Chapter 16—Bread and Button-Holes

“Whatintheworldismygirlthinkingaboutallalonehere,withsuchasolemnface?”askedDr.Alec,comingintothestudy,oneNovemberday,tofindRosesittingtherewithfoldedhandsandaverythoughtfulaspect. “Uncle,Iwanttohavesomeseriousconversationwithyou,ifyouhavetime,”shesaid,comingoutofabrownstudy,asifshehadnotheardhisquestion. “I'mentirelyatyourservice,andmosthappytolisten,”heanswered,inhispolitestmanner,forwhenRoseputonherwomanlylittleairshealwaystreatedherwithaplayfulsortofrespectthatpleasedherverymuch. Now,ashesatdownbesideher,shesaid,verysoberly, “I'vebeentryingtodecidewhattradeIwouldlearn,andIwantyoutoadviseme.” “Trade,mydear?”andDr.Aleclookedsoastonishedthatshehastenedtoexplain. “Iforgotthatyoudidn'thearthetalkaboutitupatCoseyCorner.Youseeweusedtositunderthepinesandsew,andtalkagreatdealalltheladies,ImeanandIlikeditverymuch.MotherAtkinsonthoughtthateveryoneshouldhaveatrade,orsomethingtomakealivingoutof,forrichpeoplemaygrowpoor,youknow,andpoorpeoplehavetowork.Hergirlswereveryclever,andcoulddoeversomanythings,andAuntJessiethoughttheoldladywasrightsowhenIsawhowhappyandindependentthoseyoungladieswere,Iwantedtohaveatrade,andthenitwouldn'tmatteraboutmoney,thoughIliketohaveitwellenough.” Dr.Aleclistenedtothisexplanationwithacuriousmixtureofsurprise,pleasure,andamusementinhisface,andlookedathislittlenieceasifshehadsuddenlychangedintoayoungwoman.Shehadgrownagooddealinthelastsixmonths,andanamountofthinkinghadgoneoninthatyoungheadwhichwouldhaveastonishedhimgreatlycouldhehaveknownitall,forRosewasoneofthechildrenwhoobserveandmeditatemuch,andnowandthennonplustheirfriendsbyawiseorcuriousremark. “Iquiteagreewiththeladies,andshallbegladtohelpyoudecideonsomethingifIcan,”saidtheDoctorseriously.“Whatdoyouinclineto?Anaturaltasteortalentisagreathelpinchoosing,youknow.” “Ihaven'tanytalent,oranyespecialtastethatIcansee,andthatiswhyIcan'tdecide,uncle.So,Ithinkitwouldbeagoodplantopickoutsomeveryusefulbusinessandlearnit,becauseIdon'tdoitforpleasure,yousee,butasapartofmyeducation,andtobereadyincaseI'meverpoor,”answeredRose,lookingasifsheratherlongedforalittlepovertysothatherusefulgiftmightbeexercised. “Well,now,thereisoneveryexcellent,necessary,andwomanlyaccomplishmentthatnogirlshouldbewithout,foritisahelptorichandpoor,andthecomfortoffamiliesdependsuponit.Thisfinetalentisneglectednowadays,andconsideredold-fashioned,whichisasadmistake,andonethatIdon'tmeantomakeinbringingupmygirl.Itshouldbeapartofeverygirl'seducation,andIknowofamostaccomplishedladywhowillteachyouinthebestandpleasantestmanner.” “Oh,whatisit?”criedRoseeagerly,charmedtobemetinthishelpfulandcordialway. “Housekeeping!”answeredDr.Alec. “Isthatanaccomplishment?”a