Chapter 22--Something to do
Whatever danger there might have been from the effects of that suddenchill, it was soon over, though, of course, Aunt Myra refused tobelieve it, and Dr. Alec cherished his girl with redoubled vigilance andtenderness for months afterward. Rose quite enjoyed being sick, becauseas soon as the pain ended the fun began, and for a week or two she ledthe life of a little princess secluded in the Bower, while every oneserved, amused, and watched over her in the most delightful manner. Butthe doctor was called away to see an old friend, who was dangerouslyill, and then Rose felt like a young bird deprived of its mother'ssheltering wing; especially on one afternoon when the aunts were takingtheir naps, 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 caramels andsurprise the boys when they come," Rose said to herself, as she threwdown her book and felt ready for society of some sort.
She took the precaution to peep through the slide before she entered thekitchen, for Dolly allowed no messing when she was round. But the coastwas clear, and no one but Phebe appeared, sitting at the table with herhead on her arms apparently asleep. Rose was just about to wake herwith a "Boo!" when she lifted her head, dried her wet eyes with herblue apron, and fell to work with a resolute face on something she wasevidently much interested in. Rose could not make out what it was,and her curiosity was greatly excited, for Phebe was writing with asputtering pen on some bits of brown paper, apparently copying somethingfrom a little book.
"I must know what the dear thing is about, and why she cried, and thenset her lips tight and went to work with all her might," thought Rose,forgetting all about the caramels, and, going round to the door, sheentered 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 things aretidy. What would you like to do?" answered Phebe, opening a drawer asif about to sweep her own affairs out of sight; but Rose stopped 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 on much,"answered the girl reluctantly, permitting her little mistress to examinethe poor contrivances she was trying to work with.
A broken slate that had blown off the roof, an inch or two of pencil, anold almanac for a reader, several bits of brown or yellow paper ironedsmoothly and sewn together for a copy-book, and the copies sundryreceipts written in Aunt Plenty's neat hand. These, with a small bottleof ink and a rusty pen, made up Phebe's outfit, and it was little wonderthat she did not "get on" in spite of the patient persistence that driedthe desponding tears and drove along the sputtering pen with a will.
"You may laugh if you want to, Miss Rose, I know my things are queer,and that's why I hide 'em; but I don't mind since you've found me out,and I ain't a bit ashamed except of being so backward at my age," saidPhebe humbly, though her cheeks grew redder as she washed out somecrooked capitals with a tear or two not 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 give yousome. Why didn't you come and ask me, and not go struggling along alonein this way? It was very wrong of you, Phebe, and I'll never forgive youif you do so again," answered Rose, with one hand on Phebe's shoulder,while the other gently turned the leaves of the poor little copy-book.
"I didn't like to ask for anything more when you are so good to me allthe time, miss, dear," began Phebe, looking up with grateful eyes.
"O you proud thing! just as if it wasn't fun to give away, and I had thebest of it. Now, see here, I've got a plan and you mustn't say no, orI shall scold. I want something to do, and I'm going to teach you allI know; it won't take long," and Rose laughed as she put her arm aroundPhebe's neck, and patted the smooth dark head with the kind little handthat so loved to give.
"It would be just heavenly!" and Phebe's face shone at the mere idea;but fell again as she added wistfully, "Only I'm afraid I ought notto let you do it, Miss Rose. It will take time, and maybe the Doctorwouldn'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 can try ittill he comes, so pack up your things and go right to my room and we'llbegin this very day; I'd truly like to do it, and we'll have nice 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 Rose rungaily on before, smiling like a good fairy as she beckoned to the 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 entered theBower, "You are the dearest spider that ever was, and I'm the happiestfly."
"I'm going to be very strict, so sit down in that chair and don't saya word 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 laid forthbooks and slates, a pretty inkstand and a little globe; hastily tore abit off her big sponge, sharpened pencils with more energy than skill,and when all was ready gave a prance of satisfaction that set the pupillaughing.
