Eight Cousins by Louisa M. Alcott

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Up they came, all in good order, laden with the proceeds of a
nutting expedition, for they always reported to Rose and paid
tribute to their queen in the handsomest manner.

"How many, and how big! We'll have a grand roasting frolic after
tea, won't we?" said Rose, plunging both hands into a bag of glossy
brown nuts, while the Clan "stood at ease" and nodded to Ariadne.

"That lot was picked especially for you, Rosy. I got every one
myself, and they are extra whackers," said Mac, presenting a
bushel or so.

"You should have seen Giglamps when he was after them. He
pitched out of the tree, and would have broken his blessed old
neck if Arch had not caught him," observed Steve, as he lounged
gracefully in the window seat.

"You needn't talk, Dandy, when you didn't know a chestnut from a
beech, and kept on thrashing till I told you of it," retorted Mac,
festooning himself over the back of the sofa, being a privileged
boy.

"I don't make mistakes when I thrash you, old Worm, so you'd
better mind what you are about," answered Steve, without a ray of
proper respect for his elder brother.

"It is getting dark, and I must go, or mamma will be alarmed," said
Ariadne, rising in sudden haste, though she hoped to be asked to
remain to the nut-party.

No one invited her; and all the while she was putting on her things
and chatting to Rose the boys were telegraphing to one another the
sad fact that someone ought to escort the young lady home. Not a
boy felt heroic enough to cast himself into the breach, however;
even polite Archie shirked the duty, saying to Charlie, as they
quietly slipped into an adjoining room

"I'm not going to do all the gallivanting. Let Steve take that chit
home and show his manners."

"I'll be hanged if I do!" answered Prince, who disliked Miss Blish
because she tried to be coquettish with him.

"Then I will," and, to the dismay of both recreant lads, Dr. Alec
walked out of the room to offer his services to the "chit."

He was too late, however, for Mac, obeying a look from Rose, had
already made a victim of himself, and trudged meekly away,
wishing the gentle Ariadne at the bottom of the Red Sea.

"Then I will take this lady down to tea, as the other one has found
a gentleman to go home with her. I see the lamps are lighted
below, and I smell a smell which tells me that auntie has
something extra nice for us to-night."

As he spoke, Dr. Alec was preparing to carry Rose downstairs as
usual; but Archie and Prince rushed forward, begging with penitent
eagerness for the honour of carrying her in an arm-chair. Rose
consented, fearing that her uncle's keen eye would discover the
fatal bits of silk; so the boys crossed hands, and, taking a good grip
of each curly pate, she was borne down in state, while the others
followed by way of the banisters.

Tea was ordered earlier than usual, so that Jamie and his dolly
could have a taste, at least, of the holiday fun, for they were to stay
till seven, and be allowed twelve roasted chestnuts apiece, which
they were under bonds not to eat till next day.

Tea was despatched rapidly, therefore, and the party gathered
round the wide hearth in the dining-room, where the nuts were
soon dancing gaily on hot shovels or bouncing out among the
company, thereby causing delightful panics among the little ones.

"Come, Rosy, tell us a story while we work, for you can't help
much, and must amuse us as your share," proposed Mac, who sat
in the shade pricking nuts, and who knew by experience what a
capital little Scheherazade his cousin was.

"Yes, we poor monkeys can't burn our paws for nothing, so tell
away, Pussy," added Charlie, as he threw several hot nuts into her
lap and shook his fingers afterwards.

"Well, I happen to have a little story with a moral to it in my mind,
and I will tell it, though it is intended for younger children than
you," answered Rose, who was rather fond of telling instructive
tales.

"Fire away," said Geordie, and she obeyed, little thinking what a
disastrous story it would prove to herself.

"Well, once upon a time, a little girl went to see a young lady who
was very fond of her. Now, the young lady happened to be lame,
and had to have her foot bandaged up every day; so she kept a
basketful of bandages, all nicely rolled and ready. The little girl
liked to play with this basket, and one day, when she thought no
one saw her, she took one of the rolls without asking leave, and put
it in her pocket."

