CHAPTER II.
_OLD FRIENDS WITH NEW FACES._
"It is _so_ good to be at home again! I wonder how we ever made up ourminds to go away!" exclaimed Rose, as she went roaming about the oldhouse next morning, full of the satisfaction one feels at revisitingfamiliar nooks and corners, and finding them unchanged.
"That we might have the pleasure of coming back again," answeredPhebe, walking down the hall beside her little mistress, as happy asshe.
"Every thing seems just as we left it, even to the rose-leaves we usedto tuck in here," continued the younger girl, peeping into one of thetall India jars that stood about the hall.
"Don't you remember how Jamie and Pokey used to play Forty Thieveswith them, and how you tried to get into that blue one and got stuck,and the other boys found us before I could pull you out?" asked Phebe,laughing.
"Yes, indeed; and speaking of angels one is apt to hear the rustlingof their wings," added Rose, as a shrill whistle came up the avenue,accompanied by the clatter of hoofs.
"It is the circus!" cried Phebe, gaily, as they both recalled the redcart and the charge of the Clan.
There was only one boy now, alas! but he made noise enough for half adozen; and, before Rose could run to the door, Jamie came bouncing inwith a "shining morning face," a bat over his shoulder, a red andwhite jockey cap on his head, one pocket bulging with a big ball, theother overflowing with cookies, and his mouth full of the apple he wasjust finishing off in hot haste.
"Morning! I just looked in to make sure you'd really come, and seethat you were all right," he observed, saluting with the bat anddoffing the gay cap with one effective twitch.
"Good-morning, dear. Yes, we are really here, and getting to rights asfast as possible. But it seems to me you are rather gorgeous, Jamie.What do you belong to,--a fire company or a jockey club?" asked Rose,turning up the once chubby face, which now was getting brown, andsquare about the chin.
"No, _ma'am_! Why, don't you know? I'm captain of the Base Ball StarClub. Look at that, will you?" and, as if the fact was one of nationalimportance, Jamie flung open his jacket to display upon his proudlyswelling chest a heart-shaped red-flannel shield, decorated with awhite cotton star the size of a tea-plate.
"Superb! I've been away so long I forgot there was such a game. And_you_ are the captain?" cried Rose, deeply impressed by the high honorto which her kinsman had arrived.
"I just am, and it's no joke you'd better believe; for we knock ourteeth out, black our eyes, and split our fingers almost as well as thebig fellows. You come down to the Common between one and two and seeus play a match; then you'll understand what hard work it is. I'llteach you to bat now if you'll come out on the lawn," added Jamie,fired with a wish to exhibit his prowess.
"No, thank you, captain. The grass is wet, and you'll be late atschool if you stay for us."
"I'm not afraid. Girls are not good for much generally; but you neverused to mind a little wet, and played cricket like a good one. Can'tyou ever do that sort of thing now?" asked the boy, with a pityinglook at these hapless creatures, debarred from the joys and perils ofmanly sports.
"I can run still: and I'll get to the gate before you; see if Idon't;" and, yielding to the impulse of the moment, Rose darted downthe steps before astonished Jamie could mount and follow.
He was off in a moment: but Rose had the start; and, though oldSheltie did his best, she reached the goal just ahead, and stood therelaughing and panting, all rosy with the fresh October air, a prettypicture for several gentlemen who were driving by.
"Good for you, Rose!" said Archie, jumping out to shake hands, whileWill and Geordie saluted, and Uncle Mac laughed at Jamie, who lookedas if girls had risen slightly in his opinion.
"I'm glad it is you, because you won't be shocked. But I'm so happy tobe back I forgot I was not little Rose still," said Atalanta,smoothing down her flying hair.
"You look very like her, with the curls on your shoulders in the oldway. I missed them last night, and wondered what it was. How is uncleand Phebe?" asked Archie, whose eyes had been looking over Rose's headwhile he spoke toward the piazza, where a female figure was visibleamong the reddening woodbines.
"All well, thanks. Won't you come up and see for yourselves?"
"Can't, my dear, can't possibly. Business, you know, business. Thisfellow is my right-hand man, and I can't spare him a minute. Come,Arch, we must be off, or these boys will miss their train," answeredUncle Mac, pulling out his watch.
With a last look from the light-haired figure at the gate to thedark-haired one among the vines, Archie drove away, and Jamie canteredafter, consoling himself for his defeat with apple number two.
Rose lingered a moment, feeling much inclined to continue her run, andpop in upon all the aunts in succession; but, remembering heruncovered head, was about to turn back, when a cheerful "Ahoy! ahoy!"made her look up, to see Mac approaching at a great pace, waving hishat as he came.
