第64章

I'm not a bit afraid of her, and then if you'll just quietly find out from Uncle Doctor what I must read, I'll work as hard as I can.Don't tell anyone, please, they'll think it odd and affected, and I can't bear to be laughed at, though I daresay it is good discipline."Rose promised, and both worked in silence for a moment, then Kitty asked rather timidly: "Are you and Charlie trying this plan too? Since you've left off going out so much, he keeps away also, and we don't know what to make of it.""He has had what he calls an 'artistic fit' lately, set up a studio, and is doing some crayon sketches of us all.If he'd only finish his things, they would be excellent, but he likes to try a great variety at once.I'll take you in sometime, and perhaps he will do a portrait of you for Steve.

He likes girls' faces and gets the likenesses wonderfully well.""People say you are engaged but I contradict it, because, of course, I should know if you were.""We are not."

"I'm glad of it, for really, Rose, I'm afraid Charlie hasn't got 'firm principles,' though he is a fascinating fellow and one can't scold him.

You don't mind my saying so, do you, dear?" added Kitty, for Rose did not answer at once.

"Not in the least, for you are one of us now, and I can speak frankly and I will, for I think in one way you can help Steve very much.

You are right about Charlie, both as to the principles and the fascination.

Steve admires him exceedingly, and always from a boy liked to imitate his pleasant ways.Some of them are very harmless and do Steve good, but some are not.I needn't talk about it, only you must show your boy that you depend on him to keep out of harm and help him do it.""I will, I will! And then perhaps, when he is a perfect model, Charlie will imitate him.I really begin to feel as if I had a great deal to do."And Kitty looked as if she was beginning to like it also.

"We all have and the sooner we go to work the better for us and those we love.You wouldn't think now that Phebe was doing anything for Archie, but she is, and writes such splendid letters, they stir him up wonderfully and make us all love and admire her more than ever.""How is she getting on?" asked Kitty, who, though she called herself a "little goose," had tact enough to see that Rose did not care to talk about Charlie.

"Nicely, for you know she used to sing in our choir, so that was a good recommendation for another.She got a fine place in the new church at L?

and that gives her a comfortable salary, though she has something put away.

She was always a saving creature and kept her wages carefully.Uncle invested them, and she begins to feel quite independent already.No fear but my Phebe will get on­she has such energy and manages so well.I sometimes wish I could run away and work with her.""Ah, my dear! We rich girls have our trials as well as poor ones, though we don't get as much pity as they do," sighed Kitty."Nobody knows what I suffer sometimes from worries that I can't talk about, and I shouldn't get much sympathy if I did, just because I live in a big house, wear good gowns, and have lots of lovers.Annabel used to say she envied me above all created beings, but she doesn't now, and is perfectly absorbed in her dear little Chinaman.Do you see how she ever could like him?"So they began to gossip, and the sober talk was over for that time, but when Kitty departed, after criticizing all her dear friends and their respective sweethearts, she had a helpful little book in her muff, a resolute expression on her bright face, and so many excellent plans for self-improvement in her busy brain that she and Steve bid fair to turn out the model couple of the century.