`` If I had a daughter like that to show my Jem when he gets home , I should be a very proud and happy woman , '' thought Aunt Jessie , and then reproached herself for not being perfectly satisfied with her four brave lads . Aunt Plenty was too absorbed in the dinner to have an eye for anything else ; if she had not been , she would have seen what an effect her new cap produced upon the boys . The good lady owned that she did `` love a dressy cap , '' and on this occasion her head gear was magnificent ; for the towering structure of lace was adorned with buff ribbons to such an extent that it looked as if a flock of yellow butterflies had settled on her dear old head . When she trotted about the rooms the ruches quivered , the little bows all stood erect , and the streamers waved in the breeze so comically that it was absolutely necessary for Archie to smother the Brats in the curtains till they had had their first laugh out . Uncle Mac had brought Fun See to dinner , and it was a mercy he did , for the elder lads found a vent for their merriment in joking the young Chinaman on his improved appearance . He was in American costume now , with a cropped head , and spoke remarkably good English after six months at school ; but , for all that , his yellow face and beady eyes made a curious contrast to the blonde Campbells all about him . Will called him the `` Typhoon , '' meaning Tycoon , and the name stuck to him to his great disgust . Aunt Peace was brought down and set in the chair of state at table , for she never failed to join the family on this day , and sat smiling at them all , `` like an embodiment of Peace on earth , '' Uncle Alec said , as he took his place beside her , while Uncle Mac supported Aunt Plenty at the other end . `` I ate hardly any breakfast , and I 've done everything I know to make myself extra hungry , but I really do n't think I can eat straight through , unless I burst my buttons off , '' whispered Geordie to Will , as he surveyed the bounteous stores before him with a hopeless sigh . `` A fellow never knows what he can do till he tries , '' answered Will , attacking his heaped-up plate with an evident intention of doing his duty like a man . Everybody knows what a Christmas dinner is , so we need waste no words in describing this one , but hasten at once to tell what happened at the end of it . The end , by the way , was so long in coming that the gas was lighted before dessert was over , for a snow flurry had come on and the wintry daylight faded fast . But that only made it all the jollier in the warm , bright rooms , full of happy souls . Everyone was very merry , but Archie seemed particularly uplifted so much so , that Charlie confided to Rose that he was afraid the Chief had been at the decanters . Rose indignantly denied the insinuation , for when healths were drunk in the good old-fashioned way to suit the elders , she had observed that Aunt Jessie 's boys filled their glasses with water , and had done the same herself in spite of the Prince 's jokes about `` the rosy . '' But Archie certainly was unusually excited , and when someone remembered that it was the anniversary of Uncle Jem 's wedding , and wished he was there to make a speech , his son electrified the family by trying to do it for him . It was rather incoherent and flowery , as maiden speeches are apt to be , but the end was considered superb ; for , turning to his mother with a queer little choke in his voice , he said that she `` deserved to be blessed with peace and plenty , to be crowned with roses and lads ' - love , and to receive the cargo of happiness sailing home to her in spite of wind or tide to add another Jem to the family jewels . '' That allusion to the Captain , now on his return trip , made Mrs. Jessie sob in her napkin , and set the boys cheering . Then , as if that was not sensation enough , Archie suddenly dashed out of the room , as if he had lost his wits . `` Too bashful to stay and be praised , '' began Charlie , excusing the peculiarities of his chief as in duty bound .
`` Phebe beckoned to him ; I saw her , '' cried XXXXX , staring hard at the door .
American Archie Campbells Geordie Jessie Peace Rose daylight first healths