Chapter 1—Two Girls

Rosesatallaloneinthebigbestparlor,withherlittlehandkerchieflaidreadytocatchthefirsttear,forshewasthinkingofhertroubles,andashowerwasexpected.Shehadretiredtothisroomasagoodplaceinwhichtobemiserableforitwasdarkandstill,fullofancientfurniture,sombrecurtains,andhungallaroundwithportraitsofsolemnoldgentlemeninwigs,severe-nosedladiesintop-heavycaps,andstaringchildreninlittlebob-tailedcoatsorshort-waistedfrocks.Itwasanexcellentplaceforwoeandthefitfulspringrainthatpatteredonthewindow-paneseemedtosob,“Cryaway:I'mwithyou.” Rosereallydidhavesomecausetobesadforshehadnomother,andhadlatelylostherfatheralso,whichlefthernohomebutthiswithhergreat-aunts.Shehadbeenwiththemonlyaweek,and,thoughthedearoldladieshadtriedtheirbesttomakeherhappy,theyhadnotsucceededverywell,forshewasunlikeanychildtheyhadeverseen,andtheyfeltverymuchasiftheyhadthecareofalow-spiritedbutterfly. Theyhadgivenherthefreedomofthehouse,andforadayortwoshehadamusedherselfroamingalloverit,foritwasacapitaloldmansion,andwasfullofallmannerofoddnooks,charmingrooms,andmysteriouspassages.Windowsbrokeoutinunexpectedplaces,littlebalconiesoverhungthegardenmostromantically,andtherewasalongupperhallfullofcuriositiesfromallpartsoftheworldfortheCampbellshadbeensea-captainsforgenerations. AuntPlentyhadevenallowedRosetorummageinhergreatchinaclosetaspicyretreat,richinallthe“goodies”thatchildrenlovebutRoseseemedtocarelittleforthesetoothsometemptationsandwhenthathopefailed,AuntPlentygaveupindespair. GentleAuntPeacehadtriedallsortsofprettyneedle-work,andplannedadoll'swardrobethatwouldhavewontheheartofevenanolderchild.ButRosetooklittleinterestinpinksatinhatsandtinyhose,thoughsheseweddutifullytillherauntcaughtherwipingtearsawaywiththetrainofawedding-dress,andthatdiscoveryputanendtothesewingsociety. Thenbotholdladiesputtheirheadstogetherandpickedoutthemodelchildoftheneighbourhoodtocomeandplaywiththeirniece.ButAriadneBlishwastheworstfailureofall,forRosecouldnotbearthesightofher,andsaidshewassolikeawaxdollshelongedtogiveherapinchandseeifshewouldsqueak.SoprimlittleAriadnewassenthome,andtheexhaustedauntiesleftRosetoherowndevicesforadayortwo. Badweatherandaco