Chapter 2—The Clan

redherretreatunderthebed-cover. Feelingthathehadbeenreceivedwithdistinguishedmarksofattention,Stevestrolledawaywithhistopknothigherthanever,andPrinceCharlieprancedacrosstheroom,sayinginafreeandeasytone, “Mammasentherloveandhopesyouwillbewellenoughtocomeoverforadaynextweek.Itmustbedesperatelydullhereforalittlethinglikeyou.” “I'mthirteenandahalf,thoughIdolooksmall,”criedRose,forgettinghershynessinindignationatthisinsulttohernewlyacquiredteens. “Begpardon,ma'amnevershouldhaveguessedit.”AndCharliewentoffwithalaugh,gladtohavestruckasparkoutofhismeekcousin. GeordieandWillcametogether,twosturdyelevenandtwelveyearolders,and,fixingtheirroundblueeyesonRose,firedoffaquestionapiece,asifitwasashootingmatchandshethetarget. “Didyoubringyourmonkey?” “Noheisdead.” “Areyougoingtohaveaboat?” “Ihopenot.” Herethetwo,witharight-about-facemovement,abruptlymarchedaway,andlittleJamiedemandedwithchildishfrankness, “Didyoubringmeanythingnice?” “Yes,lotsofcandy,”answeredRose,whereuponJamieascendedintoherlapwithasoundingkissandtheannouncementthathelikedherverymuch. ThisproceedingratherstartledRose,fortheotherladslookedandlaughed,andinherconfusionshesaidhastilytotheyoungusurper, “Didyouseethecircusgoby?” “When?Where?”criedalltheboysingreatexcitementatonce. “Justbeforeyoucame.AtleastIthoughtitwasacircus,forIsawaredandblacksortofcartandeversomanylittleponies,and—” Shegotnofarther,forageneralshoutmadeherpausesuddenly,asArchieexplainedthejokebysayinginthemiddleofhislaugh, “Itwasournewdog-cartandtheShetlandponies.You'llneverhearthelastofyourcircus,cousin.” “Butthereweresomany,andtheywentsofast,andthecartwassoveryred,”beganRose,tryingtoexplainhermistake. “Comeandseethemall!”criedthePrince.Andbeforesheknewwhatwashappening,shewasborneawaytothebarnandtumultuouslyintroducedtothreeshaggyponiesandthegaynewdog-cart. Shehadnevervisitedtheseregionsbefore,andhadherdoubtsastotheproprietyofherbeingtherenow,butwhenshesuggestedthat“Auntiemightnotlikeit,”therewasageneralcryof, “Shetoldustoamuseyou,andwecandoiteversomuchbetteroutherethanpokingroundinthehouse.” “I'mafraidIshallgetcoldwithoutmysacque,”beganRose,whowantedtostay,butfeltratheroutofherelement. “No,youwon't!We'llfixyou,”criedthelads,asoneclappedhiscaponherhead,anothertiedaroughjacketroundherneckbythesleeves,athirdneatlysmotheredherinacarriageblanket,andafourththrewopenthedooroftheoldbarouchethatstoodthere,sayingwithaflourish, “Stepin,ma'am,andmakeyourselfcomfortablewhileweshowyousomefun.” SoRosesatinstateenjoyingherselfverymuch,fortheladsproceededtodanceaHighlandFlingwithaspiritandskillthatmadeherc