Here Pokey, who had been peering lovingly down at the five warm
nuts that lay at the bottom of her tiny pocket, suddenly looked up
and said, "Oh!" in a startled tone, as if the moral tale had become
intensely interesting all at once.

Rose heard and saw the innocent betrayal of the small sinner, and
went on in a most impressive manner, while the boys nudged one
another and winked as they caught the joke.

"But an eye did see this naughty little girl, and whose eye do you
think it was?"

"Eye of Dod," murmured conscience-stricken Pokey, spreading
two chubby little hands before the round face, which they were not
half big enough to hide.

Rose was rather taken aback by this reply, but, feeling that she was
producing a good effect, she added seriously

"Yes, God saw her, and so did the young lady, but she did not say
anything; she waited to see what the little girl would do about it.
She had been very happy before she took the bandage, but when it
was in her pocket she seemed troubled, and pretty soon stopped
playing, and sat down in a corner looking very sober. She thought
a few minutes, and then went and put back the roll very softly, and
her face cleared up, and she was a happy child again. The young
lady was glad to see that, and wondered what made the little girl
put it back."

"Tonscience p'icked her," murmured a contrite voice from behind
the small hands pressed tightly over Pokey's red face.

"And why did she take it, do you suppose?" asked Rose, in a
school-marmish tone, feeling that all the listeners were interested
in her tale and its unexpected application.

"It was so nice and wound, and she wanted it deffly," answered the
little voice.

"Well, I'm glad she had such a good conscience. The moral is that
people who steal don't enjoy what they take, and are not happy till
they put it back. What makes that little girl hide her face?" asked
Rose, as she concluded.

"Me's so 'shamed of Pokey," sobbed the small culprit, quite
overcome by remorse and confusion at this awful disclosure.

"Come, Rose, it's too bad to tell her little tricks before everyone,
and preach at her in that way; you wouldn't like it yourself," began
Dr. Alec, taking the weeper on his knee and administering
consolation in the shape of kisses and nuts.

Before Rose could express her regret, Jamie, who had been
reddening and ruffling like a little turkey-cock for several minutes,
burst out indignantly, bent on avenging the wound given to his
beloved dolly.

"I know something bad that you did, and I'm going to tell right out.
You thought we didn't see you, but we did, and you said uncle
wouldn't like it, and the boys would tease, and you made Ariadne
promise not to tell, and she punched holes in your ears to put
ear-rings in. So now! and that's much badder than to take an old
piece of rag; and I hate you for making my Pokey cry."

Jamie's somewhat incoherent explosion produced such an effect
that Pokey's small sin was instantly forgotten, and Rose felt that
her hour had come.

"What! what! what!" cried the boys in a chorus, dropping their
shovels and knives to gather round Rose, for a guilty clutching at
her ears betrayed her, and with a feeble cry of "Ariadne made me!"
she hid her head among the pillows like an absurd little ostrich.

"Now she'll go prancing round with bird cages and baskets and
carts and pigs, for all I know, in her ears, as the other girls do, and
won't she look like a goose?" asked one tormentor, tweaking a curl
that strayed out from the cushions.

"I didn't think she'd be so silly," said Mac, in a tone of
disappointment that told Rose she had sunk in the esteem of her
wise cousin.

"That Blish girl is a nuisance, and ought not to be allowed to come
here with her nonsensical notions," said the Prince, feeling a strong
desire to shake that young person as an angry dog might shake a
mischievous kitten.

"How do you like it, uncle?" asked Archie, who, being the head of
a family himself, believed in preserving discipline at all costs.

"I am very much surprised; but I see she is a girl, after all, and
must have her vanities like all the rest of them," answered Dr.
Alec, with a sigh, as if he had expected to find Rose a sort of
angel, above all earthly temptations.

"What shall you do about it, sir?" inquired Geordie, wondering
what punishment would be inflicted on a feminine culprit.

"As she is fond of ornaments, perhaps we had better give her a
nose-ring also. I have one somewhere that a Fiji belle once wore;
I'll look it up," and, leaving Pokey to Jamie's care, Dr. Alec rose as
if to carry out his suggestion in earnest.

