Dr. Alec 's eyed twinkled , but he said very soberly , `` Rose , are you vain ? '' `` I 'm afraid I am , '' answered a very meek voice from behind the veil of hair that hid the red face . `` That is a sad fault . '' And he sighed as if grieved at the confession . `` I know it is , and I try not to be ; but people praise me , and I ca n't help liking it , for I really do n't think I am repulsive . '' The last word and the funny tone in which it was uttered were too much for Dr. Alec , and he laughed in spite of himself , to Rose 's great relief . `` I quite agree with you ; and in order that you may be still less repulsive , I want you to grow as fine a girl as Phebe . '' `` Phebe ! '' and Rose looked so amazed that her uncle nearly went off again . `` Yes , Phebe ; for she has what you need health . If you dear little girls would only learn what real beauty is , and not pinch and starve and bleach yourselves out so , you 'd save an immense deal of time and money and pain . A happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty for man or woman . Do you understand that , my dear ? '' `` Yes , sir , '' answered Rose , much taken down by this comparison with the girl from the poor-house . It nettled her sadly , and she showed that it did by saying quickly , `` I suppose you would like to have me sweep and scrub , and wear an old brown dress , and go round with my sleeves rolled up , as Phebe does ? '' `` I should very much , if you could work as well as she does , and show as strong a pair of arms as she can . I have n't seen a prettier picture for some time than she made of herself this morning , up to the elbows in suds , singing like a blackbird whilst she scrubbed on the back stoop . '' `` Well , I do think you are the queerest man that ever lived ! '' was all Rose could find to say after this display of bad taste . `` I have n't begun to show you my oddities yet , so you must make up your mind to worse shocks than this , '' he said , with such a whimsical look that she was glad the sound of a bell prevented her showing more plainly what a blow her little vanities had already received .
`` You will find your box all open up in auntie 's parlor , and there you can amuse her and yourself by rummaging to your heart 's content ; I 've got to be cruising round all the XXXXX getting my room to rights , '' said Dr. Alec , as they rose from breakfast .
Alec Phebe Rose blackbird bleach mind morning people poor-house taste