Aunt Myra was an especial trial , and he always turned contrary the moment she began to talk . He could not help it , and often laughed about it with comic frankness . Here now was a sample of it , for he had just been thinking that Rose had better defer her run till the wind went down and the sun was warmer . But Aunt Myra spoke , and he could not resist the temptation to make light of her advice , and let Rose brave the cold . He had no fear of its harming her , for she went out every day , and it was a great satisfaction to him to see her run down the avenue a minute afterward , with her skates on her arm , looking like a rosy-faced Esquimaux in her seal-skin suit , as she smiled at Aunt Myra stalking along as solemnly as a crow . `` I hope the child wo n't stay out long , for this wind is enough to chill the marrow in younger bones than Myra 's , '' thought Dr. Alec , half an hour later , as he drove toward the city to see the few patients he had consented to take for old acquaintance ' sake . The thought returned several times that morning , for it was truly a bitter day , and , in spite of his bear-skin coat , the Doctor shivered . 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. XXXXX 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 .
Alec Casabianca Dandy Esquimaux Mac Rose faithfulness hill-top minute pine-tree