Chapter 24—Which?

tsseemedtoencouragehim,andhewentonwithanengagingsmile,forthegoodmanwasslylytryingtowinalltheladiestovoteforhimwhenthetimecame. “Now,Idon'twishtobeselfishorarbitrary,becauseIamherguardian,andIshallleaveRosefreetochooseforherself.Weallwanther,andifshelikestomakeherhomewithanyofyouratherthanwithme,sheshalldoso.Infact,Iencouragedhervisitslastwinter,thatshemightseewhatwecanallofferher,andjudgewhereshewillbehappiest.Isnotthatthefairestway?Willyouagreetoabidebyherchoice,asIdo?” “Yes,wewill,”saidalltheaunts,inquiteaflutterofexcitementattheprospectofhavingRoseforawholeyear. “Good!shewillbeheredirectly,andthenwewillsettlethequestionforanotheryear.Amostimportantyear,mindyou,forshehasgotagoodstart,andwillblossomrapidlynowifallgoeswellwithher.SoIbegofyoudon'tundomywork,butdealverywiselyandgentlywithmylittlegirl,forifanyharmcometoher,Ithinkitwouldbreakmyheart.” Ashespoke,Dr.Alecturnedhisbackabruptlyandaffectedtobeexaminingthepicturesagainbuttheauntsunderstoodhowdearthechildwastothesolitarymanwhohadlovedhermotheryearsago,andwhonowfoundhishappinessincherishingthelittleRosewhowassolikeher.Thegoodladiesnoddedandsighed,andtelegraphedtooneanotherthatnoneofthemwouldcomplainifnotchosen,orevertrytorobBrotherAlecofhis“Heart'sDelight,”astheboyscalledRose. Justthenapleasantsoundofhappyvoicescameupfromthegarden,andsmilesbrokeoutonallseriousfaces.Dr.Alecturnedatonce,saying,ashethrewbackhishead,“Theresheisnowforit!” Thecousinshadbeena-Maying,andsooncameflockinginladenwiththespoils. “HereisourbonnyScotchrosewithallherthornsabouther,”saidDr.Alec,surveyingherwithunusualprideandtenderness,asshewenttoshowAuntPeaceherbasketfullofearlyflowers,freshleaves,andcuriouslichens. “Leaveyourclutterinthehall,boys,andsitquietlydownifyouchoosetostophere,forwearebusy,”saidAuntPlenty,shakingherfingerattheturbulentClan,whowerebubblingoverwiththejollitybornofspringsunshineandhealthyexercise. “Ofcourse,wechoosetostay!Wouldn'tmissourSaturdayhighteaforanything,”saidtheChief,asherestoredorderamonghismenwithanod,aword,andanoccasionalshake. “Whatisup?acourt-martial?”askedCharlie,lookingattheassembledladieswithaffectedaweandrealcuriosity,forthesefacesbetrayedthatsomeinterestingbusinesswasafloat. Dr.Alecexplainedinafewwords,whichhemadeasbriefandcalmashecouldbuttheeffectwasexciting,nevertheless,foreachoftheladsbeganatoncetobribe,entice,andwheedle“ourcousin”tochoosehishome. “Youreallyoughttocometousformother'ssake,asarelish,youknow,forshemustbeperfectlysatiatedwithboys,”beganArchie,usingthestrongestargumenthecouldthinkofatthemoment. “Oh,do!we'llneverslam,orbounceatyouorcallyou'fraidcat,'ifyouonlywill,”besoughtGeordieandWill,distortingtheircountenancesintheattempttosmilewithoverpoweringsweetness. “AndI'llalwayswashmyhands'foreItouchyou,andyoushallbemydolly,'causePokey'sgoneaway,andI'lllovey