`` Aunt Plenty says I 'm not strong enough for much exercise . I drive out with her sometimes , but I do n't care for it . '' `` I 'm not surprised at that , '' said Uncle Alec , half to himself , adding , in his quick way : `` Who have you had to play with ? '' `` No one but Ariadne Blish , and she was such a goose I could n't bear her . The boys came yesterday , and seemed rather nice ; but , of course , I could n't play with them . '' `` Why not ? '' `` I 'm too old to play with boys . '' `` Not a bit of it ; that 's just what you need , for you 've been molly-coddled too much . They are good lads , and you 'll be mixed up with them more or less for years to come , so you may as well be friends and playmates at once . I will look you up some girls also , if I can find a sensible one who is not spoilt by her nonsensical education . '' `` Phebe is sensible , I 'm sure , and I like her , though I only saw her yesterday , '' cried Rose , waking up suddenly . `` And who is Phebe , if you please ? '' Rose eagerly told all she knew , and Uncle Alec listened , with an odd smile lurking about his mouth , though his eyes were quite sober as he watched the face before him . `` I 'm glad to see that you are not aristocratic in your tastes , but I do n't quite make out why you like this young lady from the poor-house . '' `` You may laugh at me , but I do . I ca n't tell why , only she seems so happy and busy , and sings so beautifully , and is strong enough to scrub and sweep , and has n't any troubles to plague her , '' said Rose , making a funny jumble of reasons in her efforts to explain . `` How do you know that ? '' `` Oh , I was telling her about mine , and asked if she had any , and she said , ` No , only I 'd like to go to school , and I mean to some day . '' `` So she does n't call desertion , poverty , and hard work , troubles ? She 's a brave little girl , and I shall be proud to know her . ''
And Uncle Alec gave an approving nod , that made XXXXX wish she had been the one to earn it .
Alec Blish Phebe Rose day one poor-house sweep tastes years