She can scud , too , like a deer when we play ` Follow the leader , ' and skip stones and bat balls almost as well as I can , '' said Mac , in reply to his uncle 's praise of his pupil . `` I 'm afraid you will think her a sad tomboy , Alec ; but really she seems so well and happy , I have not the heart to check her . She has broken out in the most unexpected way , and frisks like a colt ; for she says she feels so full of spirits she must run and shout whether it is proper or not , '' added Mrs. Jessie , who had been a pretty hoyden years ago herself . `` Good good ! that 's the best news you could tell me , '' and Dr. Alec rubbed his hands heartily . `` Let the girl run and shout as much as she will it is a sure sign of health , and as natural to a happy child as frisking is to any young animal full of life . Tomboys make strong women usually , and I had far rather find Rose playing football with Mac than puttering over bead-work like that affected midget , Ariadne Blish . '' `` But she can not go on playing football very long , and we must not forget that she has a woman 's work to do by and by , '' began Mrs. Jessie . `` Neither will Mac play football much longer , but he will be all the better fitted for business , because of the health it gives him . Polish is easily added , if the foundations are strong ; but no amount of gilding will be of use if your timber is not sound . I 'm sure I 'm right , Jessie ; and if I can do as well by my girl during the next six months as I have the last , my experiment will succeed . '' `` It certainly will ; for when I contrast that bright , blooming face with the pale , listless one that made my heart ache a while ago , I can believe in almost any miracle , '' said Mrs. Jessie , as Rose looked round to point out a lovely view , with cheeks like the ruddy apples in the orchard near by , eyes clear as the autumn sky overhead , and vigour in every line of her girlish figure . A general scramble among the rocks was followed by a regular gypsy lunch , which the young folks had the rapture of helping to prepare . Mother Atkinson put on her apron , turned up her sleeves , and fell to work as gaily as if in her own kitchen , boiling the kettle slung on three sticks , over a fire of cones and fir boughs ; while the girls spread the mossy table with a feast of country goodies , and the children tumbled about in everyone 's way till the toot of the horn made them settle down like a flock of hungry birds . As soon as the merry meal and a brief interval of repose were over , it was unanimously voted to have some charades . A smooth , green spot between two stately pines was chosen for the stage ; shawls hung up , properties collected , audience and actors separated , and a word quickly chosen . The first scene discovered Mac in a despondent attitude and shabby dress , evidently much troubled in mind . To him entered a remarkable creature with a brown paper bag over its head . A little pink nose peeped through one hole in the middle , white teeth through another , and above two eyes glared fiercely . Spires of grass stuck in each side of the mouth seemed meant to represent whiskers ; the upper corners of the bag were twisted like ears , and no one could doubt for a moment that the black scarf pinned on behind was a tail .
This singular animal seemed in pantomime to be comforting his master and offering advice , which was finally acted upon , for XXXXX pulled off his boots , helped the little beast into them , and gave him a bag ; then , kissing his paw , with a hopeful gesture , the creature retired , purring so successfully that there was a general cry of `` Cat , puss , boots ! ''
Alec Mac Polish Rose Tomboys charades frisking midget tomboy vigour