whatever danger there might have been from the effects of thatsudden chill, it was soon over, though, of course, aunt myrarefused to believe it, and dr. alec cherished his girl withredoubled vigilance and tenderness for months afterward. rosequite enjoyed being sick, because as soon as the pain ended the funbegan, and for a week or two she led the life of a little princesssecluded in the bower, while every one served, amused, andwatched over her in the most delightful manner. but the doctorwas called away to see an old friend, who was dangerously ill, andthen rose felt like a young bird deprived of its mother's shelteringwing; especially on one afternoon when the aunts were taking theirnaps, and the house was very still within while snow fell softlywithout.
"i'll go and hunt up phebe, she is always nice and busy, and likes tohave me help her. if dolly is out of the way we can make caramelsand surprise the boys when they come," rose said to herself, as shethrew down her book and felt ready for society of some sort.
she took the precaution to peep through the slide before sheentered the kitchen, for dolly allowed no messing when she wasround. but the coast was clear, and no one but phebe appeared,sitting at the table with her head on her arms apparently asleep.
rose was just about to wake her with a "boo!" when she lifted herhead, dried her wet eyes with her blue apron, and fell to work witha resolute face on something she was evidently much interested in.
rose could not make out what it was, and her curiosity was greatlyexcited, for phebe was writing with a sputtering pen on some bitsof brown paper, apparently copying something from a little book.
"i must know what the dear thing is about, and why she cried, andthen set her lips tight and went to work with all her might,"thought rose, forgetting all about the caramels, and, going roundto the door, she entered the kitchen, saying pleasantly"phebe, i want something to do. can't you let me help you aboutanything, or shall i be in the way?""oh, dear no, miss; i always love to have you round when thingsare tidy. what would you like to do?" answered phebe, opening adrawer as if about to sweep her own affairs out of sight; but rosestopped her, exclaiming, like a curious child"let me see! what is it? i won't tell if you'd rather not have dollyknow.""i'm only trying to study a bit; but i'm so stupid i don't get onmuch," answered the girl reluctantly, permitting her little mistressto examine the poor contrivances she was trying to work with.
a broken slate that had blown off the roof, an inch or two ofpencil, an old almanac for a reader, several bits of brown or yellowpaper ironed smoothly and sewn together for a copy-book, and thecopies sundry receipts written in aunt plenty's neat hand. these,with a small bottle of ink and a rusty pen, made up phebe's outfit,and it was little wonder that she did not "get on" in spite of thepatient persistence that dried the desponding tears and drove alongthe sputtering pen with a will.
"you may laugh if you want to, miss rose, i know my things arequeer, and that's why i hide 'em; but i don't mind since you'vefound me out, and i ain't a bit ashamed except of being sobackward at my age," said phebe humbly, though her cheeks grewredder as she washed out some crooked capitals with a tear or twonot yet dried upon the slate.
"laugh at you! i feel more like crying to think what a selfish girl iam, to have loads of books and things and never remember to giveyou some. why didn't you come and ask me, and not go strugglingalong alone in this way? it was very wrong of you, phebe, and i'llnever forgive you if you do so again," answered rose, with onehand on phebe's shoulder, while the other gently turned the leavesof the poor little copy-book.
"i didn't like to ask for anything more when you are so good to meall the time, miss, dear," began phebe, looking up with gratefuleyes.
"o you proud thing! just as if it wasn't fun to give away, and i hadthe best of it. now, see here, i've got a plan and you mustn't say no,or i shall scold. i want something to do, and i'm going to teach youall i know; it won't take long," and rose laughed as she put herarm around phebe's neck, and patted the smooth dark head withthe kind little hand that so loved to give.
"it would be just heavenly!" and phebe's face shone at the mereidea; but fell again as she added wistfully, "only i'm afraid i oughtnot to let you do it, miss rose. it will take time, and maybe thedoctor wouldn't like it.""he didn't want me to study much, but he never said a word aboutteaching, and i don't believe he will mind a bit. anyway, we cantry it till he comes, so pack up your things and go right to my roomand we'll begin this very day; i'd truly like to do it, and we'll havenice times, see if we don't!" cried rose eagerly.
it was a pretty sight to see phebe bundle her humble outfit into herapron, and spring up as if the desire of her heart had suddenly beenmade a happy fact to her; it was a still prettier sight to see roserun gaily on before, smiling like a good fairy as she beckoned tothe other, singing as she went"the way into my parlour is up a winding stair,and many are the curious things i'll show you when you're there.
will you, will you walk in, phebe dear?""oh, won't i!" answered phebe fervently, adding, as they enteredthe bower, "you are the dearest spider that ever was, and i'm thehappiest fly.""i'm going to be very strict, so sit down in that chair and don't say aword till school is ready to open," ordered rose, delighted with theprospect of such a useful and pleasant "something to do."so phebe sat demurely in her place while her new teacher laidforth books and slates, a pretty inkstand and a little globe; hastilytore a bit off her big sponge, sharpened pencils with more energythan skill, and when all was ready gave a prance of satisfactionthat set the pupil laughing.
