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,
"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?"