`` 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 Alec . '' Chapter 3 -- Uncles When Rose woke next morning , she was not sure whether she had dreamed what occurred the night before , or it had actually happened . So she hopped up and dressed , although it was an hour earlier than she usually rose , for she could not sleep any more , being possessed with a strong desire to slip down and see if the big portmanteau and packing cases were really in the hall . She seemed to remember tumbling over them when she went to bed , for the aunts had sent her off very punctually , because they wanted their pet nephew all to themselves . The sun was shining , and Rose opened her window to let in the soft May air fresh from the sea .
As she leaned over her little balcony , watching an early bird get the worm , and wondering how she should like Uncle XXXXX , she saw a man leap the garden wall and come whistling up the path .
Alec Charlie Rose Steve afternoon before bonnets first minute portmanteau