Eight Cousins by Louisa M. Alcott

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"No one shall have a finger in this nice little pie; you shall do it all
yourself, 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
to 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 joyful
emotions that made her eyes shine. All of a sudden she stopped
and asked soberly

"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 so
troublesome, and her dear old temper so bad, that the aunts have
decided to pension her off and let her go and live with her
daughter, who has married very well. I saw her this week, and
she'd like to have her mother come, so in the spring we shall have
a grand change, and get a new cook and chamber-girl if any can be
found 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 Rose
was when he explained that Phebe was still to be her maid, with no
duties except such as she could easily perform between
school-hours.

"She is a proud creature, for all her humble ways, and even from
us would not take a favour if she did not earn it somewhere. So
this arrangement makes it all square and comfortable, you see, and
she will pay for the schooling by curling these goldilocks a dozen
times a day if you 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 really don't see how other girls get along without an Uncle
Alec!" answered Rose, 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
head with rapture," as Charlie prophesied she would, but took it
quietly, because it was such a happy thing she had no words "big
and beautiful enough to thank them in," she said; but every hour of
her day was brightened by this granted wish, and dedicated to the
service of those who gave it.

Her heart was so full of content that if overflowed in music, and
the sweet voice singing all about the house gave thanks so blithely
that no other words were needed. Her willing feet were never tired
of taking steps for those who had smoothed her way; her skilful
hands were always busy in some labour of love for them, and on
the face fast growing in comeliness there was an almost womanly
expression of devotion, which proved how well Phebe had already
learned one of life's great lessons gratitude.

Chapter 23 - Peace-Making

"Steve, I want you to tell me something," said Rose to Dandy, who
was making faces at himself in the glass, while he waited for an
answer to the note he brought from his mother to Aunt Plenty.

"P'raps I will, and p'raps I won't. What is it?"

"Haven't Arch and Charlie quarrelled?"

"Dare say; we fellows are always having little rows, you know. I
do believe a sty is coming on my star-board eye," and Steve
affected to be absorbed in a survey of his yellow lashes.

"No, that won't do; I want to know all about it; for I'm sure
something more serious than a 'little row' is the matter. Come,
please tell me, Stenie, there's a dear."

"Botheration! you don't want me to turn telltale, do you?" growled
Steve, pulling his top-knot, as he always did when perplexed.

"Yes, I do," was Rose's decided answer for she saw from his
manner that she was right, and determined to have the secret out of
him if coaxing would do it. "I don't wish you to tell things to
everyone, of course, but to me you may, and you must, because I
have a right to know. You boys need somebody to look after you,
and I'm going to do it, for girls are nice peacemakers, and know
how to manage people. Uncle said so, and he is never wrong."

Steve was about to indulge in a derisive hoot at the idea of her
looking after them, but a sudden thought restrained him, and
suggested a way in which he could satisfy Rose, and better himself
at the same time.

"What will you give me if I'll tell you every bit about it?" he asked,
with a sudden red in his cheeks and an uneasy look in his eyes, for
he was half ashamed of the proposition.

"What do you want?" and Rose looked up rather surprised at his
question.

"I'd like to borrow some money. I shouldn't think of asking you,
only Mac never has a cent. since he's set up his old chemical shop,
where he'll blow himself to bits some day, and you and uncle will
have the fun of putting him together again," and Steve tried to look
as if the idea amused him.

"I'll lend it to you with pleasure, so tell away," said Rose, bound to
get at the secret.

Evidently much relieved by the promise, Steve set his top-knot
cheerfully erect again, and briefly stated the case.

"As you say, it's all right to tell you, but don't let the boys know I
blabbed, or Prince will take my head off. You see, Archie don't
like some of the fellows Charlie goes with, and cuts 'em. That
makes Prince mad, and he holds on just to plague Arch, so they
don't speak to one another, if they can help it, and that's the row."

"Are those boys bad?" asked Rose, anxiously.

"Guess not, only rather wild. They are older than our fellows, but
they like Prince, he's such a jolly boy; sings so well, dances jigs
and breakdowns, you know, and plays any game that's going. He
beat Morse at billiards, and that's something to brag of, for Morse
thinks he knows everything. I saw the match, and it was great fun!"

