it will be so lovely to see the dear thing open her big eyes and clap her hands at the splendid news . '' `` No one shall have a finger in this nice little pie ; you shall do it all yourself , only do n't go too fast , or make too many castles in the air , my dear ; for time and patience must go into this pie of ours if it is to turn out well . '' `` Yes , uncle , only when it is opened wo n't ` the birds begin to sing ? '' ' laughed Rose , taking a turn about the room as a vent for the joyful emotions that made her eyes shine . All of a sudden she stopped and asked soberly , `` If Phebe goes to school who will do her work ? I 'm willing , if I can . '' `` Come here and I 'll tell you a secret . Dolly 's ` bones ' are getting so troublesome , and her dear old temper so bad , that the aunts have decided to pension her off and let her go and live with her daughter , who has married very well . I saw her this week , and she 'd like to have her mother come , so in the spring we shall have a grand change , and get a new cook and chamber-girl if any can be found to suit our honoured relatives . '' `` Oh , me ! how can I ever get on without Phebe ? Could n't she stay , just so I could see her ? I 'd pay her board rather than have her go , I 'm so fond of her . '' How Dr. Alec laughed at that proposal , and how satisfied Rose was when he explained that Phebe was still to be her maid , with no duties except such as she could easily perform between school-hours . `` She is a proud creature , for all her humble ways , and even from us would not take a favour if she did not earn it somewhere . So this arrangement makes it all square and comfortable , you see , and she will pay for the schooling by curling these goldilocks a dozen times a day if you let her . '' `` Your plans are always so wise and kind ! That 's why they work so well , I suppose , and why people let you do what you like with them . I really do n't see how other girls get along without an Uncle Alec ! '' answered Rose , with a sigh of pity for those who had missed so great a blessing .
When Phebe was told the splendid news , she did not `` stand on her head with rapture , '' as Charlie prophesied she would , but took it quietly , because it was such a happy thing she had no words `` big and beautiful enough to thank them in , '' she said ; but every hour of her XXXXX was brightened by this granted wish , and dedicated to the service of those who gave it .
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