Whatever danger there might have been from the effects of thatsudden chill, it was soon over, though, of course, Aunt Myrarefused to believe it, and Dr. Alec cherished his girl withredoubled vigilance and tenderness for months afterward. Rosequite enjoyed being sick, because as soon as the pain ended the funbegan, and for a week or two she led the life of a little princesssecluded in the Bower, while every one served, amused, andwatched over her in the most delightful manner. But the doctorwas called away to see an old friend, who was dangerously ill, andthen Rose felt like a young bird deprived of its mother's shelteringwing; especially on one afternoon when the aunts were taking theirnaps, and the house was very still within while snow fell softlywithout.
"I'll go and hunt up Phebe, she is always nice and busy, and likes tohave me help her. If Dolly is out of the way we can make caramelsand surprise the boys when they come," Rose said to herself, as shethrew down her book and felt ready for society of some sort.
She took the precaution to peep through the slide before sheentered the kitchen, for Dolly allowed no messing when she wasround. But the coast was clear, and no one but Phebe appeared,sitting at the table with her head on her arms apparently asleep.
Rose was just about to wake her with a "Boo!" when she lifted herhead, dried her wet eyes with her blue apron, and fell to work witha resolute face on something she was evidently much interested in.
Rose could not make out what it was, and her curiosity was greatlyexcited, for Phebe was writing with a sputtering pen on some bitsof brown paper, apparently copying something from a little book.
"I must know what the dear thing is about, and why she cried, andthen set her lips tight and went to work with all her might,"thought Rose, forgetting all about the caramels, and, going roundto the door, she entered the kitchen, saying pleasantly"Phebe, I want something to do. Can't you let me help you aboutanything, or shall I be in the way?""Oh, dear no, miss; I always love to have you round when thingsare tidy. What would you like to do?" answered Phebe, opening adrawer as if about to sweep her own affairs out of sight; but Rosestopped her, exclaiming, like a curious child"Let me see! What is it? I won't tell if you'd rather not have Dollyknow.""I'm only trying to study a bit; but I'm so stupid I don't get onmuch," answered the girl reluctantly, permitting her little mistressto examine the poor contrivances she was trying to work with.
A broken slate that had blown off the roof, an inch or two ofpencil, an old almanac for a reader, several bits of brown or yellowpaper ironed smoothly and sewn together for a copy-book, and thecopies sundry receipts written in Aunt Plenty's neat hand. These,with a small bottle of ink and a rusty pen, made up Phebe's outfit,and it was little wonder that she did not "get on" in spite of thepatient persistence that dried the desponding tears and drove alongthe sputtering pen with a will.
"You may laugh if you want to, Miss Rose, I know my things arequeer, and that's why I hide 'em; but I don't mind since you'vefound me out, and I ain't a bit ashamed except of being sobackward at my age," said Phebe humbly, though her cheeks grewredder as she washed out some crooked capitals with a tear or twonot yet dried upon the slate.
"Laugh at you! I feel more like crying to think what a selfish girl Iam, to have loads of books and things and never remember to giveyou some. Why didn't you come and ask me, and not go strugglingalong alone in this way? It was very wrong of you, Phebe, and I'llnever forgive you if you do so again," answered Rose, with onehand on Phebe's shoulder, while the other gently turned the leavesof the poor little copy-book.
"I didn't like to ask for anything more when you are so good to meall the time, miss, dear," began Phebe, looking up with gratefuleyes.
"O you proud thing! just as if it wasn't fun to give away, and I hadthe best of it. Now, see here, I've got a plan and you mustn't say no,or I shall scold. I want something to do, and I'm going to teach youall I know; it won't take long," and Rose laughed as she put herarm around Phebe's neck, and patted the smooth dark head withthe kind little hand that so loved to give.
"It would be just heavenly!" and Phebe's face shone at the mereidea; but fell again as she added wistfully, "Only I'm afraid I oughtnot to let you do it, Miss Rose. It will take time, and maybe theDoctor wouldn't like it.""He didn't want me to study much, but he never said a word aboutteaching, and I don't believe he will mind a bit. Anyway, we cantry it till he comes, so pack up your things and go right to my roomand we'll begin this very day; I'd truly like to do it, and we'll havenice times, see if we don't!" cried Rose eagerly.
It was a pretty sight to see Phebe bundle her humble outfit into herapron, and spring up as if the desire of her heart had suddenly beenmade a happy fact to her; it was a still prettier sight to see Roserun gaily on before, smiling like a good fairy as she beckoned tothe other, singing as she went"The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,And many are the curious things I'll show you when you're there.
Will you, will you walk in, Phebe dear?""Oh, won't I!" answered Phebe fervently, adding, as they enteredthe Bower, "You are the dearest spider that ever was, and I'm thehappiest fly.""I'm going to be very strict, so sit down in that chair and don't say aword till school is ready to open," ordered Rose, delighted with theprospect of such a useful and pleasant "something to do."So Phebe sat demurely in her place while her new teacher laidforth books and slates, a pretty inkstand and a little globe; hastilytore a bit off her big sponge, sharpened pencils with more energythan skill, and when all was ready gave a prance of satisfactionthat set the pupil laughing.
"Now the school is open, and I shall hear you read, so that I mayknow in which class to put you, Miss Moore," began Rose withgreat dignity, as she laid a book before her scholar, and sat downin the easy chair with a long rule in her hand.
Phebe did pretty well, only tripping now and then over a hardword, and pronouncing identical "identickle," in a sober way thattickled Rose, though never a smile betrayed her. The spellinglesson which followed was rather discouraging; Phebe's ideas ofgeography were very vague, and grammar was nowhere, thoughthe pupil protested that she tried so hard to "talk nice like educatedfolks" that Dolly called her "a stuck-up piece who didn't know herplace.""Dolly's an old goose, so don't you mind her, for she will say'nater,' 'vittles,' and 'doos' as long as she lives, and insist that theyare right. You do talk very nicely, Phebe, I've observed it, andgrammar will help you, and show you some things are right andothers ain't are not, I mean," added Rose, correcting herself, andfeeling that she must mind her own parts of speech if she was toserve as an example for Phebe.
When the arithmetic came, the little teacher was surprised to findher scholar quicker in some things than herself, for Phebe hadworked away at the columns in the butcher's and baker's books tillshe could add so quickly and correctly that Rose was amazed, andfelt that in this branch the pupil would soon excel the teacher ifshe kept on at the same pace. Her praise cheered Phebeimmensely, and they went bravely on, both getting so interestedthat time flew unheeded till Aunt Plenty appeared, exclaiming, asshe stared at the two heads bent over one slate"Bless my heart, what is going on now?""School, aunty. I'm teaching Phebe, and it's great fun!" cried Rose,looking up with a bright face.
But Phebe's was brighter, though she added with a wistful look"Maybe I ought to have asked leave first; only when Miss Roseproposed this, I was so happy I forgot to. Shall I stop, ma'am?""Of course not, child; I'm glad to see you fond of your book, and tofind Rose helping you along. My blessed mother used to sit atwork with her maids about her, teaching them many a useful thingin the good old fashion that's gone by now. Only don't neglect yourwork, dear, or let the books interfere with the duties."As Aunt Plenty spoke, with her kind old face beaming approvinglyupon the girls, Phebe glanced at the clock, saw that it pointed tofive, knew that Dolly would soon be down, expecting to findpreparations for supper under way, and, hastily dropping herpencil, she jumped up, saying"Please, can I go? I'll clear up after I've done my chores.""Sc............