Eight Cousins; Or, The Aunt-HillAlcott, Louisa May
General
Eight Cousins; Or, The Aunt-Hill
Alcott, Louisa May
Cousins -- Juvenile fiction; Family life -- Juvenile fiction; Orphans -- Juvenile fiction
"Am I? I'm glad of that, but really, uncle, I do feel as if I _must_
take care of the boys, for they come to me in all sorts of troubles, and
ask advice, and I like it _so_ much. Only I don't always know what to
do, and I'm going to consult you privately and then surprise them with
my wisdom."
"All right, my dear; what's the first worry? I see you have something on
your little mind, so come and tell uncle."
Rose put her arm in his, and, pacing to and fro, told him all about
Charlie, asking what she could do to keep him straight, and be a real
sister to him.
"Could you make up your mind to go and stay with Aunt Clara a month?"
asked the Doctor, when she ended.
"Yes, sir; but I shouldn't like it. Do you really want me to go?"
"The best cure for Charlie is a daily dose of Rose water, or Rose and
water; will you go and see that he takes it?" laughed Dr. Alec.
"You mean that if I'm there and try to make it pleasant, he will stay at
home and keep out of mischief?"
"Exactly."
"But _could_ I make it pleasant? He would want the boys."
"No danger but he'd have the boys, for they swarm after you like bees
after their queen. Haven't you found that out?"
"Aunt Plen often says they never used to be here half so much before I
came, but I never thought _I_ made the difference, it seemed so natural
to have them round."
"Little Modesty doesn't know what a magnet she is; but she will find it
out some day," and the Doctor softly stroked the cheek that had grown
rosy with pleasure at the thought of being so much loved. "Now, you
see, if I move the magnet to Aunt Clara's, the lads will go there as
sure as iron to steel, and Charlie will be so happy at home he won't
care for these mischievous mates of his; I hope," added the Doctor, well
knowing how hard it was to wean a seventeen-year-old boy from his first
taste of what is called "seeing life," which, alas! often ends in seeing
death.
"I'll go, uncle, right away! Aunt Clara is always asking me, and will be
glad to get me. I shall have to dress and dine late, and see lots of
company, and be very fashionable, but I'll try not to let it hurt me;
and if I get in a puzzle or worried about any thing I can run to you,"
answered Rose, good-will conquering timidity.
So it was decided, and without saying much about the real reason for
this visit, Rose was transplanted to Aunt Clara's, feeling that she had
a work to do, and very eager to do it well.
Dr. Alec was right about the bees, for the boys did follow their queen,
and astonished Mrs. Clara by their sudden assiduity in making calls,
dropping in to dinner, and getting up evening frolics. Charlie was a
devoted host, and tried to show his gratitude by being very kind to his
"little sister," for he guessed why she came, and his heart was touched
by her artless endeavors to "help him be good."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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