echoed all the boys , and the teasing ended in the plaintive ballad they all liked so well . There was plenty of time to try the new skates before dinner , and then Rose took her first lesson on the little bay , which seemed to have frozen over for that express purpose . She found tumbling down and getting up again warm work for a time , but with six boys to teach her , she managed at last to stand alone ; and , satisfied with that success , she refreshed herself with a dozen grand coasts on the Amazon , as her sled was called . `` Ah , that fatal colour ! it breaks my heart to see it , '' croaked Aunt Myra , as Rose came down a little late , with cheeks almost as ruddy as the holly berries on the wall , and every curl as smooth as Phebe 's careful hands could make it . `` I 'm glad to see that Alec allows the poor child to make herself pretty in spite of his absurd notions , '' added Aunt Clara , taking infinite satisfaction in the fact that Rose 's blue silk dress had three frills on it . `` She 's a very intelligent child , and has a nice little manner of her own , '' observed Aunt Jane , with unusual affability ; for Rose had just handed Mac a screen to guard his eyes from the brilliant fire . `` If I had a daughter like that to show my Jem when he gets home , I should be a very proud and happy woman , '' thought Aunt Jessie , and then reproached herself for not being perfectly satisfied with her four brave lads . Aunt Plenty was too absorbed in the dinner to have an eye for anything else ; if she had not been , she would have seen what an effect her new cap produced upon the boys . The good lady owned that she did `` love a dressy cap , '' and on this occasion her head gear was magnificent ; for the towering structure of lace was adorned with buff ribbons to such an extent that it looked as if a flock of yellow butterflies had settled on her dear old head . When she trotted about the rooms the ruches quivered , the little bows all stood erect , and the streamers waved in the breeze so comically that it was absolutely necessary for Archie to smother the Brats in the curtains till they had had their first laugh out . Uncle Mac had brought Fun See to dinner , and it was a mercy he did , for the elder lads found a vent for their merriment in joking the young Chinaman on his improved appearance . He was in American costume now , with a cropped head , and spoke remarkably good English after six months at school ; but , for all that , his yellow face and beady eyes made a curious contrast to the blonde Campbells all about him . Will called him the `` Typhoon , '' meaning Tycoon , and the name stuck to him to his great disgust . Aunt Peace was brought down and set in the chair of state at table , for she never failed to join the family on this day , and sat smiling at them all , `` like an embodiment of Peace on earth , '' Uncle Alec said , as he took his place beside her , while Uncle Mac supported Aunt Plenty at the other end . `` I ate hardly any breakfast , and I 've done everything I know to make myself extra hungry , but I really do n't think I can eat straight through , unless I burst my buttons off , '' whispered Geordie to Will , as he surveyed the bounteous stores before him with a hopeless sigh . `` A fellow never knows what he can do till he tries , '' answered Will , attacking his heaped-up plate with an evident intention of doing his duty like a man . Everybody knows what a Christmas dinner is , so we need waste no words in describing this one , but hasten at once to tell what happened at the end of it . The end , by the way , was so long in coming that the gas was lighted before dessert was over , for a snow flurry had come on and the wintry daylight faded fast . But that only made it all the jollier in the warm , bright rooms , full of happy souls .
Everyone was very merry , but XXXXX seemed particularly uplifted so much so , that Charlie confided to Rose that he was afraid the Chief had been at the decanters .
Archie Chinaman Clara Jem Mac Phebe Tycoon Typhoon colour streamers