“You, Cousin.?
“Something good, I hope??
“I was thinking Leigh Hunt was about right when he said, ‘A girl is
the sweetest thing God ever made.’ ?
“Why, Mac!” and Rose sat bolt upright with an astonished face this
was such an entirely unexpected sort of remark for the philosopher
to make.
Evidently interested in the new discovery, Mac placidly continued,
“Do you know, it seems as if I never really saw a girl before, or
had any idea what agreeable creatures they could be. I fancy you
are a remarkably good specimen, Rose.?
“No, indeed! I’m only hearty and happy, and being safe at home
again may make me look better than usual perhaps, but I’m no
beauty except to Uncle.?
” ‘Hearty and happy’ that must be it,” echoed Mac, soberly
investigating the problem. “Most girls are sickly or silly, I think I
have observed, and that is probably why I am so struck with you.?
“Of all the queer boys you are the queerest! Do you really mean
that you don’t like or notice girls?” asked Rose, much amused at
this new peculiarity of her studious cousin.
“Well, no, I am only conscious of two sorts noisy and quiet ones. I
prefer the latter, but, as a general thing, I don’t notice any of them
much more than I do flies, unless they bother me, then I’d like to
flap them away, but as that won’t do, I hide.?
Rose leaned back and laughed until her eyes were full. It was so
comical to hear Mac sink his voice to a confidential whisper at the
last words and see him smile with sinful satisfaction at the
memory of the tormentors he had eluded.
“You needn’t laugh it’s a fact, I assure you. Charlie likes the
creatures, and they spoil him. Steve follows suit, of course. Archie
is a respectful slave when he can’t help himself. As for me, I don’t
often give them a chance, and when I get caught I talk science and
dead languages till they run for their lives. Now and then I find a
sensible one, and then we get on excellently.?
“A sad prospect for Phebe and me,” sighed Rose, trying to keep
sober.
“Phebe is evidently a quiet one. I know she is sensible, or you
wouldn’t care for her. I can see that she is pleasant to look at, so I
fancy I shall like her. As for you, I helped bring you up, therefore I
am a little anxious to see how you turn out. I was afraid your
foreign polish might spoil you, but I think it has not. In fact, I find
you quite satisfactory so far, if you don’t mind my saying it. I don’t
quite know what the charm is, though. Must be the power of
inward graces, since you insist that you have no outer ones.?
Mac was peering at her with a shrewd smile on his lips, but such a
kindly look behind the glasses that she found both words and
glance very pleasant and answered merrily, “I am glad you approve
of me, and much obliged for your care of my early youth. I hope to
be a credit to you and depend on your keeping me straight, for I’m
afraid I shall be spoilt among you all.?
“I’ll keep my eye on you upon one condition,” replied the youthful
mentor.
“Name it.?
“If you are going to have a lot of lovers around, I wash my hands
of you. If not, I’m your man.?
“You must be sheep dog and help keep them away, for I don’t want
any yet awhile and, between ourselves, I don’t believe I shall have
any if it is known that I am strong-minded. That fact will scare
most men away like a yellow flag,” said Rose, for, thanks to Dr.
Alec’s guardianship, she had wasted neither heart nor time in the
foolish flirtations so many girls fritter away their youth upon.
“Hum! I rather doubt that,” muttered Mac as he surveyed the
damsel before him.
She certainly did not look unpleasantly strong-minded, and she
was beautiful in spite of her modest denials. Beautiful with the
truest sort of beauty, for nobility of character lent its subtle charm