ds have
found it out already if I'm not mistaken," added Uncle Mac, with a nod
toward the other room.

All eyes followed his, and a highly suggestive tableau presented itself
to the paternal and maternal audience in the back parlor.

Rose and Phebe, sitting side by side on the sofa, had evidently assumed
at once the places which they were destined to fill by right of youth,
sex, and beauty, for Phebe had long since ceased to be the maid and
become the friend, and Rose meant to have that fact established at once.

Jamie occupied the rug, on which Will and Geordie stood at ease, showing
their uniforms to the best advantage, for they were now in a great
school, where military drill was the delight of their souls. Steve posed
gracefully in an armchair, with Mac lounging over the back of it, while
Archie leaned on one corner of the low chimneypiece, looking down at
Phebe as she listened to his chat with smiling lips and cheeks almost as
rich in color as the carnations in her belt.

But Charlie was particularly effective, although he sat upon a music
stool, that most trying position for any man not gifted with grace in
the management of his legs. Fortunately Prince was, and had fallen into
an easy attitude, with one arm over the back of the sofa, his handsome
head bent a little, as he monopolized Rose, with a devoted air and a
very becoming expression of contentment on his face.

Aunt Clara smiled as if well pleased; Aunt Jessie looked thoughtful;
Aunt Jane's keen eyes went from dapper Steve to broad-shouldered Mac
with an anxious glance; Mrs. Myra murmured something about her "blessed
Caroline"; and Aunt Plenty said warmly, "Bless the dears! Anyone might
be proud of such a bonny flock of bairns as that."

"I am all ready to play chaperon as soon as you please, Alec, for I
suppose the dear girl will come out at once, as she did not before you
went away. My services won't be wanted long, I fancy, for with her
many advantages she will be carried off in her first season or I'm much
mistaken," said Mrs. Clara, with significant nods and smiles.

"You must settle all those matters with Rose. I am no longer captain,
only first mate now, you know," answered Dr. Alec, adding soberly, half
to himself, half to his brother, "I wonder people are in such haste to
'bring out' their daughters, as it's called. To me there is something
almost pathetic in the sight of a young girl standing on the threshold
of the world, so innocent and h