"what in the world is my girl thinking about all alone here, withsuch a solemn face?" asked dr. alec, coming into the study, onenovember day, to find rose sitting there with folded hands and avery thoughtful aspect.
"uncle, i want to have some serious conversation with you, if youhave time," she said, coming out of a brown study, as if she hadnot heard his question.
"i'm entirely at your service, and most happy to listen," heanswered, in his politest manner, for when rose put on herwomanly little airs he always treated her with a playful sort ofrespect that pleased her very much.
now, as he sat down beside her, she said, very soberly"i've been trying to decide what trade i would learn, and i want youto advise me.""trade, my dear?" and dr. alec looked so astonished that shehastened to explain.
"i forgot that you didn't hear the talk about it up at cosey corner.
you see we used to sit under the pines and sew, and talk a greatdeal all the ladies, i mean and i liked it very much. motheratkinson thought that everyone should have a trade, or somethingto make a living out of, for rich people may grow poor, you know,and poor people have to work. her girls were very clever, andcould do ever so many things, and aunt jessie thought the old ladywas right; so when i saw how happy and independent those youngladies were, i wanted to have a trade, and then it wouldn't matterabout money, though i like to have it well enough."dr. alec listened to this explanation with a curious mixture ofsurprise, pleasure, and amusement in his face, and looked at hislittle niece as if she had suddenly changed into a young woman.
she had grown a good deal in the last six months, and an amountof thinking had gone on in that young head which would haveastonished him greatly could he have known it all, for rose wasone of the children who observe and meditate much, and now andthen nonplus their friends by a wise or curious remark.
"i quite agree with the ladies, and shall be glad to help you decideon something if i can," said the doctor seriously. "what do youincline to? a natural taste or talent is a great help in choosing, youknow.""i haven't any talent, or any especial taste that i can see, and that iswhy i can't decide, uncle. so, i think it would be a good plan topick out some very useful business and learn it, because i don't doit for pleasure, you see, but as a part of my education, and to beready in case i'm ever poor," answered rose, looking as if sherather longed for a little poverty so that her useful gift might beexercised.
"well, now, there is one very excellent, necessary, and womanlyaccomplishment that no girl should be without, for it is a help torich and poor, and the comfort of families depends upon it. thisfine talent is neglected nowadays, and considered old-fashioned,which is a sad mistake, and one that i don't mean to make inbringing up my girl. it should be a part of every girl's education,and i know of a most accomplished lady who will teach you in thebest and pleasantest manner.""oh, what is it?" cried rose eagerly, charmed to be met in thishelpful and cordial way.
"housekeeping!" answered dr. alec.
"is that an accomplishment?" asked rose, while her face fell, forshe had indulged in all sorts of vague, delightful dreams.
"yes; it is one of the most beautiful as well as useful of all the artsa woman can learn. not so romantic, perhaps, as singing, painting,writing, or teaching, even; but one that makes many happy andcomfortable, and home the sweetest place in the world. yes, youmay open your big eyes; but it is a fact that i had rather see you agood housekeeper than the greatest belle in the city. it need notinterfere with any talent you may possess, but it is a necessary partof your training, and i hope that you will set about it at once, nowthat you are well and strong.""who is the lady?" asked rose, rather impressed by her uncle'searnest speech.
"aunt plenty.""is she accomplished?" began rose in a wondering tone, for thisgreat-aunt of hers had seemed the least cultivated of them all.
"in the good old-fashioned way she is very accomplished, and hasmade this house a happy home to us all, ever since we canremember. she is not elegant, but genuinely good, and so belovedand respected that there will be universal mourning for her whenher place is empty. no one can fill it, for the solid, homely virtuesof the dear soul have gone out of fashion, as i say, and nothing newcan be half so satisfactory, to me at least.""i should like to have people feel so about me. can she teach me todo what she does, and to grow as good?" asked rose, with a littleprick of remorse for even thinking that aunt plenty was acommonplace old lady.
