godson, for he had
always had high hopes of the boy, because in spite of his oddities he
had such an upright nature, and promising little, did much, with the
quiet persistence which foretells a manly character. All the romance
of the doctor's heart was stirred by this poetic bud of promise and
the love that made it bloom so early, for Mac had confided his hopes to
Uncle, finding great consolation and support in his sympathy and advice.
Like a wise man, Dr. Alec left the young people to learn the great
lesson in their own way, counseling Mac to work and Rose to wait till
both were quite certain that their love was built on a surer foundation
than admiration or youthful romance.
Meantime he went about with a well-worn little book in his pocket,
humming bits from a new set of songs and repeating with great fervor
certain sonnets which seemed to him quite equal, if not superior, to
any that Shakespeare ever wrote. As Rose was doing the same thing, they
often met for a private "read and warble," as they called it, and while
discussing the safe subject of Mac's poetry, both arrived at a pretty
clear idea of what Mac's reward was to be when he came home.
He seemed in no hurry to do this, however, and continued to astonish his
family by going into society and coming out brilliantly in that line.
It takes very little to make a lion, as everyone knows who has seen what
poor specimens are patted and petted every year, in spite of their bad
manners, foolish vagaries, and very feeble roaring. Mac did not want to
be lionized and took it rather scornfully, which only added to the charm
that people suddenly discovered about the nineteenth cousin of Thomas
Campbell, the poet. He desired to be distinguished in the best sense
of the word, as well as to look so, and thought a little of the polish
society gives would not be amiss, remembering Rose's efforts in that
line. For her sake he came out of his shell and went about seeing and
testing all sorts of people with those observing eyes of his, which saw
so much in spite of their nearsightedness. What use he meant to make of
these new experiences no one knew, for he wrote short letters and,
when questioned, answered with imperturbable patience: "Wait till I get
through; then I'll come home and talk about it."
So everyone waited for the poet, till something happened which
produced a greater sensation in the family than if all the boys had
simultaneously taken to rhyming.
Dr. Alec go
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