'Sophy Wackles,' said the sharp child, with a superior smile, as shesucked her thumb just pricked by a too eager pull at the thornybranches.

 

　　'What are you at here, Mischief?' asked Demi, with an Irvingesquestart, as he felt rather than saw a disturbing influence in hisday-dream.

 

　　'Getting flowers for "our brides". Don't you wish you had one?'

 

　　answered Josie, to whom the word 'mischief' suggested her favouriteamusement.

 

　　'A bride or a flower?' asked Demi calmly, though he eyed the bloomingbush as if it had a sudden and unusual interest for him.

 

　　'Both; you get the one, and I'll give you the other.'

 

　　'Wish I could!' and Demi picked a little bud, with a sigh that wentto Josie's warm heart.

 

　　'Why don't you, then? It's lovely to see people so happy. Now's agood time to do it if you ever mean to. She will be going away forever soon.'

 

　　'Who?' and Demi pulled a half-opened bud, with a sudden colour in hisown face; which sign of confusion delighted little Jo.

 

　　'Don't be a hypocrite. You know I mean Alice. Now, Jack, I'm fond ofyou, and want to help; it's so interesting--all these lovers andweddings and things, and we ought to have our share. So you take myadvice and speak up like a man, and make sure of Alice before shegoes.'

 

　　Demi laughed at the seriousness of the small girl's advice; but heliked it, and showed that it suited him by saying blandly, instead ofsnubbing her as usual:

 

　　'You are very kind, child. Since you are so wise, could you give me ahint how I'd better 'speak up', as you elegantly express it?'

 

　　'Oh, well, there are various ways, you know. In plays the lovers godown on their knees; but that's awkward when they have long legs.

 

　　Ted never does it well, though I drill him for hours. You could say,"Be mine, be mine!" like the old man who threw cucumbers over thewall to Mrs Nickleby, if you want to be gay and easy; or you couldwrite a poetical pop. You've tried it, I dare say.'

 

　　'But seriously, Jo, I do love Alice, and I think she knows it. I wantto tell her so; but I lose my head when I try, and don't care to makea fool of myself. Thought you might suggest some pretty way; you readso much poetry and are so romantic.'

 

　　Demi tried to express himself clearly, but forgot his dignity and hisusual reserve in the sweet perplexity of his love, and asked hislittle sister to teach him how to put the question which a singleword can answer. The arrival of his happy cousins had scattered allhis wise plans and brave resolutions to wait still longer. TheChristmas play had given him courage to hope, and the oration todayhad filled him with tender pride; but the sight of those bloomingbrides and beaming grooms was too much for him, and he panted tosecure his Alice without an hour's delay. Daisy was his confidante inall things but this; a brotherly feeling of sympathy had kept himfrom telling her his hopes, because her own were forbidden. Hismother was rather jealous of any girl he admired; but knowing thatshe liked Alice, he loved on and enjoyed his secret alone, meaningsoon to tell her all about it.

 

　　Now suddenly Josie and the rose-bush seemed to suggest a speedy endto his tender perplexities; and he was moved to accept her aid as thenetted lion did that of the mouse.

 

　　'I think I'll write,' he was slowly beginning, after a pause duringwhich both were trying to strike out a new and brilliant idea.

 

　　'I've got it! perfectly lovely! just suit her, and you too, being apoet!' cried Josie, with a skip.

 

　　'What is it? Don't be ridiculous, please,' begged the bashful lover,eager, but afraid of this sharp-tongued bit of womanhood.

 

　　'I read in one of Miss Edgeworth's stories about a man who offersthree roses to his lady--a bud, a half-blown, and a full-blown rose.

 

　　I don't remember which she took; but it's a pretty way; and Aliceknows about it because she was there when we read it. Here are allkinds; you've got the two buds, pick the sweetest rose you can find,and I'll tie them up and put them in her room. She is coming to dresswith Daisy, so I can do it nicely.'

 

　　Demi mused a moment with his eyes on the bridal bush, and a smilecame over his face so unlike any it had ever worn before, that Josiewas touched, and looked away as if she had no right to see the dawnof the great passion which, while it lasts, makes a young man ashappy as a god.

 

　　'Do it,' was all he said, and gathered a full-blown rose to finishhis floral love-message.

