Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott

hour. Mother took my place, so I could be spared, and came off, as

Uncle refused to stir.?

“Don’t go home, for if Aunty isn’t there it will be very dismal. Step

into Uncle’s room and refresh, then come back and I’ll give you

your tea. Let me, let me! I can’t help in any other way, and I must

do something, this waiting is so dreadful.?

Her last words betrayed how much suspense was trying her, and

Mac yielded at once, glad to comfort and be comforted. When he

came back, looking much revived, a tempting little tea table stood

before the fire and Rose went to meet him, saying with a faint

smile, as she liberally bedewed him with the contents of a cologne

flask: “I can’t bear the smell of ether it suggests such dreadful

things.?

“What curious creatures women are! Archie told us you bore the

news like a hero, and now you turn pale at a whiff of bad air. I

can’t explain it,” mused Mac as he meekly endured the fragrant

shower bath.

“Neither can I, but I’ve been imagining horrors all day and made

myself nervous. Don’t let us talk about it, but come and have some

tea.?

“That’s another queer thing. Tea is your panacea for all human ills

yet there isn’t any nourishment in it. I’d rather have a glass of milk,

thank you,” said Mac, taking an easy chair and stretching his feet

to the fire.

She brought it to him and made him eat something; then, as he

shut his eyes wearily, she went away to the piano and, having no

heart to sing, played softly till he seemed asleep. But at the stroke

of six he was up and ready to be off again.

“He gave me that. Take it with you and put some on his hair. He

likes it, and I do so want to help a little,” she said, slipping the

pretty flagon into his pocket with such a wistful look Mac never

thought of smiling at this very feminine request.

“I’ll tell him. Is there anything else I can do for you, Cousin?” he

asked, holding the cold hand that had been serving him so

helpfully.

“Only this if there is any sudden change, promise to send for me,

no matter at what hour it is. I must say ‘good-bye'”.

“I will come for you. But, Rose, I am sure you may sleep in peace

tonight, and I hope to have good news for you in the morning.?

“Bless you for that! Come early, and let me see him soon. I will be

very good, and I know it will not do him any harm.?

“No fear of that. The first thing he said when he could speak was

‘Tell Rose carefully,’ and as I came away he guessed where I was

going and tried to kiss his hand in the old way, you know.?

Mac thought it would cheer her to hear that Charlie remembered

her, but the sudden thought that she might never see the familiar

little gesture anymore was the last drop that made her full heart

overflow, and Mac saw the “hero” of the morning sink down at his

feet in a passion of tears that frightened him. He took her to the

sofa and tried to comfort her, but as soon as the bitter sobbing

quieted she looked up and said quite steadily, great drops rolling

down her cheeks the while: “Let me cry it is what I need, and I

shall be all the better for it by and by. Go to Charlie now and tell

him I said with all my heart, ‘Good night!’?

“I will!” And Mac trudged away, marveling in his turn at the

curiously blended strength and weakness of womankind.

That was the longest night Rose ever spent, but joy came in the

morning with the early message: “He is better. You are to come by

and by.” Then Aunt Plenty forgot her lumbago and arose; Aunt

Myra, who had come to have a social croak, took off her black

bonnet as if it would not be needed at present, and the girl made

ready to go and say “Welcome back,” not the hard “Good-bye.?

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