people do.?
“Thanks for your cheerful prophecies, but I think I’ll venture.?
She looked so undaunted that Charlie was a little nettled and fired
his last shot rather recklessly: “Well, one thing I do know you’ll
never get a husband if you go on in this absurd way, and by Jove!
you need one to take care of you and keep the property together!?
Rose had a temper, but seldom let it get the better of her; now,
however, it flashed up for a moment. Those last words were
peculiarly unfortunate, because Aunt Clara had used them more
than once when warning her against impecunious suitors and
generous projects. She was disappointed in her cousin, annoyed at
having her little plans laughed at, and indignant with him for his
final suggestion.
“I’ll never have one, if I must give up the liberty of doing what I
know is right, and I’d rather go into the poorhouse tomorrow than
‘keep the property together’ in the selfish way you mean!?
That was all but Charlie saw that he had gone too far and hastened
to make his peace with the skill of a lover, for, turning to the little
cabinet piano behind him, he sang in his best style the sweet old
song:
“Oh were thou in the cauld blast,?
dwelling with great effect, not only upon the tender assurance that
“My plaid should shelter thee,?
but also that, even if a king,
“The brightest jewel in my crown
Wad be my queen, wad be my queen.?
It was very evident that Prince Charming had not gone
troubadouring in vain, for Orpheus himself could not have restored
harmony more successfully. The tuneful apology was accepted
with a forgiving smile and a frank “I’m sorry I was cross, but you
haven’t forgotten how to tease, and I’m rather out of sorts today.
Late hours don’t agree with me.?
“Then you won’t feel like going to Mrs. Hope’s tomorrow, I’m
afraid,” and Charlie took up the last note with an expression of
regret which was very flattering.
“I must go, because it is made for me, but I can come away early
and make up lost sleep. I do hate to be so fractious,” and Rose
rubbed the forehead that ached with too much racketing.
“But the German does not begin till late I’m to lead and depend
upon you. Just stay this once to oblige me,” pleaded Charlie, for he
had set his heart on distinguishing himself.
“No I promised Uncle to be temperate in my pleasures and I must
keep my word. I’m so well now, it would be very foolish to get ill
and make him anxious not to mention losing my beauty, as you are
good enough to call it, for that depends on health, you know.?
“But the fun doesn’t begin till after supper. Everything will be
delightful, I assure you, and we’ll have a gay old time as we did
last week at Emma’s.?
“Then I certainly will not, for I’m ashamed of myself when I
remember what a romp that was and how sober Uncle looked as he
let me in at three in the morning, all fagged out my dress in rags,
my head aching, my feet so tired that I could hardly stand, and
nothing to show for five hours’ hard work but a pocketful of
bonbons, artificial flowers, and tissue-paper fool’s caps. Uncle said
I’d better put one on and go to bed, for I looked as though I’d been
to a French bal masque. I never want to hear him say so again, and
I’ll never let dawn catch me out in such a plight anymore.?
“You were all right enough, for mother didn’t object and I got you
both home before daylight. Uncle is notional about such things, so
I shouldn’t mind, for we had a jolly time and we were none the
worse for it.?
“Indeed we were, every one of us! Aunt Clara hasn’t gotten over
her cold yet. I slept all the next day, and you looked like a ghost,
for you’d been out every night for weeks, I think.?
“Oh, nonsense! Everyone does it during the season, and you’ll get