"Now the school is open, and I shall hear you read, so that I may knowin which class to put you, Miss Moore," began Rose with great dignity,as she laid a book before her scholar, and sat down in the easy chairwith a long rule in her hand.
Phebe did pretty well, only tripping now and then over a hard word, andpronouncing identical "identickle," in a sober way that tickled Rose,though never a smile betrayed her. The spelling lesson which followedwas rather discouraging; Phebe's ideas of geography were very vague, andgrammar was nowhere, though the pupil protested that she tried so hardto "talk nice like educated folks" that Dolly called her "a stuck-uppiece who didn't know her place."
"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 they areright. You do talk very nicely, Phebe, I've observed it, and grammarwill help you, and show you some things are right and others ain't arenot, I mean," added Rose, correcting herself, and feeling that shemust mind her own parts of speech if she was to serve as an example forPhebe.
When the arithmetic came, the little teacher was surprised to find herscholar quicker in some things than herself, for Phebe had worked awayat the columns in the butcher's and baker's books till she could add soquickly and correctly that Rose was amazed, and felt that in this branchthe pupil would soon excel the teacher if she kept on at the same pace.Her praise cheered Phebe immensely, and they went bravely on, bothgetting so interested that time flew unheeded till Aunt Plenty appeared,exclaiming, as she 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 Rose proposedthis, 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 at work withher maids about her, teaching them many a useful thing in the good oldfashion that's gone by now. Only don't neglect your work, dear, or letthe books interfere with the duties."
As Aunt Plenty spoke, with her kind old face beaming approvingly uponthe girls, Phebe glanced at the clock, saw that it pointed to five,
knewthat Dolly would soon be down, expecting to find preparations for supperunder way, and, hastily dropping her pencil, 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 "Thank you,heaps and heaps!" Phebe ran away singing the multiplication table as sheset 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 pupil proveda bright one, and came to her lessons as to a feast, while the youngteacher did her best to be worthy the high opinion held of her, forPhebe firmly believed that Miss Rose knew everything in the way oflearning.
Of course the lads found out what was going on, and chaffed the girlsabout the "Seminary," as they called the new enterprise; but theythought it a good thing on the whole, kindly offered to give lessons inGreek and Latin gratis, and decided among themselves that "Rose was alittle trump to give the Phebe-bird such a capital boost."
Rose herself had some doubts as to how it would strike her uncle, andconcocted a wheedlesome speech which should at once convince him thatit was the most useful, wholesome, and delightful plan ever devised. Butshe got no chance to deliver her address, for Dr. Alec came upon her sounexpectedly that it went out of her head entirely. She was sitting onthe floor in the library, poring over a big book laid open in her lap,and knew nothing of the long-desired arrival till two large, warm handsmet under her chin and gently turned her head back, so that someonecould kiss her heartily on either cheek, while a fatherly voice said,half reproachfully, "Why is my girl brooding over a dusty Encyclopediawhen she ought to be running to meet the old gentleman who couldn't geton another minute without her?"
"O uncle! I'm so glad! and so sorry! Why didn't you let us know whattime you'd be here, or call out the minute you came? Haven't I beenhome-sick for you? and now I'm so happy to have you back I could hugyour dear old curly head off," cried Rose, as the Encyclopedia went downwith a bang, and she up with a spring that carried her into Dr. Alec'sarms, to be kept there in the sort of embrace a man gives to the dearestcreature the world holds for him.
Presently he was in his easy chair with Rose upon his knee smiling upin his face and talking as fast as her tongue could go, while he watchedher with an expression of supreme content, as he stroked the smoothround cheek, or held the little hand in his, rejoicing to see how rosywas the one, how plump and strong the other.
"Have you had a good time? Did you save the poor lady? Aren't you gladto 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 new andremarkable project which you have dared to start in my absence."
"She didn't tell you, I hope?"
"Not a word more expect that you were rather doubtful how I'd take it,and so wanted to 'fess' yourself and get round me as you always tryto do, though you don't often succeed. Now, then, own up and take theconsequences."
