Archie seemed much impressed, and said manfully,--"He won't have done that in vain so far as I'm concerned. I don't care a pin about smoking, so can give it up as easy as not, and I promise you I will. I only do it now and then for fun." "You too?" and Rose looked up at the bonny Prince, who never looked less bonny than at that moment, for he had resumed his cigar, just to torment her. Now Charlie cared as little as Archie about smoking, but it would not do to yield too soon; so he shook his head, gave a great puff, and said loftily,-- "You women are always asking us to give up harmless little things, just because _you_ don't approve of them. How would you like it if we did the same by you, Miss?" "If I did harmful or silly things, I'd thank you for telling me of them, and I'd try to mend my ways," answered Rose heartily. "Well, now, we'll see if you mean what you say. I'll give up smoking to please you, if you will give up something to please me," said Prince, seeing a good chance to lord it over the weaker vessel at small cost to himself. "I'll agree if it is as foolish as cigars." "Oh, it's ever so much sillier." "Then I promise; what is it?" and Rose quite trembled with anxiety to know which of her pet habits or possessions she must lose. "Give up your ear-rings," and Charlie laughed wickedly, sure that she would never hold to that bargain. Rose uttered a cry and clapped both hands to her ears where the gold rings hung. "O Charlie, wouldn't any thing else do as well? I've been through so much teasing and trouble, I do want to enjoy my pretty ear-rings, for I can wear them now." "Wear as many as you like, and I'll smoke in peace," returned this bad boy. "Will _nothing_ else satisfy you?" imploringly. "Nothing," sternly. Rose stood silent for a minute, thinking of something Aunt Jessie once said,--"You have more influence over the boys than you know; use it for their good, and I shall thank you all my life." Here was a chance to do some good by sacrificing a little vanity of her own. She felt it was right to do it, yet found it very hard, and asked wistfully,-- "Do you mean _never_ wear them, Charlie?" "_Never_, unless you want me to smoke." "I never do." "Then clinch the bargain." He had no idea she would do it, and was much surprised when she took the dear rings from her ears, with a quick gesture, and held them out to him, saying, in a tone that made the color come up to his brown cheek, it was so full of sweet good will,-- "I care more for my cousins than for my ear-rings, so I promise, and I'll keep my word." "For shame, Prince! let her wear her little danglers if she likes, and don't bargain about doing what you know is right," cried Archie, coming out of his grove of newspapers with an indignant bounce. But Rose was bent on showing her aunt that she _could_ use her influence for the boys' good, and said steadily,--