Chapter 2—The Clan

Rosescrambledintothechina-closetasrapidlyaspossible,andthererefreshedherselfbymakingfacesatDebby,whileshesettledherplumageandscreweduphercourage.Thenshecreptsoftlydownthehallandpeepedintotheparlor.Nooneappeared,andallwassostillshefeltsurethecompanywasupstairs.Sosheskippedboldlythroughthehalf-openfolding-doors,tobeholdontheothersideasightthatnearlytookherbreathaway. Sevenboysstoodinarowallages,allsizes,allyellow-hairedandblue-eyed,allinfullScotchcostume,andallsmiling,nodding,andsayingaswithonevoice,“Howareyou,cousin?” Rosegavealittlegasp,andlookedwildlyaboutherasifreadytofly,forfearmagnifiedthesevenandtheroomseemedfullofboys.Beforeshecouldrun,however,thetallestladsteppedoutoftheline,sayingpleasantly, “Don'tbefrightened.ThisistheClancometowelcomeyouandI'mthechief,Archie,atyourservice.” Heheldouthishandashespoke,andRosetimidlyputherownintoabrownpaw,whichclosedoverthewhitemorselandhelditasthechiefcontinuedhisintroductions. “Wecameinfullrig,forwealwaysturnoutinstyleongrandoccasions.Hopeyoulikeit.NowI'lltellyouwhothesechapsare,andthenweshallbeallright.ThisbigoneisPrinceCharlie,AuntClara'sboy.Shehasbutone,soheisanextragoodone.ThisoldfellowisMac,thebookworm,calledWormforshort.ThissweetcreatureisStevetheDandy.Lookathisglovesandtop-knot,ifyouplease.TheyareAuntJane'slads,andapreciouspairyou'dbetterbelieve.ThesearetheBrats,mybrothers,GeordieandWill,andJamietheBaby.Now,mymen,stepoutandshowyourmanners.” Atthiscommand,toRose'sgreatdismay,sixmorehandswereoffered,anditwasevidentthatshewasexpectedtoshakethemall.Itwasatryingmomenttothebashfulchildbut,rememberingthattheywereherkinsmencometowelcomeher,shetriedherbesttoreturnthegreetingcordially. Thisimpressiveceremonybeingover,theClanbrokeranks,andbothroomsinstantlyappearedtobepervadedwithboys.Rosehastilyretiredtotheshelterofabigchairandsattherewatchingtheinvadersandwonderingwhenherauntwouldcomeandrescueher. Asifboundtodotheirdutymanfully,yetratheroppressedbyit,eachladpausedbesideherchairinhiswanderings,madeabriefremark,receivedastillbrieferanswer,andthensheeredoffwitharelievedexpression. Archiecamefirst,and,leaningoverthechair-back,observedinapaternaltone, “I'mgladyou'vecome,cousin,andIhopeyou'llfindtheAunt-hillprettyjolly.” “IthinkIshall.” Macshookhishairoutofhiseyes,stumbledoverastool,andaskedabruptly, “Didyoubringanybookswithyou?” “Fourboxesfull.Theyareinthelibrary.” Macvanishedfromtheroom,andSteve,strikinganattitudewhichdisplayedhiscostumeeffectively,saidwithanaffablesmile, “WeweresorrynottoseeyoulastWednesday.Ihopeyourcoldisbetter.” “Yes,thankyou.”AndasmilebegantodimpleaboutRose'smouth,assheremembe