Chapter 24—Which?

dyflowersbloomedasfastastheycould,thebirdssangblithelyoverhead,andeverydayachorusofpleasantvoicescried,“Goodmorning,cousin,isn'titjollyweather?” NoonerememberedthedateoftheeventfulconversationwhichresultedintheDoctor'sexperiment(noonebuthimselfatleast)sowhentheauntswereinvitedtoteaoneSaturdaytheycamequiteunsuspiciously,andwereallsittingtogetherhavingasocialchat,whenBrotherAlecenteredwithtwophotographsinhishand. “Doyourememberthat?”hesaid,showingonetoAuntClara,whohappenedtobenearest. “Yes,indeeditisverylikeherwhenshecame.Quitehersad,unchildlikeexpression,andthinlittleface,withthebigdarkeyes.” Thepicturewaspassedround,andallagreedthat“itwasverylikeRoseayearago.”Thispointbeingsettled,theDoctorshowedthesecondpicture,whichwasreceivedwithgreatapprobation,andpronounceda“charminglikeness.” Itcertainlywas,andastrikingcontrasttothefirstone,foritwasablooming,smilingface,fullofgirlishspiritandhealth,withnosignofmelancholy,thoughthesofteyeswerethoughtful,andthelinesaboutthelipsbetrayedasensitivenature. Dr.Alecsetbothphotographsonthechimneypiece,and,fallingbackasteportwo,surveyedthemwithinfinitesatisfactionforseveralminutes,thenwheeledround,sayingbriefly,ashepointedtothetwofaces, “Timeisuphowdoyouthinkmyexperimenthassucceeded,ladies?” “Blessme,soitis!”criedAuntPlenty,droppingastitchinhersurprise. “Beautifully,dear,”answeredAuntPeace,smilingentireapproval. “Shecertainlyhasimproved,butappearancesaredeceitful,andshehadnoconstitutiontobuildupon,”croakedAuntMyra. “Iamwillingtoallowthat,asfarasmerehealthgoes,theexperimentisasuccess,”graciouslyobservedAuntJane,unabletoforgetRose'skindnesstoherMac. “SoamIandI'llgofarther,forIreallydobelieveAlechasdonewondersforthechildshewillbeabeautyintwoorthreeyears,”addedAuntClara,feelingthatshecouldsaynothingbetterthanthat. “Ialwaysknewhewouldsucceed,andI'msogladyouallallowit,forhedeservesmorecreditthanyouknow,andmorepraisethanhewilleverget,”criedAuntJessie,clappingherhandswithanenthusiasmthatcausedJamie'slittleredstockingtowavelikeatriumphalbannerintheair. Dr.Alecmadethemasplendidbow,lookingmuchgratified,andthensaidsoberly, “Thankyounowthequestionis,shallIgoon?forthisisonlythebeginning.NoneofyouknowthehindrancesI'vehad,themistakesI'vemade,thestudyI'vegiventhecase,andtheanxietyI'veoftenfelt.SisterMyraisrightisonethingRoseisadelicatecreature,quicktoflourishinthesunshine,andasquicktodroopwithoutit.Shehasnospecialweakness,butinheritshermother'ssensitivenature,andneedsthewisest,tenderestcare,tokeepaveryardentlittlesoulfromwearingoutafinelyorganisedlittlebody.IthinkIhavefoundtherighttreatment,andwithyoutohelpme,Ibelievewemaybuildupalovelyandanoblewoman,whowillbeaprideandcomforttousall.” ThereDr.Alecstoppedtogethisbreath,forhehadspokenveryearnestly,andhisvoicegotalittlehuskyoverthelastwords.Agentlemurmurfromtheaun