So Rose told about her school in her pretty, earnest way, dwellingon Phebe's hunger for knowledge, and the delight it was to help her,adding, with a wise nod,
"And it helps me too, uncle, for she is so quick and eager I have to domy best or she will get ahead of me in some things. To-day, now, she hadthe word 'cotton' in a lesson and asked all about it, and I was ashamedto find I really knew so little that I could only say that it was aplant that grew down South in a kind of a pod, and was made into cloth.That's what I was reading up when you came, and to-morrow I shall tellher all about it, and indigo too. So you see it teaches me also, and isas good as a general review of what I've learned, in a pleasanter waythan going over it alone."
"You artful little baggage! that's the way you expect to get round me,is it? That's not studying, I suppose?"
"No, sir, it's teaching; and please, I like it much better than having agood time by myself. Besides, you know, I adopted Phebe and promised tobe a sister to her, so I am bound to keep my word, am I not?" answeredRose, looking both anxious and resolute as she waited for her sentence.
Dr. Alec was evidently already won, for Rose had described the old slateand brown paper copy-book with pathetic effect, and the excellent manhad not only decided to send Phebe to school long before the story wasdone, but reproached himself for forgetting his duty to one little girlin his love for another. So when Rose tried to look meek and failedutterly, he laughed and pinched her cheek, and answered in that genialway which adds such warmth and 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 to try your powers.Phebe is a brave, bright lass, and shall have a fair chance in theworld, if we can give it to her, so that if she ever finds her friendsthey 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?" asked Dr. Alecquickly, for it was a firm belief in the family that Phebe would proveto be "somebody" sooner or later.
"No, her best friend turned up when you came home, uncle," answered Rosewith an approving pat, adding gratefully, "I can't half thank you forbeing so good to my girl, but she will, because I know she is going tomake a woman to be proud of, she's so strong and true, and loving."
"Bless your dear heart, I haven't begun to do anything yet, more shameto me! But I'm going at it now, and as soon as she gets on a bit,she shall go to school as long as she likes. How will that do for abeginning?"
"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 open herbig 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 is toturn 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 stopped and askedsoberly,
"If Phebe goes to school who will do her work? I'm willing, if I can."
"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 have decidedto pension her off and let her go and live with her daughter, who hasmarried very well. I saw her this week, and she'd like to have hermother come, so in the spring we shall have a grand change, and geta new cook and chamber-girl if any can be found to suit our honouredrelatives."
"Oh, me! how can I ever get on without Phebe? Couldn't she stay, just soI could see her? I'd pay her board rather than have her go, I'm so fondof her."
How Dr. Alec laughed at that proposal, and how satisfied Rose was whenhe explained that Phebe was still to be her maid, with no duties exceptsuch as she could easily perform between school-hours.
"She is a proud creature, for all her humble ways, and even from uswould not take a favour if she did not earn it somewhere. So thisarrangement makes it all square and comfortable, you see, and she willpay for the schooling by curling these goldilocks a dozen times a day ifyou let her."
"Your plans are always so wise and kind! That's why they work so well,I suppose, and why people let you do what you like with them. I reallydon't see how other girls get along without an Uncle Alec!" answeredRose, with a sigh of pity for those who had missed so great a blessing.
When Phebe was told the splendid news, she did not "stand on her headwith rapture," as Charlie prophesied she would, but took it quietly,because it was such a happy thing she had no words "big and beautifulenough to thank them in," she said; but every hour of her day wasbrightened by this granted wish, and dedicated to the service of thosewho gave it.
Her heart was so f
ull of content that if overflowed in music, and thesweet voice singing all about the house gave thanks so blithely thatno other words were needed. Her willing feet were never tired of takingsteps for those who had smoothed her way; her skilful hands were alwaysbusy in some labour of love for them, and on the face fast growing incomeliness there was an almost womanly expression of devotion, whichproved how well Phebe had already learned one of life's great lessonsgratitude.