`` I know something bad that you did , and I 'm going to tell right out . You thought we did n't see you , but we did , and you said uncle would n't like it , and the boys would tease , and you made Ariadne promise not to tell , and she punched holes in your ears to put ear-rings in . So now ! and that 's much badder than to take an old piece of rag ; and I hate you for making my Pokey cry . '' Jamie 's somewhat incoherent explosion produced such an effect that Pokey 's small sin was instantly forgotten , and Rose felt that her hour had come . `` What ! what ! what ! '' cried the boys in a chorus , dropping their shovels and knives to gather round Rose , for a guilty clutching at her ears betrayed her , and with a feeble cry of `` Ariadne made me ! '' she hid her head among the pillows like an absurd little ostrich . `` Now she 'll go prancing round with bird cages and baskets and carts and pigs , for all I know , in her ears , as the other girls do , and wo n't she look like a goose ? '' asked one tormentor , tweaking a curl that strayed out from the cushions . `` I did n't think she 'd be so silly , '' said Mac , in a tone of disappointment that told Rose she had sunk in the esteem of her wise cousin . `` That Blish girl is a nuisance , and ought not to be allowed to come here with her nonsensical notions , '' said the Prince , feeling a strong desire to shake that young person as an angry dog might shake a mischievous kitten . `` How do you like it , uncle ? '' asked Archie , who , being the head of a family himself , believed in preserving discipline at all costs . `` I am very much surprised ; but I see she is a girl , after all , and must have her vanities like all the rest of them , '' answered Dr. Alec , with a sigh , as if he had expected to find Rose a sort of angel , above all earthly temptations . `` What shall you do about it , sir ? '' inquired Geordie , wondering what punishment would be inflicted on a feminine culprit . `` As she is fond of ornaments , perhaps we had better give her a nose-ring also .
I have one somewhere that a Fiji belle once wore ; I 'll look it up , '' and , leaving Pokey to Jamie 's care , Dr. XXXXX rose as if to carry out his suggestion in earnest .
Alec Archie Blish Geordie Prince Rose ear-rings explosion ostrich right