Only I must send the sisters word of my arrival , for they do n't expect me till to-morrow , you know , and there will be a row in church if those boys see me without warning . '' `` I 'll send Ben up the hill , and you can step over to Myra 's yourself ; it will please her , and you will have plenty of time . '' Dr. Alec was off at once , and they saw no more of him till the old barouche was at the door , and Aunt Plenty just rustling downstairs in her Sunday best , with Rose like a little black shadow behind her . Away they drove in state , and all the way Uncle Alec 's hat was more off his head than on , for everyone they met smiled and bowed , and gave him as blithe a greeting as the day permitted . It was evident that the warning had been a wise one , for , in spite of time and place , the lads were in such a ferment that their elders sat in momentary dread of an unseemly outbreak somewhere . It was simply impossible to keep those fourteen eyes off Uncle Alec , and the dreadful things that were done during sermon-time will hardly be believed . Rose dared not look up after a while , for these bad boys vented their emotions upon her till she was ready to laugh and cry with mingled amusement and vexation . Charlie winked rapturously at her behind his mother 's fan ; Mac openly pointed to the tall figure beside her ; Jamie stared fixedly over the back of his pew , till Rose thought his round eyes would drop out of his head ; George fell over a stool and dropped three books in his excitement ; Will drew sailors and Chinamen on his clean cuffs , and displayed them , to Rose 's great tribulation ; Steve nearly upset the whole party by burning his nose with salts , as he pretended to be overcome by his joy ; even dignified Archie disgraced himself by writing in his hymn book , `` Is n't he blue and brown ? '' and passing it politely to Rose . Her only salvation was trying to fix her attention upon Uncle Mac a portly , placid gentleman , who seemed entirely unconscious of the iniquities of the Clan , and dozed peacefully in his pew corner . This was the only uncle Rose had met for years , for Uncle Jem and Uncle Steve , the husbands of Aunt Jessie and Aunt Clara , were at sea , and Aunt Myra was a widow . Uncle Mac was a merchant , very rich and busy , and as quiet as a mouse at home , for he was in such a minority among the women folk he dared not open his lips , and let his wife rule undisturbed . Rose liked the big , kindly , silent man who came to her when papa died , was always sending her splendid boxes of goodies at school , and often invited her into his great warehouse , full of teas and spices , wines and all sorts of foreign fruits , there to eat and carry away whatever she liked . She had secretly regretted that he was not to be her guardian ; but since she had seen Uncle Alec she felt better about it , for she did not particularly admire Aunt Jane . When church was over , Dr. Alec got into the porch as quickly as possible , and there the young bears had a hug all round , while the sisters shook hands and welcomed him with bright faces and glad hearts . Rose was nearly crushed flat behind a door in that dangerous passage from pew to porch ; but Uncle Mac rescued her , and put her into the carriage for safe keeping . `` Now , girls , I want you to come and dine with Alec ; Mac also , of course . But I can not ask the boys , for we did not expect this dear fellow till tomorrow , you know , so I made no preparations . Send the lads home , and let them wait till Monday , for really I was shocked at their behaviour in church , '' said Aunt Plenty , as she followed Rose . In any other place the defrauded boys would have set up a howl ; as it was , they growled and protested till Dr. Alec settled the matter by saying , `` Never mind , old chaps , I 'll make it up to you to-morrow , if you sheer off quietly ; if you do n't , not a blessed thing shall you have out of my big boxes . ''
Chapter 4 -- Aunts All dinner-time XXXXX felt that she was going to be talked about , and afterward she was sure of it , for Aunt Plenty whispered to her as they went into the parlour , `` Run up and sit awhile with Sister Peace , my dear .
Alec Archie Ben Jamie Jane Jem Rose barouche pew years