Janet's Love and Service Part 81

Rosie! if you were only going home with me for a little while!"

"I should like it very much, indeed," said Rose.

"Of course, everything is very different at our house, but you wouldn't mind that. Miss Elliott, don't you think you could spare Rose to me for a few days?"

Graeme shook her head.

"I think I have spared her to you a good many days. I have seen very little of her for a long time, I think."

Miss Goldsmith looked grieved and penitent. "Nonsense, Etta," said Rose; "she is only laughing at you. She has had you and me, too. And I should like very much to go with you. This is the nicest time of the year to be in the country, I think. What do you say, Graeme?"

Little Etta clasped her hands, and looked at Graeme so entreatingly, that Rose laughed heartily. But Graeme said nothing encouraging.

However, the very hottest days of the summer came that season among the first June days, and, because of the heat, Graeme thought Rose did not recover from her illness so quickly as she ought to have done. She is languid and pale, though pretty busy still, and cheerful, and Graeme proposed that she should go with her friend for a few days, at least.

Etta was enchanted.

"I am afraid my resolutions about being good, and helping mamma, and teaching the little ones, would have fallen through, for I know I am a foolish girl. But with Rose to help me, just at first, I shall succeed I know."

"Don't be silly, Etta," said Rose. "You are a great deal wiser and better, and of a great deal more use in the world, than ever I was, or am like to be. All my wisdom is lip-wisdom, and my goodness lip-goodness. If they will help you, you shall have the benefit of them; but pray don't make me blush before Graeme and f.a.n.n.y, who know me so well."

No time had to be lost in preparations. The decision was made one day, and they were to leave the next. Harry, with his friend and partner, came up one night to bid Miss Goldsmith good-bye, and heard for the first time of Rose's intention to go with her. Harry did not hear it with pleasure, indeed; he made no secret of his vexation. There was a little bantering talk between them, in the style that Graeme disliked so much, and then Rose went away for a few minutes.

"Graeme," said Harry, "what is all this about? It seems to me Rose ought to have had enough of her little friend by this time. What freak is this she has taken about the country, and a change of air, and nonsense?"

"If it is a freak, it is mine," said Graeme, quietly. "Rose needs a change. She is not ill, but still she is not quite well, and I am very glad she is to go with Miss Goldsmith."

"A change," repeated Harry. "Why could she not go with f.a.n.n.y to the seaside, if she needs a change?"

"But f.a.n.n.y is not going for several weeks yet. Rose will be home before that time. She will not be away more than a fortnight, I hope."

"A fortnight, indeed! What has the time to do with it? It is the going at all that is so foolish: You astonish me, Graeme."

"You astonish me, Harry! Really I cannot understand why you should care so much about it."

"Well, well! If you are pleased, and she is pleased, I need not trouble myself about it," said Harry, sulkily.

"What has happened to you, Harry?" said f.a.n.n.y. "You are not like yourself, to-night."

"He is a great deal more like the Harry of old times," said Graeme.

"Like the Harry you used to know long ago, Mr Millar, than like the reasonable, dignified person we have had among us lately."

"I was just thinking so," said Mr Millar.

"Why should not Rosie go?" persisted f.a.n.n.y. "I think it must be a very stupid place, from all that Etta says; still, if Rose wishes it, why should she not go?"

"I believe it is the big brother Harry is afraid of," said Arthur, laughing. Graeme and f.a.n.n.y laughed, too.

"I don't think it is a laughing matter," growled Harry. "How would you like it if she were to throw herself away on that red-headed giant?"

Arthur and f.a.n.n.y laughed, still, but Graeme looked grave. "It would be just like a silly girl like Rose," continued Harry, gloomily.

"Harry," said Graeme, "I think you are forgetting what is due to your sister. You should be the last person to couple Rose's name with that of any gentleman."

"Of course, it is only among ourselves; and, I tell you, Graeme, you are spoiling Rosie--"

"Harry! be quiet. I don't choose to listen to you on that subject."

"I declare, Harry, you are getting morbid on the subject of Rosie's conquests. It is the greatest folly imaginable," said Arthur.

"Well, it may be so. At any rate, I shall say no more. Are you coming, Charlie? I must go."

He went to the foot of the stairs, and called: "Rose, are you coming down again? I must go."

Rose came flying down.

"Must you go, Harry? I am just done with what I needed to do. Don't be cross with me, Harry." And greatly to his surprise, as she put her arms around his neck, he felt her tears upon his cheek.

"Why, Rosie, what ails you? I didn't mean to be cross, Rosie, my darling."

But, in a minute, Rose was smiling through her tears.

"Rosie, dear," whispered her brother, "you are a very silly little girl.

I think you are the very silliest girl I know. I wish--" Rose wiped her eyes.

"Don't go yet, Harry. I will come in immediately; and please don't tell Graeme that I am so silly. She wouldn't like it at all."

"Graeme is as silly as you are," growled Harry.

Rose laughed, and ran up-stairs, but came down in a minute with Miss Goldsmith. Harry had brought a great paper of sweets for the little sisters at home, for which Etta thanked him very prettily, and then she said:

"I hope you are not afraid to trust Rose with us? We will take great care of her, I a.s.sure you."

"Since I am too silly to take care of myself," said Rose.

They had a pleasant evening enough, all things considered, and it was some time before Harry and his friend went away.

"I must say good-bye for a long time, Miss Rose," said Mr Millar. "I shall have sailed before you are home again, I suppose."

"You go in the first steamer, then?"

"I don't know, I am not quite sure yet. I have not quite decided."

"Of course, he goes by the first steamer," said Harry. "He should have gone long ago. There is no use dwelling longer over so simple a matter."

Rose opened her eyes very wide.

"Is that the way you speak to your friend and partner?" said f.a.n.n.y.

"Really, Harry, I am afraid your fine temper is being spoiled," said Rose. "I think Mr Millar is very good not to mind you."