"Good! good! We'll do it right away! Here's a gimlet, so you hold
her, boys, while I get her dear little nose all ready," cried Charlie,
whisking away the pillow as the other boys danced about the sofa
in true Fiji style.

It was a dreadful moment, for Rose could not run away she could
only grasp her precious nose with one hand and extend the other,
crying distractedly

"O uncle, save me, save me!"

Of course he saved her; and when she was securely barricaded by
his strong arm, she confessed her folly in such humiliation of
spirit, that the lads, after a good laugh at her, decided to forgive
her and lay all the blame on the tempter, Ariadne. Even Dr. Alec
relented so far as to propose two gold rings for the ears instead of
one copper one for the nose; a proceeding which proved that if
Rose had all the weakness of her sex for jewellery, he had all the
inconsistency of his in giving a pretty penitent exactly what she
wanted, spite of his better judgment.

Chapter 16 - Bread and Button-Holes

"What in the world is my girl thinking about all alone here, with
such a solemn face?" asked Dr. Alec, coming into the study, one
November day, to find Rose sitting there with folded hands and a
very thoughtful aspect.

"Uncle, I want to have some serious conversation with you, if you
have time," she said, coming out of a brown study, as if she had
not heard his question.

"I'm entirely at your service, and most happy to listen," he
answered, in his politest manner, for when Rose put on her
womanly little airs he always treated her with a playful sort of
respect 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 you
to advise me."

"Trade, my dear?" and Dr. Alec looked so astonished that she
hastened 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 great
deal all the ladies, I mean and I liked it very much. Mother
Atkinson thought that everyone should have a trade, or something
to make a living out of, for rich people may grow poor, you know,
and poor people have to work. Her girls were very clever, and
could do ever so many things, and Aunt Jessie thought the old lady
was right; so when I saw how happy and independent those young
ladies were, I wanted to have a trade, and then it wouldn't matter
about money, though I like to have it well enough."

Dr. Alec listened to this explanation with a curious mixture of
surprise, pleasure, and amusement in his face, and looked at his
little niece as if she had suddenly changed into a young woman.
She had grown a good deal in the last six months, and an amount
of thinking had gone on in that young head which would have
astonished him greatly could he have known it all, for Rose was
one of the children who observe and meditate much, and now and
then nonplus their friends by a wise or curious remark.

"I quite agree with the ladies, and shall be glad to help you decide
on something if I can," said the Doctor seriously. "What do you
incline to? A natural taste or talent is a great help in choosing, you
know."

"I haven't any talent, or any especial taste that I can see, and that is
why I can't decide, uncle. So, I think it would be a good plan to
pick out some very useful business and learn it, because I don't do
it for pleasure, you see, but as a part of my education, and to be
ready in case I'm ever poor," answered Rose, looking as if she
rather longed for a little poverty so that her useful gift might be
exercised.

"Well, now, there is one very excellent, necessary, and womanly
accomplishment that no girl should be without, for it is a help to
rich and poor, and the comfort of families depends upon it. This
fine talent is neglected nowadays, and considered old-fashioned,
which is a sad mistake, and one that I don't mean to make in
bringing 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 the
best and pleasantest manner."

"Oh, what is it?" cried Rose eagerly, charmed to be met in this
helpful and cordial way.

"Housekeeping!" answered Dr. Alec.

"Is that an accomplishment?" asked Rose, while her face fell, for
she had indulged in all sorts of vague, delightful dreams.

"Yes; it is one of the most beautiful as well as useful of all the arts
a woman can learn. Not so romantic, perhaps, as singing, painting,
writing, or teaching, even; but one that makes many happy and
comfortable, and home the sweetest place in the world. Yes, you
may open your big eyes; but it is a fact that I had rather see you a
good housekeeper than the greatest belle in the city. It need not
interfere with any talent you may possess, but it is a necessary part
of your training, and I hope that you will set about it at once, now
that you are well and strong."

"Who is the lady?" asked Rose, rather impressed by her uncle's
earnest speech.

"Aunt Plenty."

"Is she accomplished?" began Rose in a wondering tone, for this
great-aunt of hers had seemed the least cultivated of them all.

