Charlie laid himself out flat , melodramatically begging someone to take him away and hang him ; but Archie , who felt worst of all , said nothing except to vow within himself that he would read to Mac till his own eyes were as red as a dozen emery bags combined . Seeing the wholesome effects of her treatment upon these culprits , Rose felt that she might relent and allow them a gleam of hope . She found it impossible to help trampling upon the prostrate Prince a little , in words at least , for he had hurt her feelings oftener than he knew ; so she gave him a thimble-pie on the top of his head , and said , with an air of an infinitely superior being , `` Do n't be silly , but get up , and I 'll tell you something much better to do than sprawling on the floor and getting all over lint . '' Charlie obediently sat himself upon a hassock at her feet ; the other sinners drew near to catch the words of wisdom about to fall from her lips , and Rose , softened by this gratifying humility , addressed them in her most maternal tone . `` Now , boys , if you really want to be good to Mac , you can do it in this way . Do n't keep talking about things he ca n't do , or go and tell what fun you have had batting your ridiculous balls about . Get some nice book and read quietly ; cheer him up about school , and offer to help him study by and by ; you can do that better than I , because I 'm only a girl , and do n't learn Greek and Latin and all sorts of headachy stuff . '' `` Yes , but you can do heaps of things better than we can ; you 've proved that , '' said Archie , with an approving look that delighted Rose , though she could not resist giving Charlie one more rebuke , by saying , with a little bridling of the head , and a curl of the lip that wanted to smile instead , `` I 'm glad you think so , though I am a ` queer chicken . '' ' This scathing remark caused the Prince to hide his face for shame , and Steve to erect his head in the proud consciousness that this shot was not meant for him . Archie laughed , and Rose , seeing a merry blue eye winking at her from behind two brown hands , gave Charlie 's ear a friendly tweak , and extended the olive-branch of peace . `` Now we 'll all be good , and plan nice things for poor Mac , '' she said , smiling so graciously that the boys felt as if the sun had suddenly burst out from behind a heavy cloud and was shining with great brilliancy . The storm had cleared the air , and quite a heavenly calm succeeded , during which plans of a most varied and surprising sort were laid , for everyone burned to make noble sacrifices upon the shrine of `` poor Mac , '' and Rose was the guiding star to whom the others looked with most gratifying submission . Of course , this elevated state of things could not endure long , but it was very nice while it lasted , and left an excellent effect upon the minds of all when the first ardour had subsided . `` There , that 's ready for to-morrow , and I do hope it will be cloudy , '' said Rose , as she finished off the new shade , the progress of which the boys had watched with interest . `` I 'd bespoken an extra sunny day , but I 'll tell the clerk of the weather to change it . He 's an obliging fellow , and he 'll attend to it , so make yourself easy , '' said Charlie , who had become quite perky again . `` It is very easy for you to joke , but how would you like to wear a blinder like that for weeks and weeks , sir ? '' and Rose quenched his rising spirits by slipping the shade over his eyes , as he still sat on the cushion at her feet . `` It 's horrid ! Take it off , take it off !
I do n't wonder the poor old boy has the blues with a thing like that on '' ; and Charlie sat looking at what seemed to him an instrument of torture , with such a sober face that XXXXX took it gently away , and went in to bid Mac good-night .
Archie Rose Steve ardour blinder brilliancy fall hassock storm thimble-pie