ng in her voice: "I'm proud to do it for her own sake. I ask
pardon for my silly prejudices, and I'll prove that I'm sincere by
where's that boy?"

There were six boys present, but the right one was in exactly the right
place at the right moment, and, seizing Archie's hand, Aunt Plenty put
Phebe's into it, trying to say something appropriately solemn, but could
not, so hugged them both and sobbed out: "If I had a dozen nephews, I'd
give them all to you, my dear, and dance at the wedding, though I had
rheumatism in every limb."

That was better than any oration, for it set them all to laughing, and
Dr. Alec was floated to the sofa on a gentle wave of merriment. Once
there, everyone but Rose and Aunt Plenty was ordered off by Mac, who was
in command now and seemed to have sunk the poet in the physician.

"The house must be perfectly quiet, and he must go to sleep as soon as
possible after the journey, so all say 'good-bye' now and call again
tomorrow," he said, watching his uncle anxiously as he leaned in the
sofa corner, with four women taking off his wraps, three boys contending
for his overshoes, two brothers shaking hands at short intervals, and
Aunt Myra holding a bottle of strong salts under his devoted nose every
time there was an opening anywhere.

With difficulty the house was partially cleared, and then, while Aunt
Plenty mounted guard over her boy, Rose stole away to see if Mac had
gone with the rest, for as yet they had hardly spoken in the joyful
flurry, though eyes and hands had met.

Chapter 22 SHORT AND SWEET

In the hall she found Steve and Kitty, for he had hidden his little
sweetheart behind the big couch, feeling that she had a right there,
having supported his spirits during the late anxiety with great
constancy and courage. They seemed so cozy, billing and cooing in the
shadow of the gay vase, that Rose would have slipped silently away if
they had not seen and called to her. "He's not gone I guess you'll find
him in the parlor," said Steve, divining with a lover's instinct the
meaning of the quick look she had cast at the hat rack as she shut the
study door behind her.

"Mercy, no! Archie and Phebe are there, so he'd have the sense to pop
into the sanctum and wait, unless you'd like me to go and bring him
out?" added Kitty, smoothing Rose's ruffled hair and settling the
flowers on the bosom where Uncle Alec's head had lain until he fell
asleep.

"No, thank you, I'll go to him when I'v