"In the good old-fashioned way she is very accomplished, and has
made this house a happy home to us all, ever since we can
remember. She is not elegant, but genuinely good, and so beloved
and respected that there will be universal mourning for her when
her place is empty. No one can fill it, for the solid, homely virtues
of the dear soul have gone out of fashion, as I say, and nothing new
can be half so satisfactory, to me at least."

"I should like to have people feel so about me. Can she teach me to
do what she does, and to grow as good?" asked Rose, with a little
prick of remorse for even thinking that Aunt Plenty was a
commonplace old lady.

"Yes, if you don't despise such simple lessons as she can give. I
know it would fill her dear old heart with pride and pleasure to
feel that anyone cared to learn of her, for she fancies her day gone
by. 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 try
at home; but I had no one to tell me, so I never did much but spoil
my aprons. Pies are great fun, only Dolly is so cross, I don't believe
she will ever let me do a thing in the kitchen."

"Then we'll cook in the parlour. I fancy Aunt Plenty will manage
her, so don't be troubled. Only mind this, I'd rather you learned
how to make good bread than the best pies ever baked. When you
bring me a handsome, wholesome loaf, entirely made by yourself,
I shall be more pleased than if you offered me a pair of slippers
embroidered in the very latest style. I don't wish to bribe you, but
I'll give you my heartiest kiss, and promise to eat every crumb of
the loaf myself."

"It's a bargain! it's a bargain! Come and tell aunty all about it, for
I'm in a hurry to begin," cried Rose, dancing before him toward the
parlor, where Miss Plenty sat alone knitting contentedly, yet ready
to run at the first call for help of any sort, from any quarter.

No need to tell how surprised and gratified she was at the
invitation she received to teach the child the domestic arts which
were her only accomplishments, nor to relate how energetically
she set about her pleasant task. Dolly dared not grumble, for Miss
Plenty was the one person whom she obeyed, and Phebe openly
rejoiced, for these new lessons brought Rose nearer to her, and
glorified the kitchen in the good girl's eyes.

To tell the truth, the elder aunts had sometimes felt that they did
not have quite their share of the little niece who had won their
hearts long ago, and was the sunshine of the house. They talked it
over together sometimes, but always ended by saying that as Alec
had all the responsibility, he should have the larger share of the
dear girl's love and time, and they would be contented with such
crumbs of comfort as they could get.

Dr. Alec had found out this little secret, and, after reproaching
himself for being blind and selfish, was trying to devise some way
of mending matters without troubling anyone, when Rose's new
whim suggested an excellent method of weaning her a little from
himself. He did not know how fond he was of her till he gave her
up to the new teacher, and often could not resist peeping in at the
door to see how she got on, or stealing sly looks through the slide
when she was deep in dough, or listening intently to some
impressive lecture from Aunt Plenty. They caught him at it now
and then, and ordered him off the premises at the point of the
rolling-pin; or, if unusually successful, and, therefore, in a milder
mood, they lured him away with bribes of ginger-bread, a stray
pickle, or a tart that was not quite symmetrical enough to suit their
critical eyes.

Of course he made a point of partaking copiously of all the
delectable messes that now appeared at table, for both the cooks
were on their mettle, and he fared sumptuously every day. But an
especial relish was given to any dish when, in reply to his honest
praise of it, Rose coloured up with innocent pride, and said
modestly

"I made that, uncle, and I'm glad you like it."

It was some time before the perfect loaf appeared, for
bread-making is an art not easily learned, and Aunt Plenty was
very thorough in her teaching; so Rose studied yeast first, and
through various stages of cake and biscuit came at last to the
crowning glory of the "handsome, wholesome loaf." It appeared at
tea-time, on a silver salver, proudly borne in by Phebe, who could
not refrain from whispering, with a beaming face, as she set it
down before Dr. Alec

"Ain't it just lovely, sir?"

"It is a regularly splendid loaf! Did my girl make it all herself?" he
asked, surveying the shapely, sweet-smelling object with real
interest and pleasure.