Steve got quite excited over the prowess of Charlie, whom he
admired immensely, and tried to imitate. Rose did not know half
the danger of such gifts and tastes as Charlie's, but felt
instinctively that something must be wrong if Archie disapproved.

"If Prince likes any billiard-playing boy better than Archie, I don't
think much of his sense," she said severely.

"Of course he doesn't; but, you see, Charlie and Arch are both as
proud as they can be, and won't give in. I suppose Arch is right, but
I don't blame Charlie a bit for liking to be with the others
sometimes, they are such a jolly set," and Steve shook his head
morally, even while his eye twinkled over the memory of some of
the exploits of the "jolly set."

"Oh, dear me!" sighed Rose, "I don't see what I can do about it, but
I wish the boys would make up, for Prince can't come to any harm
with Archie, he's so good and sensible."

"That's the trouble; Arch preaches, and Prince won't stand it. He
told Arch he was a prig and a parson, and Arch told him he wasn't
a gentleman. My boots! weren't they both mad, though! I thought
for a minute they'd pitch into one another and have it out. Wish
they had, and not gone stalking round stiff and glum ever since.
Mac and I settle our rows with a bat or so over the head, and then
we are all right."

Rose couldn't help laughing as Steve sparred away at a fat
sofa-pillow, to illustrate his meaning; and, having given it several
scientific whacks, he pulled down his cuffs and smiled upon her
with benign pity for her feminine ignorance of this summary way
of settling a quarrel.

"What droll things boys are!" she said, with a mixture of
admiration and perplexity in her face, which Steve accepted as a
compliment to his sex.

"We're a pretty clever invention, miss, and you can't get on without
us," he answered, with his nose in the air. Then, taking a sudden
plunge into business, he added, "How about that bit of money you
were going to lend me? I've told, now you pay up."

"Of course I will! How much do you want?" and Rose pulled out
her purse.

"Could you spare five dollars? I want to pay a little debt of honour
that is rather pressing," and Steve put on a mannish air that was
comical to see.

"Aren't all debts honourable?" asked innocent Rose.

"Yes, of course; but this is a bet I made, and it ought to be settled
up at once," began Steve, finding it awkward to explain.

"Oh, don't bet, it's not right, and I know your father wouldn't like it.
Promise you won't do so again; please promise!" and Rose held
fast the hand into which she had just put the money.

"Well, I won't. It's worried me a good deal, but I was joked into it.
Much obliged, cousin, I'm all right now," and Steve departed
hastily.

Having decided to be a peace-maker, Rose waited for an
opportunity, and very soon it came.

She was spending the day with Aunt Clara, who had been
entertaining some young guests, and invited Rose to meet them,
for she thought it high time her niece conquered her bashfulness
and saw a little of society. Dinner was over, and everyone had
gone. Aunt Clara was resting before going out to an evening party,
and Rose was waiting for Charlie to come and take her home.

She sat alone in the elegant drawing-room, feeling particularly
nice and pretty, for she had her best frock on, a pair of gold bands
her aunt had just given her, and a tea-rose bud in her sash, like the
beautiful Miss Van Tassel, whom everyone admired. She had
spread out her little skirts to the best advantage, and, leaning back
in a luxurious chair, sat admiring her own feet in new slippers with
rosettes almost as big as dahlias. Presently Charlie came lounging
in, looking rather sleepy and queer, Rose thought. On seeing her,
however, he roused up and said with a smile that ended in a gape

"I thought you were with mother, so I took forty winks after I got
those girls off. Now, I'm at your service, Rosamunda, whenever
you like."

"You look as if your head ached. If it does, don't mind me. I'm not
afraid to run home alone, it's so early," answered Rose, observing
the flushed cheeks and heavy eyes of her cousin.

"I think I see myself letting you do it. Champagne always makes
my headache, but the air will set me up."

"Why do you drink it, then?" asked Rose, anxiously.

"Can't help it, when I'm host. Now, don't you begin to lecture; I've
had enough of Archie's old-fashioned notions, and I don't want any
more."

Charlie's tone was decidedly cross, and his whole manner so unlike
his usual merry good-nature, that Rose felt crushed, and answered
meekly

"I wasn't going to lecture, only when people like other people, they
can't bear to see them suffer pain."

That brought Charlie round at once, for Rose's lips trembled a
little, though she tried to hide it by smelling the flower she pulled
from her sash.

