They are good lads , and you 'll be mixed up with them more or less for years to come , so you may as well be friends and playmates at once . I will look you up some girls also , if I can find a sensible one who is not spoilt by her nonsensical education . '' `` Phebe is sensible , I 'm sure , and I like her , though I only saw her yesterday , '' cried Rose , waking up suddenly . `` And who is Phebe , if you please ? '' Rose eagerly told all she knew , and Uncle Alec listened , with an odd smile lurking about his mouth , though his eyes were quite sober as he watched the face before him . `` I 'm glad to see that you are not aristocratic in your tastes , but I do n't quite make out why you like this young lady from the poor-house . '' `` You may laugh at me , but I do . I ca n't tell why , only she seems so happy and busy , and sings so beautifully , and is strong enough to scrub and sweep , and has n't any troubles to plague her , '' said Rose , making a funny jumble of reasons in her efforts to explain . `` How do you know that ? '' `` Oh , I was telling her about mine , and asked if she had any , and she said , ` No , only I 'd like to go to school , and I mean to some day . '' `` So she does n't call desertion , poverty , and hard work , troubles ? She 's a brave little girl , and I shall be proud to know her . '' And Uncle Alec gave an approving nod , that made Rose wish she had been the one to earn it . `` But what are these troubles of yours , child ? '' he asked , after a minute of silence . `` Please do n't ask me , uncle . '' `` Ca n't you tell them to me as well as to Phebe ? '' Something in his tone made Rose feel that it would be better to speak out and be done with it , so she answered , with sudden colour and averted eyes , `` The greatest one was losing dear papa . '' As she said that , Uncle Alec 's arm came gently round her , and he drew her to him , saying , in the voice so like papa 's , `` That is a trouble which I can not cure , my child ; but I shall try to make you feel it less . What else , dear ? ''
`` I am so tired and poorly all the time , I ca n't do anything I want to , and it makes me cross , '' sighed XXXXX , rubbing the aching head like a fretful child .
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