answered Prince , who disliked Miss Blish because she tried to be coquettish with him . `` Then I will , '' and , to the dismay of both recreant lads , Dr. Alec walked out of the room to offer his services to the `` chit . '' He was too late , however , for Mac , obeying a look from Rose , had already made a victim of himself , and trudged meekly away , wishing the gentle Ariadne at the bottom of the Red Sea . `` Then I will take this lady down to tea , as the other one has found a gentleman to go home with her . I see the lamps are lighted below , and I smell a smell which tells me that auntie has something extra nice for us to-night . '' As he spoke , Dr. Alec was preparing to carry Rose downstairs as usual ; but Archie and Prince rushed forward , begging with penitent eagerness for the honour of carrying her in an arm-chair . Rose consented , fearing that her uncle 's keen eye would discover the fatal bits of silk ; so the boys crossed hands , and , taking a good grip of each curly pate , she was borne down in state , while the others followed by way of the banisters . Tea was ordered earlier than usual , so that Jamie and his dolly could have a taste , at least , of the holiday fun , for they were to stay till seven , and be allowed twelve roasted chestnuts apiece , which they were under bonds not to eat till next day . Tea was despatched rapidly , therefore , and the party gathered round the wide hearth in the dining-room , where the nuts were soon dancing gaily on hot shovels or bouncing out among the company , thereby causing delightful panics among the little ones . `` Come , Rosy , tell us a story while we work , for you ca n't help much , and must amuse us as your share , '' proposed Mac , who sat in the shade pricking nuts , and who knew by experience what a capital little Scheherazade his cousin was . `` Yes , we poor monkeys ca n't burn our paws for nothing , so tell away , Pussy , '' added Charlie , as he threw several hot nuts into her lap and shook his fingers afterwards . `` Well , I happen to have a little story with a moral to it in my mind , and I will tell it , though it is intended for younger children than you , '' answered Rose , who was rather fond of telling instructive tales . `` Fire away , '' said Geordie , and she obeyed , little thinking what a disastrous story it would prove to herself . `` Well , once upon a time , a little girl went to see a young lady who was very fond of her . Now , the young lady happened to be lame , and had to have her foot bandaged up every day ; so she kept a basketful of bandages , all nicely rolled and ready . The little girl liked to play with this basket , and one day , when she thought no one saw her , she took one of the rolls without asking leave , and put it in her pocket . '' Here Pokey , who had been peering lovingly down at the five warm nuts that lay at the bottom of her tiny pocket , suddenly looked up and said , `` Oh ! '' in a startled tone , as if the moral tale had become intensely interesting all at once . Rose heard and saw the innocent betrayal of the small sinner , and went on in a most impressive manner , while the boys nudged one another and winked as they caught the joke . `` But an eye did see this naughty little girl , and whose eye do you think it was ? ''
`` Eye of Dod , '' murmured conscience-stricken XXXXX , spreading two chubby little hands before the round face , which they were not half big enough to hide .
Alec Archie Blish Charlie Geordie Jamie Pokey Prince chit day