I do hope you feel the weight of the responsibility you have taken upon yourself , Alec , '' she said , with a certain grim sort of satisfaction at seeing things go wrong . `` I think I have a very realising sense of it , sister Jane , '' answered Dr. Alec , with a comical shrug of the shoulders and a glance at Rose 's bright face . `` It is sad to see a great girl wasting these precious hours so . Now , my boys have studied all day , and Mac is still at his books , I 've no doubt , while you have not had a lesson since you came , I suspect . '' `` I 've had five to-day , ma'am , '' was Rose 's very unexpected answer . `` I 'm glad to hear it ; and what were they , pray ? '' Rose looked very demure as she replied , `` Navigation , geography , grammar , arithmetic , and keeping my temper . '' `` Queer lessons , I fancy ; and what have you learned from this remarkable mixture , I should like to know ? '' A naughty sparkle came into Rose 's eyes as she answered , with a droll look at her uncle , `` I ca n't tell you all , ma'am , but I have collected some useful information about China , which you may like , especially the teas . The best are Lapsing Souchong , Assam Pekoe , rare Ankoe , Flowery Pekoe , Howqua 's mixture , Scented Caper , Padral tea , black Congou , and green Twankey . Shanghai is on the Woosung River . Hong Kong means ` Island of Sweet waters . ' Singapore is ` Lion 's Town . ' ` Chops ' are the boats they live in ; and they drink tea out of little saucers . Principal productions are porcelain , tea , cinnamon , shawls , tin , tamarinds and opium . They have beautiful temples and queer gods ; and in Canton is the Dwelling of the Holy Pigs , fourteen of them , very big , and all blind . '' The effect of this remarkable burst was immense , especially the fact last mentioned . It entirely took the wind out of Aunt Jane 's sails ; it was so sudden , so varied and unexpected , that she had not a word to say . The glasses remained fixed full upon Rose for a moment , and then , with a hasty `` Oh , indeed ! '' the excellent lady bundled into her carriage and drove away , somewhat bewildered and very much disturbed .
She would have been more so if she had seen her reprehensible brother-in-law dancing a triumphal polka down the hall with XXXXX in honour of having silenced the enemy 's battery for once .
Alec Ankoe Canton Howqua Jane Kong Mac Padral Rose Souchong