第68章

They took effect, however, for Archie did cheer up like a man.Wiping away the tears which he so seldom shed that they did not know where to go, he got up, gave himself a little shake, and said with a long breath, as if he had been underwater: "Now I'm all right, thank you.I couldn't help it­the shock of being waked suddenly to find the dear old fellow in such a pitiful state upset me.I ought to go­are these ready?""In a minute.Tell Uncle to send for me if I can be of any use.Oh, poor Aunt Clara! How does she bear it?""Almost distracted.I took Mother to her, and she will do all that anybody can.Heaven only knows what Aunt will do if­""And only heaven can help her," added Rose as Archie stopped at the words he could not utter."Now take them, and let me know often.""You brave little soul, I will." And Archie went away through the rain with his sad burden, wondering how Rose could be so calm when the beloved Prince might be dying.

A long dark day followed, with nothing to break its melancholy monotony except the bulletins that came from hour to hour reporting little change either for better or for worse.Rose broke the news gently to Aunt Plenty and set herself to the task of keeping up the old lady's spirits, for, being helpless, the good soul felt as if everything would go wrong without her.At dusk she fell asleep, and Rose went down to order lights and fire in the parlor, with tea ready to serve at any moment, for she felt sure some of the men would come and that a cheerful greeting and creature comforts would suit them better than tears, darkness, and desolation.

Presently Mac arrived, saying the instant he entered the room: "More comfortable, Cousin.""Thank heaven!" cried Rose, unclasping her hands.Then seeing how worn out, wet, and weary Mac looked as he came into the light, she added in a tone that was a cordial in itself, "Poor boy, how tired you are! Come here, and let me make you comfortable.""I was going home to freshen up a bit, for I must be back in an hour.

Mother took my place, so I could be spared, and came off, as Uncle refused to stir.""Don't go home, for if Aunty isn't there it will be very dismal.Step into Uncle's room and refresh, then come back and I'll give you your tea.

Let me, let me! I can't help in any other way, and I must do something, this waiting is so dreadful."Her last words betrayed how much suspense was trying her, and Mac yielded at once, glad to comfort and be comforted.When he came back, looking much revived, a tempting little tea table stood before the fire and Rose went to meet him, saying with a faint smile, as she liberally bedewed him with the contents of a cologne flask: "I can't bear the smell of ether­it suggests such dreadful things.""What curious creatures women are! Archie told us you bore the news like a hero, and now you turn pale at a whiff of bad air.I can't explain it," mused Mac as he meekly endured the fragrant shower bath.

"Neither can I, but I've been imagining horrors all day and made myself nervous.Don't let us talk about it, but come and have some tea.""That's another queer thing.Tea is your panacea for all human ills­yet there isn't any nourishment in it.I'd rather have a glass of milk, thank you," said Mac, taking an easy chair and stretching his feet to the fire.

She brought it to him and made him eat something; then, as he shut his eyes wearily, she went away to the piano and, having no heart to sing, played softly till he seemed asleep.But at the stroke of six he was up and ready to be off again.

"He gave me that.Take it with you and put some on his hair.He likes it, and I do so want to help a little," she said, slipping the pretty flagon into his pocket with such a wistful look Mac never thought of smiling at this very feminine request.

"I'll tell him.Is there anything else I can do for you, Cousin?" he asked, holding the cold hand that had been serving him so helpfully.

"Only this­if there is any sudden change, promise to send for me, no matter at what hour it is.I must say 'good-bye'".

"I will come for you.But, Rose, I am sure you may sleep in peace tonight, and I hope to have good news for you in the morning.""Bless you for that! Come early, and let me see him soon.I will be very good, and I know it will not do him any harm.""No fear of that.The first thing he said when he could speak was 'Tell Rose carefully,' and as I came away he guessed where I was going and tried to kiss his hand in the old way, you know."Mac thought it would cheer her to hear that Charlie remembered her, but the sudden thought that she might never see the familiar little gesture anymore was the last drop that made her full heart overflow, and Mac saw the "hero" of the morning sink down at his feet in a passion of tears that frightened him.He took her to the sofa and tried to comfort her, but as soon as the bitter sobbing quieted she looked up and said quite steadily, great drops rolling down her cheeks the while: "Let me cry­it is what I need, and I shall be all the better for it by and by.Go to Charlie now and tell him I said with all my heart, 'Good night!'""I will!" And Mac trudged away, marveling in his turn at the curiously blended strength and weakness of womankind.

That was the longest night Rose ever spent, but joy came in the morning with the early message: "He is better.You are to come by and by." Then Aunt Plenty forgot her lumbago and arose; Aunt Myra, who had come to have a social croak, took off her black bonnet as if it would not be needed at present, and the girl made ready to go and say "Welcome back," not the hard "Good-bye."It seemed very long to wait, for no summons came till afternoon, then her uncle arrived, and at the first sight of his face Rose began to tremble.

"I came for my little girl myself, because we must go back at once,"he said as she hurried toward him hat in hand.

"I'm ready, sir." But her hands shook as she tried to tie the ribbons, and her eyes never left the face that was full of tender pity for her.