"Every particle herself, and never asked a bit of help or advice
from anyone," answered Aunt Plenty, folding her hands with an air
of unmitigated satisfaction, for her pupil certainly did her great
credit.

"I've had so many failures and troubles that I really thought I never
should be able to do it alone. Dolly let one splendid batch burn up
because I forgot it. She was there and smelt it, but never did a
thing, for she said, when I undertook to bake bread I must give my
whole mind to it. Wasn't it hard? She might have called me at
least," said Rose, recollecting, with a sigh, the anguish of that
moment.

"She meant you should learn by experience, as Rosamond did in
that little affair of the purple jar, you remember."

"I always thought it very unfair in her mother not to warn the poor
thing a little bit; and she was regularly mean when Rosamond
asked for a bowl to put the purple stuff in, and she said, in such a
provoking way, 'I did not agree to lend you a bowl, but I will, my
dear.' Ugh! I always want to shake that hateful woman, though she
was 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 my
mind to it, and sat watching over it all the while it was in the oven
till I was quite baked myself. Everything went right this time, and
it came out a nice, round, crusty loaf, as you see. Now taste it, and
tell 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 the
parlor 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-fashioned
accomplishment. You promised to eat it, and you must; not all at
once, but as soon as you can, so I can make you some more."

Dr. Alec solemnly cut off his favourite crusty slice, and solemnly
ate it; then wiped his lips, and brushing back Rose's hair, solemnly
kissed her on the forehead, saying, heartily

"My dear, it is perfect bread, and you are an honour to your
teacher. When we have our model school I shall offer a prize for
the best bread, and you will get it."

"I've got it already, and I'm quite satisfied," said Rose, slipping into
her 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 tea
insisted on easing the pain which she would hardly confess.

"Aunt Clara says I am spoiling my hands, but I don't care, for I've
had such good times with Aunt Plenty, and I think she has enjoyed
it as much as I have. Only one thing troubles me, uncle, and I want
to ask you about it," said Rose, as they paced up and down the hall
in the twilight, the bandaged hand very carefully laid on Dr. Alec's
arm.

"More little confidences? I like them immensely, so tell away, my
dear."

"Well, you see I feel as if Aunt Peace would like to do something
for me, and I've found out what it can be. You know she can't go
about like Aunty Plen, and we are so busy nowadays that she is
rather 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 I
ought to be a good needlewoman as well as housekeeper, oughtn't
I?"

"Bless your kind little heart, that is what I was thinking of the
other 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 as
much on your hands as you could manage. It would delight the
dear woman to teach you all her delicate handicraft, especially
button-holes, for I believe that is where young ladies fail; at least,
I've heard them say so. So, do you devote your mind to
button-holes; make 'em all over my clothes if you want something
to practice on. I'll wear any quantity."

Rose laughed at this reckless offer, but promised to attend to that
important branch, though she confessed that darning was her weak
point. Whereupon Uncle Alec engaged to supply her with socks in
all stages of dilapidation, and to have a new set at once, so that she
could run the heels for him as a pleasant beginning.

Then they went up to make their request in due form, to the great
delight of gentle Aunt Peace, who got quite excited with the fun
that 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 the
morning she went about the house with Aunt Plenty attending to
linen-closets and store-rooms, pickling and preserving, exploring
garret and cellar to see that all was right, and learning, in the good
old-fashioned manner, to look well after the ways of the
household.

In the afternoon, after her walk or drive, she sat with Aunt Peace
plying her needle, while Aunt Plenty, whose eyes were failing,
knitted and chatted briskly, telling many a pleasant story of old
times, till the three were moved to laugh and cry together, for the
busy needles were embroidering all sorts of bright patterns on the
lives of the workers, though they seemed to be only stitching
cotton and darning hose.

It was a pretty sight to see the rosy-faced little maid sitting
between the two old ladies, listening dutifully to their instructions,
and cheering the lessons with her lively chatter and blithe laugh. If
the kitchen had proved attractive to Dr. Alec when Rose was there
at work, the sewing-room was quite irresistible, and he made
himself 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 four
button-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 tear
them 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 buttons
myself, and save those tired fingers from another prick."

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