`` Thank you . Yes , Uncle Mac gave me an account book when I went to school , and I used to put down my expenses , but I could n't make them go very well , for figures are the one thing I am not at all clever about , '' said Rose , rummaging in her desk for a dilapidated little book , which she was ashamed to show when she found it . `` Well , as figures are rather important things to most of us , and you may have a good many accounts to keep some day , would n't it be wise to begin at once and learn to manage your pennies before the pounds come to perplex you ? '' `` I thought you would do all that fussy part and take care of the pounds , as you call them . Need I worry about it ? I do hate sums , so ! '' `` I shall take care of things till you are of age , but I mean that you shall know how your property is managed , and do as much of it as you can by and by ; then you wo n't be dependent on the honesty of other people . '' `` Gracious me ! as if I would n't trust you with millions of billions if I had them , '' cried Rose , scandalised at the mere suggestion . `` Ah , but I might be tempted ; guardians are sometimes ; so you 'd better keep your eye on me , and in order to do that you must learn all about these affairs , '' answered Dr. Alec , as he made an entry in his own very neat account-book . Rose peeped over his shoulder at it , and then turned to the arithmetical puzzle in her hand with a sigh of despair . `` Uncle , when you add up your expenses do you ever find you have got more money than you had in the beginning ? '' `` No ; I usually find that I have a good deal less than I had in the beginning . Are you troubled in the peculiar way you mention ? '' `` Yes ; it is very curious , but I never can make things come out square . '' `` Perhaps I can help you , '' began Uncle Alec , in the most respectful tone . `` I think you had better , for if I have got to keep accounts I may as well begin in the right way . But please do n't laugh ! I know I 'm very stupid , and my book is a disgrace , but I never could get it straight . '' And with great trepidation , Rose gave up her funny little accounts .
It really was good in Dr. Alec not to laugh , and XXXXX felt deeply grateful when he said in a mildly suggestive tone , `` The dollars and cents seem to be rather mixed , perhaps if I just straightened them out a bit we should find things all right . ''
Alec Dr. Mac Rose account-book day laugh right tone trepidation