`` I 'll tell you what it is , boys we have n't been half good enough to Rose , and we 've got to make it up to her somehow , '' said Archie , who had a very manly sense of honour about paying his debts , even to a girl . `` I 'm awfully sorry I made fun of her doll when Jamie lugged it out ; and I called her ` baby bunting ' when she cried over the dead kitten . Girls are such geese sometimes , I ca n't help it , '' said Steve , confessing his transgressions handsomely , and feeling quite ready to atone for them if he only knew how . `` I 'll go down on my knees and beg her pardon for treating her as if she was a child . Do n't it make her mad , though ? Come to think of it , she 's only two years or so younger than I am . But she is so small and pretty , she always seems like a dolly to me , '' and the Prince looked down from his lofty height of five feet five as if Rose was indeed a pygmy beside him . `` That dolly has got a real good little heart , and a bright mind of her own , you 'd better believe . Mac says she understands some things quicker than he can , and mother thinks she is an uncommonly nice girl , though she do n't know all creation . You need n't put on airs , Charlie , though you are a tall one , for Rose likes Archie better than you ; she said she did because he treated her respectfully . '' `` Steve looks as fierce as a game-cock ; but do n't you get excited , my son , for it wo n't do a bit of good . Of course , everybody likes the Chief best ; they ought to , and I 'll punch their heads if they do n't . So calm yourself , Dandy , and mend your own manners before you come down on other people 's . '' Thus the Prince with great dignity and perfect good nature , while Archie looked modestly gratified with the flattering opinions of his kinsfolk , and Steve subsided , feeling he had done his duty as a cousin and a brother . A pause ensued , during which Aunt Jane appeared in the other room , accompanied by a tea-tray sumptuously spread , and prepared to feed her big nestling , as that was a task she allowed no one to share with her . `` If you have a minute to spare before you go , child , I wish you 'd just make Mac a fresh shade ; this has got a berry stain on it , and he must be tidy , for he is to go out to-morrow if it is a cloudy day , '' said Mrs. Jane , spreading toast in a stately manner , while Mac slopped his tea about without receiving a word of reproof . `` Yes , aunt , '' answered Rose , so meekly that the boys could hardly believe it could be the same voice which had issued the stern command , `` Out of this room , every one of you ! '' not very long ago . They had not time to retire , without unseemly haste , before she walked into the parlour and sat down at the work-table without a word . It was funny to see the look the three tall lads cast at the little person sedately threading a needle with green silk .
They all wanted to say something expressive of repentance , but no one knew how to begin , and it was evident , from the prim expression of XXXXX 's face , that she intended to stand upon her dignity till they had properly abased themselves .
Archie Chief Jamie Prince Rose Steve game-cock minute parlour years