Dr. Alec meanwhile had apparently taken Aunt Plenty at her word , and was turning the house upside down . A general revolution was evidently going on in the green-room , for the dark damask curtains were seen bundling away in Phebe 's arms ; the air-tight stove retiring to the cellar on Ben 's shoulder ; and the great bedstead going up garret in a fragmentary state , escorted by three bearers . Aunt Plenty was constantly on the trot among her store-rooms , camphor-chests , and linen-closets , looking as if the new order of things both amazed and amused her . Half the peculiar performances of Dr. Alec can not be revealed ; but as Rose glanced up from her box now and then she caught glimpses of him striding by , bearing a bamboo chair , a pair of ancient andirons , a queer Japanese screen , a rug or two , and finally a large bathing-pan upon his head . `` What a curious room it will be , '' she said , as she sat resting and refreshing herself with `` Lumps of Delight , '' all the way from Cairo . `` I fancy you will like it , deary , '' answered Aunt Peace , looking up with a smile from some pretty trifle she was making with blue silk and white muslin . Rose did not see the smile , for just at that moment her uncle paused at the door , and she sprang up to dance before him , saying , with a face full of childish happiness , `` Look at me ! look at me ! I 'm splendid I do n't know myself . I have n't put these things on right , I dare say , but I do like them so much ! '' `` You look as gay as a parrot in your fez and cabaja , and it does my heart good to see the little black shadow turned into a rainbow , '' said Uncle Alec , surveying the bright figure before him with great approbation . He did not say it , but he thought she made a much prettier picture than Phebe at the wash-tub , for she had stuck a purple fez on her blonde head , tied several brilliant scarfs about her waist , and put on a truly gorgeous scarlet jacket with a golden sun embroidered on the back , a silver moon on the front , and stars of all sizes on the sleeves . A pair of Turkish slippers adorned her feet , and necklaces of amber , coral , and filigree hung about her neck , while one hand held a smelling-bottle , and the other the spicy box of oriental sweetmeats . `` I feel like a girl in the ` Arabian Nights , ' and expect to find a magic carpet or a wonderful talisman somewhere . Only I do n't see how I ever can thank you for all these lovely things , '' she said , stopping her dance , as if suddenly oppressed with gratitude . `` I 'll tell you how by leaving off the black clothes , that never should have been kept so long on such a child , and wearing the gay ones I 've brought . It will do your spirits good , and cheer up this sober old house . Wo n't it , auntie ? '' `` I think you are right , Alec , and it is fortunate that we have not begun on her spring clothes yet , for Myra thought she ought not to wear anything brighter than violet , and she is too pale for that . '' `` You just let me direct Miss Hemming how to make some of these things .
You will be surprised to see how much I know about piping hems and gathering arm-holes and shirring biases , '' began Dr. Alec , patting a pile of XXXXX , cloth and silk with a knowing air .
Alec Cairo Japanese Nights Rose andirons cabaja deary muslin talisman