That was a grand beginning , and they had many another dance before anyone would own they were tired . Even Fun See distinguished himself with Aunt Plenty , whom he greatly admired as the stoutest lady in the company ; plumpness being considered a beauty in his country . The merry old soul professed herself immensely flattered by his admiration , and the boys declared she `` set her cap at him , '' else he would never have dared to catch her under the mistletoe , and , rising on the tips of his own toes , gallantly salute her fat cheek . How they all laughed at her astonishment , and how Fun 's little black eyes twinkled over this exploit ! Charlie put him up to it , and Charlie was so bent on catching Rose , that he laid all sorts of pitfalls for her , and bribed the other lads to help him . But Rose was wide-awake , and escaped all his snares , professing great contempt for such foolish customs . Poor Phebe did not fare so well , and Archie was the only one who took a base advantage of her as she stood innocently offering tea to Aunt Myra , whom she happened to meet just under the fatal bough . If his father 's arrival had not rather upset him , I doubt if the dignified Chief would have done it , for he apologized at once in the handsomest manner , and caught the tray that nearly dropped from Phebe 's hands . Jamie boldly invited all the ladies to come and salute him ; and as for Uncle Jem , he behaved as if the entire room was a grove of mistletoe . Uncle Alec slyly laid a bit of it on Aunt Peace 's cap , and then softly kissed her ; which little joke seemed to please her very much , for she liked to have part in all the home pastimes , and Alec was her favourite nephew . Charlie alone failed to catch his shy bird , and the oftener she escaped the more determined he was to ensnare her . When every other wile had been tried in vain , he got Archie to propose a game with forfeits . `` I understand that dodge , '' thought Rose , and was on her guard so carefully that not one among the pile soon collected belonged to her . `` Now let us redeem them and play something else , '' said Will , quite unconscious of the deeply-laid plots all about him . `` One more round and then we will , '' answered the Prince , who had now baited his trap anew . Just as the question came to Rose , Jamie 's voice was heard in the hall , crying distressfully , `` Oh , come quick , quick ! '' Rose started up , missed the question , and was greeted with a general cry of `` Forfeit ! forfeit ! '' in which the little traitor came to join . `` Now I 've got her , '' thought the young rascal , exulting in his fun-loving soul .
`` Now I 'm lost , '' thought Rose , as she gave up her pin-cushion with a sternly defiant look that would have daunted anyone but the reckless XXXXX .
Chief Jamie Jem Peace Phebe Prince Rose forfeits snares wile