"now the school is open, and i shall hear you read, so that i mayknow in which class to put you, miss moore," began rose withgreat dignity, as she laid a book before her scholar, and sat downin the easy chair with a long rule in her hand.
phebe did pretty well, only tripping now and then over a hardword, and pronouncing identical "identickle," in a sober way thattickled rose, though never a smile betrayed her. the spellinglesson which followed was rather discouraging; phebe's ideas ofgeography were very vague, and grammar was nowhere, thoughthe pupil protested that she tried so hard to "talk nice like educatedfolks" that dolly called her "a stuck-up piece who didn't know herplace.""dolly's an old goose, so don't you mind her, for she will say'nater,' 'vittles,' and 'doos' as long as she lives, and insist that theyare right. you do talk very nicely, phebe, i've observed it, andgrammar will help you, and show you some things are right andothers ain't are not, i mean," added rose, correcting herself, andfeeling that she must mind her own parts of speech if she was toserve as an example for phebe.
when the arithmetic came, the little teacher was surprised to findher scholar quicker in some things than herself, for phebe hadworked away at the columns in the butcher's and baker's books tillshe could add so quickly and correctly that rose was amazed, andfelt that in this branch the pupil would soon excel the teacher ifshe kept on at the same pace. her praise cheered phebeimmensely, and they went bravely on, both getting so interestedthat time flew unheeded till aunt plenty appeared, exclaiming, asshe stared at the two heads bent over one slate"bless my heart, what is going on now?""school, aunty. i'm teaching phebe, and it's great fun!" cried rose,looking up with a bright face.
but phebe's was brighter, though she added with a wistful look"maybe i ought to have asked leave first; only when miss roseproposed this, i was so happy i forgot to. shall i stop, ma'am?""of course not, child; i'm glad to see you fond of your book, and tofind rose helping you along. my blessed mother used to sit atwork with her maids about her, teaching them many a useful thingin the good old fashion that's gone by now. only don't neglect yourwork, dear, or let the books interfere with the duties."as aunt plenty spoke, with her kind old face beaming approvinglyupon the girls, phebe glanced at the clock, saw that it pointed tofive, knew that dolly would soon be down, expecting to findpreparations for supper under way, and, hastily dropping herpencil, she jumped up, saying"please, can i go? i'll clear up after i've done my chores.""school is dismissed," answered rose, and with a grateful "thankyou, heaps and heaps!" phebe ran away singing the multiplicationtable as she set the tea ditto.
that was the way it began, and for a week the class of one went onwith great pleasure and profit to all concerned; for the pupilproved a bright one, and came to her lessons as to a feast, whilethe young teacher did her best to be worthy the high opinion heldof her, for phebe firmly believed that miss rose knew everythingin the way of learning.
of course the lads found out what was going on, and chaffed thegirls about the "seminary," as they called the new enterprise; butthey thought it a good thing on the whole, kindly offered to givelessons in greek and latin gratis, and decided among themselvesthat "rose was a little trump to give the phebe-bird such a capitalboost."rose herself had some doubts as to how it would strike her uncle,and concocted a wheedlesome speech which should at onceconvince him that it was the most useful, wholesome, anddelightful plan ever devised. but she got no chance to deliver heraddress, for dr. alec came upon her so unexpectedly that it wentout of her head entirely. she was sitting on the floor in the library,poring over a big book laid open in her lap, and knew nothing ofthe long-desired arrival till two large, warm hands met under herchin and gently turned her head back, so that someone could kissher heartily on either cheek, while a fatherly voice said, halfreproachfully, "why is my girl brooding over a dusty encyclopediawhen she ought to be running to meet the old gentleman whocouldn't get on another minute without her?""o uncle! i'm so glad! and so sorry! why didn't you let us knowwhat time you'd be here, or call out the minute you came? haven'ti been home-sick for you? and now i'm so happy to have you backi could hug your dear old curly head off," cried rose, as theencyclopedia went down with a bang, and she up with a springthat carried her into dr. alec's arms, to be kept there in the sort ofembrace a man gives to the dearest creature the world holds forhim.
presently he was in his easy chair with rose upon his knee smilingup in his face and talking as fast as her tongue could go, while hewatched her with an expression of supreme content, as he strokedthe smooth round cheek, or held the little hand in his, rejoicing tosee how rosy was the one, how plump and strong the other.
