第23章

"Don't expect any gratitude, for you won't get it; nor much comfort with a lot of forlornities on your hands, and be sure that when it is too late you will tire of it all and wish you had done as other people do.""Thanks for your cheerful prophecies, but I think I'll venture."She looked so undaunted that Charlie was a little nettled and fired his last shot rather recklessly: "Well, one thing I do know­you'll never get a husband if you go on in this absurd way, and­by Jove!­you need one to take care of you and keep the property together!"Rose had a temper, but seldom let it get the better of her; now, however, it flashed up for a moment.Those last words were peculiarly unfortunate, because Aunt Clara had used them more than once when warning her against impecunious suitors and generous projects.She was disappointed in her cousin, annoyed at having her little plans laughed at, and indignant with him for his final suggestion.

"I'll never have one, if I must give up the liberty of doing what Iknow is right, and I'd rather go into the poorhouse tomorrow than 'keep the property together' in the selfish way you mean!"That was all­but Charlie saw that he had gone too far and hastened to make his peace with the skill of a lover, for, turning to the little cabinet piano behind him, he sang in his best style the sweet old song: "Oh were thou in the cauld blast,"dwelling with great effect, not only upon the tender assurance that "My plaid should shelter thee,"but also that, even if a king, "The brightest jewel in my crown Wad be my queen, wad be my queen."It was very evident that Prince Charming had not gone troubadouring in vain, for Orpheus himself could not have restored harmony more successfully.

The tuneful apology was accepted with a forgiving smile and a frank "I'm sorry I was cross, but you haven't forgotten how to tease, and I'm rather out of sorts today.Late hours don't agree with me.""Then you won't feel like going to Mrs.Hope's tomorrow, I'm afraid,"and Charlie took up the last note with an expression of regret which was very flattering.

"I must go, because it is made for me, but I can come away early and make up lost sleep.I do hate to be so fractious," and Rose rubbed the forehead that ached with too much racketing.

"But the German does not begin till late­I'm to lead and depend upon you.Just stay this once to oblige me," pleaded Charlie, for he had set his heart on distinguishing himself.

"No­I promised Uncle to be temperate in my pleasures and I must keep my word.I'm so well now, it would be very foolish to get ill and make him anxious­not to mention losing my beauty, as you are good enough to call it, for that depends on health, you know.""But the fun doesn't begin till after supper.Everything will be delightful, I assure you, and we'll have a gay old time as we did last week at Emma's.""Then I certainly will not, for I'm ashamed of myself when I remember what a romp that was and how sober Uncle looked as he let me in at three in the morning, all fagged out­my dress in rags, my head aching, my feet so tired that I could hardly stand, and nothing to show for five hours'