Few of them are able , and so we all go blundering , as you say . Less Greek and Latin and more knowledge of the laws of health for my boys , if I had them . Mathematics are all very well , but morals are better , and I wish , how I wish that I could help teachers and parents to feel it as they ought . '' `` Some do ; Aunt Jessie and her boys have capital talks , and I wish we could ; but mother 's so busy with her housekeeping , and father with his business , there never seems to be any time for that sort of thing ; even if there was , it do n't seem as if it would be easy to talk to them , because we 've never got into the way of it , you know . '' Poor Mac was right there , and expressed a want that many a boy and girl feels . Fathers and mothers are too absorbed in business and housekeeping to study their children , and cherish that sweet and natural confidence which is a child 's surest safeguard , and a parent 's subtlest power . So the young hearts hide trouble or temptation till the harm is done , and mutual regret comes too late . Happy the boys and girls who tell all things freely to father or mother , sure of pity , help , and pardon ; and thrice happy the parents who , out of their own experience , and by their own virtues , can teach and uplift the souls for which they are responsible . This longing stirred in the hearts of Rose and Mac , and by a natural impulse both turned to Dr. Alec , for in this queer world of ours , fatherly and motherly hearts often beat warm and wise in the breasts of bachelor uncles and maiden aunts ; and it is my private opinion that these worthy creatures are a beautiful provision of nature for the cherishing of other people 's children . They certainly get great comfort out of it , and receive much innocent affection that otherwise would be lost . Dr. Alec was one of these , and his big heart had room for every one of the eight cousins , especially orphaned Rose and afflicted Mac ; so , when the boy uttered that unconscious reproach to his parents , and Rose added with a sigh , `` It must be beautiful to have a mother ! '' the good Doctor yearned over them , and , shutting his book with a decided slam , said in that cordial voice of his , `` Now , look here , children , you just come and tell me all your worries , and with God 's help , I 'll settle them for you . That is what I 'm here for , I believe , and it will be a great happiness to me if you can trust me . '' `` We can , uncle , and we will ! '' both answered , with a heartiness that gratified him much . `` Good ! now school is dismissed , and I advise you to go and refresh your 600,000,000 air cells by a brisk run in the garden . Come again whenever you like , Mac , and we 'll teach you all we can about your ` works , ' as you call them , so you can keep them running smoothly . '' `` We 'll come , sir , much obliged , '' and the class in physiology went out to walk . Mac did come again , glad to find something he could study in spite of his weak eyes , and learned much that was of more value than anything his school had ever taught him .
Of course , the other lads made great fun of the whole thing , and plagued Dr. XXXXX 's students half out of their lives .
Alec Doctor Greek Jessie Rose blundering heartiness right something souls