Now , my men , step out and show your manners . '' At this command , to Rose 's great dismay , six more hands were offered , and it was evident that she was expected to shake them all . It was a trying moment to the bashful child ; but , remembering that they were her kinsmen come to welcome her , she tried her best to return the greeting cordially . This impressive ceremony being over , the Clan broke ranks , and both rooms instantly appeared to be pervaded with boys . Rose hastily retired to the shelter of a big chair and sat there watching the invaders and wondering when her aunt would come and rescue her . As if bound to do their duty manfully , yet rather oppressed by it , each lad paused beside her chair in his wanderings , made a brief remark , received a still briefer answer , and then sheered off with a relieved expression . Archie came first , and , leaning over the chair-back , observed in a paternal tone , `` I 'm glad you 've come , cousin , and I hope you 'll find the Aunt-hill pretty jolly . '' `` I think I shall . '' Mac shook his hair out of his eyes , stumbled over a stool , and asked abruptly , `` Did you bring any books with you ? '' `` Four boxes full . They are in the library . '' Mac vanished from the room , and Steve , striking an attitude which displayed his costume effectively , said with an affable smile , `` We were sorry not to see you last Wednesday . I hope your cold is better . '' `` Yes , thank you . '' And a smile began to dimple about Rose 's mouth , as she remembered her retreat under the bed-cover . Feeling that he had been received with distinguished marks of attention , Steve strolled away with his topknot higher than ever , and Prince Charlie pranced across the room , saying in a free and easy tone , `` Mamma sent her love and hopes you will be well enough to come over for a day next week . It must be desperately dull here for a little thing like you . '' `` I 'm thirteen and a half , though I do look small , '' cried Rose , forgetting her shyness in indignation at this insult to her newly acquired teens . `` Beg pardon , ma'am ; never should have guessed it . '' And Charlie went off with a laugh , glad to have struck a spark out of his meek cousin .
Geordie and Will came together , two sturdy eleven and twelve year olders , and , fixing their round blue eyes on XXXXX , fired off a question apiece , as if it was a shooting match and she the target .
Aunt-hill Charlie Clan Rose bed-cover chair-back first kinsmen shyness topknot