"The Campbells are coming thick and fast this morning, and the morethe merrier," she said, running to meet him. "You look like a good boygoing to school, and virtuously conning your lesson by the way," sheadded, smiling to see him take his finger out of the book he hadevidently been reading, and tuck it under his arm, just as he used todo years ago.
"I _am_ a school-boy going to the school I like best," he answered,waving a plumy spray of asters, as if pointing out the lovely autumnworld about them, full of gay hues, fresh airs, and mellow sunshine.
"That reminds me that I didn't get a chance to hear much about yourplans last night: the other boys all talked at once, and you only gotin a word now and then. What have you decided to be, Mac?" asked Rose,as they went up the avenue side by side.
"A man first, and a good one if possible; after that, what Godpleases."
Something in the tone, as well as the words, made Rose look up quicklyinto Mac's face, to see a new expression there. It was indescribable;but she felt as she had often done when watching the mists partsuddenly, giving glimpses of some mountain-top, shining serene andhigh against the blue.
"I think you _will_ be something splendid; for you really look quiteglorified, walking under this arch of yellow leaves with the sunshineon your face," she exclaimed, conscious of a sudden admiration neverfelt before; for Mac was the plainest of all the cousins.
"I don't know about that; but I have my dreams and aspirations, andsome of them are pretty high ones. Aim at the best, you know, and keepclimbing if you want to get on," he said, looking at the asters withan inward sort of smile, as if he and they had some sweet secretbetween them.
"You are queerer than ever. But I like your ambition, and hope youwill get on. Only mustn't you begin at something soon? I fancied youwould study medicine with uncle: that used to be our plan, you know."
"I shall, for the present at least, because I quite agree with youthat it is necessary to have an anchor somewhere, and not go floatingoff into the world of imagination without ballast of the right sort.Uncle and I had some talk about it last night, and I'm going up tobegin as soon as possible; for I've mooned long enough," and givinghimself a shake, Mac threw down the pretty spray, adding half aloud,--
"Chide me not, laborious band, For the idle flowers I brought: Every aster in my hand Goes home laden with a thought."
Rose caught the words and smiled, thinking to herself, "Oh, that's it:he is getting into the sentimental age, and Aunt Jane has beenlecturing him. Dear me, how we _are_ growing up!"
"You look as if you didn't like the prospect very well," she saidaloud; for Mac had rammed the volume of Shelley into his pocket, andthe glorified expression was so entirely gone Rose fancied that shehad been mistaken about the mountain-top behind the mists.
"Yes, well enough: I always thought the profession a grand one; andwhere could I find a better teacher than uncle? I've got into lazyways lately, and it is high time I went at something useful; so here Igo," and Mac abruptly vanished into the study, while Rose joined Phebein Aunt Plenty's room.
> The dear old lady had just decided, after long and earnest discussion,which of six favorite puddings should be served for dinner, and thushad a few moments to devote to sentiment; so, when Rose came in, sheheld out her arms, saying fondly,--
"I shall not feel as if I'd got my child back again, until I have herin my lap a minute. No, you're not a bit too heavy; my rheumatismdoesn't begin much before November: so sit here, darling, and put yourtwo arms round my neck."
Rose obeyed, and neither spoke for a moment, as the old woman held theyoung one close, and appeased the two years' longing of a motherlyheart by the caresses women give the creatures dearest to them. Rightin the middle of a kiss, however, she stopped suddenly; and, holdingout one arm, caught Phebe, who was trying to steal away unobserved.
"Don't go: there's room for both in my love, though there isn't in mylap. I'm so grateful to get my dear girls safely home again, that Ihardly know what I'm about," said Aunt Plenty, embracing Phebe soheartily that she could not feel left out in the cold, and stood therewith her black eyes shining through the happiest tears.
"There, now I've had a good hug, and feel as if I was all right again.I wish you'd set that cap in order, Rose: I went to bed in such ahurry I pulled the strings off and left it all in a heap. Phebe, dear,you shall dust round a mite, just as you used to; for I haven't hadany one to do it as I like since you've been gone, and it will do megood to see all my knickknacks straightened out in your tidy way,"said the elder lady, getting up with a refreshed expression on herrosy old face.
"Shall I dust in here too?" asked Phebe, glancing toward an inner roomwhich used to be her care.
"No, dear, I'd rather do that myself. Go in if you like: nothing ischanged. I _must_ go and see to my pudding;" and Aunt Plenty trottedabruptly away, with a quiver of emotion in her voice which made evenher last words pathetic.
