Get some nice book and read quietly ; cheer him up about school , and offer to help him study by and by ; you can do that better than I , because I 'm only a girl , and do n't learn Greek and Latin and all sorts of headachy stuff . '' `` Yes , but you can do heaps of things better than we can ; you 've proved that , '' said Archie , with an approving look that delighted Rose , though she could not resist giving Charlie one more rebuke , by saying , with a little bridling of the head , and a curl of the lip that wanted to smile instead , `` I 'm glad you think so , though I am a ` queer chicken . '' ' This scathing remark caused the Prince to hide his face for shame , and Steve to erect his head in the proud consciousness that this shot was not meant for him . Archie laughed , and Rose , seeing a merry blue eye winking at her from behind two brown hands , gave Charlie 's ear a friendly tweak , and extended the olive-branch of peace . `` Now we 'll all be good , and plan nice things for poor Mac , '' she said , smiling so graciously that the boys felt as if the sun had suddenly burst out from behind a heavy cloud and was shining with great brilliancy . The storm had cleared the air , and quite a heavenly calm succeeded , during which plans of a most varied and surprising sort were laid , for everyone burned to make noble sacrifices upon the shrine of `` poor Mac , '' and Rose was the guiding star to whom the others looked with most gratifying submission . Of course , this elevated state of things could not endure long , but it was very nice while it lasted , and left an excellent effect upon the minds of all when the first ardour had subsided . `` There , that 's ready for to-morrow , and I do hope it will be cloudy , '' said Rose , as she finished off the new shade , the progress of which the boys had watched with interest . `` I 'd bespoken an extra sunny day , but I 'll tell the clerk of the weather to change it . He 's an obliging fellow , and he 'll attend to it , so make yourself easy , '' said Charlie , who had become quite perky again . `` It is very easy for you to joke , but how would you like to wear a blinder like that for weeks and weeks , sir ? '' and Rose quenched his rising spirits by slipping the shade over his eyes , as he still sat on the cushion at her feet . `` It 's horrid ! Take it off , take it off ! I do n't wonder the poor old boy has the blues with a thing like that on '' ; and Charlie sat looking at what seemed to him an instrument of torture , with such a sober face that Rose took it gently away , and went in to bid Mac good-night . `` I shall go home with her , for it is getting darkish , and she is rather timid , '' said Archie , forgetting that he had often laughed at this very timidity . `` I think I might , for she 's taking care of my brother , '' put in Steve , asserting his rights . `` Let 's all go , that will please her '' ; proposed Charlie , with a burst of gallantry which electrified his mates . `` We will ! '' they said with one voice , and they did , to Rose 's great surprise and secret contentment ; though Archie had all the care of her , for the other two were leaping fences , running races , and having wrestling matches all the way down .
They composed themselves on reaching the door , however ; shook hands cordially all round , made their best bows , and retired with great elegance and dignity , leaving XXXXX to say to herself , with girlish satisfaction , as she went in , `` Now , that is the way I like to be treated . ''
Greek Prince Rose blinder brilliancy day left storm torture tweak