Chapter 6—Uncle Alec's Room

Soonafterdinner,andbeforeshehadgotacquaintedwithhalfhernewpossessions,Dr.Alecproposedadrive,tocarryroundthefirstinstalmentofgiftstotheauntsandcousins.Rosewasquitereadytogo,beinganxioustotryacertainsoftburnousfromthebox,whichnotonlypossessedamostengaginglittlehood,buthadfunnytasselsbobbinginalldirections. Thebigcarriagewasfullofparcels,andevenBen'sseatwasloadedwithIndianwarclubs,aChinesekiteofimmensesize,andapairofpolishedox-hornsfromAfrica.UncleAlec,veryblueastohisclothes,andverybrownastohisface,satboltupright,surveyingwellknownplaceswithinterest,whileRose,feelingunusuallyelegantandcomfortable,leanedbackfoldedinhersoftmantle,andplayedshewasanEasternprincessmakingaroyalprogressamonghersubjects. Atthreeoftheplacestheircallswerebrief,forAuntMyra'scatarrhwasunusuallybadAuntClarahadaroomfullofcompanyandAuntJaneshowedsuchatendencytodiscussthepopulation,productions,andpoliticsofEurope,AsiaandAfrica,thatevenDr.Alecwasdismayed,andgotawayassoonaspossible. “Nowwewillhaveagoodtime!Idohopetheboyswillbeathome,”saidRose,withasighofrelief,astheywoundyethigherupthehilltoAuntJessie's. “Ileftthisforthelastcall,sothatwemightfindtheladsjustinfromschool.Yes,thereisJamieonthegatewatchingforusnowyou'llseetheClangathertheyarealwaysswarmingabouttogether.” TheinstantJamiesawtheapproachingguestshegaveashrillwhistle,whichwasansweredbyechoesfrommeadow,houseandbarn,asthecousinscamerunningfromalldirections,shouting,“HoorayforUncleAlec!”Theywentatthecarriagelikehighwaymen,robbeditofeveryparcel,tooktheoccupantsprisoners,andmarchedthemintothehousewithgreatexultation. “LittleMum!littleMum!heretheyarewithlotsofgoodies!Comedownandseethefunrightaway!Quick!”bawledWillandGeordieamidstageneralrippingoffofpapersandarecklesscuttingofstringsthatsoonturnedthetidyroomintoachaos. DowncameAuntJessiewithherprettycaphalfon,butsuchabeamingfacebelowitthatoneratherthoughtthefly-awayhead-gearanimprovementthanotherwise.ShehadhardlytimetogreetRoseandthedoctorbeforetheboyswereabouther,eachclamouringforhertoseehisgiftandrejoiceoveritwithhim,for“littleMum”wenthalvesineverything.Thegreathornsskirmishedaboutherasiftotosshertotheceilingthewarclubshurtledoverherheadasiftoannihilateheranamazingmedleyfromthefourquartersoftheglobefilledherlap,andsevenexcitedboysalltalkedtoheratonce. Butshelikeditohdear,yes!andsatsmiling,admiring,andexplaining,quiteuntroubledbythedin,whichmadeRosecoverupherearsandDr.Alecthreateninstantflightiftheriotwasnotquelled.Thatthreatproducedalull,andwhiletheunclereceivedthanksinonecorner,theaunthadsomelittleconfidencesmadetoherinth