Chapter 24—Which?

ou*hard*,”criedJamie,clingingtoherwithhischubbyfacefullofaffection. “Brothersandsisteroughttolivetogetherespeciallywhenthebrotherneedssomeonetomakehomepleasantforhim,”addedCharlie,withthewheedlesometoneandlookthatRosealwaysfoundsodifficulttoresist. “Youhadherlongest,andit'sourturnnowMacneedshermorethanyoudo,Prince,forshe's'thelightofhiseyes,'hesays.Come,Rose,chooseus,andI'llneverusethemuskypomadeyouhateagainaslongasIlive,”saidSteve,withhismostkillingair,asheofferedthisnoblesacrifice. Macpeeredwistfullyoverhisgoggles,sayinginanunusuallywide-awakeandearnestway,-- “Do,cousin,thenwecanstudychemistrytogether.Myexperimentsdon'tblowupveryoftennow,andthegasesaren'tatallbadwhenyougetusedtothem.” Rosemeantimehadstoodquitestill,withtheflowersdroppingfromherhandsashereyeswentfromoneeagerfacetoanother,whilesmilesrippledoverherownatthevariousenticementsofferedher.DuringthelaughthatfollowedMac'shandsomeproposition,shelookedatheruncle,whoseeyeswerefixedonherwithanexpressionofloveandlongingthatwenttoherheart. “Ah!yes,”shethought,“hewantsmemost!I'veoftenlongedtogivehimsomethingthathewishedforverymuch,andnowIcan.” So,when,atasuddengesturefromAuntPeace,silencefell,Rosesaidslowly,withaprettycolourinhercheeks,andabeseechinglookabouttheroom,asifaskingpardonoftheboys, “It'sveryhardtochoosewheneverybodyissofondofmethereforeIthinkI'dbettergototheonewhoseemstoneedmemost.” “No,dear,theoneyoulovethebestandwillbehappiestwith,”saidDr.Alecquickly,asadolefulsnifffromAuntMyra,andamurmurof“MysaintedCaroline,”madeRosepauseandlookthatway. “Taketime,cousindon'tbeinahurrytomakeupyourmind,andremember,'Codlin'syourfriend,'”addedCharlie,hopefulstill. “Idon'twantanytime!IknowwhoIlovebest,whoI'mhappiestwith,andIchooseuncle.Willhehaveme?”criedRose,inatonethatproducedasympatheticthrillamongthehearers,itwassofulloftenderconfidenceandlove. Ifshereallyhadanydoubt,thelookinDr.Alec'sfacebanisheditwithoutaword,asheopenedwidehisarms,andsheranintothem,feelingthathomewasthere. Noonespokeforaminute,butthereweresignsofemotionamongtheaunts,whichwarnedtheboystobestirthemselvesbeforethewater-worksbegantoplay.Sotheytookhandsandbegantopranceaboutuncleandniece,singing,withsuddeninspiration,thenurseryrhyme, “RingaroundaRosy!” Ofcoursethatputanendtoallsentiment,andRoseemergedlaughingfromDr.Alec'sbosom,withthemarkofawaistcoatbuttonnicelyimprintedonherleftcheek.Hesawit,andsaidwithamerrykissthathalfeffacedit,“Thisismyewelamb,andIhavesetmymarkonher,sonoonecanstealheraway.” Thattickledtheboys,andtheysetupashoutof, “Unclehadalittlelamb!” ButRosehushedthenoisebyslippingintothecircle,andmakingthemdanceprettilylikeladsandlassesroundaMay-polewhilePhebe,cominginwithfreshwaterfortheflowers,begantotwitter,chirp,andcoo,asifallthebirdsoftheairhadcometojoininthespringreveloftheeightcousins.