like a ferule, being as big, hard, and uncompromising as such an
article could be.
Mrs. Jessie gave a mild murmur of assent, but could not help
thinking, with a smile, that in spite of their early tribulations the
sins for which the boys suffered had gotten a little mixed in their
result, for fibbing Steve was now the tidy one, and careless Mac
the truth teller. But such small contradictions will happen in the
best-regulated families, and all perplexed parents can do is to keep
up a steadfast preaching and practicing in the hope that it will bear
fruit sometime, for according to an old proverb,
Children pick up words as pigeons pease,
To utter them again as God shall please.
“I hope they won’t dance the child to death among them, for each
one seems bound to have his turn, even your sober Mac,” said Mrs.
Jessie a few minutes later as she saw Archie hand Rose over to his
cousin, who carried her off with an air of triumph from several
other claimants.
“She’s very good to him, and her influence is excellent, for he is of
an age now when a young woman’s opinion has more weight than
an old one’s. Though he is always good to his mother, and I feel as
if I should take great comfort in him. He’s one of the sort who will
not marry till late, if ever, being fond of books and a quiet life,”
responded Mrs. Jane, remembering how often her son had
expressed his belief that philosophers should not marry and
brought up Plato as an example of the serene wisdom to be
attained only by a single man while her husband sided with
Socrates, for whom he felt a profound sympathy, though he didn’t
dare to own it.
“Well, I don’t know about that. Since my Archie surprised me by
losing his heart as he did, I’m prepared for anything, and advise
you to do likewise. I really shouldn’t wonder if Mac did something
remarkable in that line, though he shows no sign of it yet, I
confess,” answered Mrs. Jessie, laughing.
“It won’t be in that direction, you may be sure, for her fate is
sealed. Dear me, how sad it is to see a superior girl like that about
to throw herself away on a handsome scapegrace. I won’t mention
names, but you understand me.” And Mrs. Jane shook her head, as
if she could mention the name of one superior girl who had thrown
herself away and now saw the folly of it.
“I’m very anxious, of course, and so is Alec, but it may be the
saving of one party and the happiness of the other, for some
women love to give more than they receive,” said Mrs. Jessie,
privately wondering, for the thousandth time, why brother Mac
ever married the learned Miss Humphries.
“You’ll see that it won’t prosper, and I shall always maintain that a
wife cannot entirely undo a mother’s work. Rose will have her
hands full if she tries to set all Clara’s mistakes right,” answered
Aunt Jane grimly, then began to fan violently as their hostess
approached to have a dish of chat about “our dear young people.?
Rose was in a merry mood that night, and found Mac quite ready
for fun, which was fortunate, since her first remark set them off on
a droll subject.
“Oh, Mac! Annabel has just confided to me that she is engaged to
Fun See! Think of her going to housekeeping in Canton someday
and having to order rats, puppies, and bird’s-nest soup for dinner,”
whispered Rose, too much amused to keep the news to herself.
“By Confucius! Isn’t that a sweet prospect?” And Mac burst out
laughing, to the great surprise of his neighbors, who wondered
what there was amusing about the Chinese sage. “It is rather
alarming, though, to have these infants going on at this rate. Seems
to be catching, a new sort of scarlet fever, to judge by Annabel’s
cheeks and Kitty’s gown,” he added, regarding the aforesaid ladies
with eyes still twinkling with merriment.
“Don’t be ungallant, but go and do likewise, for it is all the fashion.