Chapter 6—Uncle Alec's Room

pearedlittleivory-handledbrushes,twoslendersilvercandle-sticks,aporcelainmatch-box,severalprettytraysforsmallmatters,and,mostimposingofall,aplumpbluesilkcushion,coquettishlytrimmedwithlace,andpinkrose-budsatthecorners. ThatcushionratherastonishedRoseinfact,thewholetabledid,andshewasjustthinking,withaslysmile, “Uncleisadandy,butInevershouldhaveguessedit,”whenheopenedthedoorofalargecloset,saying,withacarelesswaveofthehand, “Menlikeplentyofroomfortheirrattle-trapsdon'tyouthinkthatoughttosatisfyme?” Rosepeepedinandgaveastart,thoughallshesawwaswhatoneusuallyfindsinclosetsclothesandboots,boxesandbags.Ah!butyouseetheseclothesweresmallblackandwhitefrockstherowoflittlebootsthatstoodbelowhadneverbeenonDr.Alec'sfeetthegreenbandboxhadagrayveilstrayingoutofit,andyes!thebaghangingonthedoorwascertainlyherownpiece-bag,withaholeinonecorner.Shegaveaquicklookroundtheroomandunderstoodnowwhyithadseemedtoodaintyforaman,whyherTestamentandPrayerBookwereonthetablebythebed,andwhatthoserose-budsmeantonthebluecushion.Itcameuponherinonedeliciousburstthatthislittleparadisewasallforher,and,notknowinghowelsetoexpresshergratitude,shecaughtDr.Alecroundtheneck,sayingimpetuously, “Ouncle,youaretoogoodtome!I'lldoanythingyouaskmeridewildhorsesandtakefreezingbathsandeatbad-tastingmesses,andletmyclotheshangonme,toshowhowmuchIthankyouforthisdear,sweet,lovelyroom!” “Youlikeit,then?Butwhydoyouthinkitisyours,mylass?”askedDr.Alec,ashesatdownlookingwellpleased,anddrewhisexcitedlittleniecetohisknee. “Idon'tthink,IknowitisformeIseeitinyourface,andIfeelasifIdidn'thalfdeserveit.AuntJessiesaidyouwouldspoilme,andImustnotletyou.I'mafraidthislookslikeit,andperhapsohme!perhapsIoughtnottohavethisbeautifulroomafterall!”andRosetriedtolookasifshecouldbeheroicenoughtogiveitupifitwasbest. “IoweMrs.Jessieoneforthat,”saidDr.Alec,tryingtofrown,thoughinhissecretsoulhefeltthatshewasquiteright.Thenhesmiledthatcordialsmile,whichwaslikesunshineonhisbrownface,ashesaid, “Thisispartofthecure,Rose,andIputyouherethatyoumighttakemythreegreatremediesinthebestandeasiestway.Plentyofsun,freshair,andcoldwateralsocheerfulsurroundings,andsomeworkforPhebeistoshowyouhowtotakecareofthisroom,andbeyourlittlemaidaswellasfriendandteacher.Doesthatsoundhardanddisagreeabletoyou,dear?” “No,sirvery,verypleasant,andI'lldomybesttobeagoodpatient.ButIreallydon'tthinkanyonecouldbesickinthisdelightfulroom,”shesaid,withalongsighofhappinessashereyewentfromonepleasantobjecttoanother. “ThenyoulikemysortofmedicinebetterthanAuntMyra's,anddon'twanttothrowitoutofthewindow,hey?”