"The Ugly Duckling turned out a swan, you remember.I've always been fond of the boy because he's so genuine and original.Crude as a green apple now, but sound at the core, and only needs time to ripen.I'm sure he'll turn out a capital specimen of the Campbell variety.""Much obliged, Alec, but it will never do at all.He's a good fellow, and may do something to be proud of by and by, but he's not the mate for our Rose.She needs someone who can manage her property when we are gone, and Archie is the man for that, depend upon it.""Confound the property!" cried Dr.Alec impetuously."I want her to be happy , and I don't care how soon she gets rid of her money if it is going to be a millstone round her neck.I declare to you, I dreaded the thought of this time so much that I've kept her away as long as I could and trembled whenever a young fellow joined us while we were abroad.Had one or two narrow escapes, and now I'm in for it, as you can see by tonight's 'success' as Clara calls it.Thank heaven I haven't many daughters to look after!""Come, come, don't be anxioustake Archie and settle it right up safely and happily.That's my advice, and you'll find it sound," replied the elder conspirator, like one having experience.
"I'll think of it, but mind you, Mac, not a word of this to the sisters.
We are a couple of old fools to be matchmaking so soon but I see what is before me and it's a comfort to free my mind to someone.""So it is.Depend on menot a breath even to Jane," answered Uncle Mac, with a hearty shake and a sympathetic slap on the shoulder.
"Why, what dark and awful secrets are going on here? Is it a Freemason's Lodge and those the mystic signs?" asked a gay voice at the door; and there stood Rose, full of smiling wonder at the sight of her two uncles hand in hand, whispering and nodding to one another mysteriously.
They stared like schoolboys caught plotting mischief and looked so guilty that she took pity on them, innocently imagining the brothers were indulging in a little sentiment on this joyful occasion, so she added quickly, as she beckoned, without crossing the threshold, "Women not allowed, of course, but both of you dear Odd Fellows are wanted, for Aunt Plenty begs we will have an old-fashioned contra dance, and I'm to lead off with Uncle Mac.
I chose you, sir, because you do it in style, pigeon wings and all.So, please comeand Phebe is waiting for you, Uncle Alec.She is rather shy you know, but will enjoy it with you to take care of her.""Thank you, thank you!" cried both gentlemen, following with great alacrity.
Unconscious, Rose enjoyed that Virginia reel immensely, for the pigeon wings were superb, and her partner conducted her through the convolutions of the dance without a fault, going down the middle in his most gallant style.Landing safely at the bottom, she stood aside to let him get his breath, for stout Uncle Mac was bound to do or die on that occasion and would have danced his pumps through without a murmur if she had desired it.
Leaning against the wall with his hair in his eyes, and a decidedly bored expression of countenance, was Mac, Jr., who had been surveying the gymnastics of his parent with respectful astonishment.
"Come and take a turn, my lad.Rose is fresh as a daisy, but we old fellows soon get enough of it, so you shall have my place," said his father, wiping his face, which glowed like a cheerful peony.
"No, thank you, sirI can't stand that sort of thing.I'll race you round the piazza with pleasure, Cousin, but his oven is too much for me," was Mac's uncivil reply as he backed toward the open window, as if glad of an excuse to escape.
"Fragile creature, don't stay on my account, I beg.I can't leave my guests for a moonlight run, even if I dared to take it on a frosty night in a thin dress," said Rose, fanning herself and not a bit ruffled by Mac's refusal, for she knew his ways and they amused her.
"Not half so bad as all this dust, gas, heat, and noise.What do you suppose lungs are made of?" demanded Mac, ready for a discussion then and there.
"I used to know, but I've forgotten now.Been so busy with other things that I've neglected the hobbies I used to ride five or six years ago,"she said, laughing.
"Ah, those were times worth having! Are you going in for much of this sort of thing, Rose?" he asked with a disapproving glance at the dancers.
"About three months of it, I think."
"Then good-bye till New Year." And Mac vanished behind the curtains.
"Rose, my dear, you really must take that fellow in hand before he gets to be quite a bear.Since you have been gone he has lived in his books and got on so finely that we have let him alone, though his mother groans over his manners.Polish him up a bit, I beg of you, for it is high time he mended his odd ways and did justice to the fine gifts he hides behind them," said Uncle Mac, scandalized at the bluntness of his son.
"I know my chestnut burr too well to mind his prickles.But others do not, so I will take him in hand and make him a credit to his family,"answered Rose readily.
"Take Archie for your modelhe's one of a thousand, and the girl who gets him gets a prize, I do assure you," added Uncle Mac, who found matchmaking to his taste and thought that closing remark a deep one.
"Oh, me, how tired I am!" cried Rose, dropping into a chair as the last carriage rolled away somewhere between one and two.
"What is your opinion now, Miss Campbell?" asked the doctor, addressing her for the first time by the name which had been uttered so often that night.
"My opinion is that Miss Campbell is likely to have a gay life if she goes on as she has begun, and that she finds it very delightful so far,"answered the girl, with lips still smiling from their first taste of what the world calls pleasure.
