This chamber had been built out over the library to suit some fancy , and had been unused for years , except at Christmas times , when the old house overflowed . It had three windows one to the east , that overlooked the bay ; one to the south , where the horse-chestnuts waved their green fans ; and one to the west , towards the hill and the evening sky . A ruddy sunset burned there now , filling the room with an enchanted glow ; the soft murmur of the sea was heard , and a robin chirped `` Good-night ! '' among the budding trees . Rose saw and heard these things first , and felt their beauty with a child 's quick instinct ; then her eye took in the altered aspect of the room , once so shrouded , still and solitary , now so full of light and warmth and simple luxury . India matting covered the floor , with a gay rug here and there ; the antique andirons shone on the wide hearth , where a cheery blaze dispelled the dampness of the long-closed room . Bamboo lounges and chairs stood about , and quaint little tables in cosy corners ; one bearing a pretty basket , one a desk , and on a third lay several familiar-looking books . In a recess stood a narrow white bed , with a lovely Madonna hanging over it . The Japanese screen half-folded back showed a delicate toilet service of blue and white set forth on a marble slab , and near by was the great bath-pan , with Turkish towels and a sponge as big as Rose 's head . `` Uncle must love cold water like a duck , '' she thought , with a shiver . Then her eye went on to the tall cabinet , where a half-open door revealed a tempting array of the drawers , shelves and `` cubby holes , '' which so delight the hearts of children . `` What a grand place for my new things , '' she thought , wondering what her uncle kept in that cedar retreat . `` Oh me , what a sweet toilet table ! '' was her next mental exclamation , as she approached this inviting spot . A round old-fashioned mirror hung over it , with a gilt eagle a-top , holding in his beak the knot of blue ribbon that tied up a curtain of muslin falling on either side of the table , where appeared little ivory-handled brushes , two slender silver candle-sticks , a porcelain match-box , several pretty trays for small matters , and , most imposing of all , a plump blue silk cushion , coquettishly trimmed with lace , and pink rose-buds at the corners . That cushion rather astonished Rose ; in fact , the whole table did , and she was just thinking , with a sly smile , `` Uncle is a dandy , but I never should have guessed it , '' when he opened the door of a large closet , saying , with a careless wave of the hand , `` Men like plenty of room for their rattle-traps ; do n't you think that ought to satisfy me ? '' Rose peeped in and gave a start , though all she saw was what one usually finds in closets clothes and boots , boxes and bags . Ah ! but you see these clothes were small black and white frocks ; the row of little boots that stood below had never been on Dr. Alec 's feet ; the green bandbox had a gray veil straying out of it , and yes ! the bag hanging on the door was certainly her own piece-bag , with a hole in one corner .
She gave a quick look round the room and understood now why it had seemed too dainty for a man , why her Testament and Prayer Book were on the table by the bed , and what those XXXXX meant on the blue cushion .
Rose Turkish andirons candle-sticks horse-chestnuts match-box muslin rattle-traps rose-buds third