Presently Phebe seemed to think it was her turn to ask questions , and said , wistfully , `` You 've had lots of schooling , I suppose ? '' `` Oh , dear me , yes ! I 've been at boarding school nearly a year , and I 'm almost dead with lessons . The more I got , the more Miss Power gave me , and I was so miserable that I ` most cried my eyes out . Papa never gave me hard things to do , and he always taught me so pleasantly I loved to study . Oh , we were so happy and so fond of one another ! But now he is gone , and I am left all alone . '' The tear that would not come when Rose sat waiting for it came now of its own accord two of them in fact and rolled down her cheeks , telling the tale of love and sorrow better than any words could do it . For a minute there was no sound in the kitchen but the little daughter 's sobbing and the sympathetic patter of the rain . Phebe stopped rattling her beans from one pan to another , and her eyes were full of pity as they rested on the curly head bent down on Rose 's knee , for she saw that the heart under the pretty locket ached with its loss , and the dainty apron was used to dry sadder tears than any she had ever shed . Somehow , she felt more contented with her brown calico gown and blue-checked pinafore ; envy changed to compassion ; and if she had dared she would have gone and hugged her afflicted guest . Fearing that might not be considered proper , she said , in her cheery voice , `` I 'm sure you ai n't all alone with such a lot of folks belonging to you , and all so rich and clever . You 'll be petted to pieces , Debby says , because you are the only girl in the family . '' Phebe 's last words made Rose smile in spite of her tears , and she looked out from behind her apron with an April face , saying in a tone of comic distress , `` That 's one of my troubles ! I 've got six aunts , and they all want me , and I do n't know any of them very well . Papa named this place the Aunt-hill , and now I see why . '' Phebe laughed with her as she said encouragingly , `` Everyone calls it so , and it 's a real good name , for all the Mrs. Campbells live handy by , and keep coming up to see the old ladies . '' `` I could stand the aunts , but there are dozens of cousins , dreadful boys all of them , and I detest boys ! Some of them came to see me last Wednesday , but I was lying down , and when auntie came to call me I went under the quilt and pretended to be asleep . I shall have to see them some time , but I do dread it so . ''
And XXXXX gave a shudder , for , having lived alone with her invalid father , she knew nothing of boys , and considered them a species of wild animal .
Aunt-hill Campbells Debby Phebe Rose locket minute pinafore quilt year