Chapter 12—“The Other Fellows”

lethewearyhours,andthethreeelderladscalledtodiscussbaseball,cricket,andkindredsubjects,eminentlyfittedtoremindtheinvalidofhisprivations. RosehadgonetodrivewithUncleAlec,whodeclaredshewasgettingaspaleasapotatosprout,livingsomuchinadarkroom.Butherthoughtswerewithherboyallthewhile,andsheranuptohimthemomentshereturned,tofindthingsinafinestateofconfusion. Withthebestintentionsinlife,theladshaddonemoreharmthangood,andthespectaclethatmetNurseRose'seyewasatryingone.Thepuppieswereyelping,thesmallboysromping,andthebigboysalltalkingatoncethecurtainswereup,theroomclose,berriesscatteredfreelyabout,Mac'sshadehalfoff,hischeeksflushed,histemperruffled,andhisvoiceloudestofallashedisputedhotlywithSteveaboutlendingcertaintreasuredbookswhichhecouldnolongeruse. NowRoseconsideredthisherspecialkingdom,andcamedownupontheinvaderswithanenergywhichamazedthemandquelledtheriotatonce.Theyhadneverseenherrousedbefore,andtheeffectwastremendousalsocomical,forshedrovethewholeflockofboysoutoftheroomlikeanindignantlittlehendefendingherbrood.Theyallwentasmeeklyassheepthesmallladsfledfromthehouseprecipitately,butthethreeelderonesonlyretiredtothenextroom,andremainedtherehopingforachancetoexplainandapologise,andsoappeasetheirateyounglady,whohadsuddenlyturnedthetablesandclatteredthemabouttheirears. Astheywaited,theyobservedherproceedingsthroughthehalf-opendoor,andcommenteduponthembrieflybutexpressively,feelingquiteboweddownwithremorseattheharmtheyhadinnocentlydone. “She'sputtheroomtorightsinajiffey.Whatjacksweweretoletthosedogsinandkickupsucharow,”observedSteve,afteraprolongedpeep. “ThepooroldWormturnsasifshewastreadingonhiminsteadofcuddlinghimlikeapussycat.Isn'thecross,though?”addedCharlie,asMacwasheardgrowlingabouthis“confoundedhead.” “Shewillmanagehimbutit'smeaninustorumplehimupandthenleavehertosmoothhimdown.I'dgoandhelp,butIdon'tknowhow,”saidArchie,lookingmuchdepressed,forhewasaconscientiousfellow,andblamedhimselfforhiswantofthought. “No,moredoI.Odd,isn'tit,whataknackwomenhavefortakingcareofsickfolks?”andCharliefella-musingoverthisundeniablefact. “ShehasbeeneversogoodtoMac,”beganSteve,inaself-reproachfultone. “Betterthanhisownbrother,hey?”cutinArchie,findingreliefforhisownregretinthedelinquenciesofanother. “Well,youneedn'tpreachyoudidn'tanyofyoudoanymore,andyoumighthave,forMaclikesyoubetterthanhedoesme.Ialwaysfrethim,hesays,anditisn'tmyfaultifIamaquiddle,”protestedSteve,inself-defence. “Wehaveallbeenselfishandneglectedhim,sowewon'tfightaboutit,but