asked a chorus of voices . `` No ; and that 's the best of the joke , for she is desperately fond of it . '' `` What colour is it ? '' asked Rose , joining in the fun . `` Blue and brown . '' `` Is it good to eat ? '' asked Jamie . `` Some people think so , but I should n't like to try it , '' answered Charlie , laughing so he split his tea . `` Who does it belong to ? '' put in Steve . Archie and the Prince stared at one another rather blankly for a minute , then Archie answered with a twinkle of the eye that made Charlie explode again , `` To Grandfather Campbell . '' This was a poser , and they gave up the puzzle , though Jamie confided to Rose that he did not think he could live till Monday without knowing what this remarkable thing was . Soon after tea the Clan departed , singing `` All the blue bonnets are over the border , '' at the tops of their voices . `` Well , dear , how do you like your cousins ? '' asked Aunt Plenty , as the last pony frisked round the corner and the din died away . `` Pretty well , ma'am ; but I like Phebe better . '' An answer which caused Aunt Plenty to hold up her hands in despair and trot away to tell sister Peace that she never should understand that child , and it was a mercy Alec was coming soon to take the responsibility off their hands . Fatigued by the unusual exertions of the afternoon , Rose curled herself up in the sofa corner to rest and think about the great mystery , little guessing that she was to know it first of all . Right in the middle of her meditations she fell asleep and dreamed she was at home again in her own little bed . She seemed to wake and see her father bending over her ; to hear him say , `` My little Rose '' ; to answer , `` Yes , papa '' ; and then to feel him take her in his arms and kiss her tenderly .
So sweet , so real was the dream , that she started up with a cry of joy to find herself in the arms of a brown , bearded man , who held her close , and whispered in a voice so like her father 's that she clung to him involuntarily , `` This is my little girl , and I am Uncle XXXXX . ''
Alec Archie Charlie Clan Rose afternoon bonnets colour first poser