"I'm a regular bear, and I beg your pardon for being so cross,
Rosy," he said in the old frank way that was so winning.

"I wish you'd beg Archie's too, and be good friends again. You
never were cross when he was your chum," Rose said, looking up
at him as he bent toward her from the low chimney-piece, where
he had been leaning his elbows.

In an instant he stood as stiff and straight as a ramrod, and the
heavy eyes kindled with an angry spark as he said, in his high and
mighty manner

"You'd better not meddle with what you don't understand, cousin."

"But I do understand, and it troubles me very much to see you so
cold and stiff to one another. You always used to be together, and
now you hardly speak. You are so ready to beg my pardon I don't
see why you can't beg Archie's, if you are in the wrong."

"I'm not!" this was so short and sharp that Rose started, and
Charlie added in a calmer but still very haughty tone: "A
gentleman always begs pardon when he has been rude to a lady,
but one man doesn't apologize to another man who has insulted
him."

"Oh, my heart, what a pepperpot!" thought Rose, and, hoping to
make him laugh, she added slyly: "I was not talking about men, but
boys, and one of them a Prince, who ought to set a good example
to his subjects."

But Charlie would not relent, and tried to turn the subject by
saying gravely, as he unfastened the little gold ring from his
watch-guard

"I've broken my word, so I want to give this back and free you
from the bargain. I'm sorry, but I think it a foolish promise, and
don't intend to keep it. Choose a pair of ear-rings to suit yourself,
as my forfeit. You have a right to wear them now."

"No, I can only wear one, and that is no use, for Archie will keep
his word I'm sure!" Rose was so mortified and grieved at this
downfall of her hopes that she spoke sharply, and would not take
the ring the deserter offered her.

He shrugged his shoulders, and threw it into her lap, trying to look
cool and careless, but failing entirely, for he was ashamed of
himself, and out of sorts generally. Rose wanted to cry, but pride
would not let her, and, being very angry, she relieved herself by
talk instead of tears. Looking pale and excited, she rose out of her
chair, cast away the ring, and said in a voice that she vainly tried to
keep steady

"You are not at all the boy I thought you were, and I don't respect
you one bit. I've tried to help you be good, but you won't let me,
and I shall not try any more. You talk a great deal about being a
gentleman, but you are not, for you've broken your word, and I can
never trust you again. I don't wish you to go home with me. I'd
rather have Mary. Good-night."

And with that last dreadful blow, Rose walked out of the room,
leaving Charlie as much astonished as if one of his pet pigeons had
flown in his face and pecked at him. She was so seldom angry, that
when her temper did get the better of her it made a deep
impression on the lads, for it was generally a righteous sort of
indignation at some injustice or wrong-doing, not childish passion.

Her little thunderstorm cleared off in a sob or two as she put on
her things in the entry-closet, and when she emerged she looked
the brighter for the shower. A hasty good-night to Aunt Clara now
under the hands of the hairdresser and then she crept down to find
Mary the maid. But Mary was out, so was the man, and Rose
slipped away by the back-door, flattering herself that she had
escaped the awkwardness of having Charlie for escort.

There she was mistaken, however, for the gate had hardly closed
behind her when a well-known tramp was heard, and the Prince
was beside her, saying in a tone of penitent politeness that
banished Rose's wrath like magic

"You needn't speak to me if you don't choose, but I must see you
safely home, cousin."

She turned at once, put out her hand, and answered heartily

"I was the cross one. Please forgive me, and let's be friends again."

Now that was better than a dozen sermons on the beauty of
forgiveness, and did Charlie more good, for it showed him how
sweet humility was, and proved that Rose practised as she
preached.

He shook the hand warmly, then drew it through his arm and said,
as if anxious to recover the good opinion with the loss of which he
had been threatened

"Look here, Rosy, I've put the ring back, and I'm going to try again.
But you don't know how hard it is to stand being laughed at."

"Yes, I do! Ariadne plagues me every time I see her, because I
don't wear ear-rings after all the trouble I had getting ready for
them."

"Ah, but her twaddle isn't half as bad as the chaffing I get. It takes
a deal of pluck to hold out when you are told you are tied to an
apron string, and all that sort of thing," sighed Charlie.

"I thought you had a 'deal of pluck,' as you call it. The boys all say
you are the bravest of the seven," said Rose.

