Chapter 1—Two Girls
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estsmebetterthanstories,”answeredPhebe,asshefinishedonejobandbeganonanother.
Rosewatchedherasshegotoutagreatpanofbeanstolookover,andwonderedhowitwouldseemtohavelifeallworkandnoplay.PresentlyPhebeseemedtothinkitwasherturntoaskquestions,andsaid,wistfully,
“You'vehadlotsofschooling,Isuppose?”
“Oh,dearme,yes!I'vebeenatboardingschoolnearlyayear,andI'malmostdeadwithlessons.ThemoreIgot,themoreMissPowergaveme,andIwassomiserablethatI'mostcriedmyeyesout.Papanevergavemehardthingstodo,andhealwaystaughtmesopleasantlyIlovedtostudy.Oh,weweresohappyandsofondofoneanother!Butnowheisgone,andIamleftallalone.”
ThetearthatwouldnotcomewhenRosesatwaitingforitcamenowofitsownaccordtwooftheminfactandrolleddownhercheeks,tellingthetaleofloveandsorrowbetterthananywordscoulddoit.
Foraminutetherewasnosoundinthekitchenbutthelittledaughter'ssobbingandthesympatheticpatteroftherain.Phebestoppedrattlingherbeansfromonepantoanother,andhereyeswerefullofpityastheyrestedonthecurlyheadbentdownonRose'sknee,forshesawthattheheartundertheprettylocketachedwithitsloss,andthedaintyapronwasusedtodrysaddertearsthananyshehadevershed.
Somehow,shefeltmorecontentedwithherbrowncalicogownandblue-checkedpinaforeenvychangedtocompassionandifshehaddaredshewouldhavegoneandhuggedherafflictedguest.
Fearingthatmightnotbeconsideredproper,shesaid,inhercheeryvoice,
“I'msureyouain'tallalonewithsuchalotoffolksbelongingtoyou,andallsorichandclever.You'llbepettedtopieces,Debbysays,becauseyouaretheonlygirlinthefamily.”
Phebe'slastwordsmadeRosesmileinspiteofhertears,andshelookedoutfrombehindherapronwithanAprilface,sayinginatoneofcomicdistress,
“That'soneofmytroubles!I'vegotsixaunts,andtheyallwantme,andIdon'tknowanyofthemverywell.PapanamedthisplacetheAunt-hill,andnowIseewhy.”
Phebelaughedwithherasshesaidencouragingly,
“Everyonecallsitso,andit'sarealgoodname,foralltheMrs.Campbellslivehandyby,andkeepcominguptoseetheoldladies.”
“Icouldstandtheaunts,buttherearedozensofcousins,dreadfulboysallofthem,andIdetestboys!SomeofthemcametoseemelastWednesday,butIwaslyingdown,andwhenauntiecametocallmeIwentunderthequiltandpretendedtobeasleep.Ishallh