第46章

THE SAD AND SOBER PART

"How will he look? What will he say? Can anything make us forget and be happy again?" were the first questions Rose asked herself as soon as she woke from the brief sleep which followed a long, sad vigil.It seemed as if the whole world must be changed because a trouble darkened it for her.

She was too young yet to know how possible it is to forgive much greater sins than this, forget far heavier disappointments, outlive higher hopes, and bury loves compared to which hers was but a girlish fancy.She wished it had not been so bright a day, wondered how her birds could sing with such shrill gaiety, put no ribbon in her hair, and said, as she looked at the reflection of her own tired face in the glass, "Poor thing! You thought the new leaf would have something pleasant on it.The story has been very sweet and easy to read so far, but the sad and sober part is coming now."A tap at the door reminded her that, in spite of her afflictions, breakfast must be eaten, and the sudden thought that Charlie might still be in the house made her hurry to the door, to find Dr.Alec waiting for her with his morning smile.She drew him in and whispered anxiously, as if someone lay dangerously ill nearby, "Is he better, Uncle? Tell me all about it­Ican bear it now."

Some men would have smiled at her innocent distress and told her this was only what was to be expected and endured, but Dr.Alec believed in the pure instincts that make youth beautiful, desired to keep them true, and hoped his girl would never learn to look unmoved by pain and pity upon any human being vanquished by a vice, no matter how trivial it seemed, how venial it was held.So his face grew grave, though his voice was cheerful as he answered: "All right, I daresay, by this time, for sleep is the best medicine in such cases.I took him home last night, and no one knows he came but you and I.""No one ever shall.How did you do it, Uncle?""Just slipped out of the long study window and got him cannily off, for the air and motion, after a dash of cold water, brought him around, and he was glad to be safely landed at home.His rooms are below, you know, so no one was disturbed, and I left him sleeping nicely.""Thank you so much," sighed Rose."And Brutus? Weren't they frightened when he got back alone?""Not at all.The sagacious beast went quietly to the stable, and the sleepy groom asked no questions, for Charlie often sends the horse round by himself when it is late or stormy.Rest easy, dear­no eye but ours saw the poor lad come and go, and we'll forgive it for love's sake.""Yes, but not forget it.I never can, and he will never be again to me the Charlie I've been so proud and fond of all these years.Oh, Uncle, such a pity! Such a pity!""Don't break your tender heart about it, child, for it is not incurable, thank God! I don't make light of it, but I am sure that under better influences Charlie will redeem himself because his impulses are good and this his only vice.I can hardly blame him for what he is, because his mother did the harm.I declare to you, Rose, I sometimes feel as if I must break out against that woman and thunder in her ears that she is ruining the immortal soul for which she is responsible to heaven!"Dr.Alec seldom spoke in this way, and when he did it was rather awful, for his indignation was of the righteous sort and such thunder often rouses up a drowsy soul when sunshine has no effect.Rose liked it, and sincerely wished Aunt Clara had been there to get the benefit of the outbreak, for she needed just such an awakening from the self-indulgent dream in which she lived.

"Do it, and save Charlie before it is too late!" she cried, kindling herself as she watched him, for he looked like a roused lion as he walked about the room with his hand clenched and a spark in his eye, evidently in desperate earnest and ready to do almost anything.

"Will you help?" he asked, stopping suddenly with a look that made her stand up straight and strong as she answered with an eager voice: "I will.""Then don't love him­yet."

That startled her, but she asked steadily, though her heart began to beat and her color to come: "Why not?""Firstly, because no woman should give her happiness into the keeping of a man without fixed principles; secondly, because the hope of being worthy of you will help him more than any prayers or preaching of mine.

Thirdly, because it will need all our wit and patience to undo the work of nearly four and twenty years.You understand what I mean?""Yes, sir."

"Can you say 'no' when he asks you to say 'yes' and wait a little for your happiness?""I can."

"And will you?"

"I will."

"Then I'm satisfied, and a great weight taken off my heart.I can't help seeing what goes on, or trembling when I think of you setting sail with no better pilot than poor Charlie.Now you answer as I hoped you would, and I am proud of my girl!"They had been standing with the width of the room between them, Dr.

Alec looking very much like a commander issuing orders, Rose like a well-drilled private obediently receiving them, and both wore the air of soldiers getting ready for a battle, with the bracing of nerves and quickening of the blood brave souls feel as they put on their armor.At the last words he went to her, brushed back the hair, and kissed her on the forehead with a tender sort of gravity and a look that made her feel as if he had endowed her with the Victoria Cross for courage on the field.

No more was said then, for Aunt Plenty called them down and the day's duties began.But that brief talk showed Rose what to do and fitted her to do it, for it set her to thinking of the duty one owes one's self in loving as in all the other great passions or experiences which make or mar a life.