"have you had a good time? did you save the poor lady? aren'tyou glad to be home again with your girl to torment you?""yes, to all those questions. now tell me what you've been at, littlesinner? aunty plen says you want to consult me about some newand remarkable project which you have dared to start in myabsence.""she didn't tell you, i hope?""not a word more expect that you were rather doubtful how i'dtake it, and so wanted to 'fess' yourself and get round me as youalways try to do, though you don't often succeed. now, then, ownup and take the consequences."so rose told about her school in her pretty, earnest way, dwellingon phebe's hunger for knowledge, and the delight it was to helpher, adding, with a wise nod"and it helps me too, uncle, for she is so quick and eager i have todo my best or she will get ahead of me in some things. to-day,now, she had the word 'cotton' in a lesson and asked all about it,and i was ashamed to find i really knew so little that i could onlysay that it was a plant that grew down south in a kind of a pod, andwas made into cloth. that's what i was reading up when you came,and to-morrow i shall tell her all about it, and indigo too. so yousee it teaches me also, and is as good as a general review of whati've learned, in a pleasanter way than going over it alone.""you artful little baggage! that's the way you expect to get roundme, is it? that's not studying, i suppose?""no, sir, it's teaching; and please, i like it much better than havinga good time by myself. besides, you know, i adopted phebe andpromised to be a sister to her, so i am bound to keep my word, ami not?" answered rose, looking both anxious and resolute as shewaited for her sentence.
dr. alec was evidently already won, for rose had described theold slate and brown paper copy-book with pathetic effect, and theexcellent man had not only decided to send phebe to school longbefore the story was done, but reproached himself for forgettinghis duty to one little girl in his love for another. so when rosetried to look meek and failed utterly, he laughed and pinched hercheek, and answered in that genial way which adds such warmthand grace to any favour"i haven't the slightest objection in the world. in fact, i wasbeginning to think i might let you go at your books again,moderately, since you are so well; and this is an excellent way totry your powers. phebe is a brave, bright lass, and shall have a fairchance in the world, if we can give it to her, so that if she everfinds her friends they need not be ashamed of her.""i think she has found some already," began rose eagerly.
"hey? what? has anyone turned up since i've been gone?" askeddr. alec quickly, for it was a firm belief in the family that phebewould prove to be "somebody" sooner or later.
"no, her best friend turned up when you came home, uncle,"answered rose with an approving pat, adding gratefully, "i can'thalf thank you for being so good to my girl, but she will, because iknow she is going to make a woman to be proud of, she's so strongand true, and loving.""bless your dear heart, i haven't begun to do anything yet, moreshame to me! but i'm going at it now, and as soon as she gets on abit, she shall go to school as long as she likes. how will that do fora beginning?""it will be 'just heavenly,' as phebe says, for it is the wish of herlife to 'get lots of schooling,' and she will be too happy when i tellher. may i, please? it will be so lovely to see the dear thing openher big eyes and clap her hands at the splendid news.""no one shall have a finger in this nice little pie; you shall do it allyourself, only don't go too fast, or make too many castles in the air,my dear; for time and patience must go into this pie of ours if it isto turn out well.""yes, uncle, only when it is opened won't 'the birds begin to sing?"'
laughed rose, taking a turn about the room as a vent for the joyfulemotions that made her eyes shine. all of a sudden she stoppedand asked soberly"if phebe goes to school who will do her work? i'm willing, if ican.""come here and i'll tell you a secret. dolly's 'bones' are getting sotroublesome, and her dear old temper so bad, that the aunts havedecided to pension her off and let her go and live with herdaughter, who has married very well. i saw her this week, andshe'd like to have her mother come, so in the spring we shall havea grand change, and get a new cook and chamber-girl if any can befound to suit our honoured relatives.""oh, me! how can i ever get on without phebe? couldn't she stay,just so i could see her? i'd pay her board rather than have her go,i'm so fond of her."how dr. alec laughed at that proposal, and how satisfied rosewas when he explained that phebe was still to be her maid, with noduties except such as she could easily perform betweenschool-hours.
"she is a proud creature, for all her humble ways, and even fromus would not take a favour if she did not earn it somewhere. sothis arrangement makes it all square and comfortable, you see, andshe will pay for the schooling by curling these goldilocks a dozentimes a day if you let her.""your plans are always so wise and kind! that's why they work sowell, i suppose, and why people let you do what you like withthem. i really don't see how other girls get along without an unclealec!" answered rose, with a sigh of pity for those who hadmissed so great a blessing.
when phebe was told the splendid news, she did not "stand on herhead with rapture," as charlie prophesied she would, but took itquietly, because it was such a happy thing she had no words "bigand beautiful enough to thank them in," she said; but every hour ofher day was brightened by this granted wish, and dedicated to theservice of those who gave it.
her heart was so full of content that if overflowed in music, andthe sweet voice singing all about the house gave thanks so blithelythat no other words were needed. her willing feet were never tiredof taking steps for those who had smoothed her way; her skilfulhands were always busy in some labour of love for them, and onthe face fast growing in comeliness there was an almost womanlyexpression of devotion, which proved how well phebe had alreadylearned one of life's great lessons gratitude.
