They were all standing about the hall lingering over the good-nights , when the sound of a voice softly singing `` Sweet Home , '' made them pause and listen . It was Phebe , poor little Phebe , who never had a home , never knew the love of father or mother , brother or sister ; who stood all alone in the wide world , yet was not sad nor afraid , but took her bits of happiness gratefully , and sung over her work without a thought of discontent . I fancy the happy family standing there together remembered this and felt the beauty of it , for when the solitary voice came to the burden of its song , other voices took it up and finished it so sweetly , that the old house seemed to echo the word `` Home '' in the ears of both the orphan girls , who had just spent their first Christmas under its hospitable roof . Chapter 21 -- A Scare `` Brother Alec , you surely do n't mean to allow that child to go out such a bitter cold day as this , '' said Mrs. Myra , looking into the study , where the Doctor sat reading his paper , one February morning . `` Why not ? If a delicate invalid like yourself can bear it , surely my hearty girl can , especially as she is dressed for cold weather , '' answered Dr. Alec with provoking confidence . `` But you have no idea how sharp the wind is . I am chilled to the very marrow of my bones , '' answered Aunt Myra , chafing the end of her purple nose with her sombre glove . `` I do n't doubt it , ma'am , if you will wear crape and silk instead of fur and flannel . Rosy goes out in all weathers , and will be none the worse for an hour 's brisk skating . '' `` Well , I warn you that you are trifling with the child 's health , and depending too much on the seeming improvement she has made this year . She is a delicate creature for all that , and will drop away suddenly at the first serious attack , as her poor mother did , '' croaked Aunt Myra , with a despondent wag of the big bonnet . `` I 'll risk it , '' answered Dr. Alec , knitting his brows , as he always did when any allusion was made to that other Rose . `` Mark my words , you will repent it , '' and with that awful prophecy , Aunt Myra departed like a black shadow . Now it must be confessed that among the Doctor 's failings and he had his share was a very masculine dislike of advice which was thrust upon him unasked . He always listened with respect to the great-aunts , and often consulted Mrs. Jessie ; but the other three ladies tried his patience sorely , by constant warnings , complaints and counsels . Aunt Myra was an especial trial , and he always turned contrary the moment she began to talk . He could not help it , and often laughed about it with comic frankness . Here now was a sample of it , for he had just been thinking that Rose had better defer her run till the wind went down and the sun was warmer . But Aunt Myra spoke , and he could not resist the temptation to make light of her advice , and let Rose brave the cold .
He had no fear of its harming her , for she went out every day , and it was a great satisfaction to him to see her run down the avenue a minute afterward , with her skates on her arm , looking like a rosy-faced Esquimaux in her seal-skin suit , as she smiled at Aunt XXXXX stalking along as solemnly as a crow .
Alec Doctor Jessie Myra attack day failings first hour morning