murmured Aunt Myra , as the shadow of her gloomy bonnet fell upon Rose , and the stiff tips of a black glove touched the cheek where the colour deepened under so many eyes . `` I am glad these pretty curls are natural ; they will be invaluable by and by , '' said Aunt Clara , taking an observation with her head on one side . `` Now that your uncle has come , I no longer expect you to review the studies of the past year . I trust your time will not be entirely wasted in frivolous sports , however , '' added Aunt Jane , sailing out of the room with the air of a martyr . Aunt Jessie said not a word , but kissed her little niece , with a look of tender sympathy that made Rose cling to her a minute , and follow her with grateful eyes as the door closed behind her . After everybody had gone home , Dr. Alec paced up and down the lower hall in the twilight for an hour , thinking so intently that sometimes he frowned , sometimes he smiled , and more than once he stood still in a brown study . All of a sudden he said , half aloud , as if he had made up his mind , `` I might as well begin at once , and give the child something new to think about , for Myra 's dismals and Jane 's lectures have made her as blue as a little indigo bag . '' Diving into one of the trunks that stood in a corner , he brought up , after a brisk rummage , a silken cushion , prettily embroidered , and a quaint cup of dark carved wood . `` This will do for a start , '' he said , as he plumped up the cushion and dusted the cup . `` It wo n't do to begin too energetically , or Rose will be frightened . I must beguile her gently and pleasantly along till I 've won her confidence , and then she will be ready for anything . '' Just then Phebe came out of the dining-room with a plate of brown bread , for Rose had been allowed no hot biscuit for tea . `` I 'll relieve you of some of that , '' said Dr. Alec , and , helping himself to a generous slice , he retired to the study , leaving Phebe to wonder at his appetite . She would have wondered still more if she had seen him making that brown bread into neat little pills , which he packed into an attractive ivory box , out of which he emptied his own bits of lovage . `` There ! if they insist on medicine , I 'll order these , and no harm will be done . I will have my own way , but I 'll keep the peace , if possible , and confess the joke when my experiment has succeeded , '' he said to himself , looking very much like a mischievous boy , as he went on with his innocent prescriptions . Rose was playing softly on the small organ that stood in the upper hall , so that Aunt Peace could enjoy it ; and all the while he talked with the old ladies , Uncle Alec was listening to the fitful music of the child , and thinking of another Rose who used to play for him . As the clock struck eight , he called out , `` Time for my girl to be abed , else she wo n't be up early , and I 'm full of jolly plans for to-morrow . Come and see what I 've found for you to begin upon . ''
XXXXX ran in and listened with bright attentive face , while Dr. Alec said impressively , `` In my wanderings over the face of the earth , I have picked up some excellent remedies , and , as they are rather agreeable ones , I think you and I will try them .
Alec Clara Myra Phebe Rose colour dismals lovage minute rummage