prescribe such rubbish, I'll give you leave to pitch itoverboard as soon as you like. Now what is the next trouble?"

  "I hoped you would forget to ask."

  "But how can I help you if I don't know them? Come, let us have No. 3."

  "It is very wrong, I suppose, but I do sometimes wish I had not _quite_so many aunts. They are all very good to me, and I want to please them;but they are so different, I feel sort of pulled to pieces among them,"said Rose, trying to express the emotions of a stray chick
en with sixhens all clucking over it at once.

  Uncle Alec threw back his head and laughed like a boy, for he couldentirely understand how the good ladies had each put in her oar andtried to paddle her own way, to the great disturbance of the waters andthe entire bewilderment of poor Rose.

  "I intend to try a course of uncles now, and see how that suits yourconstitution. I'm going to have you all to myself, and no one is togive a word of advice unless I ask it. There is no other way to keeporder aboard, and I am captain of this little craft, for a time atleast. What comes next?"

  But Rose stuck there, and grew so red, her uncle guessed what thattrouble was.

  "I don't think I _can_ tell this one. It wouldn't be polite, and I feelpretty sure that it isn't going to be a trouble any more."

  As she blushed and stammered over these words, Dr. Alec turned his eyesaway to the distant sea, and said so seriously, so tenderly, that shefelt every word and long remembered them,--

  "My child, I don't expect you to love and trust me all at once, but I dowant you to believe that I shall give my whole heart to this new duty;and if I make mistakes, as I probably shall, no one will grieve overthem more bitterly than I. It is my fault that I am a stranger to you,when I want to be your best friend. That is one of my mistakes, and Inever repented it more deeply than I do now. Your father and I had atrouble once, and I thought I never could forgive him; so I kept awayfor years. Thank God, we made it all up the last time I saw him, and hetold me then, that if he was forced to leave her he should bequeath hislittle girl to me as a token of his love. I can't fill his place, but Ishall try to be a father to her; and if she learns to love me half aswell as she did the good one she has lost, I shall be a proud and happyman. Will she believe this and try?"

  Something in Uncle Alec's face touched Rose to the heart, and when heheld out his hand with that anxious, troubled look in his eyes, she wasmoved to put up her innocent lips and seal the contract with a confidingkiss. The strong arm held her close a minute, and she felt the broadchest heave once as if with a great sigh of relief; but not a word wasspoken till a tap at the door made both start.

  Rose popped her head through the window to say "come in," while Dr. Alechastily rubbed the sleeve of his jacket across his eyes and began towhistle again.

  Phebe appeared with a cup of coffee.

  "Debby told me to bring this and help you get up," she said, opening herblack eyes wide, as if she wondered how on earth "the sailor man" gotthere.

  "I'm all dressed, so I don't need any help. I hope that is good andstrong," added Rose, eying the steaming cup with an eager look.

  But she did not get it, for a brown hand took possession of it as heruncle said quickly,--

  "Hold hard, my lass, and let me overhaul that dose before you take it.Do you drink all this strong coffee every morning, Rose?"

  "Yes, sir, and I like it. Auntie says it 'tones' me up, and I alwaysfeel better after it."

  "This accounts for the sleepless nights, the flutter your heart getsinto at the least start, and this is why that cheek of yours is paleyellow instead of rosy red. No more coffee for you, my dear, and by andby you'll see that I am right. Any new milk downstairs, Phebe?"

  "Yes, sir, plenty,--right in from the barn."

  "That's the drink for my patient. Go bring me a pitcherful, and anothercup; I want a draught myself. This won't hurt the honeysuckles, for theyhave no nerves to speak of." And, to Rose's great discomfort, the coffeewent after the medicine.

  Dr. Alec saw the injured look she put on, but took no notice, andpresently banished it by saying pleasantly,--

  "I've got a capital little cup among my traps, and I'll give it to youto drink your milk in, as it is made of wood that is supposed to improvewhatever is put into it,--something like a quassia cup. That reminds me;one of the boxes Phebe wanted to lug upstairs last night is for you.Knowing that I was coming home to find a ready-made daughter, I pickedup all sorts of odd and pretty trifles along the way, hoping she wouldbe able to find something she liked among them all. Early to-morrowwe'll have a grand rummage. Here's our milk! I propose the health ofMiss Rose Campbell--and drink it with all my heart."

  It was impossible for Rose to pout with the prospect of a delightfulboxful of gifts dancing before her eyes; so, in spite of herself, shesmiled as she drank her own health, and found that fresh milk was not ahard dose to take.

  "Now I must be off, before I am caught again with my wig in a toss,"said Dr. Alec, preparing to descend the way he came.

  "Do you always go in and out like a cat, uncle?" asked Rose, much amusedat his odd ways.

  "I used to sneak out of my window when I was a boy, so I need notdisturb the aunts, and now I rather like it, for it's the shortest road,and it keeps me limber when I have no rigging to climb. Good-by tillbreakfast." And away he went down the water-spout, over the roof, andvanished among the budding honeysuckles below.

  "Ain't he a funny guardeen?" exclaimed Phebe, as she went off with thecups.

  "He is a very kind one, I think," answered Rose, following, to prowlround the big boxes and try to guess which was hers.