 

　　Charmed to have a finger in this romantic pie, Josie tied a gracefulbow of ribbon about the stems, and finished her last nosegay withmuch content, while Demi wrote upon a card:

 

　　DEAR ALICE, You know what the flowers mean. Will you wearone, or all tonight, and make me still prouder, fonder, andhappier than I am?

 

　　Yours entirely,JOHNOffering this to his sister, he said in a tone that made her feel thedeep importance of her mission:

 

　　'I trust you, Jo. This means everything to me. No jokes, dear, if youlove me.'

 

　　Josie's answer was a kiss that promised all things; and then she ranaway to do her 'gentle spiriting', like Ariel, leaving Demi to dreamamong the roses like Ferdinand.

 

　　Mary and Ludmilla were charmed with their bouquets; and the giver hadthe delight of putting some of the flowers into the dark hair and thelight as she played maid at the toilettes of 'our brides', whichconsoled her for a disappointment in the matter of veils.

 

　　No one helped Alice dress; for Daisy was in the next room with hermother; and not even their loving eyes saw the welcome which thelittle posy received, nor the tears and smiles and blushes that cameand went as she read the note and pondered what answer she shouldgive. There was no doubt about the one she wished to give; but dutyheld her back; for at home there was an invalid mother and an oldfather. She was needed there, with all the help she could now bringby the acquirements four years of faithful study had given her. Lovelooked very sweet, and a home of her own with John a little heaven onearth; but not yet. And she slowly laid away the full-blown rose asshe sat before the mirror, thinking over the great question of herlife.

 

　　Was it wise and kind to ask him to wait, to bind him by any promise,or even to put into words the love and honour she felt for him? No;it would be more generous to make the sacrifice alone, and spare himthe pain of hope deferred. He was young; he would forget; and shewould do her duty better, perhaps, if no impatient lover waited forher. With eyes that saw but dimly, and a hand that lingered on thestem he had stripped of thorns, she laid the half-blown flower by therose, and asked herself if even the little bud might be worn. Itlooked very poor and pale beside the others; yet being in theself-sacrificing mood which real love brings, she felt that even asmall hope was too much to give, if she could not follow it up withmore.

 

　　As she sat looking sadly down on the symbols of an affection thatgrew dearer every moment, she listened half unconsciously to themurmur of voices in the adjoining room. Open windows, thinpartitions, and the stillness of summer twilight made it impossibleto help hearing, and in a few moments more she could not refrain; forthey were talking of John.

 

　　'So nice of Ludmilla to bring us all bottles of real German cologne!

 

　　Just what we need after this tiring day! Be sure John has his! Helikes it so!'

 

　　'Yes, mother. Did you see him jump up when Alice ended her oration?

 

　　He'd have gone to her if I hadn't held him back. I don't wonder hewas pleased and proud. I spoilt my gloves clapping, and quite forgotmy dislike of seeing women on platforms, she was so earnest andunconscious and sweet after the first moment.'

 

　　'Has he said anything to you, dear?'

 

　　'No; and I guess why. The kind boy thinks it would make me unhappy.

 

　　It wouldn't. But I know his ways; so I wait, and hope all will gowell with him.'

 

　　'It must. No girl in her senses would refuse our John, though heisn't rich, and never will be. Daisy, I've been longing to tell youwhat he did with his money. He told me last night, and I've had notime since to tell you. He sent poor young Barton to the hospital,and kept him there till his eyes were saved--a costly thing to do.

 

　　But the man can work now and care for his old parents. He was indespair, sick and poor, and too proud to beg; and our dear boy foundit out, and took every penny he had, and never told even his mothertill she made him.'

 

　　Alice did not hear what Daisy answered, for she was busy with her ownemotions--happy ones now, to judge from the smile that shone in hereyes and the decided gesture with which she put the little bud in herbosom, as if she said: 'He deserves some reward for that good deed,and he shall have it.'

 

　　Mrs Meg was speaking, and still of John, when she could hear again:

 

　　'Some people would call it unwise and reckless, when John has solittle; but I think his first investment a safe and good one, for "hewho giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord"; and I was so pleased andproud, I wouldn't spoil it by offering him a penny.'

 

　　'It is his having nothing to offer that keeps him silent, I think. Heis so honest, he won't ask till he has much to give. But he forgetsthat love is everything. I know he's rich in that; I see and feel it;and any woman should be glad to get it.'

 

　　'Right, dear. I fel............