Eight Cousins

ogether one morning, for Dr. Alec consideredhouse-work the best sort of gymnast

.""Well, I can wait; only tell me one thing is uncle in it?""Of course he is; there's never any fun without him.""Then it's all right, and sure to be nice."Rose went out on the balcony to shake the rugs, and, having giventhem a vigorous beating, hung them on the balustrade to air, whileshe took a look at her plants. Several tall vases and jar

low was full of roses, butterflies and bees. A great chirping andtwittering went on among the birds, busy with their summerhouse-kee

asgoing to happen right away! I feel just like having a good time;

rking to wish for 'em. There, now you can finish assoon as the dust settles; I m

r now. Shecould work and play all day, sleep sweetly all night, and enjoy lifewith the zest of a healthy, happy child. She was far from being asstrong and hearty as Phebe, but she was getting on; the once palecheeks had colour in them now, the hands were growing plumpand brown, and the belt was not much too

a happier secret than any Phebe had a secret which she didnot know

pretty gown of blue,At the kerchief pinne

as a great cabbage-rose c

up there in herhanging-garden?" added D

, uncle. I must just scrabblemy room to rights, for Phebe has got a great deal to do."Rose caught up the rugs and vanished as she spoke, while Dr. Alecwent in, saying to himself, with an indulgent smile"It may upset things a trifle, but half a child's pleasure consists inhaving their fun when they want it."Never

as off with ahop and a skip, little dreaming how many

n shearrived, and before they were off Phebe came running

not need somany wraps. I wouldn't lumber the boat up so,

parcel, Phebe?" asked Dr. Alec,

and Phebe laughed as she gave ap

Mrs. Jessie, Ibeg of you.""No, sir. I'll send it right off

s ready for anything, and enjoyed her visit to thelighthouse on the Point very much, especially climbing up thenarrow stairs and going inside the great lantern. They made a longstay, for Dr. Alec seemed in no hurry

vacation? Why, it begins to-day,doesn't it? Oh, I wish I'd remembered it sooner, and perhaps theyw

h a hurry. I expect thelads will take our he

cidly drink

ose said, pausingsuddenly as she was putting a

ision"Now, this won't do! No one is permitted on this island withoutasking leave. I must see who dares to fry fish on my privateproperty."Taking the basket

thesavages have come," she said presently, for her fancy wa

that's evident.""There ought to be more boats and no tents. I wonder where theprisoners are?""Th

laughing, as she pointed to ascarle

rattle in that tent?""We ought to creep up and peep; Crusoe was cautious, you

at Uncle Alec slipped round to the front of the tent and,casting in the big bundle like a bomb-shell, roared out, in a voiceof thunder"Pirates, surrender!"A crash, a shout, a laugh, and out came the s

n the pile of red flannel bathing clothes, whichshe had mistaken for lobsters, and where she

get taken in because I'm notused to such pranks. Uncle is as bad as the rest, and it's great fun,"she

verything is in a mess now, except your tent; wegot that in order the first thing

at once. So I let her come, and shouldhave kept her away an hour longer if your fish had not betr

I think I'll rise," said Rose, a

gs, Rose, for youbelong to the Lobsters, you know, and we can have no end of funteaching you to dive and float and tread water.""I didn't bring anything " began Rose, but was interrupted by theBrats (otherwise Will and Geordie),

d she bundled up thosethings after I went down

a bit of glass fell out,"observed Will,

king-glass. We haven'tgot one among the whol

m," cut in Geordie, wagging a derisive finger at Steve,who promptly silenced

he straw; and you small chaps, clear off the table, if you havestuffed all you can. Please, uncle, I'd like your advice about theboundary lines and the best place for the kitchen."Everyone obeyed the c

afrolic it will be!""Bless your heart, we often camp for a week, we big fellows; butthis year the small chaps wanted to come, so we let them. We havegreat larks, as you'll see; for we have a cave and play Captai

e. But I suppose that was because I neverknew any boys very well, or perhaps you are unusu

antages, you see. There are a tribe of us, to begin with; then our

it over the other fell

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

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,who was never far from mamma's apron string. They looked like aflock of blue-birds, all bei

leoccasion, like true young Americans. This welcome was answeredby the flapping of a handkerchief and the shrill "Rah! Rah! R

her tent by theyoung folk, for love of whom she smilingly resigned herself tothree days of discomfort; while Jamie

p. 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 the

said Rose,as she sat in a boat after supper lazily rinsing

, anddust 'em off with a bit of paper. It's much the best way,

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

sewanted someone to cuddle under the blue blanket with her, ther

ity 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 J

n a cracker keg to enjoy itwith a heart fu

r, hebeheld the small figure perched in the moonlight. Having no fearof ghosts, he quietly approached, and, seeing that she was wi

The story you told of the brave sailor who gave up his place onth

very much loved and admired,are

reknown, and get no praise. That does not lessen their beauty, tho

d a patient

ny? Would you mind tellingme one of t

ing," was the very unromantic

aid,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 mindingt

ng out was bad forher.""I'll go good night!" and throwing him a kiss, the little ghostvanished, leaving Un