Right in the middle of her meditations she fell asleep and dreamed she was at home again in her own little bed . She seemed to wake and see her father bending over her ; to hear him say , `` My little Rose '' ; to answer , `` Yes , papa '' ; and then to feel him take her in his arms and kiss her tenderly . So sweet , so real was the dream , that she started up with a cry of joy to find herself in the arms of a brown , bearded man , who held her close , and whispered in a voice so like her father 's that she clung to him involuntarily , `` This is my little girl , and I am Uncle Alec . '' Chapter 3 -- Uncles When Rose woke next morning , she was not sure whether she had dreamed what occurred the night before , or it had actually happened . So she hopped up and dressed , although it was an hour earlier than she usually rose , for she could not sleep any more , being possessed with a strong desire to slip down and see if the big portmanteau and packing cases were really in the hall . She seemed to remember tumbling over them when she went to bed , for the aunts had sent her off very punctually , because they wanted their pet nephew all to themselves . The sun was shining , and Rose opened her window to let in the soft May air fresh from the sea . As she leaned over her little balcony , watching an early bird get the worm , and wondering how she should like Uncle Alec , she saw a man leap the garden wall and come whistling up the path . At first she thought it was some trespasser , but a second look showed her that it was her uncle returning from an early dip into the sea . She had hardly dared to look at him the night before , because whenever she tried to do so she always found a pair of keen blue eyes looking at her . Now she could take a good stare at him as he lingered along , looking about him as if glad to see the old place again . A brown , breezy man , in a blue jacket , with no hat on the curly head , which he shook now and then like a water dog ; broad-shouldered , alert in his motions , and with a general air of strength and stability about him which pleased Rose , though she could not explain the feeling of comfort it gave her . She had just said to herself , with a sense of relief , `` I guess I shall like him , though he looks as if he made people mind , '' when he lifted his eyes to examine the budding horse-chestnut overhead , and saw the eager face peering down at him . He waved his hand to her , nodded , and called out in a bluff , cheery voice , `` You are on deck early , little niece . '' `` I got up to see if you had really come , uncle . '' `` Did you ? Well , come down here and make sure of it . '' `` I 'm not allowed to go out before breakfast , sir . '' `` Oh , indeed ! '' with a shrug .
`` Then I 'll come aboard and salute , '' he added ; and , to XXXXX 's great amazement , Uncle Alec went up one of the pillars of the back piazza hand over hand , stepped across the roof , and swung himself into her balcony , saying , as he landed on the wide balustrade : `` Have you any doubts about me now , ma'am ? ''
Alec Right Rose before breakfast first middle portmanteau second trespasser