Aunt Clara smiled as if well pleased; Aunt Jessie looked thoughtful;Aunt Jane's keen eyes went from dapper Steve to broad-shouldered Mac with an anxious glance; Mrs.Myra murmured something about her "blessed Caroline";and Aunt Plenty said warmly, "Bless the dears! Anyone might be proud of such a bonny flock of bairns as that.""I am all ready to play chaperon as soon as you please, Alec, for Isuppose the dear girl will come out at once, as she did not before you went away.My services won't be wanted long, I fancy, for with her many advantages she will be carried off in her first season or I'm much mistaken,"said Mrs.Clara, with significant nods and smiles.
"You must settle all those matters with Rose.I am no longer captain, only first mate now, you know," answered Dr.Alec, adding soberly, half to himself, half to his brother, "I wonder people are in such haste to 'bring out' their daughters, as it's called.To me there is something almost pathetic in the sight of a young girl standing on the threshold of the world, so innocent and hopeful, so ignorant of all that lies before her, and usually so ill prepared to meet the ups and downs of life.We do our duty better by the boys, but the poor little women are seldom provided with any armor worth having, and sooner or later they are sure to need it, for every one must fight her own battle, and only the brave and strong can win.""You can't reproach yourself with neglect of that sort, Alec, for you have done your duty faithfully by George's girl, and I envy you the pride and happiness of having such a daughter, for she is that to you," answered old Mac, unexpectedly betraying the paternal sort of tenderness men seldom feel for their sons.
"I've tried, Mac, and I am both proud and happy, but with every year my anxiety seems to increase.I've done my best to fit Rose for what may come, as far as I can foresee it, but now she must stand alone, and all my care is powerless to keep her heart from aching, her life from being saddened by mistakes, or thwarted by the acts of others.I can only stand ready to share her joy and sorrow and watch her shape her life.""Why, Alec, what is the child going to do that you need look so solemn?"exclaimed Mrs.Clara, who seemed to have assumed a sort of right to Rose already.
"Hark! And let her tell you herself," answered Dr.Alec, as Rose's voice was heard saying very earnestly, "Now, you have all told your plans for the future, why don't you ask us ours?""Because we know that there is only one thing for a pretty girl to dobreak a dozen or so hearts before she finds one to suit, then marry and settle,"answered Charlie, as if no other reply was possible.
"That may be the case with many, but not with us, for Phebe and I believe that it is as much a right and a duty for women to do something with their lives as for men, and we are not going to be satisfied with such frivolous parts as you give us," cried Rose with kindling eyes."I mean what I say, and you cannot laugh me down.Would you be contented to be told to enjoy yourself for a little while, then marry and do nothing more till you die?" she added, turning to Archie.
"Of course notthat is only a part of a man's life," he answered decidedly.
"A very precious and lovely part, but not all ," continued Rose.
"Neither should it be for a woman, for we've got minds and souls as well as hearts; ambition and talents as well as beauty and accomplishments;and we want to live and learn as well as love and be loved.I'm sick of being told that is all a woman is fit for! I won't have anything to do with love till I prove that I am something besides a housekeeper and baby-tender!""Heaven preserve us! Here's woman's rights with a vengeance!" cried Charlie, starting up with mock horror, while the others regarded Rose with mingled surprise and amusement, evidently fancying it all a girlish outbreak.
"Ah, you needn't pretend to be shockedyou will be in earnest presently, for this is only the beginning of my strong-mindedness," continued Rose, nothing daunted by the smiles of good-natured incredulity or derision on the faces of her cousins."I have made up my mind not to be cheated out of the real things that make one good and happy and, just because I'm a rich girl, fold my hands and drift as so many do.I haven't lived with Phebe all these years in vain.I know what courage and self-reliance can do for one, and I sometimes wish I hadn't a penny in the world so that I could go and earn my bread with her, and be as brave and independent as she will be pretty soon."It was evident that Rose was in earnest now, for as she spoke she turned to her friend with such respect as well as love in her face that the look told better than any words how heartily the rich girl appreciated the virtues hard experience had given the poor girl, and how eagerly she desired to earn what all her fortune could not buy for her.
Something in the glance exchanged between the friends impressed the young men in spite of their prejudices, and it was in a perfectly serious tone that Archie said, "I fancy you'll find your hands full, Cousin, if you want work, for I've heard people say that wealth has its troubles and trials as well as poverty.""I know it, and I'm going to try and fill my place well.I've got some capital little plans all made, and have begun to study my profession already,"answered Rose with an energetic nod.
"Could I ask what it is to be?" inquired Charlie in a tone of awe.
"Guess!" and Rose looked up at him with an expression half-earnest, half-merry.
"Well, I should say that you were fitted for a beauty and a belle, but as that is evidently not to your taste, I am afraid you are going to study medicine and be a doctor.Won't your patients have a heavenly time though?
It will be easy dying with an angel to poison them.""Now, Charlie, that's base of you, when you know how well women have succeeded in this profession and what a comfort Dr.Mary Kirk was to dear Aunt Peace.I did want to study medicine, but Uncle thought it wouldn't do to have so many M.D.'s in one family, since Mac thinks of trying it.
