"I've got a pair now that were mamma's, and a beautiful little pair of pearl and turquoise ones, that I am dying to wear," sighed Rose. "Then do it. I'll pierce your ears, and you must wear a bit of silk in them till they are well; your curls will hide them nicely; then, some day, slip in your smallest ear-rings, and see if your uncle don't like them." "I asked him if it wouldn't do my eyes good once when they were red, and he only laughed. People do cure weak eyes that way, don't they?" "Yes, indeed, and yours _are_ sort of red. Let me see. Yes, I really think you ought to do it before they get worse," said Annabel, peering into the large clear eye offered for inspection. "Does it hurt much?" asked Rose, wavering. "Oh dear, no! just a prick and a pull, and it's all over. I've done lots of ears, and know just how. Come, push up your hair and get a big needle." "I don't quite like to do it without asking uncle's leave," faltered Rose, when all was ready for the operation. "Did he ever forbid it?" demanded Annabel hovering over her prey like a vampire. "No, never!" [Illustration: "PUNCH!" SAID ROSE, IN THE TONE OF ONE GIVING THE ORDER "FIRE!"] "Then do it, unless you are _afraid_," cried Miss Bliss, bent on accomplishing the deed. That last word settled the matter, and, closing her eyes, Rose said "Punch!" in the tone of one giving the fatal order "Fire!" Annabel punched, and the victim bore it in heroic silence, though she turned pale and her eyes were full of tears of anguish. "There! Now pull the bits of silk often, and cold-cream your ears every night, and you'll soon be ready for the rings," said Annabel, well pleased with her job, for the girl who spoke French with "a fine accent" lay flat upon the sofa, looking as exhausted as if she had had both ears cut off. "It does hurt dreadfully, and I know uncle won't like it," sighed Rose, as remorse began to gnaw. "Promise not to tell, or I shall be teased to death," she added, anxiously, entirely forgetting the two little pitchers gifted with eyes as well as ears, who had been watching the whole performance from afar. "Never. Mercy me, what's that?" and Annabel started as a sudden sound of steps and voices came up from below. "It's the boys! Hide the needle. Do my ears show? Don't breathe a word!" whispered Rose, scrambling about to conceal all traces of their iniquity from the sharp eyes of the clan. Up they came, all in good order, laden with the proceeds of a nutting expedition, for they always reported to Rose and paid tribute to their queen in the handsomest manner. "How many, and how big! We'll have a grand roasting frolic after tea, won't we?" said Rose, plunging both hands into a bag of glossy brown nuts, while the clan "stood at ease" and nodded to Annabel. "That lot was picked especially for you, Rosy. I got every one myself, and they are extra whackers," said Mac, presenting a bushel or so.