`` Ah ! yes , '' she thought , `` he wants me most ! I 've often longed to give him something that he wished for very much , and now I can . '' So , when , at a sudden gesture from Aunt Peace , silence fell , Rose said slowly , with a pretty colour in her cheeks , and a beseeching look about the room , as if asking pardon of the boys , `` It 's very hard to choose when everybody is so fond of me ; therefore I think I 'd better go to the one who seems to need me most . '' `` No , dear , the one you love the best and will be happiest with , '' said Dr. Alec quickly , as a doleful sniff from Aunt Myra , and a murmur of `` My sainted Caroline , '' made Rose pause and look that way . `` Take time , cousin ; do n't be in a hurry to make up your mind , and remember , ` Codlin 's your friend , ' '' added Charlie , hopeful still . `` I do n't want any time ! I know who I love best , who I 'm happiest with , and I choose uncle . Will he have me ? '' cried Rose , in a tone that produced a sympathetic thrill among the hearers , it was so full of tender confidence and love . If she really had any doubt , the look in Dr. Alec 's face banished it without a word , as he opened wide his arms , and she ran into them , feeling that home was there . No one spoke for a minute , but there were signs of emotion among the aunts , which warned the boys to bestir themselves before the water-works began to play . So they took hands and began to prance about uncle and niece , singing , with sudden inspiration , the nursery rhyme , `` Ring around a Rosy ! '' Of course that put an end to all sentiment , and Rose emerged laughing from Dr. Alec 's bosom , with the mark of a waistcoat button nicely imprinted on her left cheek . He saw it , and said with a merry kiss that half effaced it , `` This is my ewe lamb , and I have set my mark on her , so no one can steal her away . '' That tickled the boys , and they set up a shout of , `` Uncle had a little lamb ! '' THE FROST-KING : OR , THE POWER OF LOVE . THREE little Fairies sat in the fields eating their breakfast ; each among the leaves of her favorite flower , Daisy , Primrose , and Violet , were happy as Elves need be . The morning wind gently rocked them to and fro , and the sun shone warmly down upon the dewy grass , where butterflies spread their gay wings , and bees with their deep voices sung among the flowers ; while the little birds hopped merrily about to peep at them . On a silvery mushroom was spread the breakfast ; little cakes of flower-dust lay on a broad green leaf , beside a crimson strawberry , which , with sugar from the violet , and cream from the yellow milkweed , made a fairy meal , and their drink was the dew from the flowers ' bright leaves .
`` Ah me , '' sighed XXXXX , throwing herself languidly back , `` how warm the sun grows !
Alec Caroline FROST-KING Primrose colour fro left milkweed strawberry water-works