cried Rose , looking up with a bright face . But Phebe 's was brighter , though she added with a wistful look , `` Maybe I ought to have asked leave first ; only when Miss Rose proposed this , I was so happy I forgot to . Shall I stop , ma'am ? '' `` Of course not , child ; I 'm glad to see you fond of your book , and to find Rose helping you along . My blessed mother used to sit at work with her maids about her , teaching them many a useful thing in the good old fashion that 's gone by now . Only do n't neglect your work , dear , or let the books interfere with the duties . '' As Aunt Plenty spoke , with her kind old face beaming approvingly upon the girls , Phebe glanced at the clock , saw that it pointed to five , knew that Dolly would soon be down , expecting to find preparations for supper under way , and , hastily dropping her pencil , she jumped up , saying , `` Please , can I go ? I 'll clear up after I 've done my chores . '' `` School is dismissed , '' answered Rose , and with a grateful `` Thank you , heaps and heaps ! '' Phebe ran away singing the multiplication table as she set the tea ditto . That was the way it began , and for a week the class of one went on with great pleasure and profit to all concerned ; for the pupil proved a bright one , and came to her lessons as to a feast , while the young teacher did her best to be worthy the high opinion held of her , for Phebe firmly believed that Miss Rose knew everything in the way of learning . Of course the lads found out what was going on , and chaffed the girls about the `` Seminary , '' as they called the new enterprise ; but they thought it a good thing on the whole , kindly offered to give lessons in Greek and Latin gratis , and decided among themselves that `` Rose was a little trump to give the Phebe-bird such a capital boost . '' Rose herself had some doubts as to how it would strike her uncle , and concocted a wheedlesome speech which should at once convince him that it was the most useful , wholesome , and delightful plan ever devised . But she got no chance to deliver her address , for Dr. Alec came upon her so unexpectedly that it went out of her head entirely . She was sitting on the floor in the library , poring over a big book laid open in her lap , and knew nothing of the long-desired arrival till two large , warm hands met under her chin and gently turned her head back , so that someone could kiss her heartily on either cheek , while a fatherly voice said , half reproachfully , `` Why is my girl brooding over a dusty Encyclopedia when she ought to be running to meet the old gentleman who could n't get on another minute without her ? '' `` O uncle ! I 'm so glad ! and so sorry ! Why did n't you let us know what time you 'd be here , or call out the minute you came ? Have n't I been home-sick for you ?
and now I 'm so happy to have you back I could hug your dear old curly head off , '' cried Rose , as the XXXXX went down with a bang , and she up with a spring that carried her into Dr. Alec 's arms , to be kept there in the sort of embrace a man gives to the dearest creature the world holds for him .
Alec Dolly Encyclopedia Greek Phebe Phebe-bird Rose first home-sick minute