ggles with Latin grammar, the evil genius of
his boyish life. Dr. Alec had many affairs to arrange after his long
absence; Phebe was busy with her music; and Aunt Plenty still actively
superintended her housekeeping. Thus it fell out, quite naturally, that
Charlie should form the habit of lounging in at all hours with letters,
messages, bits of news, and agreeable plans for Rose. He helped her with
her sketching, rode with her, sang with her, and took her to parties
as a matter of course, for Aunt Clara, being the gaiest of the sisters,
played chaperon on all occasions.

For a time it was very pleasant, but, by and by, Rose began to wish
Charlie would find something to do like the rest and not make dawdling
after her the business of his life. The family was used to his
self-indulgent ways, and there was an amiable delusion in the minds of
the boys that he had a right to the best of everything, for to them
he was still the Prince, the flower of the flock, and in time to be an
honor to the name. No one exactly knew how, for, though full of talent,
he seemed to have no especial gift or bias, and the elders began to
shake their heads because, in spite of many grand promises and projects,
the moment for decisive action never came.

Rose saw all this and longed to inspire her brilliant cousin with some
manful purpose which should win for him respect as well as admiration.
But she found it very hard, for though he listened with imperturbable
good humor, and owned his shortcomings with delightful frankness, he
always had some argument, reason, or excuse to offer and out-talked her
in five minutes, leaving her silenced but unconvinced.

Of late she had observed that he seemed to feel as if her time and
thoughts belonged exclusively to him and rather resented the approach
of any other claimant. This annoyed her and suggested the idea that
her affectionate interest and efforts were misunderstood by him,
misrepresented and taken advantage of by Aunt Clara, who had been most
urgent that she should "use her influence with the dear boy," though the
fond mother resented all other interference. This troubled Rose and made
her feel as if caught in a snare, for, while she owned to herself that
Charlie was the most attractive of her cousins, she was not ready to be
taken possession of in this masterful way, especially since other and
sometimes better men sought her favor more humbly.

These thoughts were floating vaguely in her mind as