"So I am about some things, but I cannot bear to be laughed at."

"It is hard, but if one is right won't that make it easier?"

"Not to me; it might to a pious parson like Arch."

"Please don't call him names! I guess he has what is called moral
courage, and you physical courage. Uncle explained the difference
to me, and moral is the best, though often it doesn't look so," said
Rose thoughtfully.

Charlie didn't like that, and answered quickly, "I don't believe he'd
stand it any better than I do, if he had those fellows at him."

"Perhaps that's why he keeps out of their way, and wants you to."

Rose had him there, and Charlie felt it, but would not give in just
yet, though he was going fast, for somehow, in the dark he seemed
to see things clearer than in the light, and found it very easy to be
confidential when it was "only Rose."

"If he was my brother, now, he'd have some right to interfere,"
began Charlie, in an injured tone.

"I wish he was!" cried Rose.

"So do I," answered Charlie, and then they both laughed at his
inconsistency.

The laugh did them good, and when Prince spoke again, it was in a
different tone pensive, not proud nor perverse.

"You see, it's hard upon me that I have no brothers and sisters. The
others are better off and needn't go abroad for chums if they don't
like. I am all alone, and I'd be thankful even for a little sister."

Rose thought that very pathetic, and, overlooking the
uncomplimentary word "even" in that last sentence, she said, with
a timid sort of earnestness that conquered her cousin at once

"Play I was a little sister. I know I'm silly, but perhaps I'm better
than nothing, and I'd dearly love to do it."

"So should I! and we will, for you are not silly, my dear, but a very
sensible girl, we all think, and I'm proud to have you for a sister.
There, now!" and Charlie looked down at the curly head bobbing
along beside him with real affection in his face.

Rose gave a skip of pleasure, and laid one seal-skin mitten over the
other on his arm, as she said happily

"That's so nice of you! Now, you needn't be lonely any more, and
I'll try to fill Archie's place till he comes back, for I know he will,
as soon as you let him."

"Well, I don't mind telling you that while he was my mate I never
missed brothers and sisters, or wanted anyone else; but since he
cast me off, I'll be hanged if I don't feel as forlorn as old Crusoe
before Friday turned up."

This burst of confidence confirmed Rose in her purpose of
winning Charlie's Mentor back to him, but she said no more,
contented to have done so well. They parted excellent friends, and
Prince went home, wondering why "a fellow didn't mind saying
things to a girl or woman which they would die before they'd own
to another fellow."

Rose also had some sage reflections upon the subject, and fell
asleep thinking that there were a great many curious things in this
world, and feeling that she was beginning to find out some of
them.

Next day she trudged up the hill to see Archie, and having told him
as much as she thought best about her talk with Charlie, begged
him to forget and forgive.

"I've been thinking that perhaps I ought to, though I am in the
right. I'm no end fond of Charlie, and he's the best-hearted lad
alive; but he can't say No, and that will play the mischief with him,
if he does not take care," said Archie in his grave, kind way.

"While father was home, I was very busy with him, so Prince got
into a set I don't like. They try to be fast, and think it's manly, and
they flatter him, and lead him on to do all sorts of things play for
money, and bet, and loaf about. I hate to have him do so, and tried
to stop it, but went to work the wrong way, so we got into a mess."

"He is all ready to make up if you don't say much, for he owned to
me he was wrong; but I don't think he will own it to you, in
words," began Rose.

"I don't care for that; if he'll just drop those row-dies and come
back, I'll hold my tongue and not preach. I wonder if he owes those
fellows money, and so doesn't like to break off till he can pay it. I
hope not, but don't dare to ask; though, perhaps, Steve knows, he's
always after Prince, more's the pity," and Archie looked anxious.

"I think Steve does know, for he talked about debts of honour the
day I gave him--" There Rose stopped short and turned scarlet.

But Archie ordered her to "fess," and had the whole story in five
minutes, for none dared disobey the Chief. He completed her
affliction by putting a five-dollar bill into her pocket by main
force, looking both indignant and resolute as he said

"Never do so again; but send Steve to me, if he is afraid to go to
his father. Charlie had nothing to do with that; he wouldn't borrow
a penny of a girl, don't think it. But that's the harm he does Steve,
who adores him, and tries to be like him in all things. Don't say a
word; I'll make it all right, and no one shall blame you."