"yes, if you don't despise such simple lessons as she can give. iknow it would fill her dear old heart with pride and pleasure tofeel that anyone cared to learn of her, for she fancies her day goneby. let her teach you how to be what she has been a skilful, frugal,cheerful housewife; the maker and the keeper of a happy home,and by and by you will see what a valuable lesson it is.""i will, uncle. but how shall i begin?""i'll speak to her about it, and she will make it all right with dolly,for cooking is one of the main things, you know.""so it is! i don't mind that a bit, for i like to mess, and used to tryat home; but i had no one to tell me, so i never did much but spoilmy aprons. pies are great fun, only dolly is so cross, i don't believeshe will ever let me do a thing in the kitchen.""then we'll cook in the parlour. i fancy aunt plenty will manageher, so don't be troubled. only mind this, i'd rather you learnedhow to make good bread than the best pies ever baked. when youbring me a handsome, wholesome loaf, entirely made by yourself,i shall be more pleased than if you offered me a pair of slippersembroidered in the very latest style. i don't wish to bribe you, buti'll give you my heartiest kiss, and promise to eat every crumb ofthe loaf myself.""it's a bargain! it's a bargain! come and tell aunty all about it, fori'm in a hurry to begin," cried rose, dancing before him toward theparlor, where miss plenty sat alone knitting contentedly, yet readyto run at the first call for help of any sort, from any quarter.
no need to tell how surprised and gratified she was at theinvitation she received to teach the child the domestic arts whichwere her only accomplishments, nor to relate how energeticallyshe set about her pleasant task. dolly dared not grumble, for missplenty was the one person whom she obeyed, and phebe openlyrejoiced, for these new lessons brought rose nearer to her, andglorified the kitchen in the good girl's eyes.
to tell the truth, the elder aunts had sometimes felt that they didnot have quite their share of the little niece who had won theirhearts long ago, and was the sunshine of the house. they talked itover together sometimes, but always ended by saying that as alechad all the responsibility, he should have the larger share of thedear girl's love and time, and they would be contented with suchcrumbs of comfort as they could get.
dr. alec had found out this little secret, and, after reproachinghimself for being blind and selfish, was trying to devise some wayof mending matters without troubling anyone, when rose's newwhim suggested an excellent method of weaning her a little fromhimself. he did not know how fond he was of her till he gave herup to the new teacher, and often could not resist peeping in at thedoor to see how she got on, or stealing sly looks through the slidewhen she was deep in dough, or listening intently to someimpressive lecture from aunt plenty. they caught him at it nowand then, and ordered him off the premises at the point of therolling-pin; or, if unusually successful, and, therefore, in a mildermood, they lured him away with bribes of ginger-bread, a straypickle, or a tart that was not quite symmetrical enough to suit theircritical eyes.
of course he made a point of partaking copiously of all thedelectable messes that now appeared at table, for both the cookswere on their mettle, and he fared sumptuously every day. but anespecial relish was given to any dish when, in reply to his honestpraise of it, rose coloured up with innocent pride, and saidmodestly"i made that, uncle, and i'm glad you like it."it was some time before the perfect loaf appeared, forbread-making is an art not easily learned, and aunt plenty wasvery thorough in her teaching; so rose studied yeast first, andthrough various stages of cake and biscuit came at last to thecrowning glory of the "handsome, wholesome loaf." it appeared attea-time, on a silver salver, proudly borne in by phebe, who couldnot refrain from whispering, with a beaming face, as she set itdown before dr. alec"ain't it just lovely, sir?""it is a regularly splendid loaf! did my girl make it all herself?" heasked, surveying the shapely, sweet-smelling object with realinterest and pleasure.
"every particle herself, and never asked a bit of help or advicefrom anyone," answered aunt plenty, folding her hands with an airof unmitigated satisfaction, for her pupil certainly did her greatcredit.
"i've had so many failures and troubles that i really thought i nevershould be able to do it alone. dolly let one splendid batch burn upbecause i forgot it. she was there and smelt it, but never did athing, for she said, when i undertook to bake bread i must give mywhole mind to it. wasn't it hard? she might have called me atleast," said rose, recollecting, with a sigh, the anguish of thatmoment.
"she meant you should learn by experience, as rosamond did inthat little affair of the purple jar, you remember.""i always thought it very unfair in her mother not to warn the poorthing a little bit; and she was regularly mean when rosamondasked for a bowl to put the purple stuff in, and she said, in such aprovoking way, 'i did not agree to lend you a bowl, but i will, mydear.' ugh! i always want to shake that hateful woman, though shewas a moral mamma.""never mind her now, but tell me all about my loaf," said dr. alec,much amused at rose's burst of indignation.
