asked Dr. Alec quickly , for it was a firm belief in the family that Phebe would prove to be `` somebody '' sooner or later . `` No , her best friend turned up when you came home , uncle , '' answered Rose with an approving pat , adding gratefully , `` I ca n't half thank you for being so good to my girl , but she will , because I know she is going to make a woman to be proud of , she 's so strong and true , and loving . '' `` Bless your dear heart , I have n't begun to do anything yet , more shame to me ! But I 'm going at it now , and as soon as she gets on a bit , she shall go to school as long as she likes . How will that do for a beginning ? '' `` It will be ` just heavenly , ' as Phebe says , for it is the wish of her life to ` get lots of schooling , ' and she will be too happy when I tell her . May I , please ? it will be so lovely to see the dear thing open her big eyes and clap her hands at the splendid news . '' `` No one shall have a finger in this nice little pie ; you shall do it all yourself , only do n't go too fast , or make too many castles in the air , my dear ; for time and patience must go into this pie of ours if it is to turn out well . '' `` Yes , uncle , only when it is opened wo n't ` the birds begin to sing ? '' ' laughed Rose , taking a turn about the room as a vent for the joyful emotions that made her eyes shine . All of a sudden she stopped and asked soberly , `` If Phebe goes to school who will do her work ? I 'm willing , if I can . '' `` Come here and I 'll tell you a secret . Dolly 's ` bones ' are getting so troublesome , and her dear old temper so bad , that the aunts have decided to pension her off and let her go and live with her daughter , who has married very well . I saw her this week , and she 'd like to have her mother come , so in the spring we shall have a grand change , and get a new cook and chamber-girl if any can be found to suit our honoured relatives . '' `` Oh , me ! how can I ever get on without Phebe ? Could n't she stay , just so I could see her ? I 'd pay her board rather than have her go , I 'm so fond of her . ''
How Dr. Alec laughed at that proposal , and how satisfied XXXXX was when he explained that Phebe was still to be her maid , with no duties except such as she could easily perform between school-hours .
Alec Dolly Phebe Rose castles chamber-girl go heart shame spring