But he had great faith in Rose 's good sense , and it never occurred to him that she was making a little Casabianca of herself , with the difference of freezing instead of burning at her post . You see , Mac had made an appointment to meet her at a certain spot , and have a grand skating bout as soon as the few lessons he was allowed were over . She had promised to wait for him , and did so with a faithfulness that cost her dear , because Mac forgot his appointment when the lessons were done , and became absorbed in a chemical experiment , till a general combustion of gases drove him out of his laboratory . Then he suddenly remembered Rose , and would gladly have hurried away to her , but his mother forbade his going out , for the sharp wind would hurt his eyes . `` She will wait and wait , mother , for she always keeps her word , and I told her to hold on till I came , '' explained Mac , with visions of a shivering little figure watching on the windy hill-top . `` Of course , your uncle wo n't let her go out such a day as this . If he does , she will have the sense to come here for you , or to go home again when you do n't appear , '' said Aunt Jane , returning to her `` Watts on the Mind . '' `` I wish Steve would just cut up and see if she 's there , since I ca n't go , '' began Mac , anxiously . `` Steve wo n't stir a peg , thank you . He 's got his own toes to thaw out , and wants his dinner , '' answered Dandy , just in from school , and wrestling impatiently with his boots . So Mac resigned himself , and Rose waited dutifully till dinner-time assured her that her waiting was in vain . She had done her best to keep warm , had skated till she was tired and hot , then stood watching others till she was chilled ; tried to get up a glow again by trotting up and down the road , but failed to do so , and finally cuddled disconsolately under a pine-tree to wait and watch . When she at length started for home , she was benumbed with cold , and could hardly make her way against the wind that buffeted the frost-bitten rose most unmercifully . Dr. Alec was basking in the warmth of the study fire , after his drive , when the sound of a stifled sob made him hurry to the door and look anxiously into the hall . Rose lay in a shivering bunch near the register , with her things half off , wringing her hands , and trying not to cry with the pain returning warmth brought to her half-frozen fingers . `` My darling , what is it ? '' and Uncle Alec had her in his arms in a minute . `` Mac did n't come I ca n't get warm the fire makes me ache ! '' and with a long shiver Rose burst out crying , while her teeth chattered , and her poor little nose was so blue , it made one 's heart ache to see it . In less time than it takes to tell it , Dr. Alec had her on the sofa rolled up in the bear-skin coat , with Phebe rubbing her cold feet while he rubbed the aching hands , and Aunt Plenty made a comfortable hot drink , and Aunt Peace sent down her own foot-warmer and embroidered blanket `` for the dear . ''
Full of remorseful tenderness , Uncle XXXXX worked over his new patient till she declared she was all right again .
Alec Jane Rose Watts day faithfulness fire foot-warmer minute pine-tree