"there's nothing to tell, uncle, except that i did my best, gave mymind to it, and sat watching over it all the while it was in the oventill i was quite baked myself. everything went right this time, andit came out a nice, round, crusty loaf, as you see. now taste it, andtell me if it is good as well as handsome.""must i cut it? can't i put it under a glass cover and keep it in theparlor as they do wax flowers and fine works of that sort?""what an idea, uncle! it would mould and be spoilt. besides,people would laugh at us, and make fun of my old-fashionedaccomplishment. you promised to eat it, and you must; not all atonce, but as soon as you can, so i can make you some more."dr. alec solemnly cut off his favourite crusty slice, and solemnlyate it; then wiped his lips, and brushing back rose's hair, solemnlykissed her on the forehead, saying, heartily"my dear, it is perfect bread, and you are an honour to yourteacher. when we have our model school i shall offer a prize forthe best bread, and you will get it.""i've got it already, and i'm quite satisfied," said rose, slipping intoher seat, and trying to hide her right hand which had a burn on it.
but dr. alec saw it, guessed how it came there, and after teainsisted on easing the pain which she would hardly confess.
"aunt clara says i am spoiling my hands, but i don't care, for i'vehad such good times with aunt plenty, and i think she has enjoyedit as much as i have. only one thing troubles me, uncle, and i wantto ask you about it," said rose, as they paced up and down the hallin the twilight, the bandaged hand very carefully laid on dr. alec'sarm.
"more little confidences? i like them immensely, so tell away, mydear.""well, you see i feel as if aunt peace would like to do somethingfor me, and i've found out what it can be. you know she can't goabout like aunty plen, and we are so busy nowadays that she israther lonely, i'm afraid. so i want to take lessons in sewing of her.
she works so beautifully, and it is a useful thing, you know, and iought to be a good needlewoman as well as housekeeper, oughtn'ti?""bless your kind little heart, that is what i was thinking of theother day when aunt peace said she saw you very seldom now,you were so busy i wanted to speak of it, but fancied you had asmuch on your hands as you could manage. it would delight thedear woman to teach you all her delicate handicraft, especiallybutton-holes, for i believe that is where young ladies fail; at least,i've heard them say so. so, do you devote your mind tobutton-holes; make 'em all over my clothes if you want somethingto practice on. i'll wear any quantity."rose laughed at this reckless offer, but promised to attend to thatimportant branch, though she confessed that darning was her weakpoint. whereupon uncle alec engaged to supply her with socks inall stages of dilapidation, and to have a new set at once, so that shecould run the heels for him as a pleasant beginning.
then they went up to make their request in due form, to the greatdelight of gentle aunt peace, who got quite excited with the funthat went on while they would yarn, looked up darning needles,and fitted out a nice little mending basket for her pupil.
very busy and very happy were rose's days now, for in themorning she went about the house with aunt plenty attending tolinen-closets and store-rooms, pickling and preserving, exploringgarret and cellar to see that all was right, and learning, in the goodold-fashioned manner, to look well after the ways of thehousehold.
in the afternoon, after her walk or drive, she sat with aunt peaceplying her needle, while aunt plenty, whose eyes were failing,knitted and chatted briskly, telling many a pleasant story of oldtimes, till the three were moved to laugh and cry together, for thebusy needles were embroidering all sorts of bright patterns on thelives of the workers, though they seemed to be only stitchingcotton and darning hose.
it was a pretty sight to see the rosy-faced little maid sittingbetween the two old ladies, listening dutifully to their instructions,and cheering the lessons with her lively chatter and blithe laugh. ifthe kitchen had proved attractive to dr. alec when rose was thereat work, the sewing-room was quite irresistible, and he madehimself so agreeable that no one had the heart to drive him away,especially when he read aloud or spun yarns.
"there! i've made you a new set of warm night-gowns with fourbutton-holes in each. see if they are not neatly done," said rose,one day, some weeks after the new lessons began.
"even to a thread, and nice little bars across the end so i can't tearthem when i twitch the buttons out. most superior work, ma'am,and i'm deeply grateful; so much so, that i'll sew on these buttonsmyself, and save those tired fingers from another prick.""you sew them on?" cried rose, with her eyes wide open inamazement.
"wait a bit till i get my sewing tackle, and then you shall see whati can do.""can he, really?" asked rose of aunt peace, as uncle alecmarched off with a comical air of importance.
"oh, yes, i taught him years ago, before he went to sea; and isuppose he has had to do things for himself, more or less, eversince; so he has kept his hand in."he evidently had, for he was soon back with a funny littlework-bag, out of which he produced a thimble without a top; and,having threaded his needle, he proceeded to sew on the buttons sohandily that rose was much impressed and amused.
"i wonder if there is anything in the world that you cannot do," shesaid, in a tone of respectful admiration.
"there are one or two things that i am not up to yet," he answered,with a laugh in the corner of his eye, as he waxed his thread with aflourish.
"i should like to know what?""bread and button-holes, ma'am."
