she asked , clasping her hands with delight as she recognised the handsome flower . `` Of course it is ! Look again , and guess what those are , '' answered Uncle Mac , chuckling and enjoying it all like a boy . A wreath of what looked at first like purple brooms appeared below the vase , but Rose guessed what they were meant for , and stood straight up , holding by his shoulder , and crying excitedly , `` Thistles , uncle , Scotch thistles ! There are seven of them one for each boy ! Oh , what a joke ! '' and she laughed so that she plumped into the bottom of the boat and stayed there till the brilliant spectacle was quite gone . `` That was rather a neat thing , I flatter myself , '' said Uncle Mac , in high glee at the success of his illumination . `` Now , shall I leave you on the Island or take you home again , my good little girl ? '' he added , lifting her up with such a tone of approbation in his voice that Rose kissed him on the spot . `` Home , please uncle ; and I thank you very very much for the beautiful firework you got up for me . I 'm so glad I saw it ; and I know I shall dream about it , '' answered Rose steadily , though a wistful glance went toward the Island , now so near that she could smell powder and see shadowy figures flitting about . Home they went ; and Rose fell asleep saying to herself , `` It was harder than I thought , but I 'm glad I did it , and I truly do n't want any reward but Phebe 's pleasure . '' Chapter 11 -- Poor Mac Rose 's sacrifice was a failure in one respect , for , though the elders loved her the better for it , and showed that they did , the boys were not inspired with the sudden respect which she had hoped for . In fact , her feelings were much hurt by overhearing Archie say that he could n't see any sense in it ; and the Prince added another blow by pronouncing her `` the queerest chicken ever seen . '' It is apt to be so , and it is hard to bear ; for , though we do not want trumpets blown , we do like to have our little virtues appreciated , and can not help feeling disappointed if they are not . A time soon came , however , when Rose , quite unconsciously , won not only the respect of her cousins , but their gratitude and affection likewise . Soon after the Island episode , Mac had a sunstroke , and was very ill for some time . It was so sudden that everyone was startled , and for some days the boy 's life was in danger . He pulled through , however ; and then , just as the family were rejoicing , a new trouble appeared which cast a gloom over them all .
Poor XXXXX 's eyes gave out ; and well they might , for he had abused them , and never being very strong , they suffered doubly now .
Mac Phebe Prince Rose Thistles approbation days firework first sunstroke