Pausing on the threshold as if it was a sacred place, the girls lookedin with eyes soon dimmed by tender tears; for it seemed as if thegentle occupant was still there. Sunshine shone on the old geraniumsby the window; the cushioned chair stood in its accustomed place, withthe white wrapper hung across it, and the faded slippers lying ready.Books and basket, knitting and spectacles, were all just as she hadleft them; and the beautiful tranquillity that always filled the roomseemed so natural both lookers turned involuntarily toward the bedwhere Aunt Peace used to greet them with a smile. There was no sweetold face upon the pillow now, yet the tears that wet the bloomingcheeks were not for her who had gone, but for her who was left;because they saw something which spoke eloquently of the love whichoutlives death and makes the humblest thing beautiful and sacred.
A well-worn footstool stood beside the bed, and in the high-piledwhiteness of the empty couch there was a little hollow where a grayhead nightly rested, while Aunt Plenty said the prayers her mothertaught her seventy years ago.
Without a word, the girls softly shut the door: and, while Phebe putthe room in the most exquisite order, Rose retrimmed the plain whitecap, where pink and yellow ribbons never rustled now; both feelinghonored by their tasks, and better for their knowledge of the faithfullove and piety which sanctified a good old woman's life.
"You darling creature, I'm _so_ glad to get you back! I know it'sshamefully early; but I really couldn't keep away another minute. Letme help you: I'm dying to see all your splendid things; for I saw thetrunks pass, and I know you've quantities of treasures," criedAnnabel Bliss, all in one breath as she embraced Rose an hour later,and glanced about the room bestrewn with a variety of agreeableobjects.
"How well you are looking! Sit down and I'll show you my lovelyphotographs. Uncle chose all the best for me, and it's a treat to seethem," answered Rose, putting a roll on the table and looking aboutfor more.
"Oh, thanks! I haven't time now: one needs hours to study such things.Show me your Paris dresses, there's a dear: I'm perfectly aching tosee the last styles," and Annabel cast a hungry eye toward certainlarge boxes delightfully suggestive of French finery.
"I haven't got any," said Rose, fondly surveying the fine photographsas she laid them away.
"Rose Campbell! you don't mean to say that you didn't get one Parisdress at least?" cried Annabel, scandalized at the bare idea of suchneglect.
"Not one for myself: Aunt Clara ordered several, and will be charmedto show them when her box comes."
"Such a chance! right there and plenty of money! How _could_ you loveyour uncle after such cruelty?" sighed Annabel, with a face full ofsympathy.
Rose looked puzzled for a minute, then seemed to understand, andassumed a superior air which became her very well, as she said,good-naturedly opening a box of laces, "Uncle did not forbid my doingit, and I had money enough; but I chose not to spend it on things ofthat sort."
"Could and didn't! I can't believe it!" And Annabel sunk into a chair,as if the thought was too much for her.
"I did rather want to at first, just for the fun of the thing; infact, I went and looked at some amazing gowns. But they were veryexpensive, very much trimmed, and not my style at all; so I gave themup, and kept what I valued more than all the gowns Worth ever made."
"What in the world was it?" cried Annabel, hoping she would saydiamonds.
"Uncle's good opinion," answered Rose, looking thoughtfully into thedepths of a packing case, where lay the lovely picture that wouldalways remind her of the little triumph over girlish vanity, which notonly kept but increased "Uncle's good opinion."
"Oh, indeed!" said Annabel, blankly, and fell to examining AuntPlenty's lace; while Rose went on with a happy smile in her eyes asshe dived into another trunk.
"Uncle thinks one has no right to waste money on such things; but heis very generous, and loves to give useful, beautiful, or curiousgifts. See, all these pretty ornaments are for presents; and you shallchoose first whatever you like."
"He's a perfect dear!" cried Annabel, revelling in the crystal,filigree, coral, and mosaic trinkets spread before her; while Rosecompleted her rapture by adding sundry tasteful trifles fresh fromParis.
"Now tell me, when do you mean to have your coming-out party? I askbecause I've nothing ready, and want plenty of time; for, I suppose,it will be _the_ event of the season," asked Annabel, a few minuteslater, as she wavered between a pink coral and a blue lava set.
"I came out when I went to Europe; but I suppose Aunty Plen will wantto have some sort of merrymaking to celebrate our return. I shallbegin as I mean to go on, and have a simple, sociable sort of party,and invite every one whom I like, no matter in what 'set' they happento belong. No one shall ever say _I_ am aristocratic and exclusive: soprepare yourself to be shocked; for old friends and young, rich andpoor, will be asked to all my parties."
"Oh, my heart! you _are_ going to be odd just as mamma predicted!"sighed Annabel, clasping her hands in despair, and studying the effectof three bracelets on her chubby arm in the midst of her woe.
"In my own house I'm going to do as I think best; and, if people callme odd, I can't help it. I shall endeavor not to do any thing verydreadful; but I seem to inherit uncle's love for experiments, and meanto try some. I dare say they will fail and I shall get laughed at; Iintend to do it nevertheless, so you had better drop me now before Ibegin," said Rose, with an air of resolution that was rather alarming.