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Message: <blockquote data-quote="tzhfsh6" data-source="post: 11442073" data-attributes="member: 380662">〈Eight Cousins〉Serial•Phebe's Secret-2"I had no idea boys had such good times. Their plays never seemeda bit interesting before. But I suppose that was because I neverknew any boys very well, or perhaps you are unusually nice ones,"observed Rose, with an artless air of appreciation that was veryflattering.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"We are a pretty clever set, I fancy; but we have a good manyadvantages, you see. There are a tribe of us, to begin with; then ourfamily has been here for ages, and we have plenty of 'spondulics,'[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]so we can rather lord it over the other fellows, and do as we like.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]There, ma'am, you can hang your smashed glass on that nail anddo up your back hair as fine as you please. You can have a blueblanket or a red one, and a straw pillow or an air cushion for yourhead, whichever you like. You can trim up to any extent, and be asfree and easy as squaws in a wigwam, for this corner is set apartfor you ladies and we never cross the line uncle is drawing untilwe ask leave. Anything more I can do for you, cousin?""No, thank you. I think I'll leave the rest till auntie comes, and goand help you somewhere else, if I may.""Yes, indeed, come on and see to the kitchen. Can you cook?"asked Charlie, as he led the way to the rocky nook where Archiewas putting up a sail-cloth awning.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"I can make tea and toast bread.""Well, we'll shew you how to fry fish, and make chowder. Nowyou just set these pots and pans round tastefully, and sort of tidy upa bit, for Aunt Jessie insists on doing some of the work, and I wantit to be decent here."By four o'clock the camp was in order, and the weary workerssettled down on Lookout Rock to watch for Mrs. Jessie and Jamie,[FONT=宋体] [/FONT]<a href="http://www.cheapoakleysoutlet.org/" target="_blank">Oakley sunglasses</a>,who was never far from mamma's apron string. They looked like aflock of blue-birds, all being in sailor rig, with blue ribbon enoughflying from the seven hats to have set up a milliner. Very tunefulblue-birds they were, too, for all the lads sang, and the echo oftheir happy voices reached Mrs. Jessie long before she saw them.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]The moment the boat hove in sight up went the Island flag, and theblue-jackets cheered lustily, as they did on every possibleoccasion, like true young Americans. This welcome was answeredby the flapping of a handkerchief and the shrill "Rah! Rah! Rah!"of the one small tar who stood in the stern waving his hatmanfully, while a maternal hand clutched him firmly in the rear.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Cleopatra landing from her golden galley never received a heartiergreeting than "Little Mum" as she was borne to her tent by theyoung folk, for love of whom she smilingly resigned herself tothree days of discomfort; while Jamie immediately attachedhimself to Rose, assuring her of his protection from the manifoldperils which might assail them.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Taught by long experience that boys are always hungry, AuntJessie soon proposed supper, and proceeded to get it, enveloped inan immense apron, with an old hat of Archie's stuck atop of hercap. Rose helped, and tried to be as handy as Phebe, though thepeculiar style of table she had to set made it no easy task. It wasaccomplished at last, and a very happy party lay about under thetrees, eating and drinking out of anyone's plate and cup, and quiteuntroubled by the frequent appearance of ants and spiders in placeswhich these interesting insects are not expected to adorn.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"I never thought I should like to wash dishes, but I do," said Rose,as she sat in a boat after supper lazily rinsing plates in the sea, androcking luxuriously as she wiped them.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"Mum is mighty particular; we just give 'em a scrub with sand, anddust 'em off with a bit of paper. It's much the best way, I think,"replied Geordie, who reposed in another boat alongside.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"How Phebe would like this! I wonder uncle did not have hercome.""I believe he tried to, but Dolly was as cross as two sticks, and saidshe couldn't spare her. I'm sorry, for we all like the Phebe bird, andshe'd chirp like a good one out here, wouldn't she?""She ought to have a holiday like the rest of us. It's too bad to leaveher out."This thought came back to Rose several times that evening, forPhebe would have added much to the little concert they had in themoonlight, would have enjoyed the stories told, been quick atguessing the conundrums, and laughed with all her heart at the fun.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]The merry going to bed would have been the best of all, for Rosewanted someone to cuddle under the blue blanket with her, thereto whisper and giggle and tell secrets, as girls delight to do.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Long after the rest were asleep, Rose lay wide awake, excited bythe novelty of all about her, and a thought that had come into hermind. Far away she heard a city clock strike twelve; a large starlike a mild eye peeped in at the opening of the tent, and the softplash of the waves seemed calling her to come out. Aunt Jessie layfast asleep, with Jamie rolled up like a kitten at her feet, andneither stirred as Rose in her wrapper crept out to see how theworld looked at midnight.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]She found it very lovely, and sat down on a cracker keg to enjoy itwith a heart full of the innocent sentiment of her years.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Fortunately, Dr. Alec saw her before she had time to catch cold,for coming out to tie back the door-flap of his tent for more air, hebeheld the small figure perched in the moonlight. Having no fearof ghosts, he quietly approached, and, seeing that she was wideawake, said, with a hand on her shining hair"What is my girl doing here?""Having a good time," answered Rose, not at all startled.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"I wonder what she was thinking about with such a sober look.""The story you told of the brave sailor who gave up his place onthe raft to the woman, and the last drop of water to the poor baby.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]People who make sacrifices are very much loved and admired,aren't they?" she asked, earnestly.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"If the sacrifice is a true one. But many of the bravest never areknown, and get no praise. That does not lessen their beauty, thoughperhaps it makes them harder, for we all like sympathy," and Dr.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Alec sighed a patient sort of sigh.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"I suppose you have made a great many? Would you mind tellingme one of them?" asked Rose, arrested by the sigh.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"My last was to give up smoking," was the very unromantic answerto her pensive question.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"Why did you?""Bad example for the boys.""That was very good of you, uncle! Was it hard?""I'm ashamed to say it was. But as a wise old fellow once said, 'It isnecessary to do right; it is not necessary to be happy.' "Rose pondered over the saying as if it pleased her, and then said,with a clear, bright look"A real sacrifice is giving up something you want or enjoy verymuch, isn't it?""Yes.""Doing it one's own self because one loves another person verymuch and wants her to be happy?""Yes.""And doing it pleasantly, and being glad about it, and not mindingthe praise if it doesn't come?""Yes, dear, that is the true spirit of self-sacrifice; you seem tounderstand it, and I dare say you will have many chances in yourlife to try the real thing. I hope they won't be very hard ones.""I think they will," began Rose, and there stopped short.[FONT=&#23435]　　[/FONT]"Well, make one now, and go to sleep, or my girl will be illto-morrow, and then the aunts will say camping out was bad forher.""I'll go good night!" and throwing him a kiss, the little ghostvanished, leaving Uncle Alec to pace the shore and think aboutsome of the unsuspected sacrifices that had made him what hewas.</blockquote>

Verification: Hath warak paha keeyada? (hatha wadikireema paha)

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