Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott

while we were abroad. Had one or two narrow escapes, and now

I’m in for it, as you can see by tonight’s ‘success’ as Clara calls it.

Thank heaven I haven’t many daughters to look after!?

“Come, come, don’t be anxious take Archie and settle it right up

safely and happily. That’s my advice, and you’ll find it sound,”

replied the elder conspirator, like one having experience.

“I’ll think of it, but mind you, Mac, not a word of this to the sisters.

We are a couple of old fools to be matchmaking so soon but I see

what is before me and it’s a comfort to free my mind to someone.?

“So it is. Depend on me not a breath even to Jane,” answered

Uncle Mac, with a hearty shake and a sympathetic slap on the

shoulder.

“Why, what dark and awful secrets are going on here? Is it a

Freemason’s Lodge and those the mystic signs?” asked a gay voice

at the door; and there stood Rose, full of smiling wonder at the

sight of her two uncles hand in hand, whispering and nodding to

one another mysteriously.

They stared like schoolboys caught plotting mischief and looked

so guilty that she took pity on them, innocently imagining the

brothers were indulging in a little sentiment on this joyful

occasion, so she added quickly, as she beckoned, without crossing

the threshold, “Women not allowed, of course, but both of you

dear Odd Fellows are wanted, for Aunt Plenty begs we will have

an old-fashioned contra dance, and I’m to lead off with Uncle Mac.

I chose you, sir, because you do it in style, pigeon wings and all.

So, please come and Phebe is waiting for you, Uncle Alec. She is

rather shy you know, but will enjoy it with you to take care of her.?

“Thank you, thank you!” cried both gentlemen, following with

great alacrity.

Unconscious, Rose enjoyed that Virginia reel immensely, for the

pigeon wings were superb, and her partner conducted her through

the convolutions of the dance without a fault, going down the

middle in his most gallant style. Landing safely at the bottom, she

stood aside to let him get his breath, for stout Uncle Mac was

bound to do or die on that occasion and would have danced his

pumps through without a murmur if she had desired it.

Leaning against the wall with his hair in his eyes, and a decidedly

bored expression of countenance, was Mac, Jr., who had been

surveying the gymnastics of his parent with respectful

astonishment.

“Come and take a turn, my lad. Rose is fresh as a daisy, but we old

fellows soon get enough of it, so you shall have my place,” said his

father, wiping his face, which glowed like a cheerful peony.

“No, thank you, sir I can’t stand that sort of thing. I’ll race you

round the piazza with pleasure, Cousin, but his oven is too much

for me,” was Mac’s uncivil reply as he backed toward the open

window, as if glad of an excuse to escape.

“Fragile creature, don’t stay on my account, I beg. I can’t leave my

guests for a moonlight run, even if I dared to take it on a frosty

night in a thin dress,” said Rose, fanning herself and not a bit

ruffled by Mac’s refusal, for she knew his ways and they amused

her.

“Not half so bad as all this dust, gas, heat, and noise. What do you

suppose lungs are made of?” demanded Mac, ready for a

discussion then and there.

“I used to know, but I’ve forgotten now. Been so busy with other

things that I’ve neglected the hobbies I used to ride five or six years

ago,” she said, laughing.

“Ah, those were times worth having! Are you going in for much of

this sort of thing, Rose?” he asked with a disapproving glance at

the dancers.

“About three months of it, I think.?

“Then good-bye till New Year.” And Mac vanished behind the

curtains.

“Rose, my dear, you really must take that fellow in hand before he

gets to be quite a bear. Since you have been gone he has lived in