Chapter 17--Good Bargains
It was a rainy Sunday afternoon, and four boys were trying to spend itquietly in the "liberry," as Jamie called the room devoted to books andboys, at Aunt Jessie's. Will and Geordie were sprawling on the sofa,deep in the adventures of the scapegraces and ragamuffins whosehistories are now the fashion. Archie lounged in the easy chair,surrounded by newspapers; Charlie stood upon the rug, in an Englishman'sfavourite attitude, and, I regret to say, both were smoking cigars.
"It is my opinion that this day will never come to an end," said Prince,with a yawn that nearly rent him asunder.
"Read and improve your mind, my son," answered Archie, peering solemnlyover the paper behind which he had been dozing.
"Don't you preach, parson, but put on your boots and come out for atramp, instead of mulling over the fire like a granny."
"No, thank you, tramps in an easterly storm don't strike me as amusing."There Archie stopped and held up his hand, for a pleasant voice washeard saying outside,
"Are the boys in the library, auntie?"
"Yes, dear, and longing for sunshine; so run in and make it for them,"answered Mrs. Jessie.
"It's Rose," and Archie threw his cigar into the fire.
"What's that for?" asked Charlie.
"Gentlemen don't smoke before ladies."
"True; but I'm not going to waste my weed," and Prince poked his intothe empty inkstand that served them for an ash tray.
A gentle tap at the door was answered by a chorus of "Come in," and Roseappeared, looking blooming and breezy with the chilly air.
"If I disturb you, say so, and I'll go away," she began, pausing on thethreshold with modest hesitation, for something in the elder boys' facesexcited her curiosity.
"You never disturb us, cousin," said the smokers, while the readers torethemselves from the heroes of the bar-room and gutter long enough to nodaffably to their guest.
As Rose bent to warm her hands, one end of Archie's cigar stuck out ofthe ashes, smoking furiously and smelling strongly.
"Oh, you bad boys, how could you do it, to-day of all days?" she saidreproachfully.
"Where's the harm?" asked Archie.
"You know as well as I do; your mother doesn't like it, and it's a badhabit, for it wastes money and does you no good."
"Fiddlesticks! every man smokes, even Uncle Alec, whom you think soperfect," began Charlie, in his teasing way.
"No, he doesn't! He has given it up, and I know why," cried Roseeagerly.
"Now I think of it, I haven't seen the old meerschaum since he camehome. Did he stop it on our account?" asked Archie.
"Yes," and Rose told the little scene on the seashore in the camping-outtime.
Archie seemed much impressed, and said manfully, "He won't have donethat in vain so far as I'm concerned. I don't care a pin about smoking,so can give it up as easy as not, and I promise you I will. I only do itnow and then for fun."
"You too?" and Rose looked up at the bonny Prince, who never looked lessbonny than at that moment, for he had resumed his cigar just to tormenther.
Now Charlie cared as little as Archie about smoking, but it would notdo to yield too soon: so he shook his head, gave a great puff, and saidloftily,
"You women are always asking us to give up harmless little things justbecause you don't approve of them. How would you like it if we did thesame by you, miss?"
"If I did harmful or silly things, I'd thank you for telling me of them,and I'd try to mend my ways," answered Rose heartily.
"Well, now, we'll see if you mean what you say. I'll give up smoking toplease you, if you will give up something to please me," said Prince,seeing a good chance to lord it over the weaker vessel at small cost tohimself.
"I'll agree if it is as foolish as cigars."
"Oh, it's ever so much sillier."
"Then I promise; what is it?" and Rose quite trembled with anxiety toknow which of her pet habits or possessions she must lose.
"Give up your ear-rings," and Charlie laughed wickedly, sure that shewould never hold to that bargain.
Rose uttered a cry and clapped both hands to her ears where the goldrings hung.
"Oh, Charlie, wouldn't anything else do as well? I've been through somuch teasing and trouble, I do want to enjoy my pretty ear-rings, for Ican wear them now."
"Wear as many as you like, and I'll smoke in peace," returned this badboy.
"Will nothing else satisfy you?" imploringly.
"Nothing," sternly.
Rose stood silent for a minute, thinking of something Aunt Jessie oncesaid "You have more influence over the boys than you know; use it fortheir good, and I shall thank you all my life." Here was a chance todo some good by sacrificing a little vanity of her own. She felt it wasright to do it, yet found it very hard, and asked wistfully,
"Do you mean never wear them, Charlie?"
"Never, unless you want me to smoke."
"I never do."
"Then clinch the bargain."
He had no idea she would do it, and was much surprised when she tookthe dear rings from her ears, with a quick gesture, and held them out tohim, saying, in a tone that made the colour come up to his brown cheek,it was so full of sweet good will,
"I care more for my cousins than for my ear-rings, so I promise, andI'll keep my word."
"For shame, Prince! let her wear her little danglers if she likes, anddon't bargain about doing what you know is right," cried Archie, comingout of his grove of newspapers with an indignant bounce.
But Rose was bent on showing her aunt that she could use her influencefor the boys' good, and said steadily,
"It is fair, and I want it to be so, then you will believe I'm inearnest. Here, each of you wear one of these on your watch-guardto remind you. I shall not forget, because very soon I cannot wearear-rings if I want to."
As she spoke, Rose offered a little ring to each cousin, and the boys,seeing how sincere she was, obeyed her. When the pledges were safe, Rosestretched a hand to each, and the lads gave hers a hearty grip, halfpleased and half ashamed of their part in the compact.
Just at that moment Dr. Alec and Mrs. Jessie came in.