Rose considered them by far the most exciting dramas she had ever witnessed ; and when the performance closed with a grand ballet of Feejee Islanders , whose barbaric yells alarmed the gulls , she had no words in which to express her gratification . Another swim at sunset , another merry evening on the rocks watching the lighted steamers pass seaward and the pleasure-boats come into port , ended the second day of the camping out , and sent everyone to bed early that they might be ready for the festivities of the morrow . `` Archie , did n't I hear uncle ask you to row home in the morning for fresh milk and things ? '' `` Yes , why ? '' `` Please , may I go too ? I have something of great importance to arrange ; you know I was carried off in a hurry , '' Rose said in a confidential whisper as she was bidding her cousins good night . `` I 'm willing , and I guess Charlie wo n't mind . '' `` Thank you ; be sure you stand by me when I ask leave in the morning , and do n't say anything till then , except to Charlie . Promise , '' urged Rose , so eagerly , that Archie struck an attitude and cried dramatically , `` By yonder moon I swear ! '' `` Hush ! it 's all right , go along '' ; and Rose departed as if satisfied . `` She 's a queer little thing , is n't she , Prince ? '' `` Rather a nice little thing , I think . I 'm quite fond of her . '' Rose 's quick ears caught both remarks , and she retired to her tent , saying to herself with sleepy dignity , `` Little thing , indeed ! Those boys talk as if I was a baby . They will treat me with more respect after to-morrow , I guess . '' Archie did stand by her in the morning , and her request was readily granted , as the lads were coming directly back . Off they went , and Rose waved her hand to the islanders with a somewhat pensive air , for an heroic purpose glowed within her , and the spirit of self-sacrifice was about to be illustrated in a new and touching manner . While the boys got the milk Rose ran to Phebe , ordered her to leave her dishes , to put on her hat , and take a note back to Uncle Alec , which would explain this somewhat mysterious performance .
XXXXX obeyed , and when she went to the boat Rose accompanied her , telling the boys she was not ready to go yet , but they could , some of them , come for her when she hung a white signal on her balcony .
Alec Archie Phebe Prince Rose evening gulls pleasure-boats right seaward