`` Take one in the morning , and a good-night to you , my dear , '' he said , dismissing his patient with a hearty kiss . Then , as she vanished , he put both hands into his hair , exclaiming , with a comical mixture of anxiety and amusement , `` When I think what I have undertaken , I declare to you , aunt , I feel like running away and not coming back till Rose is eighteen ! '' Chapter 5 -- A Belt and a Box When Rose came out of her chamber , cup in hand , next morning , the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite , which he appeared to be examining with care . When he heard her step , he turned about and began to sing , `` Where are you going , my pretty maid ? '' `` I 'm going a-milking , sir , she said , '' answered Rose , waving the cup ; and then they finished the verse together in fine style . Before either spoke , a head , in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage , popped out of a room farther down the hall , and an astonished voice exclaimed , `` What in the world are you doing about so early ? '' `` Clearing our pipes for the day , ma'am . Look here , auntie , can I have this room ? '' said Dr. Alec , making her a sailor 's bow . `` Any room you like , except sister 's . '' `` Thanks . And may I go rummaging round in the garrets and glory-holes to furnish it as I like ? '' `` My dear boy , you may turn the house upside down if you will only stay in it . '' `` That 's a handsome offer , I 'm sure . I 'll stay , ma'am ; here 's my little anchor , so you will get more than you want of me this time . '' `` That 's impossible ! Put on your jacket , Rose . Do n't tire her out with antics , Alec . Yes , sister , I 'm coming ! '' and the cabbage vanished suddenly .
The first milking lesson was a droll one ; but after several scares and many vain attempts , XXXXX at last managed to fill her cup , while Ben held Clover 's tail so that it could not flap , and Dr. Alec kept her from turning to stare at the new milkmaid , who objected to both these proceedings very much .
Alec Rose a-milking first garrets glory-holes good-night morning nightcap sir