Eight Cousins

hourearlier than she usually rose, for she could not sleep any more,being possessed with a strong desire to slip down and see if the bigportmanteau and packing cases were reall

man leap the garden walland come whistling up the path. At first she thought it was sometrespasser, but a second look showed her that it was her unclereturning from an early dip into the sea. She had hardly dared tolook at him

e made people mind," when he lifted hiseyes to examine the budding horse-chestnut overhead, and saw theeager face peering down at him. He waved his hand to her,nodded, and called out in a bluff, cheery voice"You are on deck early, little niece.""I got up to see if you had really come, uncle.""Did you? Well, come down here and make sure of it.""I'm not allowed to go out before breakfast, sir.""Oh,

he asked, taking the littlecold hand s

ng enough for much exercise. I driveout with her sometimes, but I don't care for it.""I'm not surprised at that," said Uncle Alec, half to himself, adding,in his quick way: "Who have you had to play with?""No one but Ariadne Blish, and she was such a goose I couldn'tbear her. The boys came yesterday, and seemed rather nice; but, ofcourse, I couldn't play with them.""Why not?""I'm too old to play with boys.""Not a bit of i

and Uncle Alec listened, with anodd smile lurking about his mouth,

-house.""You may laugh at me, but I do. I can't tell why, only she seems sohappy and busy, and sings so beautifully, and is strong e

he had any, andshe said, 'No, only I'd like to go to school, and I mean to

to know her." AndUncle Alec gave an approving nod,

es of yours, child?" he aske

verted eyes"The greatest one was losing dear papa."As she said that, Uncle Alec's arm came gently round her, and hedrew her to him, saying, in the voice so like papa's"That is a trouble which I cannot cure, my chi

th a decided nodthat made the curls bob on his head,

r shall be strong,"observed Rose, in a pensive ton

elieve that everyone is tottering on the brink of the grave; and,up

le ghosts into rosy, hearty girls. That's my business, you know,"he

won't give me much medicine, for I'vetaken quarts already, and it does me no good."As she spoke

e railing before him, examined each carefully, smiled oversome, frowned over others, and said, as he put down the last: "NowI'll sh

be angry, forshe sent most of them!" cried Rose, half

garden, and then what will you do?""When I prescribe such rubbish, I'll give you leave to pitch itoverboard as soon as you like. Now what is the next trouble?""I hoped you would forget to ask.""But how can I help you if I don't know them? Come, let us haveNo. 3.""It is very wrong, I supp

erstand how the good ladies had each put in heroar and tried to paddle her own wa

no one is togive a word of advice unless I ask it. There is no other way to keeporder aboard, and I am captain of this litt

ore bitterly than I. It is my fault that I am a stranger toyou, when I want to be your best friend. That is one of mymistakes, and I never repented it more deeply than I do now. Yourfather and I had a trouble once, and I thought I could never forgivehim; so I kept away for years. Thank God, we made it all up thelast time I saw him, and he told me then, that if he was forced toleave her he should bequeath his little girl to me as a token of hislove. I can't fill his place, but I shall try to be a father to her; and ifshe

me in," whileDr. Alec hastily rubbed the sleeve of h

ared with a

p," she said,opening her black eyes wide, as if s

. I hope that is good andstrong," added Rose

eel better after it.""This accounts for the sleepless nights, the flutter your heart getsinto at the least start, and this is why that cheek of yours is paleyellow instead of rosy red. No more coffee for you, my dear, andby and by you'll see that I am right. Any new milk downstairs,Ph

nds me; one of the boxes Phebe wanted to lug upstairs lastnight is for you. Knowing that I was coming home to find aready-made daughter, I picked up all sorts of odd and pretty triflesalong the way, hoping she would be able to find something sheliked among them all. Early to-morrow we'll have a grandrummage. Her

again with my wig in atoss," said Dr. A

like a cat, uncle?" asked Ros

it, for it's the shortest road,and it keeps me limber when I have no rigging to climb. Good-byetill breakfas

een?" exclaimed Phebe, as

ered Rose, following, toprowl round the

bell, he found hersurveying with an anxiou

, Rosy?" he asked, str

o make me eat oatmeal?" a

e, with all the emphasis which aturned-up nose, a

Scotchwoman, if you do

ve such a goodtime with all that cream to float it in. W

id heartily "detest" the dish; but as Uncle Alec did not attempt t

are always sayinghow wholesome it is, and that makes

good oldfashion. No hot bread and fried stuff for them, and they are thebiggest and bonniest lads of the lot. Bless you, aunti

y much to hear AuntPlenty call her forty-year-old nephew "my dear boy"; and UncleAlec was so full of lively gossip

e, Alec, if you are not tootired," said

from Calcutta for that

arning.""I'll send Ben up the hill, and you can step over to Myra's yourself;it will please her, and you will have plenty of time."Dr. Alec was off at once, and the

wasmore off his head than on, for everyone they met smiled an

ment that their elders satin momentary dread of an unseemly outbreak somewhere. It wassimply impossible to keep th

side her; Jamie stared fixedly over the back of his pew, till Rosethought his round eyes would drop out of his head; George fellover a stool and dropped three books in his excitement; Will drewsailors and Chinamen on his clean cuffs, and displayed them, toRo

aca portly, placid gentleman, who seemed entirely unconscious oft

Clara, were atsea, and Aunt Myra was a widow. Uncle Mac was a merchant, veryrich and busy, and as quiet as a mouse at

into his great warehouse, full of teas andspices, wines and all sorts of foreign fruits, there to eat and carryaway whatever she liked. She had secretl

, while thesisters shook hands and welcomed him with bright faces and gladhearts. Rose was nearly crushed flat behind a

not expect this dearfellow till tomorrow, you know, so I made no preparations. Sendthe lads home, and let them

sted till Dr. Alec settled the matterby saying"Never mind, old chaps, I'll make it up to you to-mo