very sure now about the state of Phebe’s heart.
“Yes, I wanted to do everything myself and not owe one jot of my
success, if I had any, to even the dearest friend I’ve got. It was bad
and foolish of me, and I was punished by the first dreadful failure.
I was so frightened, Rose! My breath was all gone, my eyes so
dizzy I could hardly see, and that great crowd of faces seemed so
near, I dared not look. If it had not been for the clock I never
should have gotten through, and when I did, not knowing in the
least how I’d sung, one look at your distressed face told me I’d
failed.?
“But I smiled, Phebe indeed I did as sweetly as I could, for I was
sure it was only fright,” protested Rose eagerly.
“So you did, but the smile was full of pity, not of pride, as I wanted
it to be, and I rushed into a dark place behind the organ, feeling
ready to kill myself. How angry and miserable I was! I set my
teeth, clenched my hands, and vowed that I would do well next
time or never sing another note. I was quite desperate when my
turn came, and felt as if I could do almost anything, for I
remembered that he was there. I’m not sure how it was, but it
seemed as if I was all voice, for I let myself go, trying to forget
everything except that two people must not be disappointed,
though I died when the song was done.?
“Oh, Phebe, it was splendid! I nearly cried, I was so proud and glad
to see you do yourself justice at last.?
“And he?” whispered Phebe, with her face half hidden on the arm
of the chair.
“Said not a word, but I saw his lips tremble and his eyes shine and
I knew he was the happiest creature there, because I was sure he
did think you fit to be his wife and did mean to speak very soon.?
Phebe made no answer for a moment, seeming to forget the small
success in the greater one which followed and to comfort her sore
heart with the knowledge that Rose was right.
“He sent the flowers, he came for me, and, on the way home,
showed me how wrong I had been to doubt him for an hour. Don’t
ask me to tell that part, but be sure I was the happiest creature in
the world then.?
And Phebe hid her face again, all wet with tender tears that fell
soft and sudden as a summer shower.
Rose let them flow undisturbed while she silently caressed the bent
head, wondering, with a wistful look in her own wet eyes, what
this mysterious passion was which could so move, ennoble, and
beautify the beings whom it blessed.
An impertinent little clock upon the chimneypiece striking eleven
broke the silence and reminded Phebe that she could not indulge in
love dreams there. She started up, brushed off her tears, and said
resolutely: “That is enough for tonight. Go happily to bed, and
leave the troubles for tomorrow.?
“But, Phebe, I must know what you said,” cried Rose, like a child
defrauded of half its bedtime story.
“I said, ‘No.’ ?
“Ah! But it will change to ‘yes’ by and by, I’m sure of that so I’ll let
you go to dream of him. The Campbells are rather proud of being
descendants of Robert the Bruce, but they have common sense and
love you dearly, as you’ll see tomorrow.?
“Perhaps,” And with a good night kiss, poor Phebe went away, to
lie awake till dawn.
Chapter 8 BREAKERS AHEAD
Anxious to smooth the way for Phebe, Rose was up betimes and
slipped into Aunt Plenty’s room before the old lady had gotten her
cap on.
“Aunty, I’ve something pleasant to tell you, and while you listen,
I’ll brush your hair, as you like to have me,” she began, well aware
that the proposed process was a very soothing one.
“Yes, dear only don’t be too particular, because I’m late and must
hurry down or Jane won’t get things straight, and it does fidget me