d the boy. Jane, clear away, and bring me
the hot water."

That ended the morning conference. And, leaving the old lady to soothe
her mind by polishing spoons and washing cups, Rose went away to find
Phebe while the doctor retired to laugh over the downfall of brother
Mac's matchmaking schemes.

The Campbells did not gossip about their concerns in public, but being
a very united family, it had long been the custom to "talk over" any
interesting event which occurred to any member thereof, and everyone
gave his or her opinion, advice, or censure with the utmost candor.
Therefore the first engagement, if such it could be called, created a
great sensation, among the aunts especially, and they were in as much of
a flutter as a flock of maternal birds when their young begin to hop out
of the nest. So at all hours the excellent ladies were seen excitedly
nodding their caps together as they discussed the affair in all its
bearings, without ever arriving at any unanimous decision.

The boys took it much more calmly. Mac was the only one who came out
strongly in Archie's favor. Charlie thought the Chief ought to do better
and called Phebe "a siren who had bewitched the sage youth." Steve was
scandalized and delivered long orations upon one's duty to society,
keeping the old name up, and the danger of mesalliances, while all the
time he secretly sympathized with Archie, being much smitten with Kitty
Van himself. Will and Geordie, unfortunately home for the holidays,
considered it "a jolly lark," and little Jamie nearly drove his elder
brother distracted by curious inquiries as to "how folks felt when they
were in love."

Uncle Mac's dismay was so comical that it kept Dr. Alec in good spirits,
for he alone knew how deep was the deluded man's chagrin at the failure
of the little plot which he fancied was prospering finely.

"I'll never set my heart on anything of the sort again, and the young
rascals may marry whom they like. I'm prepared for anything now--so if
Steve brings home the washerwoman's daughter, and Mac runs away with our
pretty chambermaid, I shall say, 'Bless you my children,' with mournful
resignation, for, upon my soul, that is all that's left for a modern
parent to do."

With which tragic burst, poor Uncle Mac washed his hands of the whole
affair and buried himself in the countinghouse while the storm raged.

About this time Archie might have echoed Rose's childish wish, that
she had not quite so many aunts,