  When her uncle appeared at sound of the bell, he found her surveyingwith an anxious face a new dish that smoked upon the table.

  "Got a fresh trouble, Rosy?" he asked, stroking her smooth head.

  "Uncle, _are_ you going to make me eat oatmeal?" asked Rose, in a tragictone.

  "Don't you like it?"

  "I de-test it!" answered Rose, with all the emphasis which a turned-upnose, a shudder, and a groan could give to the three words.

  "You are not a true Scotchwoman, if you don't like the 'parritch.' It'sa pity, for I made it myself, and thought we'd have such a good timewith all that cream to float it in. Well, never mind." And he sat downwith a disappointed air.

  Rose had made up her mind to be obstinate about it, because she didheartily "detest" the dish; but as Uncle Alec did not attempt to makeher obey, she suddenly changed her mind and thought she would.

  "I'll try to eat it to please you, uncle; but people are always sayinghow wholesome it is, and that makes me hate it," she said, half ashamedat her silly excuse.

  "I do want you to like it, because I wish my girl to be as well andstrong as Jessie's boys, who are brought up on this in the good oldfashion. No hot bread and fried stuff for them, and they are the biggestand bonniest lads of the lot. Bless you, auntie, and good morning!"

  Dr. Alec turned to greet the old lady, and, with a firm resolve to eator die in the attempt, Rose sat down.

  In five minutes she forgot what she was eating, so interested was she inthe chat that went on. It amused her very much to hear Aunt Plenty callher forty-year-old nephew "my dear boy;" and Uncle Alec was so full oflively gossip about all creation in general, and the Aunt-hill inparticular, that the detested porridge vanished without a murmur.

  "You will go to church with us, I hope, Alec, if you are not too tired,"said the old lady, when breakfast was over.

  "I came all the way from Calcutta for that express purpose, ma'am. OnlyI must send the sisters word of my arrival, for they don't expect metill to-morrow, you know, and there will be a row in church if thoseboys see me without warning."

  "I'll send Ben up the hill, and you can step over to Myra's yourself; itwill please her, and you will have plenty of time."

  Dr. Alec was off at once, and they saw no more of him till the oldbarouche was at the door, and Aunt Plenty just rustling downstairs inher Sunday best, with Rose like a little black shadow behind her.

  Away they drove in state, and all the way Uncle Alec's hat was more offhis head than on, for every one they met smiled and bowed, and gave himas blithe a greeting as the day permitted.

  It was evident that the warning had been a wise one, for, in spite oftime and place, the lads were in such a ferment that their elders sat inmomentary dread of an unseemly outbreak somewhere. It was simplyimpossible to keep those fourteen eyes off Uncle Alec, and the dreadfulthings that were done during sermon-time will hardly be be
lieved.

  Rose dared not look up after a while, for these bad boys vented theiremotions upon her till she was ready to laugh and cry with mingledamusement and vexation. Charlie winked rapturously at her behind hismother's fan; Mac openly pointed to the tall figure beside her; Jamiestared fixedly over the back of his pew, till Rose thought his roundeyes would drop out of his head; George fell over a stool and droppedthree books in his excitement; Will drew sailors and Chinamen on hisclean cuffs, and displayed them, to Rose's great tribulation; Stevenearly upset the whole party by burning his nose with salts, as hepretended to be overcome by his joy; even dignified Archie disgracedhimself by writing in his hymn-book, "Isn't he _blue_ and _brown_?" andpassing it politely to Rose.

  Her only salvation was trying to fix her attention upon Uncle Mac,--aportly, placid gentleman, who seemed entirely unconscious of theiniquities of the Clan, and dozed peacefully in his pew corner. This wasthe only uncle Rose had met for years, for Uncle Jem and Uncle Steve,the husbands of Aunt Jessie and Aunt Clara, were at sea, and Aunt Myrawas a widow. Uncle Mac was a merchant, very rich and busy, and as quietas a mouse at home, for he was in such a minority among the women folkhe dared not open his lips, and let his wife rule undisturbed.

  Rose liked the big, kindly, silent man who came to her when papa died,was always sending her splendid boxes of goodies at school, and ofteninvited her into his great warehouse, full of teas and spices, wines andall sorts of foreign fruits, there to eat and carry away whatever sheliked. She had secretly regretted that he was not to be her guardian;but since she had seen Uncle Alec she felt better about it, for she didnot particularly admire Aunt Jane.

  When church was over, Dr. Alec got into the porch as quickly aspossible, and there the young bears had a hug all round, while thesisters shook hands and welcomed him with bright faces and glad hearts.Rose was nearly crushed flat behind a door in that dangerous passagefrom pew to porch; but Uncle Mac rescued her, and put her into thecarriage for safe keeping.

  "Now, girls, I want you all to come and dine with Alec; Mac also, ofcourse. But I cannot ask the boys, for we did not expect this dearfellow till to-morrow, you know, so I made no preparations. Send thelads home, and let them wait till Monday, for really I was shocked attheir behavior in church," said Aunt Plenty, as she followed Rose.

  In any other place the defrauded boys would have set up a howl; as itwas, they growled and protested till Dr. Alec settled the matter bysaying,--

  "Never mind, old chaps, I'll make it up to you to-morrow, if you sheeroff quietly; if you don't, not a blessed thing shall you have out of mybig boxes."