"Oh me! I always make trouble by trying to help, and then letting
out the wrong thing," sighed Rose, much depressed by her slip of
the tongue.

Archie comforted her with the novel remark that it was always best
to tell the truth, and made her quite cheerful by promising to heal
the breach with Charlie as soon as possible.

He kept his word so well that the very next afternoon, as Rose
looked out of the window, she beheld the joyful spectacle of
Archie and Prince coming up the avenue, arm-in-arm, as of old,
talking away as if to make up for the unhappy silence of the past
weeks.

Rose dropped her work, hurried to the door, and, opening it wide,
stood there smiling down upon them so happily, that the faces of
the lads brightened as they ran up the steps eager to show that all
was well with them.

"Here's our little peace-maker!" said Archie, shaking hands with
vigour.

But Charlie added, with a look that made Rose very proud and
happy, "And my little sister."

Chapter 24 - Which?

"Uncle, I have discovered what girls are made for," said Rose, the
day after the reconciliation of Archie and the Prince.

"Well, my dear, what is it?" asked Dr. Alec, who was "planking the
deck," as he called his daily promenade up and down the hall.

"To take care of boys," answered Rose, quite beaming with
satisfaction as she spoke. "Phebe laughed when I told her, and said
she thought girls had better learn to take care of themselves first.
But that's because she hasn't got seven boy-cousins as I have."

"She is right, nevertheless, Rosy, and so are you, for the two things
go together, and in helping seven lads you are unconsciously doing
much to improve one lass," said Dr. Alec, stopping to nod and
smile at the bright-faced figure resting on the old bamboo chair,
after a lively game of battledore and shuttlecock, in place of a run
which a storm prevented.

"Am I? I'm glad of that; but really, uncle, I do feel as if I must take
care of the boys, for they come to me in all sorts of troubles, and
ask advice, and I like it so much. Only I don't always know what to
do, and I'm going to consult you privately and then surprise them
with my wisdom."

"All right, my dear; what's the first worry? I see you have
something on your little mind, so come and tell uncle."

Rose put her arm in his, and, pacing to and fro, told him all about
Charlie, asking what she could do to keep him straight, and be a
real sister to him.

"Could you make up your mind to go and stay with Aunt Clara a
month?" asked the Doctor, when she ended.

"Yes, sir; but I shouldn't like it. Do you really want me to go?"

"The best cure for Charlie is a daily dose of Rose water, or Rose
and water, or Rose and water; will you go and see that he takes it?"
laughed Dr. Alec.

"You mean that if I'm there and try to make it pleasant, he will stay
at home and keep out of mischief?"

"Exactly."

"But could I make it pleasant? He would want the boys."

"No danger but he'd have the boys, for they swarm after you like
bees after their queen. Haven't you found that out?"

"Aunt Plen often says they never used to be here half so much
before I came, but I never thought I made the difference, it seemed
so natural to have them round."

"Little modesty doesn't know what a magnet she is; but she will
find it out some day," and the Doctor softly stroked the cheek that
had grown rosy with pleasure at the thought of being so much
loved. "Now, you see, if I move the magnet to Aunt Clara's, the
lads will go there as sure as iron to steel, and Charlie will be so
happy at home he won't care for these mischievous mates of his I
hope," added the Doctor, well knowing how hard it was to wean a
seventeen-year-old boy from his first taste of what is called "seeing
life," which, alas! often ends in seeing death.

"I'll go, uncle, right away! Aunt Clara is always asking me, and
will be glad to get me. I shall have to dress and dine late, and see
lots of company, and be very fashionable, but I'll try not to let it
hurt me; and if I get in a puzzle or worried about anything I can
run to you," answered Rose, good-will conquering timidity.

So it was decided, and without saying much about the real reason
for this visit, Rose was transplanted to Aunt Clara's, feeling that
she had a work to do, and very eager to do it well.

Dr. Alec was right about the bees, for the boys did follow their
queen, and astonished Mrs. Clara by their sudden assiduity in
making calls, dropping in to dinner, and getting up evening frolics.
Charlie was a devoted host, and tried to show his gratitude by
being very kind to his "little sister," for he guessed why she came,
and his heart was touched by her artless endeavours to "help him
be good."

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